Aaron Rodgers’ words weren’t just directed at Green Bay Packers fans. They were aimed at fantasy owners as well.
After the Pack’s humiliating 19-7 loss to the Detroit Lions in Week 3, Rodgers calmed the masses and told everyone to “relax.” He then went out and dismantled the Chicago Bears to the tune of 302 passing yards and four passing touchdowns.
The lesson in all this? Teams — and individual players — are capable of bad weeks, and just because they happen doesn’t mean it’s a trend that will continue.
Now that we have that out of the way, it’s time to get to the real question: Can you trust the Minnesota Vikings’ offense? Teddy Bridgewater, Jerick McKinnon and Matt Asiata put up impressive fantasy numbers against the Atlanta Falcons last Sunday, but duplicating those performances at Lambeau Field on short rest will be a tall task.
As we’ve seen in the last two weeks, however, anything can happen on “Thursday Night Football,” especially between two division opponents who somehow both enter the game with 2-2 records.
Deciding who’s worthy of a Thursday night start in your lineup can be tricky, but don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
SIT
Teddy Bridgewater, Quarterback, Vikings: We know, he looked pretty good last week. He also hurt his ankle, and while the Vikings are “hopeful” their first-round draft pick will play, that’s not what you want to hear when you have a full selection of Sunday starters to choose from. The Packers’ pass defense has been pretty decent, too, so don’t risk it here.
Cordarrelle Patterson, Wide Receiver, Vikings: Patterson clearly has the talent, but the production just isn’t there. If it wasn’t for his 67-yard touchdown run in Week 1, Patterson would have just roughly 21 fantasy points through four games, and Bridgewater targeted him four times for just two receptions last weekend. Until he proves he can be consistent, it’ll always be hit-or-miss with Patterson.
START
Jerick McKinnon and Matt Asiata, Running Back, Vikings: Yeah, you read that right. Green Bay’s pass defense is decent, but its run defense is currently the worst in the NFL in terms of yardage. There’s also rain in the forecast for Thursday, and if that’s the case, both backs should get plenty of touches. If you have both, go with Asiata for his goal-line back upside, but either player is worthy of a start here if you’re thin at the position.
Eddie Lacy, Running Back, Packers: Not that you wouldn’t anyways, but we had to get at least one Packer in here. Besides, if it really does rain, the home team will have no problem feeding the ball to Lacy, especially if Green Bay establishes an early lead. Lacy has been a bit underwhelming so far, but perhaps he’ll finally shine in the national spotlight on Thursday night.
Photo via Brace Hemmelgarn/USA TODAY Sports Images
