Minnesota Vikings DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones rushed 10 times for 45 yards in Sunday night's 31-9 loss to the Detroit Lions, adding 30 yards through the air on five of six receiving. The 30-year-old was effective when he touched the rock but did not receive his typical allotment of snaps in this one. Jones was utilized heavily on the Vikings' first drive but saw just one more touch in the quarter before taking off for a few possessions. He'd again be frequently featured on their last drive of the first half, but he saw only five more touches for the rest of the game. The broadcast noted that the eighth-year pro had been on the sideline for an extended period, though no injury designation had been made. He'd also take a shot later in the game and was slow to get up, so that and his previous quad ailment are possibly the culprits for his diminished snaps. Seeing the veteran limited at practice this week wouldn't be surprising. Jones will get an extra day of rest as his team now prepares for their road tilt with the Los Angeles Rams next Monday night to cap off wild-card weekend. Minnesota's first practice report will be out on Thursday.

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison caught 1-of-6 targets and gained no yards in his team's 31-9 loss to the Detroit Lions. Oof. Addison didn't receive his first target until the Vikings' first drive of the second quarter -- a bubble screen he caught for no gain. The next play was a deep shot to him in the end zone where he had a step on the defender, but quarterback Sam Darnold overthrew him. Otherwise, he and Darnold were not on the same page Sunday night. Detroit's defense was hungry and made a statement with linebacker Alex Anzalone back in the lineup -- keeping the QB out of rhythm and disrupting plays on the back end. With the loss, Minnesota will forego a week off and line up against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium next Monday night. It's another exploitable matchup for the Vikes, so expect them to come out swinging in a win-or-go-home Wild Card clash.

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson reeled in 3-of-9 targets for 54 yards in Sunday's 31-9 loss to the Detroit Lions. It's a disappointing outcome for the fantasy stalwart, as he'd been on quite a tear and was entering a favorable spot against his division rivals. However, Detroit's defense clamped down on the Vikings during the season finale, consistently pressuring quarterback Sam Darnold and keeping their offense off-kilter. The loss breaks a nine-game winning streak for Minnesota and drops them down to the fifth seed in the NFC playoff picture. Instead of a week off and home-field advantage throughout the tournament, they'll now travel to SoFi Stadium in the Wild Card round to line up against the Los Angeles Rams. Expect Jefferson to get back on track next Monday night against a Rams squad that allowed the sixth-most yards per game in 2024.

Minnesota Vikings placekicker Will Reichard is an excellent play this Sunday in a divisional bout with the Detroit Lions. The rookie missed another two kicks in last weekend's 27-25 win over the Green Bay Packers -- 43- and 57-yard field-goal tries that both doinked out -- to bookend his performance. Still, he hit his other two kicks (25, 50) and all three extra-point attempts. Reichard missed two kicks in another game -- the one in which he injured his quad -- but has otherwise failed to connect on only one other field goal in 2024. Additionally, he's knocked through all 38 XP attempts. The Alabama product ranks as RotoBaller's K4 ahead of this weekend.

Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson will get a tough matchup this Sunday night in a road tilt with the Detroit Lions. Hockenson had a nice total his last time out in a win against the Green Bay Packers, but he'll have a less vulnerable outing in store against a Lions defense that's limited TEs to 9.2 fantasy points per game in 2024 -; the second-fewest. However, it's worth noting that they've let up sizable performances twice over the past three weeks. Detroit just got torched by George Kittle in Week 17 for 112 yards on 8-of-8 receiving and let Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox of the Buffalo Bills combine for six catches and 95 yards two weeks prior. With a 57-point over/under on tap, there should be plenty of opportunities to go around for the veteran. The Iowa alum ranks as RotoBaller's PPR TE7 in Week 18.