Predictions Summary Projections by Position Projection Team Boxes

table td.bg-light-yellow {
background: #ffffcc; }

Prediction: MIN 17, NO 34 (Line: NO by 9)

It isn’t enough that the Vikings are dealing with the ongoing Adrian Peterson situation. Now they head to New Orleans where a 0-2 Saints team has their home opener and are surely in the mood for blowing out some bulbs on the scoreboard.

The season is getting eclipsed by the firestorm around Adrian Peterson’s “child abuse” allegations with cancelled appearances by players and sponsors pulling out. The blood is in the water now with the media and other officials. The Vikings have placed Peterson on the Exempt/Commissioner’s List where he must stay away from team activities until all his legal proceedings are over. That means no playing this week. It might mean no more this year. Without him, the Vikings are are much different team.

QUARTERBACK : Matt Cassel continues to keep the seat warm for Teddy Bridgewater with around 200 yards and a score each week. Against the Patriots he tossed four interceptions and that was in a home game. Now he’ll be on the road to New Orleans where he’s going to have to throw a lot.

RUNNING BACK : Matt Asiata only gained 36 yards on 13 runs versus the Pats, but added 48 yards and a score on his five receptions while replacing Adrian Peterson last week. Jerick McKinnon only took two handoff’s and gained seven yards. Whatever happens without Peterson around is going to be through Asiata. But the damage is done – Asiata is no Peterson.

WIDE RECEIVER : The mediocre passing stats mean no player is going to have a big game here. Greg Jennings started the year with 58 yards and a score but then only managed one catch for four yards versus the Pats. Cordarrelle Patterson also scored in the opener on a long run and had 128 total yards but then was down to only 56 yards last week. The absence of Peterson changes everything and not for the better.

TIGHT END : Kyle Rudolph caught five passes for 53 yards in the loss to the Patriots and that’s a high game so far. He gets as many targets as any receiver on the team.

MATCH TO THE DEFENSE: The Saints have been on two road games and there is zero chance that Cassel is going to match Matt Ryan’s 448 yards and three scores on the Saints. Brian Hoyer was just held to only 204 yards and one score and that was in Cleveland. The Saints are a bit softer against the run but again – less so at home. Patterson and Jennings are just plays for trash time yards and maybe a score. Hard to rely on trash time.

Losing two games by a combined five points is tough and overall the offense and defense both have not been as good as expected. For fantasy purposes, the next five games should all be bonanzas for yards and scores. Losing Mark Ingram for a month should be a non-event with plenty of substitutes ready to play. This is the home opener and should be primed for a big showing for the hometown fans who are getting a little antsy with a 0-2 start.

QUARTERBACK : He may end up at 5000 yards again, but games like the 237 yards in Cleveland are not going to help Drew Brees get there. The Browns flooded the field with defensive backs to take away all deep throws and it worked. Back at home against a Vikings defense, that should not be a repeat. But only passing for three touchdowns in his first two games is not the normal way that Brees starts.

RUNNING BACK : Mark Ingram will be out at least one month with a broken hand and shortcuts what appeared to finally be an actual hot start by the fifth-year running back. Pierre Thomas has fallen from favor and barely registers anymore. Khiry Robinson is expected to step in and take over for Ingram and at a very opportune time considering the upcoming opponents. The running backs already have scored four times as opposed to only three by Drew Brees. This is a golden opportunity for Robinson to start his career.

WIDE RECEIVER : The Browns shut down the wideouts so well that Marques Colston did not catch a pass for the first time in 87 games. Brandin Cooks went from 7-77-1 in Atlanta to only 3-17-0 in Cleveland. Colston was coming off a 110-yard game the previous week. A home game against the Vikings should make this much better. This will be the first regular season game for Cooks at home as well.

TIGHT END : Though the Browns shut down the wideouts, Jimmy Graham was still as god as always with 10 catches for 118 yards and two scores. He’s a lock for a high number of receptions.

MATCH TO THE DEFENSE: The Vikings have only played against the Rams who had no quarterback and the Patriots who won by 23 without doing anything. Forget what appears to be lofty rankings. The Saints at home with an 0-2 record should be out for blood and they need to pump some air back into the passing game after last week. Consider Brees and Graham as always starts and this week merits attention to Colston, Cooks and Robinson if you got to the waiver wire first.

table td.bg-light-yellow {
background: #ffffcc; }