Minnesota Vikings DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said that quarterback Brock Purdy will not play in the Week 18 regular season finale against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. As a result, Sam Darnold will make his first start of the season in a meaningless game for the Niners, as they are already locked into the top seed in the NFC and will have a first-round bye in the playoffs. In addition to Purdy, the Niners ruled out star running back Christian McCaffrey (calf) already after he strained his calf in the Week 17 win over the Washington Commanders. San Francisco could choose to limit other key offensive weapons this weekend, making all Niners players risky in fantasy lineups in Week 18. Darnold will be in play as a low-end QB2 option for fantasy managers in leagues that start two QBs.

Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell announced that Nick Mullens will start for the team in the season finale against the Detroit Lions on Sunday. Mullens started in Week 15 and 16 in losses to the Cincinnati Bengals and Detroit Lions, but rookie Jaren Hall was named QB1 for the Sunday Night Football loss to the Green Bay Packers in Week 17. Hall started the game five-for-ten for 67 yards, an interception, and a lost fumble, leading to O'Connell going back to Mullens. The veteran journeyman averaged over 20 fantasy points per game in his first two starts, so he'll have DFS intrigue in the 2023 season finale.

With the San Francisco 49ers potentially resting starters in a meaningless Week 18 game against the Los Angeles Rams, quarterback Sam Darnold and running back Jordan Mason could see heavier workloads this Sunday. Darnold could get the start so that the team can rest Brock Purdy heading into the postseason while also giving Darnold an opportunity to showcase his stuff before he heads to free agency in 2024. Brandon Allen could also see reps under center. Running back Christian McCaffrey (calf) has already been ruled out, and given Elijah Mitchell's injury history, Mason could be in line for lead-back duties against the Rams, with fellow 2022 rookie Tyrion Davis-Price also seeing a heavier workload. The Niners would have to elevate Davis-Price from their practice squad to the 53-man active roster.

Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones took 20 carries for 120 yards and caught his lone target for a 10-yard gain during the team's 33-10 win over the Minnesota Vikings. The veteran exited the game briefly Sunday night but returned the next drive. Jones gained at least 120 yards on the ground for the second straight week but was barely involved in the passing game. However, the Packers, who have been cautious with Jones due to multiple lower body injuries, seem to have unleashed the 29-year-old at just the right time. The Packers playoff hopes are alive and well heading into the final game of the regular season. Next week, those playing in their title games can count on Jones as a borderline RB1 against a stiff Chicago run defense.

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (ankle) fought through an ankle injury for three catches on five targets and 28 yards in Sunday night's rough 33-10 defeat to the Green Bay Packers. Addison was limited in practice late in the week due to a sprained ankle that he suffered last Sunday, and he simply didn't do much in Week 17. It was tough night all around for the Vikings, though, watching their defense get torched and their offense voluntarily switch quarterbacks midgame. The 2023 first-rounder helped plug the hole left behind by Justin Jefferson's seven-game absence in the middle of the year, but he may have hit the proverbial rookie wall with only 30 catches for 372 yards and two touchdowns in his latest eight outings. Addison will get another shot at the Detroit Lions in Week 18 after catching just one pass before exiting against them in Week 16.