The Monday Night Football matchup between the New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings is big for both teams and for fantasy owners it is the last chance to get some production for the week and players to start and sit for MNF to watch includes Brandon Jacobs, Peyton Hillis, Kyle Rudolph, Josh Freeman, Rueben Randle and Adrian Peterson as well as Eli Manning and Victor Cruz.
Many think the Giants can't sink any lower than 0-6, but there is a 50 percent chance that they will on MNF and the game is set up for the team to win, as Adrian Peterson is banged up, the Vikings are coming off of a loss, they have a new quarterback in Josh Freeman, the game is at home and the G-Men had since last Thursday to prepare. Basically, there's no excuse on this one. Eli Manning is a solid starting option and so are the receivers in Rueben Randle, Hakeem Nicks and Victory Cruz, but Brandon Jacobs is a must SIT player as he is likely to be out for the game.
Jacobs will likely be out after rushing for over 100 yards last week and that is a big blow, as the team is already without David Wilson and now that likely means that Peyton Hillis, who was just signed, will get the start. Jacobs came in as a backup for Wilson, but when he was injured, Jacobs stepped up and had over 100 yards with two touchdowns on 22 carries against the Bears and that came after an 11 carry day for 37 yards against the Eagles. Hillis has not done much since rushing for over 1,000 yards for the Browns a few years ago and he had around 300 for the Chiefs last chance he had.
The Giants actually rushed the ball well for the first time last week against the Bears, but of course they lost, but for fantasy owners, Hillis is a START because someone has to carry the ball when they run and Michael Cox is no fantasy option yet. Cruz comes into the game with solid stats of 35 catches for 541 yards and four touchdowns, but he hasn't had one for three weeks and Hakeem Nicks is still looking for his first. Cruz had 164 yards in the loss to the Chiefs and just over 100 the past couple weeks and now the team needs a big game from him.
The Vikings are giving up plenty of points and they have also given up over 200 yards to receivers per game the past three and that is where the Giants need to focus, as the defense allows over 30 points per game. Hillis will be the feature back with Da'Rel Scott also injured and Andre Brown isn't back yet, leaving Hillis as the last man standing now after previously scoring 11 TDs and making the cover of Madden before falling off. The Giants also have John Conner and having a solid blocker could do wonders for Hillis.
Adrian Peterson is a START for the Vikings despite being a little banged up, as he always seems to play while injured and play pretty well and after having a down week last weekend, he could be ready for a big game on MNF. Kyle Rudolph should be the security blanket for Josh Freeman and both players are START options, as the Giants give up a ton of points. Rudolph has two TDs the past four games and is coming off of a nine catch 97 yards game last week with a TD and he could be in line for more on Monday.
