Panthers vs. Vikings start/sit advice: Kelvin Benjamin and Cam Newton against Teddy Bridgewater

The Minnesota Vikings are 4-7 and playing out the string on the season. The Carolina Panthers are worse, at 3-7-1, but because of their division, are only a win and some help away from a playoff spot. Sunday, they look to get that win against the Vikings, who have lost two in a row.

The Panthers will likely get running back Mike Tolbert back from short-term injured reserve this week, muddying up that team's running situation even more. Meanwhile, the Vikings have almost all of their skill players listed on the report, including running backs Jerick McKinnon and Matt Asiata, wide receivers Cordarrelle Patterson, Greg Jennings and Jarius Wright, and tight ends Kyle Rudolph and Chase Ford. Only McKinnon and Patterson appear to be any kind of risks to miss Sunday's game.

Start 'em: In a year with so many strong rookie receivers, Kelvin Benjamin is right there, and is a strong WR2. ... With only 5.3 fantasy points a game in his last four, Greg Olsen has fallen behind the other elite tight ends, but he's still a definite must-start.

Start 'em?: If you've been running Cam Newton out there all year and are still in contention, congratulations. He's been very underwhelming. This week, he's a reasonable QB2, with the Vikings' struggles against the running game potentially helping Newton.

Sit 'em: The return of Mike Tolbert makes DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart even less fantasy-relevant. Feels like I've written variations on that sentence for decades now. ... Still waiting for the first strong fantasy day from Jerricho Cotchery this season. ... Graham Gano has had four or fewer fantasy points for three straight games. ... The Panthers' defense had 12 and 13 points in Weeks 1 and 2, respectively, and has 12 total since.

Start 'em?: The Vikings give Blair Walsh enough opportunities that, in a home game, he's not a bad kicking option.

Sit 'em: There are signs of things to build on for Teddy Bridgewater in Minnesota, but there's no way to use him in fantasy right now. ... Between his injury, his lack of use, and his unexciting numbers, Jerick McKinnon is a non-starter right now, and Matt Asiata has far too much downside to use, either. Ben Tate might actually be the Vikings' best fantasy option at running back, but you don't know until you see how he is used. ... Charles Johnson has been Minnesota's best receiver of late, with Cordarrelle Patterson, Greg Jennings and Jarius Wright all dragging behind, but I wouldn't touch any of them. ... Kyle Rudolph is getting healthier, but he still has yet to put up a big fantasy game all season, even outside of his injury. ... The Vikings' defense had a decent two-game run about a month ago, but outside that it's been a bad unit all year.

Start if you're desperate: Cam Newton, Blair Walsh

Bench: Mike Tolbert, DeAngelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart, Jerricho Cotchery, Graham Gano, Carolina defense, Teddy Bridgewater, Jerick McKinnon, Matt Asiata, Ben Tate, Charles Johnson, Cordarrelle Patterson, Greg Jennings, Jarius Wright, Kyle Rudolph, Minnesota defense