Fantasy football projections, Week 12: Vikings-Lions featuring Stefon Diggs, Matthew Stafford, Theo Riddick, more

The Week 12 matchup between the Minnesota Vikings and the Detroit Lions features two teams looking to continue their winning ways. We’ve got the fantasy projections courtesy of numberFire.

Wide receiver Stefon Diggs did not practice on Tuesday because of issues with his knee. That puts his status for the team’s Thanksgiving Day game against the Lions in question. He was in tough against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 11. Diggs caught six out of seven targets for just 37 yards. It was his first such performance in a while.

In Week 12 he faces a first-place Lions team. That’s if he suits up. Given the cloudy nature of his status heading into the game, it’s difficult to imagine Diggs beating his projected totals on Thursday. Fantasy owners may have to call on teammate Adam Thielen as a serviceable backup option in Week 12.

Tight end Kyle Rudolph would also see an uptick in value if Diggs can’t go. Rudolph was held to just two catches for 12 yards against the Cardinals last week. The totals represented his lowest of the season. It’s nothing to worry about as Arizona is one of the best teams in the NFL at defending opposing fantasy tight ends. Detroit, on the other hand, gives up more points to the position than any other squad. With Diggs’ status looking iffy, Rudolph might end up being one of the top fantasy performers of the week.

Quarterback Matthew Stafford threw zero touchdowns in Week 11 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The effort marked the second time this season that the Lions’ leader was held out of the end zone. The team simply couldn’t move the ball in the first half.

Stafford failed to lead the team to a first down on each of the club’s first four possessions, and Minnesota possesses one of the best defenses in the NFL. Stafford may be better off left on the benches of fantasy owners in Week 12 for that reason, though he should find a few touchdowns in the game.

Perhaps one of those potential scores is on a pass to running back Theo Riddick. After starting the season in a time-share situation with Ameer Abdullah and even Dwayne Washington to some extent, its clear that Riddick is No. 1 in Detroit. He was limited to four carries for 13 yards against the Jaguars, but he did catch eight passes for 70 yards in the game, as well.

It’s obvious Riddick’s value is much higher in PPR formats, but either way, totaling 83 yards isn’t bad. Still, both Riddick and Stafford will have a hard time reaching their projected totals against Minnesota.