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Minnesota Vikings -3 @ Cincinnati Bengals 48
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DVOA RANKINGS // DEFENSE // OFFENSE
VIKINGS VS PASS 14 // VS RUSH 30 // PASS 11 // RUSH 6 // OVERALL 20
BENGALS VS PASS 27 // VS RUSH 21 // PASS 25 // RUSH 28 // OVERALL 30
SOURCE: footballoutsiders.com
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MATCHUP SUMMARY
The Vikings finished 7-9 a year ago and missed the playoffs mostly because their defense was one of the worst in the league. Their offense on the other hand was one of the best and they were led by Justin Jefferson who burst onto the scene as a rookie and shined in this offense with Kurt Cousins behind center. As good of a year as Jefferson had it was veteran Adam Thielen who had a career-best 14 touchdowns. Running Back Dalvin Cook was second in the NFL in rushing yards last year (Derrick Henry) with 1,557 and registered 16 touchdowns. He is a top option at RB on any slate.
The big question for the Bengals this off season was the health of franchise quarterback Joe Burrow who is coming off ACL surgery. All indications are that he is ready to go and he added a familiar face to this offense when they drafted his old running mate in rookie Ja’Marr Chase with the fifth overall pick from LSU. Add him to a receiving core with Tyler Boyd and Tee Higgins and this team shouldn’t have trouble putting up points. Joe Mixon will be the lead RB again and should continue to improve and add balance to this offense.
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THE DFS GEMS
Joe Burrow, CIN – $5,700 on DraftKings. This Bengals team, while hoping to improve on defense, will likely struggle again so Joe Burrow and company should be playing from behind most of the year. I could see Burrow, if he can stay upright and healthy, throw for 40+ touchdowns this season in this offense and is a very nice play here in week 1.
Tee Higgins, CIN – $4,700 on DraftKings. I look for Tee Higgins to be the top WR target for Burrow as the season starts. Ja’Marr Chase and Tyler Boyd will definitely get their share of targets for sure but I am looking for Higgins to have a breakout season in his second year. He had 67 catches and over 900 yards as a rookie and is a very good value play this week at this price tag.
Dalvin Cook, MIN – $9,100 on DraftKings. I think this game goes back and forth and while Jefferson, Thielen and Cousins could have big weeks I think I side with the stud in the backfield in Dalvin Cook. If they get the lead Mr. Cook could go for a huge game here.
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