The Vikings gave up 16 points and 269 yards in Sunday's loss to the Bears and play the Giants in Week 5.

Analysis: The Minnesota defense spent over 35 minutes on the field Sunday but still limited Chicago to one touchdown, though it had only one sack and didn't force a turnover. Week 5 figured to provide an appetizing matchup for the Vikings, but rookie QB Daniel Jones has provided a spark for the Giants, leading to two straight wins. Still, the Vikings are giving up only 15.8 PPG and 312.8 YPG this season and should be a relatively safe fantasy option while facing a Giants offense without Saquon Barkley…read more

The Vikings allowed 302 total yards and 17 points to the Raiders in Week 3 and are set to face the Bears in Week 2.

Analysis: Minnesota has allowed just 47 points through three games this season, the sixth-lowest tally in the league. They have a favorable matchup Sunday against a Bears offense that ranks 29th in passing yards per game (178.7) and 21st in rushing yards per game (96.3). Minnesota's defense should be a very viable fantasy option this week.

Through two games this season, the Vikings have forced five turnovers - which is tied with four other teams for most in the league - and are slated to face the Raiders on Sunday.

Analysis: Minnesota's defense was burned by the Packers in the beginning of their Week 2 loss, giving up 21 points in 16:40 of play. However, the Vikings were able to bounce back and keep Green Bay from scoring in the rest of the contest. The Raiders don't have nearly the same offensive firepower that resides in Lambeau Field, giving the Vikings' defense a prime matchup Sunday. Oakland's offense has scored 34 points and logged 664 yards through two games this season, ranking ninth- and 11th-worst in the…read more

The Vikings allowed 73 rushing yards in Week 1 and will face the Packers on the road Sunday.

Analysis: Minnesota gave up some garbage time stats, but kept Atlanta off the scoreboard for the first three quarters and shut down what is expected to be a potent offense. The unit forced three turnovers and had five sacks. The Packers had minimal offensive success Week 1 against the Bears, giving up five sacks and totaling only 10 points, but QB Aaron Rodgers has excellent ball security and will likely limit defensive playmaking opportunities. Minnesota's defensive talent provides a solid fantasy…read more

S Harrison Smith (laceration) is expected to be ready for Sunday's season opener against the Falcons.

Analysis: The Vikings bring back a lot of familiar faces from the 2018 defense after ranking fourth in total defense (309.7 YPG), ninth in scoring defense (21.3 PPG) and third in sacks (50). Putting pressure on QB Matt Ryan will be key to containing WR Julio Jones, but the Falcons made a couple key additions in the draft to bolster their offensive line. Minnesota has been a fairly safe -- if unexciting -- bet defensively under coach Mike Zimmer, but the value for Week 1 will likely be limited against a…read more

DT Linval Joseph is expected to be ready to go for Week 1 against the Falcons after undergoing offseason surgery on his upper body.

Analysis: The Vikings return all but DT Sheldon Richardson from a starting defense that ranked fourth in total defense (309.7 YPG), ninth in scoring defense (21.3 PPG) and tied for third in sacks (50) last season. Coach Mike Zimmer again figures to feature one of the better defenses in the league, led by CB Xavier Rhodes, S Harrison Smith, LB Eric Kendricks and DE Danielle Hunter.

The Vikings have forced three turnovers in the last five weeks. They play the Bears in Week 17.

Analysis: Both teams will have all their starters on the field, barring injuries, since the Bears can still lock up a bye week while the Vikings are seeking their third playoff birth in four years. The Vikings maintained against the Bears earlier this season, holding them to 25 points -- just 18 on offense -- and forcing three turnovers (two interceptions, one fumble). They'll need to shape up their run defense -- they've allowed 148 or more rushing yards in four of the last five games -- against the…read more

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