Detroit Lions vs Minnesota Vikings
This was a one-sided affair throughout as the Vikings easily handled their NFC North counterparts 20-7. Minnesota dominated on the stat sheet as well, outgaining Detroit 354 yards to 231, 22 first downs to 18, and held the ball for 33:42 to Detroit’s 26:18. This is the first game this season in which Detroit has not had a lead at some point during the game. Here’s what I saw.
Detroit Lions
Quarterback
- David Blough: 24/40, 205 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs, 5 sacks, 44 yards lost
David Blough set the bar WAY too high on Thanksgiving as his first NFL completion went for a 75-yard TD. It’s been mostly downhill for Blough since, with moments of competent play followed by choices that end up hurting the team. Blough accumulated the majority of his stats in the fourth quarter as he was only able to lead Detroit to 98 total yards through three quarters, despite CB Xavier Rhodes sitting out the early part of the game. Blough is in over his head given the lack of a competent running game and a lackluster offensive line. Stay far away from Blough.
Running Backs
- Bo Scarbrough: 19 carries, 65 yards | 3 targets, 1 reception, 5 yards
- J.D. McKissic: 1 carry, 2 yards | 4 targets, 4 receptions, 16 yards
- Ty Johnson: 2 carries, 3 yards | 1 target, 1 reception, 7 yards
Bo Scarbrough has been a pleasant surprise for the Lions, but he is hindered by being a virtual non-factor in the passing game, a below-average offensive line, and a rookie QB in over his head. The good news for fantasy owners is that Scarbrough gets the majority of the carries and has been relatively successful with those carries. Unfortunately, Detroit’s offense isn’t dynamic enough to give Scarbrough many chances near the goal line to make him an attractive fantasy option. As such, Scarbrough is a low-end RB3 at best and has little upside in this offense.
J.D. McKissic has emerged as a nice change of pace option and shows ability as a receiver out of the backfield. McKissic doesn’t see enough snaps, however, to generate much excitement in the fantasy community. Consider McKissic a low-end RB4 with a little upside in PPR leagues.
Wide Receivers / Tight Ends
- Kenny Golladay: 8 targets, 6 receptions, 58 yards, 1 TD
- Marvin Jones: 7 targets, 3 receptions, 38 yards
- Danny Amendola: 8 targets, 5 receptions, 34 yards
- Logan Thomas: 4 targets, 2 receptions, 21 yards
- Jesse James: 2 targets, 1 reception, 23 yards
It’s good to see Kenny Golladay continue to be highly involved in Detroit’s offense despite the changes at the QB position this season. Golladay took sole possession of the top spot in receiving TDs (10) with his 10-yard TD catch late in this game. Golladay is a big-bodied receiver with incredibly strong hands and knows how to utilize both of those attributes to great success. Golladay will continue to be featured in this offense given the lack of playmakers at the other skill positions and he can safely be relied on as a low-end WR2 with upside as the fantasy playoffs continue.
Marvin Jones had some uncharacteristic drops in this game and was unable to find the end zone leading to another sub-50 yard performance and an underwhelming day for fantasy owners. Jones has been too reliant on TDs since his 126-yard game back in week nine and is hard to trust for fantasy owners right now. I’d slot Jones in as a low-end WR4 with TD upside but not someone I would want to rely on in the fantasy playoffs.
Danny Amendola turned in another typical performance as the underneath, safe option for Blough. Amendola is a trusted target but rarely gets opportunities down the field or near the end zone. Amendola did get behind the defense early in this game but the ball was knocked away at the last moment, negating a potential big play for Amendola. Amendola hasn’t eclipsed 50 yards in six weeks and hasn’t been in the end zone since week one. As such, he is no better than a WR5 and shouldn’t be counted on during your playoff run.
Minnesota Vikings
Quarterback
- Kirk Cousins: 24/30, 242 yards, 1 TD, 1 sack, 8 yards lost | 1 carry, -1 yard
Kirk Cousins turned in another masterful performance, regularly placing passes where only his players could catch them and taking what the defense allowed throughout the game. Cousins also spread the ball around, targeting 12 different receivers and completing passes to 11 of them. On his TD pass, Cousins threw a high pass to [Ola]Bisi Johnson over rookie CB Amani Oruwariye. Johnson made a great play to pluck the ball out of the air and secure the TD.
Cousins has plenty of upside as evidenced by his three-game stretch from week five through week seven in which he threw for 976 yards and 10 TDs with just one INT. Rumors are also indicating WR Adam Thielen will be able to make his return next week, increasing Cousins’ appeal. Cousins has a strong running game to keep defenses honest and playmakers at WR and TE. As a result, Cousins should remain a high-end QB2 with QB1 upside.
Running Backs
- Dalvin Cook: 18 carries, 62 yards, 1 TD | 2 targets, 2 receptions, 13 yards
- Alexander Mattison: 14 carries, 46 yards | 2 targets, 2 receptions, 18 yards
- C.J. Ham: 1 carry | 1 target, 1 reception, 25 yards
There was some concern early in the week as to the amount of playing time Dalvin Cook would receive despite his claims indicating he was fine after a late-game injury the week prior. Those concerns were quickly alleviated as Cook looked none the worse for wear early in this game. Cook hit the hole hard and looked as fast and explosive as ever. Perhaps the training he did with the Navy SEALS the week leading up to the game to teach him how to fall to avoid any further aggravation to the injury gave him confidence. Cook showed his trademark burst and speed on his short TD run as he easily outran the defense around the right end to close out the first-half scoring. Cook maintains his RB1 status, but expectations for a low-end RB1 might be in order given the success of his backfield mate.
That would be rookie Alexander Mattison who has looked good when given the chance to spell Cook. Mattison matched his season-high in carries this game and had his most touches of the season. Mattison is a must-have handcuff for the Cook owner but provides only bench depth if Cook stays healthy.
C.J. Ham and Mike Boone saw some action late in the game once the outcome was no longer in doubt. Neither has any fantasy appeal given the quality of the players ahead of them.
Wide Receivers / Tight Ends
- Stefon Diggs: 9 targets, 6 receptions, 92 yards
- Kyle Rudolph: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 11 yards
- Olabisi Johnson: 1 target, 1 reception, 9 yards, 1 TD
- Irv Smith: 4 targets, 3 receptions, 21 yards
- Laquon Treadwell: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 42 yards
I would argue that Stefon Diggs is the best receiver when near the boundary in the NFL. Diggs has the uncanny ability to keep both feet in bounds and still make difficult catches look routine. With Thielen remaining sidelined with a hamstring injury, Diggs has been far and away the most targeted receiver for Cousins. The return of Thielen may pull a few targets from Diggs, but it will also relax the double-coverage on Diggs. Diggs is a low-end WR1 only because of the quality of the running game Minnesota has but is a reliable option for the fantasy playoffs.
Olabisi Johnson has been starting for Thielen but has consistently been a secondary weapon in the offense. Johnson did show nice athletic ability on his only opportunity of the game as Cousins threw a high pass and Johnson was able to elevate and pluck the ball out of the air. As mentioned above, some believe Thielen will be able to return next week when Minnesota faces the Chargers, relegating Johnson back to WR3 status. Johnson’s opportunities without Thielen haven’t been much different, so there is no reason to think his fantasy contribution will change. Johnson is no more than a WR5 given his role in this offense going forward.
Kyle Rudolph returned from the wasteland a few weeks ago and has been a borderline TE1 the last four weeks. Unfortunately, Rudolph had a game to forget with just two short receptions. Rudolph has been a monster near the end zone, so upside is there but is he someone you can trust in the fantasy playoffs? I’d say Rudolph is a mid-TE2 with TE1 upside, so start him unless you have a considerably better option.
Irv Smith is the most athletic TE on Minnesota’s roster but the WRs are the preferred targets for Cousins in this offense. Smith has seen his role grow as the season has progressed, but he is not startable as long as Rudolph is healthy. Smith is a nice long-term prospect for keeper and dynasty leagues but is just bench depth for traditional redraft leagues right now.
–Bryan Sweet