Seattle Seahawks vs. Minnesota Vikings
Kirk Cousin’s struggles on Monday Night Football are well documented. He was 0-7 all-time on MNF coming into tonight’s game, and he left 0-8. The Vikings led 17-10 at the half, but then Seattle scored 17 straight to take a 34-17 lead. And while Cousins and the Vikings got to within one score in the 4th quarter, Russell Wilson and the Seahawks were able to hold on for the victory. It was surprising how easily and effectively Seattle was able to run the ball against Minnesota’s 5th-ranked rushing defense – the Seahawks finished with 219 rushing yards against a unit that had only allowed 94.2 rushing YPG coming into tonight. Seattle’s dominance running the ball allowed them to dominate time of possession (39:44-20:16), effectively having the ball for twice as long as Minnesota. Let’s dive into the action!
Seattle Seahawks
Quarterbacks
- Russell Wilson: 21/31, 240 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT | 4 carries, 13 yards
From a purely fantasy standpoint, it was a modest performance from Russell Wilson against the Vikings on Monday night. His playmaking ability took a backseat to the suddenly higher-powered Seahawks rushing attack, and so he wasn’t asked to do as much with his arm or with his legs. While he did throw for 2 TDs in the 2nd half, his most notable pass of the 1st half was a TD for the Vikings’ defense. On a strange, fluky play, Wilson had a pass tipped into the air at the line of scrimmage. As quarterbacks are coached to do, Wilson tried to knock the ball down to the ground, but in fact, he did the exact opposite and knocked the ball higher into the air – right into the outstretched arms of Vikings’ safety Anthony Harris, who easily returned it 20 yards for a TD. Wilson did dazzle with a wide-open 60-yard TD pass to WR David Moore at the end of the 3rd quarter, but other than that, it was the Seahawks’ running game that stole the show. Wilson will likely be a solid starting option entering the fantasy playoffs against the shaky Rams’ and Panthers’ secondaries.
Running Backs
- Chris Carson: 23 carries, 102 yards, 1 TD | 2 targets, 1 reception, 7 yards
- Rashaad Penny: 15 carries, 74 yards, 1 TD | 5 targets, 4 receptions, 33 yards, 1 TD
Seattle came out (to no surprise of anyone) wanting to run the football early and often, and they did just that. After a solid performance last week by Rashaad Penny, Chris Carson owners were likely anxious at how the touches would be divvied up in this one. As it turned out, both backs were able to have excellent fantasy performances against the Vikings, with Penny once again leading the way. While Penny’s stealing work will remain a source of anxiety to Carson owners heading into the playoffs, this offense is clicking right now, and there’s not much to suggest that it can’t support both Penny and Carson being productive. On Seattle’s first possession it seemed as though Carson’s night may be cut short by a concussion – Carson was walked into the medical tent after taking a hard shot to the head. Carson was able to return, however, and finished with over 100 yards and a TD. Carson looked like the more explosive back of the two, but the higher usage of Penny helped to keep them both fresh throughout the night. Carson had his number called on Seattle’s first goal-to-go situation and finished the drive with a 1-yard rushing TD. Penny would score twice on the night – first on a 1-yard TD run in the 1st quarter that was set up by a 25-yard run by Carson. Penny’s 2nd TD came on a 13-yard catch-and-run at the beginning of the 4th quarter – which would effectively ice the game for the Seahawks. After this impressive performance against Minnesota’s 5th ranked rushing defense, it’s not crazy to think that both Carson and Penny are worth starting consideration as the fantasy playoffs begin.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
- DK Metcalf: 7 targets, 6 receptions, 75 yards
- David Moore: 4 targets, 2 receptions, 65 yards, 1 TD
- Jacob Hollister: 8 targets, 6 receptions, 44 yards
- Tyler Lockett: 3 targets, 0 receptions
The biggest takeaway of the night for Seattle’s pass-catchers was WR Tyler Lockett being held without a single catch. Following his dud last week where he finished with only one catch for 38 yards, Lockett’s owners are definitely scratching their heads wondering what’s happening. Part of his lack of involvement can be chalked up to Seattle’s dominance in running the ball. Seattle didn’t stray much from the run and mostly threw the ball on obvious passing situations. There was also talk of Lockett (and other Seahawks’ players) battling flu-like symptoms this week – not to mention the shin contusion that left Lockett hospitalized after their Week 11 win against the 49ers. Whatever combination of factors is leading to Lockett’s lack of production certainly has his owners frustrated. As for other Seattle receivers, it was a mostly quiet night. DK Metcalf paced the Seahawks with 6 catches and 75 yards but he also lost a fumble that, luckily for Seattle, wasn’t as costly as it could have been. WR David Moore snuck behind the entire defense for a wide-open 60-yard TD that gave the Seahawks a 10-point lead heading into the 4th quarter. It seems unfathomable to consider sitting Lockett next week against the middling Rams’ secondary, but these past two frustrating performances will certainly flaunt that thought through his owners’ minds. Perhaps it just means he’s due for a big game next week, let’s hope so, anyway.
Minnesota Vikings
Quarterbacks
- Kirk Cousins: 22/38, 276 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
Kirk Cousins and the Vikings’ offense came out blazing against Seattle, marching to an 83-yard TD drive in just 6 plays and 3 and a half minutes of game time. Cousins held to a measured passing approach, sticking to short passes and screen-plays to combat Seattle’s excellent pass-rush. It worked for Minnesota at first, and so they stuck with it. In fact, Cousins didn’t attempt a pass further than 5 yards downfield until there was less than a minute left to go in the 1st half. The Vikings’ offense slowed after that first drive, settling for only a field goal (plus a defensive TD, of course) for the rest of the first half. Cousins did throw a couple of TDs in the 2nd half – the first was a 58-yard bomb to a wide open WR Laquon Treadwell, and the 2nd was a quick 3-yard strike to TE Kyle Rudolph to bring the Vikings back to within one score, but they couldn’t quite keep enough momentum to win the game. It wasn’t a terribly inspiring performance from Cousins, who will remain a fringe starter going into the fantasy playoffs, has a tempting matchup in Week 14 against Detroit.
Running Backs
- Dalvin Cook: 9 carries, 29 yards, 1 TD | 4 targets, 3 receptions, 35 yards
- Alexander Mattison: 4 carries, 22 yards | 5 targets, 4 receptions, 51 yards
The main story in the game was definitely the shoulder injury to RB Dalvin Cook. Early in the 3rd quarter, Dalvin Cook was knocked out of the game with a shoulder injury and would not return. Cook was enjoying a nice performance up until the injury, scoring on a 2-yard TD on Minnesota’s first possession. After the game, Cook mentioned in a post-game interview that he would be “good to go” next week against the Lions, but in case he isn’t able to play, rookie RB Alexander Mattison looked impressive in Cook’s absence. Mattison closed out the game for Minnesota and appeared to be a suitable replacement – finishing with 73 total yards on only 8 touches. He struggles to get through the first contact as well as Cook does, but he can be just as elusive in space. He’s certainly no Cook, but if you’ve stashed him as a handcuff, he appears capable of providing suitable production. It will certainly worth monitoring Cook’s status this week as the fantasy season playoffs begin next week.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
- Stefon Diggs: 7 targets, 4 receptions, 25 yards | 1 carry, 27 yards
- Laquon Treadwell: 2 targets, 1 reception, 58 yards, 1 TD
- Kyle Rudolph: 6 targets, 4 receptions, 50 yards, 1 TD
It was a mostly quiet night for Vikings’ pass-catchers, but there were certainly a couple of splash-plays to keep things interesting. With WR Adam Thielen a semi-surprising scratch, Stefon Diggs owners hoped to see an uptick in production – and were left disappointed. Diggs was only able to muster 25 receiving yards on 4 grabs. In fact, his 27-yard rush on a jet sweep on the Vikings’ first drive netted him more yardage than all of his receptions combined. WR Laquon Treadwell was able to haul in a 58-yard TD on what might have been the most wide-open he’s been in his entire career. There was literally nobody within 15 yards of him on any side. It was only the 2nd career TD reception for Treadwell. TE Kyle Rudolph had a productive night, especially in PPR formats. His 4th-quarter one-handed TD grab brought the Vikings to within one score – and he had multiple chain-moving catches throughout the game. It’s safe to say that Thielen owners certainly hope to see him back in action next week against the Lions soft pass defense.
–Corey Saucier