RADIO
Bills Defense Tasked With Stopping Carson Wentz
The Bills' defense is RotoBaller's 11th-ranked unit entering Week 9, when Buffalo will meet up with the Minnesota Vikings. Minnesota will send Carson Wentz onto the field for his second start of the season, as starting quarterback Kyler Murray is out with a hamstring injury. Wentz helped lead the Vikings to a Week 2 win over the Chicago Bears, completing just 11 of 20 passes for 143 yards, while he was held without a touchdown during the 9-3 victory. The Bills' defense is projected to score eight fantasy points against Minnesota on Monday night. Buffalo is coming off its best defensive effort of the season during a 36-10 win over the Baltimore Ravens last week. Buffalo limited Baltimore to just 144 total yards during the Week 8 triumph.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Minnesota Vikings D/ST Is Risky, But Still An Option On MNF
Another difficult matchup is on deck when the Minnesota Vikings' defense takes on the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football, though the unit's propensity to cause havoc for opposing offenses still makes Minnesota a fringe starting option. To be sure, Buffalo is among the league's best, leading the NFL in rushing EPA, yards per completion, and scoring percentage. Behind Josh Allen, who is both a rushing threat and the hardest quarterback to take down in the NFL, the Bills don't allow many sacks, but bouts of turnovers have been this offense's downfall at times. While Buffalo is always a threat to score 30-plus points, the Bills also rank 26th in turnover percentage, and the Vikings have excelled at forcing miscues. Through seven games, Minnesota has forced turnovers on 15% of its defensive possessions, one of the highest marks in the league. Playing the Vikings, RotoBaller's No. 12 defense this week, comes with risk, though there is also potential that they can swing the matchup by forcing turnovers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Minnesota Vikings D/ST Still Playable Against High-Powered Lions?
The Minnesota Vikings' defense matches up against one of the top offenses in the league in the Detroit Lions, but the road trip could still be playable for managers who roster the Minnesota defense. The Lions score at the third-highest rate in the league, rank fourth in yards per play, sit first in adjusted net yards per passing attempt, and still haven't thrown an interception. That said, the Lions' worst game of 2025 came against the Brian Flores defense, which was not a coincidence: the Vikings forced the Lions' offense into six turnovers during a Christmas Day debacle that eliminated Detroit from playoff contention. Minnesota's defense held the Lions to 34 points across two games last season, both wins, and is even better statistically than it was last year. The Vikings probably can't count on that many turnovers again, but as RotoBaller's No. 11 defense this week, the Vikings can still be a lineup option for managers willing to stomach a high-risk matchup.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Prime Matchup For Minnesota Vikings D/ST In Week 7
The Minnesota Vikings' top-ranked defense returns from a week away with a superb matchup in Week 7 against the Indianapolis Colts. Thus far, the Vikings have been the top defense in the league across virtually every metric, while the underlying numbers for the Colts have not been pretty. Through six games, Indianapolis is turning over the ball at the fifth-highest rate in the NFL, ranked 30th in adjusted net yards per passing attempt, and coming off an embarrassing loss to Tennessee in which the Titans sacked quarterback Daniel Jones six times. Injuries certainly have been a factor for the Colts, but only the Miami Dolphins have fewer passing touchdowns than Indy's four. For now, managers who roster Minnesota's defense should keep riding the hot streak. The Vikings are RotoBaller's second-ranked defense this week.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
The Minnesota Vikings D/ST Is An Elite Option In Week 5
Entering Week 5 as the top defense in the NFL, the Minnesota Vikings' D/ST is a top-tier choice for fantasy lineups when the Vikings travel to New Orleans. Through four games, Minnesota has forced seven turnovers, compiled an NFL-best 16 sacks, and allowed points on 26% of opposing teams' possessions, which ranks first in the league. Three Vikings are in the top 15 in individual pressures as the Brian Flores-led unit has flummoxed every opponent so far. New Orleans has shown some firepower, ranking fifth in the league in passing yardage, but the Saints rank 30th in turnover percentage and 28th in yards per rushing attempt. Second-year quarterback Tyler Shough has never faced the scheme, which is typically a big advantage for the Vikings, even on the road. As RotoBaller's No. 4 D/ST, the Vikings can be started confidently in any format that plays a defense.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Huge Potential For Minnesota Vikings D/ST Against Lowly Dolphins
With the winless Miami Dolphins set to visit U.S. Bank Stadium, the Minnesota Vikings D/ST is the top-ranked option in fantasy football this week. The Vikings have been an absolute force on defense so far this season, recording pressures on an absurd 40% of passing downs through three games. Minnesota has compiled 14 sacks and allowed a completion percentage of 50.6%, both of which lead the NFL. Additionally, the Vikings' return game has shown life, as Myles Prices' punt return for a touchdown last week proved invaluable in a victory at Tampa Bay. The Dolphins, meanwhile, have scored just three offensive touchdowns and finished 28.6% of their possessions with points, which ranks tied for 28th in the league. Miami also lost their only star offensive player to injury, as running back De'Von Achane (knee) is out for the season. The Vikings should be locked in as a starter in any format that plays a defense.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Rolling Vikings D/ST Has Potential Against Struggling Bucs
The Minnesota Vikings' defense has looked superb so far, hounding quarterbacks and holding opponents to just six points in its past six quarters, making them a must-start fantasy option against the winless Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Two of the NFL's top five leaders in pressures are Vikings (edge rusher Dallas Turner and linebacker Blake Cashman), while Tampa's offense currently has more turnovers (five) than touchdowns (three). Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield has a modest 398 yards and one passing touchdown through two games, though the entire offense has looked out of sync. Minnesota is just 2-9 in its past 11 trips to Tampa, and Mayfield and the Bucs won the most recent meeting, a 2023 game in Minnesota, as underdogs. But the current form of both teams matters more than series history, so fantasy managers should feel confident relying upon the Vikings' ability to cause chaos.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Vikings D/ST Leads Way In Low-Scoring Win
The Minnesota Vikings' defense and special teams performed well Sunday at Chicago, putting the clamps on what had been the highest-scoring offense in the NFL with a 9-3 victory in which they allowed only a field goal, compiled four sacks, and blocked a field-goal attempt. Fittingly, the Vikings sealed the game with defensive end Dallas Turner's sack of Bears quarterback Tyson Bagent, who relieved the injured Caleb Williams (hamstring). The awful weather conditions were certainly a factor, but the Vikings' defense has now spearheaded victories against back-to-back playoff teams from last season. Minnesota once again figures to be a trustworthy fantasy defense, especially as the schedule gets a bit softer following a challenging start.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Difficult Matchup Facing Vikings D/ST In First Game
One of the top options in fantasy football during the tenure of defensive coordinator Brian Flores, the Minnesota Vikings D/ST is merely a mid-tier choice in Week 1 when the Green Bay Packers visit U.S. Bank Stadium. Minnesota finished tied for fourth in sacks in the NFL last season and will return 10 of its top 11 tacklers now that legendary safety Harrison Smith is back for another year. The rival Packers, however, have been an efficient opponent that concluded last season with the third-fewest turnovers and converted third downs at the NFL's second-best percentage. The Vikings should have plenty of fantasy appeal this season, but as RotoBaller's 14th-ranked option in Week 1, managers in most leagues should be able to find a stronger play to start the season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jamal Adams Suffers Season-Ending Knee Injury
Minnesota Vikings safety Jamal Adams (knee) has been diagnosed with a season-ending knee injury, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Adams initially suffered the non-contact injury during the Vikings' first game of the preseason. The 30-year-old had signed with Minnesota this past offseason after spending 2025 with the Las Vegas Raiders, with whom he logged 44 tackles, one interception, and one forced fumble. There was plenty of excitement about his upside in a defense led by defensive coordinator Brian Flores, so it's disappointing to see his season end before it even really began. Rookie Jakobe Thomas (back) figures to earn more defensive snaps in Adams' absence.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Source: Ian Rapoport
