Oakland Raiders at Minnesota Vikings Matchup Preview 9/22/19: Analysis, Depth Charts, Betting Picks, Daily Fantasy

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Minnesota struggled on the road against Green Bay, and they will have a bounce back game against the Raiders at home. While Week 1 was a strong week for the Raiders, Week 2 was more of what they should be moving forward. As for Minnesota, the volatility week-to-week might be there again this season. Dalvin Cook was the lone bright spot, but the defense struggled to control the Packers offense. Oakland didn’t stand much of a chance against Kansas City, and they have another tough matchup. Minnesota come in as monster home favorites, which should come at no surprise to anyone. For odds line movement, and full matchup history, see the Oakland Raiders at Minnesota Vikings Matchup Page.

TV Schedule

Date: Sunday, September 22nd, 2019
Time: 1:00 ET
Location: US Bank Stadium – Minneapolis, MN
Coverage: FOX

Injury Report

Oakland Raiders: Josh Jacobs (P), Tyrell Williams (P), J.J. Nelson (Q)
Minnesota Vikings: Pat Elflein (Q)

Oakland Raiders Analysis

We expected the Oakland defense to struggle last week, but it was their offense that took a major step backwards from their Week 1 performance. David Carr especially. They have a tougher task on their hands this week, facing a Minnesota defense that has been lights out more often than not in the last few seasons. Minnesota is also a tough place to play. It is not a good spot for any of the offensive members this week, as Minnesota ranked as a top ten defense against the run last season. Josh Jacobs has also been limited in practice all week. The same goes for Tyrell Williams, who is the WR1 in Oakland, and will have to deal with a Minnesota secondary that limits production to them.

Darren Waller drew seven targets last week, and has 15 on the season. Once again it is not an enticing spot for Waller, who might have a true dud week. Hunter Renfrow had eight targets last week, compared to the three in Week 1. Renfrow is a low end option that is simply a check down and second read player for Carr. All the Raiders are in a low end fantasy spots.

Oakland Raiders Depth Chart

QB: Derek Carr
RB1: Josh Jacobs
RB2: Jalen Richard
WR1: Tyrell Williams
WR2: J.J. Nelson
WR3: Hunter Renfrow
TE: Darren Waller

Minnesota Vikings Analysis

After a bad loss against Green Bay, the Vikings will have an easier task at home against the Raiders. This game sets up well for Dalvin Cook to continue his strong start to the season. For one the game script should be positive, but even last week it wasn’t and he thrived again. The passing game has been lackluster, and that might have a little to do with the stout Packers secondary, but overall the Vikings wanted to be a heavy run team. Adam Thielen has seen just 11 targets in the first two weeks, while Stefon Diggs has seen nine. Kyle Rudolph has been absent from the offense mostly, sitting with just six total targets.

This is more of a good spot for Cook and the defense when looking at fantasy. Minnesota threw the ball just ten times in that win over Atlanta, and this should be another low volume game for the passing attack. Cook has played 68% of the team’s snaps so far this season, and has averaged 23 touches per game through the first two weeks. His backup, Alexander Mattison has seen just 13 touches. Cook looks to be the bellcow back, which was a question mark given his durability and Minnesota wanting to keep him healthy.

Minnesota Vikings Depth Chart

QB: Kirk Cousins
RB1: Dalvin Cook
RB2: Alexander Mattison
WR1: Stefon Diggs
WR2: Chad Beebe
WR3: Adam Thielen
TE: Kyle Rudolph

Betting Pick: Minnesota -9

The Vikings are nine point home favorites, and -385 live moneyline favorites. Minnesota were 10-6 ATS last season, and 4-2 at home. They were 2-0-1 when the spread was within the -9 range. The Vikings are a tough team to trust with this sort of line and spread even with the ATS numbers last season. If we date back, the Vikings covered 57% of the time as a favorite. After a loss they covered just 22% of the time.

Daily Fantasy: The Dalvin Cook Show

After back to back 20+ fantasy point weeks, Dalvin Cook is looking for number three. The Raiders allowed the 8th most fantasy points per game to opposing running backs last season. Cook should see close to 20 touches again this week, and is a top running back play. As for the rest of the Vikings, they are low owned tournament plays. Oakland ranks 27th against the pass already, but the volume for the Vikings is the main concern. If they were even an average passing volume team, we would be targeting them more. We have no interest in any of the Oakland Raiders.