Vikings fantasy football outlook: Tough matchup ahead for Cook

After a three-game homestand at U.S. Bank Stadium, the Minnesota Vikings hit the road to face Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Each week, we’ll take a look at the players with fantasy value on the Vikings and their opponent. Player matchups are graded on a 1-5 scale of football emojis, from “don’t even think about starting him” (?) to “you’re a fool if you bench this guy” (?????).

Here’s how Week 14 shakes out:

MINNESOTA VIKINGS

QB Kirk Cousins: ??

The Buccaneers own the league’s top defense against the run, so the Vikings will likely rely more on Cousins than in most weeks. However, the turnover-prone quarterback might struggle. Tampa Bay’s defense, featuring former University of Minnesota safety Antoine Winfield Jr., has picked off at least one pass in nine of 12 games. The Bucs have recorded multiple interceptions in five contests. Even if Cousins throws for multiple touchdowns, the risk of turnovers is too high to start him in a fantasy playoff week.

RB Dalvin Cook: ???

The list of running backs to top 59 rushing yards against Tampa Bay? No one. That’s right. The best performance for a running back vs. the Buccaneers was Carolina’s Christian McCaffrey with 18 carries for 59 yards in Week 2. Of course, don’t bench Cook. He’ll still get a boatload of touches, and a good amount of them through the air. Just don’t expect him to put up fantasy numbers that will guarantee you a spot in the next round of the postseason.

WR Adam Thielen: ????

If the Bucs are vulnerable at one position, it’s wide receiver. In their last two games, they’ve surrendered 11+ receptions and 130+ receiving yards to three different receivers. In Week 12, Kansas City’s Tyreek Hill hauled in 13 catches for 269 yards and three touchdowns. As you already know, Thielen is a touchdown machine. He’s logged five scores in his last three games alone.

WR Justin Jefferson: ????

Over the last five games, Jefferson is averaging six catches for 95.2 yards and a touchdown. He leads the NFL with 19 catches for 20+ yards. More good news? Tampa Bay has yielded the 10th-most receptions of 20+ yards. Chances are he’s going to bring The Griddy to Raymond James Stadium.

TE Kyle Rudolph: ??

Irv Smith Jr. has missed the last two games with groin and back injuries. Without him on the field, Rudolph tallied seven catches for 68 yards against Carolina … and then no catches on two targets last week vs. the Jaguars. The moral of the story? Rudolph, with just one touchdown to his name this season, is too inconsistent to rely on for fantasy production, even with Smith Jr. sidelined.

Vikings D/ST: ?

Linebacker Eric Kendricks is the heart and soul of the Vikings defense. Without him on the field last week, Minnesota nearly lost to a one-win Jacksonville team and allowed journeyman quarterback Mike Glennon to drive 80 yards in 2:42 to tie the game. Kendricks didn’t practice Wednesday. Even with a healthy Kendricks, we wouldn’t recommend starting Minnesota against Tom Brady and the Bucs.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

QB Tom Brady: ????

Brady has struggled over his past four contests, tossing eight TDs and seven interceptions while logging a passer rating of 80.2. But give the guy some credit. He faced New Orleans and the Los Angeles Rams in that stretch, a pair of top-four defenses against the pass. Minnesota is far from it. We think it could be a get-right game for Brady.

RB Ronald Jones II: ???

Jones will run for 150 yards one week and see three carries the next. He’s infuriating. Last week, the Vikings allowed 78 rushing yards and a score to Jacksonville’s James Robinson. That feels like a safe expectation for Jones, especially if Tampa Bay grabs an early lead.

WR Chris Godwin: ???

Godwin didn’t practice Wednesday due to getting pins removed from his finger on Monday. His status for Sunday’s game is in question. When healthy, Godwin has been a bit disappointing this season, although he’s hauled in 92+ receiving yards or a touchdown in his last three contests. He should be more than up for a big game against Minnesota’s inexperienced secondary.

WR Mike Evans: ???

Suddenly, Evans is a touchdown machine. He has five scores in his last five games, including two touchdowns on three receptions in the Bucs’ last game against Kansas City. The Vikings have surrendered a score to the position in three straight weeks.

TE Rob Gronkowski: ?????

If Kendricks misses the game, Gronk will eat. He tallied 106 receiving yards in his last game and has scored four times over his last seven contests. Minnesota surrendered 10 catches for 86 yards last week against Jacksonville while Kendricks watched from the sideline. Again, Gronk will eat.

Buccaneers D/ST: ????

Tampa Bay has forced the third-most turnovers this season (20) and the second-most interceptions (14). The Vikings have coughed up the football 21 times, fifth-most in the NFL. Yep, that’s start-worthy.