The Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers are 2-2. The Packers have scored one more than the Vikings and allowed 12 more. With two point differentials in the single digits, it might seem like the two teams have played close games, barely won, barely lost. In fact, through eight total games, the Packers and Vikings have had only two games where their point total was within 20 points of their opponents'.
Fantasy football advice, Week 5: Who to start/sit for Vikings vs. Packers
Do these teams even play close games?
Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Thursday night, the Packers host the Vikings at 8:25 p.m. ET. Will the teams finish within 20 of one another? And, more importantly for our purposes, what fantasy players do we need to watch?
VIKINGS
I never would have seen this coming, but after a big Week 4, Matt Asiata is a definite start this week, because the Packers aren’t much on defense, and he’s still going to carry the load.
I base my entries here on my personal weekly rankings, so a quarterback I rank in the top 10 is a must-start, while 11-17 or so is “if you’re desperate,” and so on. This is an exception, though. Teddy Bridgewater’s injury late in Sunday’s game has him as a question mark to even play Thursday, and to be healthy if he does. But he showed enough Sunday that if he’s on the field, and if you feel lucky, he’s not a bad option in a super-deep league. But keep an eye on the injury report. ... Blair Walsh has at least 10 fantasy points in three of four games. Dude kicks the ball a long way.
Even if Bridgewater is out, you aren't using Chrisian Ponder. There's a reason he's third string. ... I think Jerick McKinnon ends the season above Asiata on the depth chart easily, but until the team agrees with me, he's hard to use. ... Since his 18-point Week 1, Cordarrelle Patterson has 14 fantasy points total. He, Greg Jennings and Jarius Wright are battling one another for touches, and in a middling offense there just isn't enough to go around. ... Ellison replaced Kyle Rudolph last week, but only got three fantasy points, and doesn't have upside of much more than that. ... The Vikings' defense has five fantasy points total since its strong Week 1.
Start in every league: Matt Asiata
Start if you're desperate: Teddy Bridgewater, Blair Walsh
Bench: Christian Ponder, Jerick McKinnon, Cordarrelle Patterson, Greg Jennings, Jarius Wright, Rhett Ellison, Defense/special teams
PACKERS
It’s been an up-and-down year for Aaron Rodgers so far, but c’mon, you’re using him. ... I was counting on a big game from Eddie Lacy in Week 4, but it was really only his touchdown that saved him. His stock is dropping, but he’s still someone to start. ... If you have doubts about Jordy Nelson or Randall Cobb, you haven’t been paying attention. ... The Packers’ offense appears to be coming around, which definitely means good things for Mason Crosby’s kicking opportunities.
And there aren’t a lot of question marks in Green Bay, just obvious starts and sits. James Starks barely played Sunday, showing Green Bay is committed to Lacy, for better or worse. ... Davante Adams is the team’s No. 4 option on offense at best, and that just isn’t good enough. ... If Adams isn’t in fourth, that’s because Andrew Quarless is, but it’s still not enough. ... The Packers’ defense might get to face Christian Ponder, which is nice, but I still don’t know how you trust them.
Start in every league: Aaron Rodgers, Eddie Lacy, Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, Mason Crosby
Start if you’re desperate: ...
Bench: James Starks, Davante Adams, Andrew Quarless, Defense/special teams
