Vikings 28, Saints 25 (Push of Vikings -3, Over 41.5)

Vikings

QB

Pregame: Kirk Cousins’ season has been very difficult to dissect. In his first game against the Packers, he completed 71.88% of his passes for 277 yards and two touchdowns. He had a passer rating of 118.9 and averaged 8.66 yards per attempt. During the next week, however, Cousins had arguably his worst game as a Viking. Against the Eagles on MNF, he completed 58.74% of his passes for 221 yards, one touchdown, three interceptions, and a fumble. He had an abysmal 51.1 passer rating with 4.8 yards per attempt. He bounced back mildly last week against the Lions. While he only completed 58.54% of his passes, he threw for 260 yards, two touchdowns and no turnovers. Cousins will face a Saints team that he has played very well against in his career. In his four total games against them, he’s averaged 324 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 0.3 interceptions. The low over/under total and Cousin’s shaky start to the season makes him a better bench option than a starter, however, there is definite upside if this game becomes high-scoring.

Postgame: Kirk Cousins completed 25/38 passes for 273 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. For most of this game, Cousins didn’t look too comfortable against this Saints pass rush. Just like last week against the Lions, however, he stepped up when it mattered most in the fourth quarter. Most of Cousins’ mistakes look like those of a quarterback in a new system. Cousins double-clutched and missed high on multiple throws, making his connections with his receivers look just a little bit off. As Cousins continues to familiarize himself with this new system, he should see more success. Cousins profiles as a high-end streamer in fantasy due to his increased volume and exceptional weapons. 

RB

Pregame: Dalvin Cook has had a solid year thus far. Last week against the Lions, the veteran rushed for 96 yards and a touchdown on 5.65 yards per carry. Cook left the game with a shoulder injury and didn’t return, although he practiced on Thursday and plans to play with a shoulder brace. The last time Cook played with a shoulder brace, he rushed the ball 27 times for 205 yards, so he shouldn’t be limited. The Saints allowed nearly five yards per carry to the Panthers last week, and their pass rush should cause Cousins to check down to Cook often. Assuming Cook plays, he is a must-start RB1.

Postgame: Dalvin Cook rushed the ball 20 times for 76 yards, and added two catches for 10 yards on Sunday. Cook averaged just 3.8 yards per carry against this stingy rush defense. The good news for Cook owners in fantasy is that he touched the ball 22 times in a game where he was coming off of a shoulder strain. Alexander Mattison caught a touchdown on a drive where Cook did most of the running back damage, so fantasy owners shouldn’t be concerned about him moving forward. Cook is still a high-end RB1 for the time being. 

Want to read the rest of our fantasy recap as well as get access to the rest of our premium content? You’ll need to have a FANTASYPASS membership. Click here to learn more and sign up! 

WR

Premium Access Required: