Vikings vs. Rams Start 'Em, Sit 'Em (Wild Card Round) - Sam Darnold, Matthew Stafford, Aaron Jones, Kyren Williams, Justin Jefferson, Puka Nacua, and more

January 12, 2025

Fantasy football start em, sit em lineups advice for the Vikings vs. Rams on Monday, January 13 for Wild Card Weekend (2025). NFL matchups analysis and starts/sits.

It's been a fun weekend and the Wild Card round of the NFL Playoffs wraps up with a Monday night contest! Below you can read our matchups analysis article for the Vikings vs. Rams game to help make any fantasy lineup decisions for whatever contest, league, or tournament you are participating in.

We close out the Wild Card round with a prime-time Monday nighter between a pair of tough NFC squads. The Vikings dropped a pivotal Week 18 game against the Lions to tumble into the fifth seed, which resulted in this road game against Sean McVay's L.A. Rams. Due to the tragic fires in California, this game has been moved to State Farm Stadium in Arizona.

Read our fantasy football breakdowns for this game -- the recommended starts, sits, and matchups we love heading into the Wild Card Weekend. Below, you'll see the fantasy football outlooks for key players like Sam Darnold, Matthew Stafford, Justin Jefferson, Puka Nacua, Jordan Addison, and more.

Minnesota Vikings at Los Angeles Rams (State Farm Stadium, Arizona)

• Time: Monday 8:00 PM ET
• Spread: Vikings -2.5
• Projected Point Total: 47.5

Matchups We Love

QB Matthew Stafford

No team blitzes more than the Vikings, but that might actually benefit Matthew Stafford in this game.

Stafford has always been one of the top quarterbacks against blitz-heavy teams, and we saw that earlier in the year against the Patriots. New England blitzed Stafford on over 60% of plays in that Week 11 game, and the veteran quarterback threw for 295 yards and four touchdowns. So, he'll be a solid option against Minnesota. 

WR Puka Nacua

Puka Nacua has been the clear top target for Matthew Stafford in the passing game, and he'll have a great matchup on Monday night against the Vikings. Minnesota has given up the most fantasy points to opposing wideouts this season. As a result, Nacua is a strong start during Wild Card Weekend. The second-year playmaker has totaled over 17 PPR fantasy points in seven of the past eight games. 

It’s physically impossible for Puka Nacua to not do something cool pic.twitter.com/FdbLvsaoqJ

— Jackson Payne (@jackson5payne) December 13, 2024

TE T.J. Hockenson 

T.J. Hockenson and Sam Darnold haven't quite gotten on the same page just yet, as the tight end has scored under 10 PPR fantasy points in four of the past six games.

The good news for Hockenson, though, is that he has seen at least six targets in three of the last four weeks and has a fantastic matchup against the Rams on Monday. Los Angeles has given up the second-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends this season.

Matchups We Hate

RB Kyren Williams

Kyren Williams has been a workhorse running back for the Rams all season. He has totaled at least 18 carries in 10 of 16 games. Unfortunately, Williams has a tougher matchup during Wild Card Weekend. Although Minnesota just allowed Jahmyr Gibbs to score 46 PPR fantasy points last week, the Vikings have allowed only five running backs to score above 14 PPR fantasy points in a game this season. 

Other Matchups

QB Sam Darnold 

Sam Darnold really struggled last week against the Lions and threw for a season-low 166 passing yards. However, Darnold will be a fine quarterback option on Monday night against the Rams. The Vikings signal-caller has thrown multiple passing touchdowns in six of the past eight games, and Los Angeles has allowed nine passing touchdowns over the last five weeks. 

RB Aaron Jones 

Since allowing 255 rush yards and 46.2 PPR fantasy points to Saquon Barkley in Week 12, the Rams have done a good job against running backs in fantasy.

They haven't allowed over 16 PPR fantasy points to the position in six straight weeks and have only allowed nine rushing touchdowns all season. Given that Jones has averaged only 12.2 PPR fantasy points over the past three games, he's a slightly risky option this week.

WR Cooper Kupp

This matchup against the Vikings is a great one for Cooper Kupp. Minnesota has given up the most fantasy points to opposing wideouts this season and the sixth-most fantasy points to slot wide receivers since Week 12. However, his recent stretch of games makes him a low-end option on Monday night. Kupp has caught just four passes over the last three games. 

WR Justin Jefferson 

Justin Jefferson will continue to be a strong fantasy option during the opening round of the NFL playoffs. Jefferson has totaled over 17 PPR fantasy points in four of the past five games, and this Rams secondary doesn't have anyone that can match up with the All-Pro wide receiver.

4x Pro Bowler
2x 2nd team All Pro
2x 1st Team All Pro
OPOTY Winner

Quite the career for Justin Jefferson so far and he’s only 25. pic.twitter.com/xs7bYvVjn4

— E̷d̷w̷i̷n̷ (@IMissWinning) January 10, 2025

Wideouts like Marvin Harrison Jr. (96 receiving yards) and Davante Adams (19.8 PPR fantasy points) had strong games against this defense recently.

WR Jordan Addison 

Jordan Addison had a disappointing game last week, catching just one pass. However, Addison should be a solid play on Monday night against the Rams. He has seen at least eight targets in four of the past five games and has scored above 13 PPR fantasy points in five of the last eight weeks. So, expect a bounce-back performance from the young wideout. 

TE Tyler Higbee

Tyler Higbee made his season debut in Week 16, and his snap share has increased in three straight games. Last week, Higbee caught five passes for 46 yards and one touchdown while playing 41% of the team's offensive snaps. So, the veteran tight end can be a potential value play in DFS contests. The Vikings just allowed seven catches to Sam LaPorta a week ago. 

Notable Fantasy-Relevant Injuries

• None

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