Minnesota Vikings DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (quad) carries no designation into his road tilt with the Los Angeles Rams on Monday Night Football. The 30-year-old has been bothered by a quad injury for a few weeks now, but he's yet to be inactive. It's excellent news, too, as backfield mate Cam Akers (illness) popped up as a late-week DNP and is questionable for the contest with an illness. Jones' rushing totals have declined recently, but he's been involved in the passing game -- reeling in nine catches over his previous two outings. If Akers is unable to suit up, the veteran would likely be due for an elevated workload with Ty Chandler (illness) working in behind him. The Rams haven't let up a ton of fantasy points to RBs, but they did allow the 130 yards per game on the ground to opposing offenses. The former Green Bay Packer is RotoBaller's PPR RB10 for the Wild Card round.

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson is a locked-in WR1 for Monday night's road tilt with the Los Angeles Rams. The superstar wideout is coming off a three-catch, 54-yard outing in the team's Week 18 loss to the Lions -; marking his lowest reception total of 2024. It wasn't just him, as the entire Vikings offense sputtered against a Detroit defense that played lights out to clinch the NFC North. However, Jefferson will try to get back on track against a Rams D that's been a decent matchup for fantasy wideouts in 2024. Los Angeles tied for the third-most touchdowns allowed to the position (20) despite letting up the second-fewest receptions to wide receivers. If quarterback Sam Darnold can rebound from his poor showing in their most recent loss, the 25-year-old should be in store for a productive day. Jefferson ranks as RotoBaller's PPR WR2 for the Wild Card round.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (quad) will get his first career playoff start this Monday night against the Los Angeles Rams on the road. Darnold sustained a mild quad injury in last weekend's loss to the Detroit Lions but he is all systems go for the Wild Card round after practicing fully. The 27-year-old is coming off one of his worst starts of the season as Detroit was all over him last Sunday night, though he didn't do himself many favors. He'll line up against a Rams squad that's been a favorable spot for quarterbacks in 2024, letting up an average of 19.2 fantasy points per game -; the ninth-most in the league. The USC product was able to bounce back earlier in the season after a few subpar performances, and we'll see if he can do it again in a win-or-go-home situation. He'll clock in at RotoBaller's QB6 for the tournament's first round.

Minnesota Vikings running back Cam Akers (illness) is officially questionable to play in the Wild Card playoff game on Monday against the Los Angeles Rams, according to Minnesota's final injury report of the week. He appeared on the injury report Friday, but Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell told reporters Saturday that he expects the backup running back to be available come Monday. The veteran compiled 69 total yards last week at Detroit, his most productive game of the season, and figures to once again be the second man out of the Minnesota backfield behind starter Aaron Jones. But with a low volume of carries expected, Akers is a low-end RB2 for managers in playoff leagues.

Minnesota Vikings running back Ty Chandler (illness) was listed as a non-participant for Friday's team practice. With the Vikings slated to square off with the Los Angeles Rams on Monday night, their first practice this week was on Thursday. The 26-year-old was a full participant to kick off the week but was tagged as a DNP the following day. Fortunately, he'll have a few more days to rest up before their road tilt at SoFi stadium. However, even if he plays, Chandler figures to serve as more of a reserve player behind backfield mates Aaron Jones (quad) and Cam Akers. Even if he's active, he won't be a recommended option, as the North Carolina product has participated on double-digit snaps just twice since Akers joined the team via trade in mid-October.