Giants-Vikings game: Potential bargains and must-plays
In a matchup of potential NFC playoff rivals, the Minnesota Vikings (11-3), host the New York Giants (8-5-1).
Here’s a quick rundown of the fantasy football options in the game.
Vikings receivers
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Minnesota is currently one of the most desirable teams in NFL fantasy. They average 29.7 points per game and have accumulated 407 yards over the past three weeks.
In season-long leagues, you’re in the playoffs right now, so play your Vikings and don’t look back.
Justin Jefferson, wide receiver in DFS is No. Justin Jefferson is No. 1. He averages 25.3 points per season on DraftKings, and has now eclipsed 30 FFPS three times in his last four seasons.
The Giants will likely be without their top corner, Adoree’ Jackson, again and they have no one who can counter Jefferson, so he’s a must-play.
That doesn’t mean you should ignore the Vikings’ other two wide receivers (Adam Thielen and K.J. Osborn and T.J. Hockenson, their Pro Bowl tight end. They’re all still in play.
The Giants’ secondary is still missing Jackson and star safety Xavier McKinney, so I see them struggling in this game.
Cousins and Cook
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If the Giants somehow shut down one or more of those weapons, it doesn’t mean curtains for quarterback Kirk Cousins. He has had two solid weeks in a row, albeit versus Indianapolis and Detroit — two weak pass defenses. However, he is on the rise.
The Giants have been pretty good against the pass, only allowing one quarterback to throw for more than 300 yards (Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence), and have allowed under 200 yards passing in five of their 14 games.
The Giants’ run defense is soft and Dalvin Cook, running back, has a plus matchup. In the last three weeks, only Green Bay allowed more rushing yards than the Giants who surrender 192.3 yards per match.
Cook can be hot or cold, depending on the game script, but I’m thinking he’ll be hot here. This year, the Giants have been terrible against the run.
Giants options
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If he is facing a weak defense, such as Detroit or Jacksonville then Quarterback Daniel Jones has been mostly flat this season in fantasy. That’s the case this week against Minnesota, who is ranked 28th versus quarterbacks in DFS this year, so Jones could be a nice cheap play.
Saquon Barkley, the running back, was selected to the Pro Bowl on the basis of his performance in the first two halves of the season. After a six-week slump, he emerged from it against Washington last week. Barkley should be considered for the role of quarterback.
The Giants’ receiving options are still shaky, but so is the Minnesota secondary. Richie James, Darius Slayton and Isaiah Hodgins are all options. But which one will be the best?
The Giants’ defense scored 17 FFPS last week against Washington and just might take advantage of a sloppy Cousins in this one. Despite allowing 39 points, Indianapolis racked-up 23 FFPS last week.
Steer clear
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Minnesota’s defense has allowed just 2.6 FFPS in five games. This game will see the Giants move the ball as much as they can against them.
The Giants’ tight ends can’t be trusted, either. Daniel Bellinger hasn’t contributed enough since his eye injury three week ago that you can have any confidence right now.