Minnesota Vikings DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Minnesota Vikings running back Cam Akers (illness), who was listed as questionable for Monday night's wild-card game in Arizona against the Los Angeles Rams, is active and will be available. Akers popped up on the injury report this week on Saturday due to an illness and did not practice, but he's feeling better on Monday and should serve in his usual role as a change-of-pace option in Minnesota's backfield behind starter Aaron Jones. The 25-year-old will be a touchdown-dependent flex play, at best, against his former team in this one. Akers started the 2024 season with the Houston Texans before being acquired by the Vikings. In his 12 games in Minnesota this year, Akers has averaged 4.6 yards per carry and 5.3 rushing attempts per game, adding 297 rushing yards and three total TDs (two receiving). Unless Jones is hurt mid-game, Akers carries limited fantasy upside as the RB2.

Minnesota Vikings placekicker Will Reichard is a solid option this Monday night when he lines up with the Los Angeles Rams on the road. It's been a tale of two halves for the 24-year-old in his debut campaign. Reichard was excellent early in the year -; missing nary a kick in his first seven appearances. However, he hasn't been as fortunate since. The rookie missed his first two field goals in Week 9 and was placed on injured reserve afterward with a quad injury. Despite only a minimum IR stay, his kicking troubles have continued -; missing at least one attempt in three of the ensuing five contests. Still, he's yet to miss an extra-point try in 2024 and has an excellent opportunity to hang some more points on the board against a Rams defensive unit that allowed the seventh-most total yards per game in the NFL (352.8).

Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson is a strong play on the road this Monday night against the Los Angeles Rams. The 27-year-old is coming off his worst outing since returning from injured reserve in early November -; totaling two receptions and nine yards on eight targets in Minnesota's loss to the Lions. His output undoubtedly left fantasy managers wanting. However, the poor performance was not wholly his fault, as quarterback Sam Darnold struggled against a Detroit D that was always there to make a play. Hockenson will look to bounce back in the Wild Card round and stands a decent chance to do so against a Rams squad that allowed the third-most fantasy points to the position in 2024 (15.8). His success will hinge on Darnold's ability to rebound after a poor performance of his own, though he's already shown he can do that this season. The Iowa product is RotoBaller's PPR TE2 for this week's slate.

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor will be a low-floor WR2 this Monday night when he squares off against the Los Angeles Rams on the road. The Michigan State alum was one of the more productive Vikings skill players in last week's loss to the Detroit Lions -; notching the second-most receiving yards behind fellow wideout Justin Jefferson. In fact, Nailor has been solid in his previous two appearances, registering eight receptions and 134 yards on nine targets. However, that production accounts for 29- and 32% of his catches and yards on the season, respectively. Otherwise, he averaged just 18.7 yards on 1.3 receptions in his other 15 outings. The 25-year-old has a wide, volatile range of outcomes this Monday. Still, he's been decently involved recently, and the pickings are slim in the Wild Card round. He clocks in as RotoBaller's PPR WR21 ahead of this weekend's action.

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison will line up for his first career playoff start against the Los Angeles Rams on Monday night. The 22-year-old's 2024 was an improvement from his debut campaign despite a dip in statistics. However, he'd likely have set new career highs across the board had he not missed two games early on with an ankle injury. While he put up a donut in the fantasy column -; on six targets -- in last weekend's loss to the Detroit Lions, Addison is a strong option in the Wild Card round. He'll get a Rams defense that's overall been a favorable spot for wideouts this season -; allowing 34 fantasy points per game. With teammate Justin Jefferson undoubtedly due for double coverage, the second-year pro should be afforded plenty of open looks. The former USC Trojan is RotoBaller's PPR WR8 for this weekend's slate.