Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson hauled in 8-of-11 targets for 92 yards in his team's 27-25 win over the Green Bay Packers. Ho-hum. The fantasy stalwart was solid again, recording his fifth straight appearance with at least seven receptions and 73 receiving yards. The only thing missing from his line was a touchdown. Despite the scoreless outing, Jefferson still came through for fantasy managers -- racking up his thirteenth game with at least 15 fantasy points. His highlight of the day was a 37-yard catch-and-run early in the fourth quarter. The 25-year-old has now notched his third season of at least 100 receptions and 1,400 receiving yards in what's been one of the most outstanding starts to a wideout's career in NFL history. He'll square off with his division-rival Detroit Lions next week in a critical Week 18 contest.

Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones handled 12 carries for 47 yards in his team's 27-25 win against the Green Bay Packers. He chipped in another 30 yards on four of five receiving. The eighth-year pro was effective when he touched the ball but missed a good chunk of time in this one, ceding way to teammate Cam Akers while he dealt with his ailment. Jones was never designated with an injury, but the broadcast team reported that he got stepped on at one point and was later seen with a wrap around his leg on the sidelines. He returned the game but sat out the entirety of the fourth quarter. Minnesota was up 27-10 at the start of the final frame, and their lead is likely the reason why they rested the veteran. Still, it's notable that he remained out after the Packers brought the game to a two-point margin. He'll now rest up ahead of the Vikings' pivotal Week 18 meeting with the Detroit Lions. The winner of that matchup will clinch the NFC North and hold the top spot in the conference.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold completed 33 of 43 passes for a career-high 377 yards and three touchdowns in Sunday's 27-25 win over the Green Bay Packers. He threw one INT and lost three yards on his three carries. The former USC Trojan was again impressive -- this time in a difficult matchup against a Packers D that entered Week 17 allowing the third-fewest fantasy points per game to signal-callers. Darnold eclipsed the previous career-high in passing yards he set back in Week 14 and has gone over 300 yards three times in his last six outings after not having done so previously in 2024. The 27-year-old is up to a 35:12 TD:INT ratio while leading his squad to a 14-2 record -- an excellent season. He'll get a shot to capture the NFC North and the top record in his conference in a Week 18 divisional clash with the Detroit Lions.

The Minnesota Vikings want to bring back quarterback Sam Darnold for the 2025 season, and they also hope to extend head coach Kevin O'Connell, according to Dianna Russini of The Athletic. Even with first-round pick J.J. McCarthy (right knee) working to get healthy and make his NFL debut, the Vikings aren't necessarily satisfied with moving on from Darnold. The 27-year-old has enjoyed a career rejuvenation in Minnesota, completing 310 passes for 3,776 yards, 32 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions while leading the Vikings to a 13-2 record. Having two starting-caliber quarterbacks on the roster can be both difficult and expensive, but a tandem of Darnold and McCarthy could work given that the latter is still rehabbing his injury, developing as a player, and remains on his rookie deal. On the coaching side, extending O'Connell feels like a no-brainer. The Coach of the Year candidate leads a Vikings squad that is lethal on both sides of the football and has a very solid personnel core, both in terms of players and coaches.

Minnesota Vikings running back Cam Akers should not be started in this Sunday's divisional tilt against the visiting Green Bay Packers. The 25-year-old's workload has mostly been contingent on game script and the health of backfield mate Aaron Jones in 2024. Akers had gotten some extended run when Jones was dinged up or the game was safely at hand. However, this season, he's been less effective with a larger rush share. Since his move to Minnesota, the Florida State product has yet to run for more than 2.9 yards per carry when he receives ten or more attempts. This starkly contrasts the 6.68 he's averaged over the other 19 carries. The Vikings' meeting with Green Bay projects to be a good one, as both teams are vying for playoff spots -- so Akers does not figure to see an increase in workload unless Jones misses snaps or is loose with the football. He comes in as RotoBaller's PPR RB52 ahead of this week's slate of action.