Minnesota Vikings DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones (finger, knee) was listed as a limited participant for Wednesday's walkthrough practice estimation. Jones continues to be limited in practice early in the week, but he isn't in danger of sitting out in a must-win Week 18 regular season matchup against the visiting Chicago Bears this weekend. The 29-year-old could have a bigger workload, too, if AJ Dillon (neck, thumb) is forced to sit out after suffering a stinger in Sunday night's win over the Minnesota Vikings. Regardless of whether Dillon is active or not in Week 18, Jones will have RB2 appeal for fantasy managers still playing for something. In his last two games, Jones has looked better, carrying the ball 41 times for 247 yards while catching two of his four targets for 18 yards through the air.

Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell will make the start in the Week 18 regular season finale against the Dallas Cowboys. Howell was set to get benched in the Week 17 loss to the San Francisco 49ers before backup Jacoby Brissett suffered a hamstring injury and was ruled out. The 23-year-old will now close out the season under center and will be facing a Cowboys defense that won't be resting players as they look to win the NFC East with a win. Howell struggled once again last Sunday in a tough matchup against the 49ers, throwing for 169 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. The second-year QB has been useful as a streamer in fantasy in good matchups this year, but the turnover-prone gunslinger is a risky QB2 option in Week 18 against a strong Dallas pass rush.

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.