Minnesota Vikings at Indianapolis Colts Week 2: Complete Fantasy Preview

OK, so Adrian Peterson is back.

The Minnesota Vikings’ star running back has looked healthier than he did in his Week 1 performance against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

But, he was good enough to get the job done.

The dude scored two touchdowns in an NFL game less than nine months after tearing his ACL. Sorry, Toby Gerhart fantasy owners…unless you can trade him to the Peterson owner (who should be shamed for not handcuffing Peterson in fantasy drafts), you’re not likely to get much value out of him in the immediate future.

The Vikings will confront their second straight AFC South opponent in the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. The Colts will be without star pass-rusher Dwight Freeney for this contest, rendering their defense next to useless in the fantasy realm.

Gerhart could find himself with a solid dose of carries if the Vikings get up big, but that’s not a gamble worth taking this early in the season. Andrew Luck is going to throw enough to keep the Colts in a position to score the ball, but Jared Allen and company will be breathing down his neck.

Luck threw three interceptions in Week 1 and was sacked three times. That makes the Vikings worth a desperation play as a fantasy defense, but the Colts will be at home in this matchup.

Luck’s numbers could resemble the ones he put up in Week 1 if Allen is allowed to roam in the Colts’ backfield. He is not a recommended fantasy option this week.

He’s got every bit as much ability as Blaine Gabbert (who had a nice game against the Vikings in Week 1) but has less talent in the backfield behind him.

Still, Donald Brown was a first-round draft pick. He should get more touches for Luck’s job to be easier. Once that happens, Brown could make a claim to be a top-20 fantasy RB.

Rashad Jennings and Maurice Jones-Drew combined for 108 yards against the Vikings during Week 1 with an average of four yards per carry. Brown’s worth a start this week.

Percy Harvin’s a stud. You’re going to start him.

Same with Reggie Wayne, who leads the NFL in targets through the first week of action.

It’s tough to know who the second WR in the pecking order is on either team. The Vikings are without Jerome Simpson while he serves his league-mandated suspension. The Colts are still weighing their options regarding the status of Austin Collie on a week-to-week basis.

Wayne and Harvin are the only wideouts participating in this contest that I’m interested in starting this week.

Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder should remain on most fantasy benches (or waiver wires, as the case may be) for now. There’s a reason drafters elected to make him a No. 2 QB (if he was drafted at all). Roll with the guy you drafted to start and keep an eye on Ponder as an upside play during the bye weeks.

Tight end Kyle Rudolph has a chance to be a matchup problem in Indianapolis. Coby Fleener is worth a play at tight end as well if you don’t have one of the elite guys.