Fantasy football advice, Week 16: Who to start/sit for Giants vs. Vikings Sunday night
Minnesota could lock up a playoff spot with a Sunday night win.
The Minnesota Vikings are clinging to the NFC's last Wild Card slot. The New York Giants, meanwhile, were eliminated from the playoff hunt Sunday, and are just looking to end the season on a high note. Sunday night, the two face off.
The Giants have wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. out with a suspension this week. His likely replacement, wide receiver Dwayne Harris, is on the injury report with a shoulder injury, but he should play. Running back Orleans Darkwa is also on the injury report with an illness; his availability might come down to game time. On the Minnesota side, running backs Adrian Peterson and Jerick McKinnon are on the injury report, but for now, both are expected to play fully Sunday.
The game between the two teams will be played in Minnesota Sunday, with a scheduled start time of 8:30 p.m. ET. Below, we’re looking at the fantasy considerations for the game:
GIANTS
Start ‘em: Between recent hot performances and Odell Beckham Jr.'s suspension, Rashad Jennings, Rueben Randle and Will Tye are all low-end must-start options.
Start ‘em?: The absence of Beckham makes Eli Manning a dicey fantasy play. He's a QB2. ... After a huge midseason, Josh Brown has averaged only five fantasy points per game in his last four.
Sit ‘em: Jennings has been dominating the New York touches of late; Shane Vereen, Andre Williams and Orleans Darkwa are firmly on fantasy benches. ... There's some chance for Dwayne Harris to produce in Beckham's absence, but I wouldn't bet my fantasy playoffs on it. ... The Giants' defense has averaged two fantasy points a game in its last five.
VIKINGS
Start ‘em: After a brief ankle scare last week, it looks like Adrian Peterson will be good to go for Sunday's game, and that makes him a must-start. ... Blair Walsh has had some occasional rough games, but overall he's had a very solid fantasy season.
Start ‘em?: We finally saw some big numbers from Jerick McKinnon in Week 15 (he had 14 points after 13 all season before that); if Peterson's injury acts up, he'd be interesting. ... Stefon Diggs had a big day in Week 15 after six weeks of struggles; the struggles seem more indicative of his forecast than one blip of a big game. ... If the New York offense struggles without Odell Beckham Jr., the Vikings' defense could capitalize.
Sit ‘em: Don't let Week 15's huge performance fool you: Teddy Bridgewater has had a bad season overall, and shouldn't be in fantasy lineups. ... Kyle Rudolph has 14 fantasy points combined in his last four games.
SUMMARY
Start in every league: Rashad Jennings, Rueben Randle, Will Tye, Adrian Peterson, Blair Walsh
Start if you're desperate: Eli Manning, Josh Brown, Jerick McKinnon, Stefon Diggs, Minnesota defense
Bench: Shane Vereen, Andre Williams, Orleans Darkwa, Dwayne Harris, New York defense, Teddy Bridgewater, Kyle Rudolph











