Thursday Night Football Week 8 Preview: Rams vs. Vikings Rumors, Fantasy Projections, and Key Players to Watch
With recent trade rumors swirling around the Los Angeles Rams and Minnesota Vikings, it’s fitting that these NFC teams are set to face off on Thursday Night Football. The Rams are reportedly shopping Cooper Kupp, while the Vikings are rumored to be exploring a swap of Sam Darnold for Matthew Stafford. As fans tune in, fantasy football managers are also watching closely, especially as key players like Kupp and Kyren Williams return to the field.
Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua — What to Expect?
In Week 1, Cooper Kupp looked like one of the top fantasy picks, racking up 25 points and quieting concerns about his age and recent injuries. Just as he was poised to dominate again in Week 2, an ankle injury sidelined him for six weeks (the Rams had a bye in Week 6). Kupp is now back in full practice and expected to start, much to the excitement of fantasy managers.
But questions remain. Can Kupp return to his high-volume role immediately, or will he play a more limited role as he eases back? When he returned from an MCL sprain in 2018, Kupp posted solid numbers in his first game back, though he wasn’t the top target. Now, with a potentially limited Puka Nacua in the lineup, Kupp may need to play a central role in the Rams’ offense against the high-powered Vikings. Yet given his serious ankle injury, the Rams could still use him sparingly, possibly even as a decoy.
For fantasy managers, though, the safe bet is to start Kupp and hope he’s back to his usual form. As for Nacua, his quick return off IR makes him a bit of a mystery. If he’s in your lineup, you’re rolling the dice—he could be limited to a modest stat line or break out for something closer to 6-120-1.
Can Kyren Williams Continue His TD Streak?
Many expected the Rams to shift away from Kyren Williams as Blake Corum gained ground. But Williams has solidified himself as a fantasy asset, with eight rushing touchdowns this season, tying him with Derrick Henry. Williams has not only scored on the ground but has also added a receiving touchdown, making him a valuable asset in fantasy.
While this could be a tough matchup for Williams, especially given the Lions’ recent game plan against Minnesota, the Vikings’ run defense has its weaknesses. Sean McVay is likely to take advantage of those vulnerabilities, especially with Kupp and Nacua drawing defensive attention. Williams’ near-constant presence on the field means that even if the Rams fall behind, he should still be in play for fantasy points.
Aaron Jones and the Vikings’ Ground Game
Aaron Jones has turned out to be one of the best value picks this season, ranking 13th among RBs in half-PPR scoring. Despite preseason doubts due to injury history and quarterback uncertainty, he’s proven himself as a reliable RB1 on an elite offense.
The Rams’ defense has struggled to contain opposing running backs this season. From Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery in Week 1 to James Conner, D’Andre Swift, and Josh Jacobs in subsequent weeks, the Rams have consistently allowed big numbers to running backs. For Jones, this matchup is an opportunity to put up significant fantasy points. Given the Rams’ track record against backs, fantasy managers should feel confident in starting him.
This Thursday Night Football matchup offers plenty of intrigue on and off the field, with potential trades and fantasy implications making it a must-watch game. Set your lineups accordingly, and be ready for some big plays from familiar faces.
