Vikings Fantasy Preview: Week 5 vs Texans
Adam Patrick
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In terms of top fantasy football prospects, the Minnesota Vikings are not home to many in 2016.
The Vikings offense has yet to have a quarterback throw for over 300 yards or a running back gain over 100 yards rushing in a single game this season. Only one wide receiver has a touchdown catch this year (Stefon Diggs) and only two receivers have over 10 catches so far in 2016 (Diggs and Adam Thielen).
But no one in Minnesota is complaining about statistics right now because the team has yet to lose a game this season. On Sunday, the Vikings and their snooze-fest of an offense will take on the Houston Texans at Minnesota’s U.S. Bank Stadium.
Does anyone (besides the defense) on the Vikings’ roster have a shot at fantasy supremacy this weekend?
Quarterback:
Sam Bradford
Bradford has really been all that Minnesota could have hoped for when they traded for him back in September. He has not turned the ball over and he has made clutch plays when the team has need them most.
On the other hand, fantasy owners are not too impressed with what Bradford has done this season. His 14.9 fantasy points per game in standard leagues ranks 22nd among quarterbacks in the NFL this year.
His opponent this week will likely find Bradford toward the bottom of the fantasy leaderboards once again. The Texans’ defense is giving up the second fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks in 2016 and they have only allowed one passing touchdown in their past five regular season games.
If any advice should be taken, it should be to not even think about starting Bradford this weekend.
Week 5 Projection: 12.7 points (225 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT)
Running Back:
Jerick McKinnon
After a rough game against the Carolina Panthers in Week 3, McKinnon seemed to find his groove against the New York Giants last Monday. The running back scored his first touchdown of 2016 and he finished with 95 total yards on 21 touches last week.
McKinnon could be the one bright spot on the Vikings’ offense this weekend as Houston has struggled recently with stopping opposing running backs. In the past two weeks, the Texans’ defense gave up at least 100 total yards and two touchdowns to both LaGarrette Blount and DeMarco Murray.
McKinnon should at least garner some consideration as a flex option for a few fantasy owners on Sunday.
Week 5 Projection: 11 points (17 touches, 79 total yards, 1 TD)
Wide Receiver:
Stefon Diggs
After two impressive weeks to kick of the season, Diggs has cooled down a bit in his last two games. After gaining over 100 receiving yards in his first two games this year, the Vikings’ young pass catcher has not even gained over 100 yards combined in the last two weeks.
Is it an injury? Is it defenses paying more attention to him? Whatever it is, his top play has come to a halt and he is quickly falling out of favor with fantasy owners.
But due to his ability to have a monster day whenever he takes the field, his owners should still have him in their lineups this week as either a WR2 or a flex.
(Note: Diggs is listed as doubtful for this weekend with a groin injury, so his fantasy owners should make sure to check Minnesota’s inactive list at least an hour and half before game time to make sure he is in the lineup.)
Week 5 Projection: 8.5 points (5 catches, 66 yards, 0 TDs)
Tight End:
Kyle Rudolph
It is unsure as to how much sleep Rudolph has gotten this week with his wife having given birth to twins on Tuesday morning, but a few Red Bulls and he should be good to go against Houston on Sunday.
The Vikings tight end will be looking to extend his touchdown streak to four games this week and if he does it will be the longest such streak of his career. But performing well against the Texans defense may the toughest task he has faced so far this season.
Houston has done very well against opposing tight ends this year. They are giving up the third fewest fantasy points to the position group in 2016 and they have yet to allow any tight ends to reach the end zone.
He is still worth a start for most fantasy owners this week, but they should not be surprised if he has an off day on Sunday.
Week 5 Projection: 7.2 points (4 catches, 44 yards, 1 TD)