The Vikings Fantasy Football Forecast for Week 10
Josh Frey
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The actual Vikings season may be supremely disappointing as we cross the halfway mark of the NFL schedule, but that doesn’t mean your fantasy football team needs to struggle. With Minnesota taking on the LA Chargers this upcoming weekend, there’s a good chance that this game will be an exciting shootout. Here’s the forecast for which Vikings players to start and sit in fantasy in week 10.
QB Kirk Cousins- Sit
Last week, the advice to sit Kirk Cousins didn’t work out, and it was largely the result of his rushing touchdown–one of three touchdowns he attributed to in the loss versus the Ravens. Outside of those scores, it was a pretty quiet day throwing the ball for just 187 yards.
This week, Cousins faces one of the tougher pass defenses in the NFL as Minnesota hits the road again to play against the LA Chargers. LA is allowing just 197 passing yards per game so far this season along with just 10 passing TDs allowed this year. It may be safer to go with a different QB this week.
RB Dalvin Cook- Start
Assuming Dalvin Cook’s legal situation doesn’t impact his availability this week, he should carry, pun intended, the Vikings offense this week. Despite their propensity for defending the pass, LA has been quite atrocious versus the run this year.
The Chargers are dead last in rushing yards and yards per rush as well as 29th in rushing touchdonws allowed this season. On top of that, they’ve been run against the most in the NFL. They have allowed over 175 yards on the ground in five of their eight games this season, so Minnesota should continue that trend if they want any chance to win. Because of that, it may be worth starting Alexander Mattison in Cook’s place if for whatever reason he does not play.
WR Adam Thielen- Start
Per usual, Adam Thielen’s production will likely rely on his ability to score touchdowns. The veteran receiver has broken 50 yards just three times in the past seven games; however, he’s also scored touchdowns in six of the Vikings eight games this year.
Despite a difficult matchup with the Chargers, I would suspect Thielen’s trend of reaching the end zone continues this week. Slot him into a WR2 spot on your fantasy team.
WR Justin Jefferson- Sit
The Vikings star receiver has been held in check to an alarming degree over the past few weeks. Justin Jefferson broke out for one 50-yard touchdown last week, but other than that, he caught just two of four targets for 19 yards. This comes after a week where he two of four targets for 21 yards.
Similar to how Thielen’s production will likely rely on red zone scores, Jefferson’s production will rely on big plays. Playing against the Chargers, those are likely to be few and far between, especially given the attention that LA’s secondary will give him. Jefferson will likely be limited to a flex role this week.