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The Minnesota Vikings might be 9-2 and have the NFC North all but locked up with six games to play, but their defense has been shredded the past three games. They allowed 30 points and almost 500 yards of total offense to the Buffalo Bills in Week 10, then were drubbed for 40 points and 451 yards when the Dallas Cowboys came to town and blew them out of their own building.
Yet the most disturbing defensive effort from Minnesota came on Thanksgiving versus the far-from-explosive New England Patriots. The Vikings made Mac Jones look like Tom Brady in his prime. Jones racked up 382 passing yards and two touchdown tosses on Turkey Day. He has not thrown multiple touchdown passes in any other game in 2022, and his only other 300-yard passing game was against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 3 when he threw three interceptions. Minnesota showed to the world why it is ranked 31st against the pass.
With the New York Jets and new starting signal caller Mike White rolling into Minnesota with more confidence now that Zach Wilson has been sent to Siberia, should a fantasy footballer even dream of using the slumping Vikings defense in unlucky Week 13? Here is my take:
Should I Start the Vikings Defense in Week 13?
It really depends on your other options. I know the Minnesota defense has looked lately like the Ohio State defense looked against Michigan last Saturday. Just remember that two of the past three games were against Buffalo and Dallas, two of the best teams in the NFL with two of the best offenses.
Buffalo is ranked second in both total offense and points per game, so it is not like the Vikes were the only defense to have trouble stopping them this year. Dallas is seventh in points per game and rushing offense, but you must factor in that those numbers are skewed because quarterback Dak Prescott missed games earlier in the season. The Cowboys have a top-five offense when he is under center.
The New York Jets offense is ranked in the bottom half of the league in every major offensive category. Whether it is running, passing, or scoring, the Jets have not done it better than most teams. They have had 100-year-old Joe Flacco heaving passes over receivers’ heads and Wilson throwing dead ducks at receivers’ feet. Against New England a couple weeks ago it was a chore for the Jets offense to make a first down.
Mike White walking in and having a great game against a below-average Chicago Bears defense that traded away two of its best defenders is meaningless. White was good last year, too, until he wasn’t. Do you remember his four-interception game against Buffalo that got him benched after four up-and-down starts?
The Jets also are also without top tailback Breece Hall thanks to his torn ACL and probably will be without No. 2 RB Michael Carter due to an ankle injury. James Robinson, who was acquired from Jacksonville to seemingly bolster the backfield, has been a non-factor and did not even dress last week. That leaves Zonovan Knight and Ty Johnson to be the leaders of the ground game in a tough road game in an even tougher environment.
Minnesota will get some sacks and turnovers against the Jets. The Jets offensive line has been banged-up all season and can be taken advantage of. The Vikings are in the top 10 in turnovers on defense (tied for 7th in INT, tied for 5th in fumble recoveries).
Can I see Minnesota getting three-to-four sacks and three turnovers against New York on Sunday? Sure can. Can I also see the Jets scoring 20-25 points against the Vikings defense? Sure can. Minnesota has allowed 22 points or more in six of their seven home games this season.
You have a better defense on your fantasy roster playing a slightly better offense than the Jets? Is there a defense available on your league waiver wire like the Seattle Seahawks or Cleveland Browns that is facing a backup QB worse than White? If so, then I would consider going those routes rather than risk using Minnesota. But if none of your other options sound too enticing, I think you can plug and play the Vikings, because there is always a chance White implodes and the Jets offense hands the Vikings D some fantasy points on a silver platter.
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