Vikings

Def/Spec Team

That Vikings’ sack slump spans four games and is a significant downturn after Minnesota racked up 19 sacks over the first five weeks of the 2016 season. The Minnesota run defense has weakened as well, with the Vikings coughing up 121 rushing yards per game since a Week 6 bye. The Vikings D/ST has a shot to get back on track in Week 11 at home against the Cardinals, who have allowed 27 sacks in 2016, the fourth-highest total in the NFL.

This is a tiny detail for one of the NFL’s top defenses, as the Vikings currently slot fifth among NFL defenses in opponent third down conversion percentage. Minnesota has yet to allow more than 16 points in a game this season and the Vikings D/ST has five top-10 fantasy finishes in five tries. Fantasy owners should keep the Vikings D/ST locked-in as an every week starter moving forward.

Cam Newton was the latest victim of the Minnesota defense, as the Vikings recorded an impressive eight sacks in Week 3 against Carolina. Week 4 brings a home matchup with the New York Giants, who were responsible for three turnovers last week in a loss to Washington. The Vikings D/ST will be a strong top-tier fantasy option in Week 4.

With WR Jordy Nelson back in action, Green Bay RB Eddie Lacy was effective in Week 1 when running out of three-wide sets. “That’s an emphasis this week, trying to slow down that look,” Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr said. Minnesota held Tennessee to just 64 rushing yards on 22 carries (2.9 ypc) in Week 1 and will look to do the same in their home opener on Sunday.

Kendricks played all of Minnesota’s 61 defensive snaps against Chicago in Week 8, but was placed in the NFL concussion protocol after the game. Chad Greenway will help fill-in while Kendricks is out. The Vikings D/ST struggled last week but is a top-tier fantasy option at home against Detroit in Week 9.

Smith has not seen the field since Week 13 and was out for Minnesota’s worst defensive performance of the season, a 34-6 loss to Indianapolis in Week 15. Smith is questionable, but appears close to a return after seeing practice time this week. “We’ll see what the coaches think and leave it up to them,” Smith said. The Vikings D/ST has continued to slide since a stellar start to the season and has forced just two turnovers since Week 11. The Vikings D/ST won’t be a viable starting fantasy option at Lambeau Field in Week 16.

Smith suffered a Grade 3 high-ankle sprain in Week 13 and won’t see any action during the final weeks of the regular season. The Vikings are prepared to move on with Harris filling-in. “Anthony is a little quicker with understanding the different nuances of things he has to do,” coach Mike Zimmer said. The Vikings D/ST will be a top-tier fantasy option in Week 14 against Jacksonville and QB Blake Bortles, who leads the NFL in interceptions and has turned the ball over multiple times in three of the last four weeks.

Rhodes turned in a stellar performance in Week 11 when he intercepted Carson Palmer twice, including a 100-yard return for a touchdown. The Vikings D/ST has slowed since a blazing start to the season, but has still locked down opposing passing games while allowing just 206 passing yards per game. The Vikings D/ST travels to Detroit on Thursday as a borderline top-12 fantasy option.

Rivers completed 66.5 percent of his passes in 2014, which was the second most accurate campaign of his career. This season, Rivers has been utilizing the short passing game with Keenan Allen and Danny Woodhead, keeping his completion percentage at a higher clip. Despite the accuracy, Rivers does have three interceptions through two games but the Vikings won’t be a recommended Week 3 fantasy option against the San Diego offense that is third in the NFL in offensive yardage.

The athletic Patterson has largely been a disappointment for fantasy owners who were tempted by the receiver’s combination of size and wheels, but he could provide a boost in leagues where points are awarded for special teams contributions. Patterson returned two kicks for scores in 2013 and will likely stack up piles of return yardage this season. The Minnesota D/ST is not quite on the fantasy draft radar but bonuses like this from the return game could help make the unit worth considering as the season progresses.