Darnold started the season out looking like he was going to contend for NFL MVP. He has since cooled off, as have the Vikings who have lost two straight games entering this weekends matchup against the Colts. He is going to need his top WR Justin Jefferson to have a big game against pass defense that ranks 24th in the NFL.
IND Flacco/Downs vs. MIN CB Byron Murphy Jr.
Amidst the Anthony Richardson news, the beneficiary of all of this is Josh Downs. Downs and Joe Flacco have an obvious connection. Downs had his most consistent production in the three games that Flacco played a majority of the snaps including two touchdowns in three weeks. Minnesota ranks in the bottom three of most pass yards per game so far this season. Minnesota DC Brian Flores is looking for answers after two straight losses, giving up 30 points in back-to-back games and 559 passing yards. Flacco can still sling it, and Indianapolis will want to win this game to stay in the hunt.
NO WR Chris Olave vs. CAR CB Jaycee Horn
Olave had a double-digit fantasy performance for the first time since Week 5, and now QB Derek Carr is set to return this week. The Saints are running out of wide receiver options due to injuries. WR Bub Means and Cedric Wilson Jr. are dealing with injuries, which will leave Olave and Mason Tipton as the top receiving options for the Saints. Luckily, the Panthers are on deck this week, and their defense has yet to hold a team under 20 points this season. In addition to the poor scoring defense, Carolina is giving up almost 233 passing yards a game. Olave should be a smash start this week.
MIA WR Tyreek Hill vs. BUF CB Rasul Douglas
I have learned my lesson. Buffalo just owns Miami. The Bills were dominating the Dolphins in their Week 2 matchup even before Tua left the game with a concussion. Hill has just three catches for 24 yards. Miami will need to show me something in this matchup to give me hope for Hill in future Buffalo matchups. Bills HC Sean McDermott’s Cover 3 scheme does a great job keeping the big play from happening, which is what Miami’s offense relies on. That scheme, plus the disguises the Bills use, has helped them over the past couple of years beat Miami on a consistent basis.
TEN Will Levis/Calvin Ridley vs. NE CB Christian Gonzalez
Do not be fooled by the stat line on Sunday Ridley put up. Will Levis has a chance to return this week, which would drop Ridley’s stock significantly. If Mason Rudolph is under center again, I would still not play Ridley. Christian Gonzalez played a huge role in the Patriots’ win against the Jets last Sunday. He bottled up Davante Adams when he was in coverage against him. In four targets, Gonzalez allowed zero catches for Adams. Adams finished the day with just four grabs for 54 yards. The Patriots are not a good football team in general, but the Titans have been worse.
