Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold completed 24-of-40 passes for 231 yards, one touchdown, and one INT in Monday night's 30-12 win over the Chicago Bears. The Vikings started hot in this one, scoring on their first two possessions to take a quick 10-0 lead against their division rivals. However, they'd slow down from there but essentially controlled the game from start to finish. Darnold was solid, though it likely wasn't the performance fantasy managers who rolled with him were looking for. The 27-year-old's interception came on an early fourth-down heave where he had pressure in his face and was trying to make something out of nothing. Other than that, he played a pretty clean game. It was just his third appearance all season with one or fewer touchdowns, but his ninth in a row with at least 230 passing yards. He and the Vikings will take on the Seattle Seahawks next Sunday during the fantasy semi-finals.

Given how well quarterback Sam Darnold has played in 2024, the Minnesota Vikings have not ruled out offering him a contract for next season despite widespread belief that they will let Darnold walk and hand the job to J.J. McCarthy (knee), who was drafted in the first round in April, according to sources familiar with the team's thinking. Darnold is in the midst of a career season and has thrown for 1,158 yards, 11 touchdowns and no interceptions in the last four games. In that span, he's led three game-winning drives and has led the NFL in completions on passes of at least 15 air yards. Darnold is on pace for a 4,100-yard, 35-touchdown season. "There's no other place I'd rather play. Just so grateful to be a Viking," Darnold said earlier this month. It remains to be seen where Darnold will be playing in 2025, but right now he has been a solid QB1 in fantasy heading into a Monday night game against the Bears.

Minnesota Vikings kicker Will Reichard is a strong option this weekend when he lines up against the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football. The rookie returned from injured reserve last Sunday to drive through all six extra-point attempts in the Vikings' defeat of the Atlanta Falcons. However, he did miss his lone field goal try. Reichard actually hasn't converted a field goal since missing both tries in Week 9 against the Colts -; the week he got injured. Still, he's yet to miss a point after attempt in his career. Chicago is letting up one of the higher average point-per-game numbers to placekickers (9.1) and has been a bit more porous overall on the defensive end over the last few weeks. The 23-year-old is RotoBaller's K4 for Week 15.

Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson will look to have another productive day against their division-rival Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football. The former first-round pick has yet to return to form since making his way back from a devastating knee injury, alternating subpar and strong performances. However, his first massive outing of 2024 came back in Week 12 against these very same Chicago Bears. The 27-year-old piled up seven receptions and 112 yards in the November matchup, playing a critical role in the Vikings' late-game push. Chicago is letting up 13.6 fantasy points per game to tight ends -; the eleventh-most in the league. Additionally, the veteran has been over a 62% snap share in each of his last three appearances after not eclipsing 50% in his first three. Hockenson is RotoBaller's PPR TE6 in this week's ranks.

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor will not be a recommended option this Monday night when his team takes on the Chicago Bears. Minnesota's passing offense has been excellent this season under quarterback Sam Darnold, compiling the ninth-most points per game in the NFL (26.1). However, Nailor has not contributed much since a four-catch 76-yard outing in Week 7. Over the following seven games, the 25-year-old has accumulated just six catches and 57 yards on 14 targets. This includes two goose eggs in which he garnered none. With fellow wideouts Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison dominating targets, it is too difficult to trust the third-year wideout as a viable fantasy alternative as he is, at best, the fourth or fifth option on his squad. Nailor ranks as RotoBaller's PPR WR87 for Week 15.