Shootout potential is afoot as the Minnesota Vikings and Seattle Seahawks prepare to meet this Sunday. Of course, that always seems to be the case for the Seahawks. Even though their offense sputtered at times versus the Dolphins last week, they still put up 31 points. And considering Seattle’s pass defense, which is allowing more than 400 yards through the air per week, the Seahawks need all of that production. Now they will have to match up with Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson, both of whom surpassed 100 yards in Week 4 versus Houston.
There’s been little to be critical of when it comes to Russell Wilson’s play this year. The Seahawks QB had a bit of an off week against the Dolphins, by his standards, and will look to bounce back on the big stage.
The Vikings’ first win of the year over the broken Houston Texans highlighted the running game more than anything. Dalvin Cook and the Vikings’ offensive line torched Houston for 130 yards and two touchdowns. This week, they face a top-five rushing defense in Seattle. As the talking people on TV say, something’s gotta give.
TV Info
Date: Sunday, Oct. 11
Time: 8:20 p.m. ET
Channel: NBC
Notable Statistical rankings (Football Outsiders)
Vikings: #13 Overall — #16 offense, #13 defense, #23 special teams
Seahawks: #6 Overall — #3 offense, #21 defense, #3 special teams
DraftKings Sportsbook odds
Vikings: +7, +205
Seahawks: -7, -335
Total: 56.5
Injury report
Vikings
OUT: WR K.J. Osborn (hamstring)
QUESTIONABLE: CB Kris Boyd (hamstring), CB Holton Hill (foot)
Seahawks
OUT: S Jamal Adams (groin)
QUESTIONABLE: LB Jordyn Brooks (knee), CB Quinton Dunbar (knee), S Delano Hill (back), RB Carlos Hyde (shoulder), G Mike Iupati (knee, back)
Fantasy football start/sit advice
Vikings
Justin Jefferson, WR, $5,500
The rookie seems to have found his comfort zone in the NFL. After a slow start, he has caught 11 of 14 targets for 278 yards and a touchdown. He should stay on a roll against this Seattle defense that has allowed seven wideouts to exceed the 100-yard mark.
Kirk Cousins, QB, $5,900
One reason why Jefferson was so quiet early on is Cousins was basically a train wreck in the first two weeks of the season. He was better in Week 3 and was a steady game manager against the Texans in Week 4. He won’t be allowed to to stay quiet this week as he’ll need to keep up with Russell Wilson and Co. With Thielen and Jefferson at his side, Cousins is a good DFS value this week.
Seahawks
Tyler Lockett, WR, $6,900
It was strange to see Lockett come up fairly empty in Week 4. He ended the game with four catches, two targets and 39 scoreless yards. That’s not going to last, especially this week. Lockett should see Vikings slot cornerback Mike Hughes often; he has been very average in coverage this year. Expect a big bounce back from Seattle’s WR1.
Chris Carson, RB, $6,400
Carson has battled through a couple of injury scares over the past 7-10 days. The first occurred late in Week 3 when his leg was twisted by a defensive lineman after a play. Then in Week 4, he was evaluated for a concussion and subsequently cleared. Through it all, Carson accumulated 100 total yards and two scores on 21 touches against the Dolphins. He remains a must-start against a Vikings defense that has been beaten by other bulky running backs such as Jonathan Taylor and Derrick Henry.