Justin Fields making the leap; Packers banged up; Vikings underrated: NFC North Notebook
Justin Fields is running wild for the Bears, the Vikings just can't stop winning, and the Packers are a group of walking wounded.NOVEMBER 8, 2022
MINNESOTA VIKINGS 8-2 · 2ND IN NFC NORTH
8-2 · 2ND IN NFC NORTH
Eric Kendricks - Second-leading tackler Sunday Kendricks recorded nine tackles (eight solo) in Sunday's 20-17 win against the Commanders.
Impact Kendricks continued his prominent role in the middle of Minnesota's defense while playing every defensive snap for the seventh time in eight games this season. The veteran still finished with fewer tackles than fellow inside linebacker Jordan Hicks, who logged a team-high 12 stops against Washington. Kendricks will have the opportunity to come away with his third double-digit tackle outing of the season against the Bills this coming Sunday.
NOVEMBER 8, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Danielle Hunter - Two sacks in comeback win Hunter collected two sacks on seven tackles (four solo) during Sunday's 20-17 victory over the Commanders.
Impact Hunter logged his second sack of the game as he brought down quarterback Taylor Heinecke for a crucial nine-yard loss on Washington's second-to-last drive, helping to seal the Vikings' comeback win in the fourth quarter. The 28-year-old also logged season highs in both tackles and sacks in this contest. Hunter has now recorded 37 tackles (27 solo), five sacks and two passes defended through eight games in 2022, and he'll look to affect star quarterback Josh Allen this coming Sunday against Buffalo.
NOVEMBER 8, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Jordan Hicks - Logs double-digit tackles again Hicks recorded 12 tackles (10 solo) and two passes defended during Sunday's 20-17 win versus the Commanders.
Impact Hicks logged at least 11 stops for the fourth time this season, as he finished as the Vikings' leading tackler against Washington. The ninth-year linebacker has recorded eight more stops than Minnesota's second-leading tackler Erick Kendricks so far in 2022. Hicks is also on track to log over 115 tackles for the fourth season in a row, and he'll look to keep this prolific run going against Buffalo this coming Sunday.
NOVEMBER 8, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Vikings, Chiefs climb in Bucky Brooks' top 10 NFL teams
The Eagles remain firmly entrenched in the top spot, but a loss by the Bills helped the Chiefs and Vikings rise after Week 9.NOVEMBER 8, 2022
Justin Fields takes off, Mahomes shines, Rams stagger: NFL notes and analysis
Insights on Week 9, including the stellar performances of Justin Fields and Patrick Mahomes and the stumbles of Josh Allen and Aaron Rodgers...NOVEMBER 8, 2022
Clutch Vikings tote ample confidence at 7-1 into tough slate
The Minnesota Vikings have owned the fourth quarter this seasonNOVEMBER 8, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Lions' season still appears lost despite win over Packers
The Detroit Lions’ season has followed the usual scriptNOVEMBER 7, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Johnny Mundt - Minimal role with new TE Mundt had one reception for one yard in Sunday's win at Washington.
Impact Mundt played 15 snaps on offense and went out on four routes. T.J. Hockensen had nine receptions and played on 60 snaps, so Mundt didn't see any short-term bump in playing time while Hockensen got acclimated to his new team. Mundt will have a limited, primarily blocking role with Hockensen in the fold.
NOVEMBER 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Cameron Dantzler Sr. - Unlikely to play in Week 10 Coach Kevin O'Connell said Monday that Dantzler (ankle) is a "long shot" to play Sunday at Buffalo, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
Impact It seems likely that Dantzler will have to miss at least one game with an ankle injury he sustained during Minnesota's win at Washington in Week 9. In his absence, rookie fourth-rounder Akayleb Evans could be thrust into a starting role.
NOVEMBER 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Akayleb Evans - Shines in larger role Evans had six tackles, two tackles for a loss and a pass defensed in Sunday's win at Washington.
Impact Evans was pressed into starting duty when Cameron Dantlzer left with an ankle injury. Evans played on 44 of the defense's 63 snaps. He had several big plays including a key fourth-down pass breakup. He could start at cornerback if Dantzler misses time.
NOVEMBER 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
K.J. Osborn - No receptions in win Osborn did not have a reception on two targets in Sunday's win at Washington.
Impact Osborn played on 53 of the offense's 66 snaps and he went out on 39 routes. He got about the usual playing time, but he had a season low in targets and it was his first game this season without a catch. The acquisition of T.J. Hockenson (nine receptions) looks to have supplanted Osborn as the third option in the passing offense.
NOVEMBER 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Alexander Mattison - Just three touches Mattison gained one yard on two carries and had one reception for no yards on his only target in Sunday's win at Washington.
Impact Mattison played on just nine of the offense's 66 snaps (14%) as he had a limited backup role behind a healthy Dalvin Cook. Mattison's snap share has trended downward this season with 24% or less the past three games, giving him little fantasy value barring a Cook injury. He's still one of the more valuable backup running backs in the league given his production when thrust into a starting role.
NOVEMBER 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Bills QB Allen's status uncertain with throwing elbow injury
Josh Allen is nursing a sore right throwing elbow, leaving cause for concern over the Buffalo Bills starter’s status against the NFC North-leading Minnesota Vikings this weekendNOVEMBER 7, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Commanders inconsistent but in playoff race at midway point
The Washington Commanders are in the mix for a playoff spot at the midway point of the season despite inconsistent play all over the fieldNOVEMBER 7, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Greg Joseph - Perfect in win Sunday Joseph made both of his field-goal attempts and both extra-point tries during Sunday's 20-17 win over the Commanders.
Impact Joseph converted two short field-goals from 25 and 28 yards out during the fourth quarter of Sunday's matchup against Washington. While Minnesota retains their high-powered offense, the 28-year-old should continue seeing plenty of kicking opportunities down the road.
NOVEMBER 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
NFL odds Week 9: Bettors win big on Jets, sportsbooks win on Packers
Gambling Insider Patrick Everson recaps a profitable weekend for some bettors and sportsbooks thanks to the New York Jets and other underdog...NOVEMBER 7, 2022
NFL Week 9 top plays: Chiefs best Titans, Jets shock Bills, Bucs beat Rams
Week 9 is nearly over. Here are the top plays from a wild Sunday in the NFL!NOVEMBER 7, 2022
NFL Week 9: Top trending, viral moments from Chiefs-Titans, more
NFL Week 9 has brought plenty of viral moments, from Aaron Rodgers' sideline reactions to the Bengals' celebrations. Here are the top ones!NOVEMBER 7, 2022
Adam Thielen - Three grabs in win Thielen secured three of seven targets for 67 yards in the Vikings' 20-17 win over the Commanders on Sunday.
Impact Thielen checked in third in receiving yards on the afternoon for Minnesota, putting up a higher tally than usual thanks in large part to a 36-yard grab. However, the veteran wideout apparently has some serious competition for targets moving forward in the form of newly acquired T.J. Hockenson, who drew nine looks in his team debut. Thielen will aim to build on his second straight 67-yard effort when he faces a tough Bills defense in a Week 10 road interconference showdown.
NOVEMBER 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Official runs into Vikings defender, wacky touchdown follows
The Washington Commanders scored an improbable touchdown on one of the most bizarre plays of the NFL season against the Minnesota VikingsNOVEMBER 6, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
'A roller coaster ride': Taylor Heinicke's struggles sum up Commanders' loss
The defense put the Commanders in a position to beat the Vikings, but ineffective quarterback play sealed Washington's fate.NOVEMBER 6, 2022
T.J. Hockenson - Team-high catch total in debut Hockenson brought in all nine targets for 70 yards in the Vikings' 20-17 win over the Commanders on Sunday.
Impact The newly acquired tight end made quite the splash in his first game in Minnesota, posting a team-high reception total while checking in second in yardage and targets to Justin Jefferson. Hockenson's robust usage and the fact he outpaced Adam Thielen by six receptions overall could signal the dawning of a new day in the Vikings offense, with head coach Kevin O'Connell apparently willing to deploy Hockenson as much more of a pass-catching asset than he did Irv Smith (ankle). Hockenson's first opportunity to build on the standout effort comes in a tough Week 10 road showdown against the Bills.
NOVEMBER 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Dalvin Cook - Gets receiving TD in win Cook rushed 17 times for 47 yards and brought in two of six targets for nine yards and a touchdown in the Vikings' 20-17 win over the Commanders on Sunday.
Impact Cook had a difficult time finding any running room against a stingy Commanders front, but he still found a way to make an impact via a nifty 12-yard scoring grab down the left sideline midway through the fourth quarter. The versatile back's rushing yardage total was his lowest since Week 2, but the receiving score was his first of the season and helped salvage the otherwise underwhelming fantasy day. Cook has another unenviable matchup on tap in Week 10, as the Vikings travel to Buffalo to face the Bills.
NOVEMBER 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Kirk Cousins - Strong showing in close win Cousins completed 22 of 40 passes for 265 yards with two touchdowns and one interception in the Vikings' 20-17 win over the Commanders on Sunday. He also netted minus-2 yards on tw...
Impact Cousins put together his fourth 250-yard-plus tally in the last six games while helping snap his old squad's three-game losing streak in his first game back in the nation's capital. The veteran signal-caller did get the wind knocked out of him following a 47-yard completion to Justin Jefferson early in the fourth quarter per Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, but he ultimately missed just one play. Cousins now has a 5:0 TD:INT in his last three games going into an unenviable Week 10 road matchup against the Bills.
NOVEMBER 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
