Fantasy Scouting Report: Minnesota Vikings

The Daily Norseman with Vikings fantasy advice – (short form: Play Purple Jesus!)

QB Brett Favre – Favre did pretty much what he was supposed to do this past Sunday in Cleveland. . .he completed a high percentage of passes (nearly 70%), he didn’t turn the ball over, and he made a couple of big plays in the passing game when called upon to do so. Favre has the potential to probably be a low-end starter for your team this Sunday against the Lions. He’s not going to go out and throw six touchdown passes and rack up 350+ yards like Drew Brees did last weekend, but I don’t think it’s out of the realm of possibility for him to double his output from last week, which would put him at about 220 yards and 2 touchdowns.

RB Adrian Peterson – Yeah, like you’re not starting Adrian Peterson regardless of what I tell you. Next!

WR Percy Harvin – While Favre is possibly a good start at the quarterback position, Harvin and all of the Vikings’ receivers should probably be avoided until Favre gets a little better established and a little more comfortable in the Vikings’ offense. Last week, Favre’s 14 completions went to five different receivers, and Harvin led the way with a mere 36 yards and a TD. Granted, with the passing game likely being a bit more prolific this week, those numbers should go up, but with Favre’s propensity for spreading the ball around, it’s hard to tell which receiver will be the beneficiary. Pass on the Minnesota wide receivers, but TE Visanthe Shiancoe is probably a good option if you play a TE.

Minnesota Defense – Last week, the Saints’ defense harassed Lions’ rookie quarterback Matthew Stafford into a sub-50% completion rate and forced him into three interceptions in Detroit’s season-opening loss. The Vikings’ first-string defense was stifling against Cleveland, essentially only allowing two field goals before allowing a garbage time touchdown (on a drive that was largely defended by second-string players). Jared Allen and company have to be licking their chops over this matchup, and if you own the Vikings’ defense, you should be as well.

You know you want to read about Favre and Purple Jesus, so go to Daily Norseman.