LAST WEEK
I was in New Orleans for my sister’s wedding this past weekend. For the big finale at the end of the night, a Jazz band played “When the Saints Go Marching In”. The band marched through the multi-room reception area and a train of people followed behind them. Then the familiar “Who Dat” chant broke out. “Who dat? Who dat? Who dat say they gonna beat dem Saints?”
I’ll tell you who. These Minnesota Vikings. As much as I love the Saints, the Minnesota Vikings are the most complete team in the NFL. They showed it again this week. The Vikings had so thoroughly dominated the game against the Seahawks that after three quarters they were up by four scores. After throwing four touchdowns, Favre was replaced by Tavaris Jackson with under a minute left in the third quarter. Just think what kind of stats Favre would have put if he had played another quarter! The Vikings are doing a great job keeping Favre fresh and getting him out of games early when they have a big lead. This strategy should pay off down the final stretch of the season. It does not appear that Favre will breakdown physically as he did at the end of last year with the Jets.
I predict the Vikings will beat the Saints in the NFC Championship game, but that’s still a couple months away. For a summary of my more recent predictions, check out Projections vs. Reality below.
The Game: My projection: Vikings 31, Seahawks 17
Outcome: Vikings 35, Seahawks 9
Adrian Peterson: My projection: 130 combined yards, 1 TD
Outcome: 98 combined yards
Brett Favre: My projection: 270 yards, 2 TDs
Outcome: 213 yards, 4 TDs
Sidney Rice: Projection : 100 Yards, 1 TD
Outcome: 89 yards, 2 TDs
Percy Harvin: My projection: 60 combined yards, 1TD
Outcome: 79 yards, 1TD
Bernard Berrian: My projection: 40 yards
Outcome: 11 yards, 1TD
Visanthe Shiancoe: My projection: 30 yards, 1 TD
Outcome: 78 yards, 1TD
Chester Taylor: My projection: 25 combined yards
Outcome: 85 combined yards
Vikings Defense: My projection: Top 10 fantasy defense
Outcome: Number 7 fantasy defense
THIS WEEK
This week is a rivalry game. The 4-6 Bears come to Minnesota. The Bears are losers of five of their last six games. However, I don’t think they are as bad as their recent record. They have the 13th ranked defense in the NFL, and the 19th ranked offense. Jay Cutler is the main cause of this losing streak. He’s throwing a lot of interceptions, many of which are taking place in the red zone. A sure recipe for disaster! I predict the Vikings win 34-20.
RUMORS
No rumors to report this week.
INJURIES
Brett Favre, Adrian Peterson, Percy Harvin and Bernard Berrian are listed as probable this week. All are expected to play, but if you have any uncertainty, then follow me on Twitter for injury updates before kickoff.
POSITION ANALYSIS
QUARTERBACK
Favre is a top seven quarterback this week. He faces the eighth ranked pass defense of the Bears. The Bears are giving up approximately 200 yards per game through the air. They are averaging one interception and two sacks per game - solid numbers but nothing spectacular. Favre has been playing lights out, and I see no reason why that shouldn’t continue.
My Projection: 230 yards, 3 TDs
RUNNING BACKS
The Bears have the 23rd rushing defense in the NFL. They’re giving up over 120 yards per game on the ground and almost one rushing touchdown per game. Adrian Peterson is a must start every week no matter who the Vikings play.
My Projection: Peterson 140 combined yards, 1 TD; Taylor 40 combined yards
WIDE RECEIVERS
Sidney Rice is a top twelve receiver. Percy Harvin should be ranked somewhere between 20 and 30, and Bernard Berrian should be ranked in the range of 30 to 40. For specific start/sit questions, send me your questions via Twitter or email.
My Projection: Rice 90 yards, 1 TD; Harvin 60 combined yards and 1 TD; Berrian 30 yards
TIGHT ENDS
Visanthe Shiancoe is tied with Vernon Davis for most touchdowns by a tight end with seven. He also had his best output in yards last week. He is a top ten tight end.
My Projection: 40 yards and 1TD
KICKER
Ryan Longwell is the number five fantasy kicker. This week he has a great matchup and is kicking at home in the dome. Start him.
DEFENSE
Cutler has been throwing a lot of picks, and he has not faced a front four like the Vikings. This means good things for owners of the Vikings Defense. They should finish in the top five this year.
It’s that make or break time of the year when fantasy owners are jockeying for playoff positioning or struggling to get invited to the party. For help in making those tough start/sit decisions, send me your questions via Twitter or email.
