Minnesota Vikings DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold started out hot, but he cooled off after the first few drives. Darnold threw touchdowns on back-to-back drives to open the game, but didn't have a ton of success after that. He completed 18-of-25 passing attempts for 240 yards and two scores in the loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Darnold now has thrown for 1,610 yards with 14 touchdowns and five interceptions through seven games. He hasn't been lighting up the box score lately, but he doesn't make silly mistakes with the football. Fantasy managers should be able to keep riding him as a QB1 for next week's matchup against the Indianapolis Colts.

Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (knee) will not play on Thursday evening, according to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network. Hockenson was able to log three limited practice sessions this week but will now hope to get ready to make his season debut in Week 9. Hockenson has yet to see game action this season due to a torn ACL and MCL he suffered late last year. Fantasy managers should expect Minnesota wide receivers Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Jalen Nailor to see the majority of the targets this evening against the Rams. No. 2 tight end Johnny Mundt is worth a look in deeper formats, as he should see starting reps once again on Thursday and was able to bring in four of his five targets last weekend.

Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (hamstring) was a full participant in practice on Wednesday and was removed from the injury report ahead of the Week 8 game against the Los Angeles Rams. Jones was limited in practice on Monday and Tuesday with a hamstring injury, but the team likely was being cautious with him on a short week. Jones ranks 12th among running backs in half-PPR fantasy points per game (14.9), and the Rams have allowed the ninth-most fantasy points per game to the position. That said, the veteran clocks in as a fringe RB1 in the Week 8 rankings, making him a virtual must-start in most leagues.

Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (knee) is officially listed as questionable to face the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday Night Football in Week 8. The two-time Pro Bowler suffered an ACL tear late in the 2023 campaign and has yet to make his 2024 debut. However, he turned in limited practices all of last week and this week, so he could be ready to suit up. Fantasy managers holding Hockenson should stay ready, as this could be a true game-time decision. Hockenson was pacing for over 1,000 receiving yards last season with multiple quarterbacks at the helm, and with how well Sam Darnold is playing, he could become an immediate fantasy football factor. The Rams have allowed the second-most fantasy points per game to tight ends this year. That said, managers who do not have a clear top-10 tight end this week might as well roll the dice on him if he is active for this important NFC bout.

Minnesota Vikings kicker Will Reichard has maintained perfection through the first six games of his rookie campaign, and he'll look to keep that streak going against the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday Night Football in Week 8. Reichard is 12-for-12 on field goals and 18-for-18 on extra points, nailing four kicks from 50-plus yards out. He has been a top-six fantasy kicker in three of his last four games, and now he benefits from a favorable matchup against a Rams unit allowing the 11th-most fantasy points per game to opposing kickers. Managers should take advantage of Reichard's impressive stretch and insert him into their lineup for Week 8 and beyond, especially since he's already had his bye week.