Minnesota Vikings DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

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 quarterback Sam Darnold completed 18-of-41 passes for 166 yards in Sunday night's 31-9 loss to the Detroit Lions. He did not throw a touchdown or interception and added 11 yards on two carries. Week 18 was easily the 27-year-old's worst start of the season, statistically. Darnold's passing output was a season low, and it was the first time since Week 10 that he failed to toss at least one score. Despite being sacked just twice in the meeting, Detroit's front seven was in the signal-caller's face all game, throwing off his timing and forcing him from the pocket. In a game when it mattered most, the Lions' D played incredibly tough -- clinching home-field advantage in the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. With the Vikings now occupying the fifth seed in the NFC, they'll square off against the Los Angeles Rams on the road in Wild Card Weekend.

With Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (quad) off the Week 18 injury report, backup Cam Akers is not a starting option against the Detroit Lions. Though the veteran has become Minnesota's clear second option out of the backfield and scored touchdowns in two of the past three weeks, he has recorded fewer than 40 rushing yards in eight straight games. With only six catches during that time frame, Akers simply isn't getting enough volume to be trustworthy in the Vikings' most important game of the regular season. Managers in formats that play Week 18 should look for another option at running back.

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.