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The second Wild Card game on Sunday brings us an exciting DFS matchup, as the New York Giants visit the Minnesota Vikings at 1:30 PM PST. The Giants may have been the biggest surprise of this year’s playoffs and they are led by dual-threat quarterback Daniel Jones, squaring off against Justin Jefferson and the explosive Vikings offense. These teams met in Week 16, a game that saw the two teams combine for nearly 800 yards. There are many matchups to exploit in this game, but which ones will separate you from the rest of the pack on FanDuel and DraftKings in DFS tournaments? Let’s get into it.
Showdown Captain: Daniel Jones
Jones has been dominant this season, taking strides forward as a passer and showing how he can take over a game with his legs. The Vikings have been one of the friendliest secondaries to opposing QB’s and they struggled mightily against Jones in Week 16. So why should Daniel Jones be your captain?
- MIN is 26th in FPPG vs QB this season, allowing 20.65/game.
- MIN is 29th in yards per carry by quarterbacks this season, while Jones is 5th amongst QB’s in rush yards/game (44.3).
- In week 16, Jones was 34-48 for 334 yards and a TD vs the Vikings, this game is projected to shape up similarly.
- Betting tidbit: QB’s average 36.24 attempts per game vs the Vikings, and Jones’ yards per attempt sits at #24 in the NFL (6.8). Over 22.5 completions should be doable with Jones completing short, quick passes.
Flex Play: Isaiah Hodgins
It is always good to stack a WR if you have a QB at captain, especially against a Vikings secondary that allows the 3rd most FPPG to WR and the most targets, receptions, and yards per game. Hodgins has quickly taken over the role as WR1 in the Giants system and has the size/speed to dominate against the weak Vikings secondary.
- Hodgins has scored a touchdown in four of his last five games, scoring 14+ fantasy points in those four games.
- He owns an 80%+ snap share in each of his last five games.
- In week 16 vs the Vikings, Hodgins hauled in eight receptions on 12 targets for 89 yards and a touchdown.
Flex Play: Richie James
Why not continue feasting on the Vikings secondary? James is another great candidate to stack with Daniel Jones.
- James will face off in the slot vs Chandon Sullivan, who is ranked 105/120 among CB in coverage.
- James has seen at least one red zone target in six of his last seven games.
- He has seen a 75%+ snap share in each of his last four games.
- In week 16 vs the Vikings, James had eight catches on 11 targets for 90 yards.
Flex Play: Justin Jefferson
Don’t need to much explanation here. He is one of the NFL’s best and the Giants can be exploited in the secondary.
- Jefferson tends to eat against bottom tier secondaries, averaging 100+ yards against bottom 10 secondaries.
- In Week 16 vs the Giants, Jefferson had 12 catches on 16 targets for 133 yards and a touchdown.
- Adoree’ Jackson is in line to return for the Giants and should cover Jefferson, but he hasn’t played since Week 13. Jefferson should be due for a good game while Jackson shakes off the rust.
Flex Play: TJ Hockenson
Hockenson has been elite since joining the Vikings, and now faces a Giants unit that has allowed the 7th most yards to tight ends. He has quickly become one of Cousins’ favorite targets and should benefit from a good game script today.
- The Giants have allowed 13 receptions to tight ends over their last three contests.
- In week 16, Hockenson had 13 catches on 16 targets for 109 yards and two touchdowns.
Value Play: Graham Gano
As expensive as some of the players in this game will be, Gano is a must have at his price and with a matchup against the worst defense vs kickers in fantasy,
- The Vikings are dead last vs kickers, allowing 9 FPPG and the most field goal attempts this season.
- Excluding Week 18 vs the Bears and Nathan Peterman, the Vikings have given up multiple attempts in their last eight games, including three or more in seven of those.
- Gano scored 14 points in the Week 16 matchup, connecting twice from 40+ and one from 50+.
Value Play: KJ Osborn
Osborn continues to be undervalued in DFS, but as of late he has been very involved in the Vikings offense. He is a guy that is just one play away from outperforming his cost.
- Osborn has 14+ FPPG in four of his last five games, including three touchdowns. He has also seen seven red zone targets in those five games,
- Osborn will likely see Darnay Holmes in the slot, who allows 13.6 yards per reception this season.
Fade Play: Dalvin Cook
The Giants haven’t been great against running backs, but the game flow that is projected here doesn’t factor well for a big game from Cook.
- NYG allows the least receptions to running backs per game (2.7).
- The Giants are allowing 5 yards per carry over its last four games but has allowed just one rushing touchdown to RB’s.
- Cook has seen his snap share decline recently as he as struggled holding on to the ball, losing a fumble in three of his last five games.
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