NFL Fantasy Football Matchup Cheat Sheet: Minnesota Vikings
In NFL daily fantasy leagues, matchups are important. Pay attention to favorable matchups rather than the overall quality of individual players. It is better to select an above-average offensive player facing poor to average defense than an elite talent facing above-average to elite defense.
Each position is ranked according to one of these four ratings: Elite, Above-average, Average, and Poor.
Offense
QB Teddy Bridgewater, Matt Cassel: Average
RB Adrian Peterson: Elite
WR1 Greg Jennings: Above-average
WR2 Cordarrelle Patterson: Above-average
Slot WR Jerome Simpson: Average
TE Kyle Rudolph: Above-average
O-line: LT Matt Kalil, LG Charlie Johnson, C John Sullivan, RG Brandon Fusco, RT Phil Loadholt: Above-average
Peterson is the best running back in the league, and he plays behind an o-line that excels at run blocking. Despite his large salary, he is a must-play on weeks when he is facing a poor to average run defense. Find some cheap sleeper options at other positions on those weeks so you can fit him in.
Jennings is a reliable receiver, and Patterson flashed some big-play potential in 2013, but there is a big question mark at quarterback for Minnesota. The Vikings will hope Bridgewater performs as he did in college games rather than as he did at his pro day practice. Cassel may be the opening day starter, but if his career so far is any indication of how he will play in 2014, he won’t remain the starter for very long. Avoid the passing game until the Vikings have an established quarterback.
Defense
CB1 Xavier Rhodes: Above-average
CB2 Josh Robinson: Poor
Nickel CB Captain Munnerlyn: Above-average
Safeties: SS Jamarca Sanford, FS Harrison Smith: Average
Linebackers: WLB Chad Greenway, MLB Jasper Brinkley, SLB Anthony Barr: Average
D-line: DE Brian Robinson, DT Linval Joesph, DT Sharrif Floyd, DE Everson Griffen: Average
The Vikings’ defense is all-around decent, except for one glaring weakness: the CB2 position. Look for teams with an above-average WR2, such as the Bears’ Alshon Jeffery, to take advantage of a favorable matchup with Robinson and an average safety duo.
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