Notes: - All games will be available Friday
- Green highlight indicates plus matchup (top eight)
- Red highlight indicates negative matchup (bottom eight)
- Injury notes, Lines and Totals updated Sunday morning
Running back Jordan Mason has averaged just over 15 rushes and
nearly 17 touches per game in Aaron Jones’ absence, finding the
end zone four times during that stretch. Jones has a chance to
return from IR this week, but with only two limited practices,
it’s unlikely he’ll be fully active for Thursday night—or see
much work if he is.
Mason should handle lead duties for at least one more week, and
against a Chargers defense that’s allowing over 5.0 yards
per carry and has given up eight rushing touchdowns to opposing
backs, he profiles as a borderline RB1.
Wide receiver Jordan Addison has topped 100 yards in two of his
three games since returning from suspension, scoring in the other.
With 21 touchdowns in his first 35 career games and what looks
like a legitimate Year 3 breakout, Addison’s upside remains
high while his floor is beginning to stabilize. He’s a solid
WR2 against the Chargers.
Carson Wentz will remain under center for at least one more week.
He’s surpassed 300 passing yards in two of four starts but
holds a modest 5:4 TD-to-INT ratio and offers little rushing production
(57 yards, no scores).
The potential for a shootout boosts his outlook, but the Chargers
have been quietly stingy against opposing quarterbacks (7 TDs,
6 INTs allowed). Wentz lands in mid-QB2 territory, best suited
for deep or superflex leagues.
Tight end T.J. Hockenson is showing signs of life after a slow
start, ranking eighth among tight ends in receptions over the
last five weeks. Wentz’s presence—given his tight
end-friendly tendencies—has certainly helped, with only
touchdowns (just one this season) holding Hockenson back.
This could be the week he gets one, though. The Chargers have
allowed four scores to opposing tight ends, and with several fantasy-relevant
TEs on bye or injured, Hockenson carries borderline TE1 appeal.
Jones returned to practice in a limited capacity and is questionable
for Thursday. Even if active, it’s a short week and he hasn’t
logged a full session, so he’s best left on benches until
he’s fully ramped up.
MIN FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.28
MIN FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.22
MIN FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.25
MIN FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.20
Justin Herbert exploded for 400 yards last week—his first
such performance in two years—and notched his third 300-yard
game of the season. The emergence of rookie TE Orande Gadsden
II has added another layer to the passing game, though this was
also Herbert’s first 20+ point fantasy outing since Gadsden
was activated five weeks ago.
Herbert ranks QB8 in FPts/G overall, but this week he draws a
Vikings defense allowing the 5th fewest points to quarterbacks.
That said, both Caleb Williams and Jalen Hurts managed 24 points
against them. Minnesota’s defense can disguise coverages
effectively, but Herbert’s poise and deep arsenal of weapons
keep him firmly in the back-end QB1 mix for Thursday night.
The Vikings secondary had been steady against wideouts before
being torched by A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith last week (combined
303 yards and 3 TDs). L.A.’s trio of Ladd McConkey, Keenan
Allen, and Quentin Johnston will again test Minnesota’s
limits—but the target hierarchy remains murky.
Allen continues to lead in total targets but had a lull before
rebounding in Week 7 (11-119-1). McConkey sits just seven targets
behind and has scored double-digit fantasy points in three straight
weeks, though efficiency remains an issue (6.6 yards per catch).
Johnston is third in targets per game (7.9) yet remains the red-zone
favorite with 13 touchdowns since the start of 2024. Still, he’s
cooled lately, averaging 35 yards over the past two weeks.
Given how pass-heavy the Chargers are likely to remain, there
should be plenty of volume to go around. Expect McConkey to bounce
back in efficiency and serve as a mid-WR2, Allen as a low-end
WR2 with upside, and Johnston as a flex with WR2 potential in
a tough scoring matchup.
Rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden II erupted last week (7-164-1)
and now ranks eighth in FPts/G at the position (9.6). It was his
second straight game with seven catches and his third with at
least five, though he’s also had two games under 20 yards.
That volatility keeps him in the boom/bust category—particularly
against a Vikings defense that just limited Dallas Goedert to
3-18-0.
Running back Kimani Vidal followed up his breakout debut with
a quiet 35-yard day on 13 touches. Game script played a major
role, with L.A. forced to abandon the run after falling behind
early. The Chargers’ offensive design will likely remain
pass-heavy in competitive or trailing situations, keeping Vidal’s
range wide—a low-end RB2 with ceiling but a low floor if
the Vikings seize early control.
