Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, November 7th at 1:00 PM ET
Location: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD
Betting Odds: MIN +5.5, 49.5 total via Oddsshark
Network: FOX
Minnesota Vikings
Quarterback
Kirk Cousins (Start, Low-end QB1)
Kirk Cousins and the Vikings offense have struggled a bit lately. Cousins has scored only 13.4 fantasy points or fewer in three of his last four games and had his lowest yardage total of the season last week. I don’t know what the heck is going on with the play-calling in Minnesota, and I’m not sure when they will turn it around. The only reason Cousins is still in QB1 territory is because the Ravens have allowed so many passing yards this year. If Kirk can’t get it done this week, it may be time to panic.
Running Backs
Dalvin Cook (Start, RB1), Alexander Mattison (Sit)
Unfortunately, it seems like fantasy managers with Dalvin Cook on their team will have to take the good with the bad from their first-round pick. The good news is that Cook is off the injury report and seems to be at or about 100 percent. The bad news is that the Vikings’ offense is struggling, which takes opportunities away from Cook when Minnesota is playing from behind. Baltimore is allowing the fourth-fewest ground yards but is still giving up more than 20 fantasy points per game to opposing running backs. Fantasy managers need to start Cook either way, but it’s anyone’s guess if he (and this offense) bounces back in Week 9.
Alexander Mattison remains one of the top handcuff bench stashes in the league. If Cook is on your fantasy team, you better make sure you have Mattison as well.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Justin Jefferson (Start, WR1), Adam Thielen (Start, WR2), Tyler Conklin (Sit, High-end TE2)
Justin Jefferson had his worst fantasy total and fewest targets of the season last week. In his defense, Jefferson had talented rookie corner Trevon Diggs covering him for most of the game. I have to imagine the Vikings are thinking up ways to get their young stud receiver the football this week against a Ravens secondary that’s allowing the most passing yards in the league. I like Justin’s chances for an impressive bounce-back game this week.
Even when his offense struggles, Adam Thielen is still seeing plenty of targets come his way. Plus, he’s scored six touchdowns in Minnesota’s first seven games this year. Thielen should remain a dependable fantasy asset this week against a struggling Baltimore secondary.
Tyler Conklin has done well lately, averaging 10.4 fantasy points over the last two games and seeing an impressive target share. His fantasy value could increase if he becomes a more consistent option in this offense, but Conklin should be left on the bench in most 10-or-12-manager leagues. Tyler isn’t a bad option if you’re in a deep league.
Baltimore Ravens
Quarterback
Lamar Jackson (Start, QB1)
Lamar Jackson has done well this year (overall QB7 on the season), but he’s mostly getting it done with his feet. Jackson only has one game this season with more than one passing touchdown. The Vikings have been pretty stingy against fantasy quarterbacks this year, but they are allowing plenty of rushing yards, and Jackson should have pretty fresh legs after a BYE week. I believe Lamar should be capable of a QB1 performance this week.
Running Backs
Latavius Murray (Sit), Devonta Freeman (Sit), Le’Veon Bell (Sit)
Latavius Murray is likely the most valuable fantasy back on this team if he’s healthy and ready to go this week, but that isn’t saying much. The Ravens seem set on their running back committee approach. The last time Murray played he still split carries with Le’Veon Bell. Plus, Devonta Freeman is still in the mix and has scored a touchdown in each of his last two games. This backfield is too murky to trust. I would place Murray just outside Flex territory, but wouldn’t want to start any of these backs anyway.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Marquise Brown (Start, WR2), Sammy Watkins (Sit), Rashod Bateman (Sit), Mark Andrews (Start, TE1)
Marquise Brown has done a great job taking over the WR1 role in Baltimore. Hollywood was mostly a boom-or-bust option last year but only has single-digit fantasy points twice this year. Brown had his highest target total of the season in Week 7 (Baltimore’s had a BYE last week). The Vikings have allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to wide receivers, so I like Brown’s chances for WR2 production this week.
Rashod Bateman is essentially the WR2 in Baltimore while Sammy Watkins is out. Bateman put up 11 fantasy points in Week 7, but I doubt his production stays consistent enough for him to reach fantasy relevance in standard formats. Watkins should retake his WR2 role whenever he returns, but I’ll need some consistent play from him before I can consider starting him in fantasy formats.
The match-up isn’t great (the Vikings are allowing the fifth-fewest fantasy points to tight ends), but Mark Andrews should still be considered a must-start option in a tight-end position where fantasy points are hard to come by. Fire up Andrews and continue to trust the overall TE2 on the season.
-Ryan Kruse (@ryanpkruse)
“Henry Ruggs III was involved in a car accident earlier this week, in which the other vehicle involved unfortunately saw a casualty.”
aka
“Henry Ruggs III killed someone while drunk driving”
Everyone in America get high some kind of way rather it’s with drugs or drinking sad that this happened but things happen
Please don’t excuse his behavior like it couldn’t have been prevented by justifying it with a “things happen” comment. He made the choice to have the blood alcohol twice the legal limit, and chose to not only drive drunk but at high speed while intoxicated. He should have done the responsible thing and called for an Uber.