The Vikings lead the league with 47 sacks. They play the Lions in Week 16.

Analysis: The Vikings have a golden opportunity to extend their sack lead, as Lions QB Matthew Stafford has been taken down on seven percent of his dropbacks, ranking 10th in the league among quarterbacks with 10 or more starts. Their cornerbacks match up well against the Lions wideouts, too, as Kenny Golladay is the only true threat. Stafford may often be forced to either get hit or throw the ball away. The Vikings D/ST is a dependable option in championship week.

The Vikings have allowed over 140 rushing yards in three of the last four games. They play the Dolphins in Week 15.

Analysis: The Dolphins are coming off an emotional win over the Patriots which has already been named the "Miami Miracle." Their 34 points in that game was the first time they surpassed 24 points since Week 6, and they didn't turn the ball over for the fourth time this year. They'll likely be brought back down to earth this week against the Vikings, who rank 11th with 20 turnovers and have yielded more than 25 points just twice this year. The Vikings boast a relentless pass rush as well, which will bode…read more

The Vikings have allowed the least passing touchdowns (15) in the league. They play the Seahawks in Week 14.

Analysis: The Seahawks survive off of their top-ranked run game but they opt for the passing game in the red zone, ranking fourth in the league with 29 passing touchdowns. That will clash with the Vikings' pass defense, which may be without Trae Waynes (concussion). If Waynes can't play it will be a huge hit especially against deep threats like Tyler Lockett and David Moore. This leaves a troubling floor for the otherwise dependable unit, and the lack of turnover opportunities from the Seahawks, who have…read more

The Vikings have allowed less than 192 passing yards in each of the last five games. They play the Patriots in Week 13.

Analysis: The Vikings' prowess against the pass has helped lead into 10 turnovers in that span, but it appears the buck will stop here. Patriots QB Tom Brady has already topped 3,000 passing yards this season, and he hasn't turned the ball over in the last four games. The damage could dig deeper if CB Xaiver Rhodes can't log a full workload due to a hamstring injury suffered in Week 12. Regardless, the floor is brutal against the Patriots, who have surpassed 25 points in seven of the last eight games and…read more

The Vikings have kept the last four opposing quarterbacks below 200 yards. They play the Packers in Week 12.

Analysis: The Vikings' strong streak against the pass looks vulnerable to be halted by QB Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. Although Rodgers has struggled by his standards lately, he's still averaged 269 yards over the last four games, throwing seven touchdowns and no picks in that span. Still, the Packers' offense scored just one touchdown during a 29-29 tie Week 2 versus the Vikings as K Mason Crosby drilled five field goals. That leaves some hope for the Vikings defense this week, but there's almost…read more

The Vikings have forced six turnovers in their last four games. They play the Bears in Week 11.

Analysis: The Bears haven't coughed up the ball much this season, ranking 11th in the league with just 11 turnovers in nine games. Bears QB Mitchell Trubisky has ran wild this year, but his accuracy has suffered at times, dropping under 60 percent over the last four games. The Vikings will look to contain him and they appear to be well-equipped to do so with a league-high 31 sacks. The Chicago backfield has been largely ineffective outside of Tarek Cohen's play-making abilities in space, which have…read more

The Vikings have allowed just one 300-yard passer this season. They play the Lions in Week 9.

Analysis: The Lions bid adieu to Golden Tate on Tuesday when they traded him to the Eagles, but the offense still has two weapons at wideout to challenge Minnesota in Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones. Meanwhile, rookie running back Kerryon Johnson has developed into a solid pass catcher the last few weeks while continuing to impress on the ground. After some rough outings earlier this season, the Minnesota defense has come around of late. The Vikings have produced 13 turnovers in eight games this season,…read more

The Vikings have allowed 21 or less points in each of the last three games. They play the Saints in Week 8.

Analysis: The Vikings will be up against a high-powered Saints offense that averaged 34 points per game, hasn't thrown an interceptions and scores on 66.7 red-zone trips (eighth in the league). That doesn't bode well even though the Vikings have forced 12 turnovers (10th in the league). The matchup simply doesn't bode well as the Vikings aren't strong against the pass, allowing 256.1 passing yards per game to rank 15th in the league and 6.4 NY/A to rank 26th. This game has all the makings of a shootout…read more

The Vikings rank 14th in the league with 266.8 passing yards allowed per game. They play the Jets in Week 7.

Analysis: Despite a mediocre pass defense, the Vikings have a good opportunity for success against a New York offense that has turned the ball over 12 times to rank 27th in the league. Moreover, rookie QB Sam Darnold has been brutal in the red zone, converting just 30 percent of his opportunities into touchdowns. The Vikings will be without rookie CB Mike Hughes, who tore his ACL, and Trae Waynes has struggled this season but has a decent track record that shouldn't be dismissed. There is some risk since…read more

Safety Andrew Sendejo is nursing a groin injury ahead of the Vikings' Week 6 game against the Cardinals.

Analysis: A home game against another rookie quarterback (Josh Rosen) may immediately draw flashbacks to Josh Allen hurdling LB Anthony Barr in the Vikings' Week 3 loss to the Bills, but that should be viewed as a fluke. Expect the Vikings to be more prepared this time around, even if Sendejo sits out. Despite rostering one of the league's more dynamic backs in David Johnson, the Cardinals rank last in the league with 64.6 rushing yards per game and 31st with 3.3 yards per carry. The Vikings front seven…read more

CB Trae Waynes' status for the Week 5 game against the Eagles is uncertain due to a concussion.

Analysis: The Vikings got torched for 38 points by the Rams in Week 4, and it can't solely be attributed to Waynes missing over half the game. The Vikings simply couldn't get to Rams QB Jared Goff and allowed him to rack up 465 yards and five passing touchdowns. Eagles QB Carson Wentz should be licking his chops at that stat line. However, Wentz has been dropped nine times in two games, which has probably hindered his overall productivity. His knee looks fine and has allowed him to escape the pocket, but…read more

DE Everson Griffen (personal) won't play Thursday against the Rams.

Analysis: Griffen was scratched Week 3 against the Bills as well, but that disaster of a game wouldn't have been saved by him. Bills rookie QB Josh Allen averaged 8.9 YPA while scoring three touchdowns -- one through the air and two on the ground. The Vikings pass rushing is still superb, but Griffen's 13 sacks last season can't be brushed away, especially against a Rams offense that has averaged 305 passing yards per game through three weeks. Minnesota is still a viable start in fantasy leagues, but…read more

The Vikings tied the Packers 29-29 in Week 2. They'll play the Bills in Week 3.

Analysis: Allowing 29 points to a hobbled Aaron Rodgers (knee) is nothing to be ashamed of, but fantasy owners were let down to a degree with no turnovers to add. The Bills will be starting rookie QB Josh Allen, who has averaged 6.6 YPA while throwing one touchdown and two interceptions. He has also been sacked eight times. That signals a field day for the Vikings, who have one of the league's strongest overall defenses, especially in the front seven. This group could easily lead fantasy defenses in Week…read more

The Vikings' defense is fully healthy for Sunday's game against the Bears.

Analysis: The Vikings recorded their first shutout since 1993 in Green Bay in Week 16, forcing two turnovers and allowing just 239 total yards. They draw a favorable Week 17 matchup with the Bears, as they held them to just 17 points in Week 5, also forcing two turnovers. The Bears have struggled to put points on the board lately, but they've also been very frugal with the ball, coughing it up just three times in their last four matchups. The Vikings are looking to fend of challengers for home-field…read more

LB Ben Gedeon is battling an ankle injury ahead of Saturday's game against the Packers.

Analysis: Gedeon hasn't contributed much defensively this season, so the Vikings are in a good position if his injury is the worst it gets. They draw fortune since Aaron Rodgers (collarbone) has been ruled out and Davante Adams (concussion) has an uncertain status. Without the top quarterback in the league and the Packers' top wideout, the Vikings could post a score similar to Week 6, when they forced three turnovers and allowed just 10 points to QB Brett Hundley and the Packers. Hundley has made…read more

CB Xavier Rhodes is dealing with hip issues ahead of Sunday's contest against the Bengals.

Analysis: Rhodes has been stellar in coverage this season, and although the Bengals pass attack has been bumpy lately, Rhodes health could push the Vikings into the elite defense category in Week 15. Bengals QB Andy Dalton completed just 48 percent of his passes for one touchdown and one interception before being replaced in Week 14's loss. If Bengals RB Joe Mixon (concussion) has to sit out again, the potential of the Vikings defense should skyrocket. Stream them across formats.

The Vikings defense is headed into Sunday's game against the Panthers fully healthy.

Analysis: The Panthers couldn't avoid the injury bug, as QB Cam Newton continues to deal with a shoulder injury. He should be able to play Sunday, though, and he has six passing and one rushing touchdown in the last three games. The Vikings haven't played against a running quarterback like Newton yet this season, so they may have trouble containing him. The Panthers have been extremely frugal with the ball lately too, allowing zero turnovers in their last four games, effectively lowering the ceiling on…read more

LB Eric Kendricks is nursing a hip injury ahead of Sunday's game against the Falcons.

Analysis: Kendricks has proven effective in the run stop as well as coverage this season, so losing him would be difficult against a well-balanced Falcons offense. The Falcons posted a season-high 368 passing yards in Week 12 against the Buccaneers, and we say Falcons, because both QB Matt Ryan and WR Mohamed Sanu participated in the pass throwing. Still, WR Julio Jones was able to compile 251 yards and two touchdowns because of it. The Buccaneers secondary isn't even in the same conversation as the…read more

SS Andrew Sendejo (groin) is questionable for Thursday's matchup with the Lions.

Analysis: The Vikings were without Sendejo against the Rams in Week 11, and they were fine, letting up just seven points. QB Matthew Stafford and the Lions enter Thursday's game on a three-game winning streak, and Stafford has averaged over 300 passing yards per game in that span, adding on seven touchdowns and just one interception. Those contests were against Green Bay, Cleveland and Chicago, though, meaning they'll have a much tougher test against the Vikings' fifth-ranked defense. These two teams met…read more

SS Andrew Sendejo is dealing with groin and hamstring injuries ahead of Sunday's game against the Rams.

Analysis: Sendejo is averaging just under seven tackles per game this season, and he's been also added four pass breakups and a pick this season. If he's unable to play, the Vikings will have to lean on Jayron Kearse, who has played just three defensive snaps this season. Still, the Vikings defense is so solid everywhere else, the difference may not be noticeable. The Rams are coming to town with the third-ranked offense and momentum from a four-game win streak. However, even though the Vikings showed…read more