Vikings fantasy football outlook: Thanksgiving weekend feast for Cook?

Coming off a tough loss to Dallas, the Minnesota Vikings are looking to rebound Sunday against the 4-7 Carolina Panthers.

We all know Dalvin Cook will likely rack up the fantasy football points. But are there any other Minnesota or Carolina players worth starting in your fantasy league?

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 12 shakes out:

MINNESOTA VIKINGS

QB Kirk Cousins: ??

Coming off his fifth game with 300+ passing yards, 3+ scores and no picks since joining the Vikings in 2018, it may be tempting to pick up Cousins this week. Let’s leave him on the waiver wire. Carolina has allowed just three quarterbacks to toss 3+ touchdowns — Tom Brady, Patrick Mahomes and Kyler Murray — but all three attempted an average of 38.3 passes in those games. Cousins has thrown over 38 passes just once this season. It’s shaping up to be another Dalvin Cook Game™ to get Minnesota back in the win column.

RB Dalvin Cook: ?????

You’re obviously starting Cook in year-long fantasy leagues, but Cook should be worth an expensive price tag in daily fantasy this week. The Panthers have allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to running backs. Six tailbacks have tallied 100+ total yards against Carolina, including Tampa Bay’s Ronald Jones, who logged 192 rushing yards and a score on 23 carries in Week 10.

WR Adam Thielen: ????

When the Vikings are threatening to score, Cousins always seems to find No. 19. Thielen ranks fourth in the NFL with 17 targets in the red zone. That’s 11 more targets than any other Vikings pass catcher, as Irv Smith Jr. has seen six targets inside the 20-yard line. You’re starting Thielen.

WR Justin Jefferson: ??

While we’re starting Thielen no matter what, Jefferson is more of a question mark against Carolina. The Panthers are allowing the sixth-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers. Although Carolina has surrendered the ninth-most receptions to wideouts, only five teams have allowed fewer touchdowns to the position.

TE Irv Smith Jr. or Kyle Rudolph: ???

Tight ends have gashed the Panthers over the last three weeks. Kansas City’s Travis Kelce caught 10 passes for 159 yards in Week 9. In Week 10, Tampa Bay’s Rob Gronkowski and Cameron Brate both caught touchdown passes. And last week, Detroit’s T.J. Hockenson led the Lions with four catches for 68 yards.

Vikings D/ST: ?

The Panthers rank in the bottom half of the league in points per game (23.0) and total yards per game (353.1), but they’re no slouches. Carolina averages just 1.1 turnover per game, which ranks 10th in the NFL. And after the Vikings’ porous performance against Dallas last week, we’re not feeling too confident about head coach Mike Zimmer’s unit on Sunday.

CAROLINA PANTHERS

QB Teddy Bridgewater: ?

Bridgewater was held out of last week’s game due to a knee injury, but he’s expected to play Sunday against Minnesota, which drafted him 32nd overall in 2014. It will be the first time Bridgewater starts against his former team. While Bridgewater is putting together a solid season, he hasn’t been too fantasy relevant. He’s never thrown for more than two scores in a game this season and has logged more than 300 passing yards twice. Even against Minnesota’s young secondary, keep Bridgewater on the bench.

RB Christian McCaffrey: ????? (if he plays)

There are conflicting reports on McCaffrey’s status for Week 12. Some outlets are saying he’s out, and others are saying he’ll be back at practice this week. Be sure to monitor the injury reports as the week progresses. If he’s healthy, start him. The Vikings have coughed up big games to elite running backs like Ezekiel Elliot (21 carries, 103 yards) and Derrick Henry (26 carries, 119 yards, two touchdowns) already this season.

RB Mike Davis: ???? (if McCaffrey is ruled out)

If McCaffrey sits out, Davis gets the green light. In the eight games he’s started, Davis has averaged 13.6 carries. There have been seven running backs to see 14+ carries against Minnesota’s defense. Three of them exploded for 100+ yards, and all seven combined to average 82 rushing yards per game. Pretty solid.

WR D.J. Moore: ????

Minnesota is surrendering the ninth-most receiving yards per game to receivers (176.8). If the trend continues, Moore should get most of the action. He’s led the Panthers in receiving in five of the last six games, averaging four catches for 80.3 receiving yards in those contests.

WR Robby Anderson: ??

After a terrific start to the season, racking up 99+ receiving yards in four of his first five games, Anderson has taken a back seat to Moore. He hasn’t scored a touchdown since Week 1. Although Minnesota has allowed the second-most scores to the position (17), the Vikings have surrendered just two touchdowns to wideouts in their last four contests.

TE Ian Thomas: ?

Tight ends aren’t utilized much in Carolina’s offense. Thomas has seen more than two targets in just two contests and didn’t get a single football thrown his way last week. Woof.

Panthers D/ST: ?

Carolina has struggled against top-tier running backs like Alvin Kamara and Josh Jacobs. There’s no way we’re recommending starting the Panthers D/ST against Cook.