Fantasy Football Week 14: Rankings and Advice for 'Thursday Night Football'
Kicking off the first round of most leagues' fantasy football playoffs, the Minnesota Vikings will be on the road to take on the Arizona Cardinals.
According to Odds Shark, the Cardinals are a 10.5-point home favorite, and that seems like a pretty good bet if you ask me.
The Vikings passing attack has been entirely nonexistent these past two weeks. Heading into Arizona, they face a stingy defense that is excellent against all skill positions—at least fantasy-wise.
Last week we saw Vikings running back Adrian Peterson do essentially nothing, and the game script may warrant a similar outcome this week.
I'm just not entirely sure how the Vikings score a touchdown in this game unless it's in garbage time.
I'm taking the Cardinals, 24-9.
Big Board
1 of 9
| Rank | Player | Pos. | Team |
| 1 | Larry Fitzgerald | WR | Arizona Cardinals |
| 2 | John Brown | WR | Arizona Cardinals |
| 3 | Carson Palmer | QB | Arizona Cardinals |
| 4 | David Johnson | RB | Arizona Cardinals |
| 5 | Stefon Diggs | WR | Minnesota Vikings |
| 6 | Adrian Peterson | RB | Minnesota Vikings |
| 7 | Teddy Bridgewater | QB | Minnesota Vikings |
| 8 | Michael Floyd | WR | Arizona Cardinals |
| 9 | Kyle Rudolph | TE | Minnesota Vikings |
| 10 | Mike Wallace | WR | Minnesota Vikings |
Injury Report
2 of 9
Minnesota Vikings
- Harrison Smith, S, Out (Knee/Hamstring)
- Anthony Barr, LB, Out (Groin)
- Linval Joseph, DT, Questionable (Foot)
Arizona Cardinals
- Jerraud Powers, CB, Out (Calf)
- Rashad Johnson, S, Probable (Ankle)
- Jermaine Gresham, TE, Doubtful (Knee)
- Stepfan Taylor, RB, Probable (Shoulder)
- John Brown, WR, Probable (Hamstring)
- Michael Floyd, WR, Probable (Hamstring)
- Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Probable (Ankle)
- Andre Ellington, RB, Out (Toe)
Injury reports courtesy of ESPN.com.
Quarterbacks
3 of 9
Minnesota Vikings: Teddy Bridgewater
Over his last six games, Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has been held under 200 passing yards in five of them.
In addition to that, Bridgewater has not thrown a touchdown pass in his last two outings.
He's off fantasy radars.
Projections: 185 passing yards, 0 TD, 1 INT
Arizona Cardinals: Carson Palmer
Heading into Week 14, the Vikings are allowing 242 passing yards per game.
Because the Vikings may not be able show much of a pulse, coupled with the absence of safety Harrison Smith and linebacker Anthony Barr, Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer should have a solid fantasy outing.
Projections: 245 passing yards, 2 TDs
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Running Backs
4 of 9
Minnesota Vikings Starter: Adrian Peterson
As we saw in Week 13, Vikings running back Adrian Peterson was not much of a factor due to his team being blown out.
Week 14 should not be nearly as bad score-wise. However, due to the lack of passing ability quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has displayed, the Cardinals' main objective will be to bottle up Peterson.
Hopefully you are not relying on Peterson to carry you in the first round of the playoffs this week.
Projections: 45 rushing yards; 3 receptions, 20 receiving yards
Arizona Cardinals Starter: David Johnson
Heading into Week 14, the Vikings are surrendering the 24th-most fantasy points to opposing running backs.
However, the Vikings do allow over 4.3 yards per carry.
What will help Johnson's value in this game will be his team controlling the game throughout, allowing him extra touches to kill some clock.
It's all about game script, people!
Projections: 70 rushing yards, 1 TD; 2 receptions, 15 receiving yards
Wide Receivers
5 of 9
Minnesota Vikings: Stefon Diggs
Over his last five games, Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs has gone over 50 yards receiving just one time.
This week he gets to deal with an Cardinals defense that is the seventh-toughest unit against opposing wide receivers, led by defensive backs Patrick Peterson and Tyrann Mathieu.
Hope for double-digit production.
Projections: 4 receptions, 50 receiving yards
Arizona Cardinals: Larry Fitzgerald
Although he has not gone over 100 yards receiving since Week 10, Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald has caught 26 passes over the past three weeks.
Start him with confidence.
Projections: 7 receptions, 70 receiving yards, 1 TD
Arizona Cardinals: John Brown
With the absence of Vikings safety Harrison Smith, Cardinals wide receiver John Brown has a chance to do what he's known for—making big plays.
Going over 100 receiving yards in Week 13, expect another double-digit game for Brown.
Projections: 5 receptions, 80 receiving yards, 1 TD
Arizona Cardinals: Michael Floyd
Catching seven passes in two of his last three games, Cardinals wide receiver Michael Floyd has really turned it around this season.
Do not be surprised if he catches a touchdown, as Floyd could haul in a red-zone score.
Projections: 4 receptions, 45 receiving yards
Tight Ends
6 of 9
Minnesota Vikings Starter: Kyle Rudolph
Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph had shown flashes in recent weeks. However, he has been very pedestrian since then.
Couple the concept that quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is passing the ball poorly with how stingy this Cardinals defense is, and that spells mediocrity for Rudolph in Week 14.
Projections: 3 receptions, 35 receiving yards
Arizona Cardinals Starter: Darren Fells
Is this guy even owned in any leagues?
Projections: I mean, I guess 1 reception for 10 yards
Defense/Special Teams
7 of 9
Minnesota Vikings Defense/Special Teams
The Vikings may be able to muster up a couple of sacks, but giving up 20 or more points with no turnovers makes them a hard defense to start this week.
Projections: 24 points allowed, 2 sacks
Arizona Cardinals Defense/Special Teams
It's going to be a long day at the office for Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and company.
Snagging a couple of turnovers and allowing little to no points is always great for fantasy defenses.
Start them this week!
Projections: 9 points allowed, 1 INT, 1 FF, 3 sacks
Best Sleeper Add
8 of 9
Jerick McKinnon, RB, Minnesota Vikings (Owned in 5.4 percent of ESPN Leagues)
Though he may not make an impact this week, it is always good to own the RB2 handcuff in points-per-reception formats.
In this case, Vikings running back Adrian Peterson's handcuff is Jerick McKinnon.
Scoop him up as insurance!
Start or Sit?
9 of 9
All Minnesota Vikings Players
Of course you're playing running back Adrian Peterson, but the rest of the Vikings roster is not guaranteed to do much of anything.
If you have more consistent, stable options, look there.
Verdict: Sit all except Peterson...and maybe wide receiver Stefon Diggs
All advanced stats courtesy of Pro Football Focus. All fantasy numbers courtesy of ESPN.com.
Follow me on Twitter @RichardJanvrin.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=600 "Post-June 1 Trade Candidates ☎️")
.JPG?w=600 "TO Talks Cowboys Relationship")
.jpg?w=600 "Taylor Heinicke Retiring")
.jpg?w=600 "49ers OC Hypes Mike Evans 🤩")