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Monday Night Football delivers a high-stakes Wild Card matchup between the Minnesota Vikings and Los Angeles Rams, relocated to Arizona due to wildfires in Los Angeles. The Vikings enter as slight favorites (-1.5) with an implied total of 24.5, while the Rams sit at 23.0. With a 47.5-point over/under, the game has the potential to be both competitive and fantasy-friendly, making this a potential high-scoring DFS Showdown slate.
In Showdown, roster construction revolves around selecting the right captain and finding the ideal value plays to balance the budget. Let’s break down the top captains, flex, and value plays for this matchup.
I will provide you with daily fantasy football picks on FanDuel and DraftKings for the Vikings vs. Rams Monday Night Football Wild Card playoff DFS Showdown slate on January 13. These NFL DFS lineup picks can vary from higher-priced players and elite options to lower-priced players and value picks.
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MVP/Captain: NFL DFS Lineup Picks
Justin Jefferson – MIN – WR ($16,500 DK, $15,500 FD)
Jefferson remains the NFL’s premier wide receiver, and the matchup against the Rams’ zone-heavy defense aligns perfectly with his skill set. He thrives in soft zones, routinely exploiting seams for chunk gains and red-zone opportunities. After a quiet game last week, Jefferson is primed to bounce back, especially with Sam Darnold looking to redeem himself after a rough outing against Detroit.
Jefferson’s league-leading 30% target share and 40% air-yard share ensure his role as the centerpiece of Minnesota’s offense. His high salary requires careful roster management, but his ceiling (35+ DK points) makes him worth every dollar in both cash and GPP builds. Pair him with Darnold for correlation and offset the cost with value plays. If this game hits its offensive ceiling, Jefferson will be a pivotal piece.
Alternative Captain Scenario
Puka Nacua – LAR – WR ($15,900 DK, $15,000 FD)
The Rams will need to lean heavily on Nacua to move the ball against Minnesota’s elite run defense. Nacua’s target share (26%) and ability to rack up receptions in bunches make him a high-floor, high-ceiling play. In a game where Matthew Stafford could face blitz-heavy schemes, Nacua’s quick-release routes and volume will be key.
If the Vikings bring heavy pressure, Stafford will look to Nacua early and often. The Rams’ inability to establish a consistent run game further boosts Nacua’s floor and ceiling. He’s an ideal captain for GPP lineups aiming to capitalize on a high-scoring game script.
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Flex Plays: NFL DFS Lineup Picks
Sam Darnold – MIN – QB ($9,600 DK, $14,000 FD)
Darnold’s season has been nothing short of remarkable, and his ability to spread the ball around has been the backbone of Minnesota’s offensive success. The Rams defense ranks 20th in pressure rate, which means Darnold should have a clean pocket more often than not.
This bodes well for his ability to attack their zone-heavy coverage scheme. Darnold’s willingness to push the ball downfield makes him a dual threat in DFS as he has both a solid floor through volume and a high ceiling through explosive plays.
In cash games, pair Darnold with at least one of Jefferson, Jordan Addison, or T.J. Hockenson to lock in the majority of Minnesota’s scoring output. His relatively high salary can be offset by punting on one or two value options. For your GPP lineups, Darnold doubles (e.g., Jefferson + Hockenson) with a contrarian bring-back like Ronnie Rivers or Tyler Higbee offer strong leverage in tournaments.
Cooper Kupp – LAR – WR ($9,400 DK, $11,000 FD)
Kupp is a high-upside pivot in this slate, especially in GPPs. His salary has plummeted due to inconsistent usage late in the season, but he remains one of the most skilled and trusted receivers in the league. Against a Vikings defense ranked 28th in pass EPA allowed, Kupp’s ability to work underneath and in the slot makes him a prime candidate for a bounce-back performance.
If the Rams find themselves in passing situations early, Kupp could feast on targets in the intermediate areas of the field, particularly when Minnesota sends extra rushers.
In cash games, Kupp’s lower salary provides value relative to his ceiling, especially if the Vikings defense focuses on Puka Nacua. For your GPP lineups, Kupp’s likely lower ownership makes him an excellent contrarian option. Pairing him with Stafford in a Rams-heavy build could differentiate your lineup from the field.
T.J. Hockenson – MIN – TE ($5,600 DK, $9,500 FD)
Hockenson is the perfect blend of floor and ceiling at the tight-end position. He’s been a consistent target for Darnold, averaging 5.8 targets per game, and his red-zone involvement boosts his touchdown equity. The Rams rank 12th in fantasy points allowed to tight ends, which isn’t elite but still provides an exploitable matchup for a player of Hockenson’s caliber.
His ability to create mismatches against linebackers and safeties in the Rams zone defense makes him a prime candidate for a big game.
Hockenson’s floor as a high-volume target makes him a strong, stable play in cash games, especially in builds featuring Darnold as the captain or flex. Leveraging Hockenson as a captain in lineups where Jefferson is the flex offers unique roster construction for GPPs. His red-zone role provides significant upside if Jefferson draws heavy defensive attention.
Value Plays: NFL DFS Lineup Picks
Cam Akers – MIN – RB ($4,400 DK, $7,500 FD)
Cam Akers has carved out a niche role in the Vikings backfield, serving as a complementary piece to Aaron Jones. While his snaps have been limited in recent weeks, he’s been highly efficient in his opportunities, particularly in short-yardage and red-zone situations.
Against a Rams defense that ranks 13th in fantasy points allowed to running backs, Akers could find opportunities to shine, especially if Minnesota opts to limit Jones’ workload to keep him fresh for a potential playoff run. Akers’ involvement in the passing game has been minimal, but his ability to grind out tough yards and punch in goal-line carries gives him strong touchdown equity at a discounted salary.
Akers carries significant risk due to his limited role, making him less appealing in cash builds where safety is a priority. His low salary and touchdown potential provide an ideal blend of risk and reward, particularly in large-field tournament lineups where you prioritize high-priced captains like Jefferson or Nacua.
Ronnie Rivers – LAR – RB ($2,000 DK, $7,000 FD)
Ronnie Rivers is a low-cost option who could quietly provide significant value on this slate. While Kyren Williams handles the majority of the work in the Rams backfield, Rivers has flashed the ability to contribute as a pass-catcher.
This is especially relevant against the Vikings’ aggressive blitz packages, which create opportunities for running backs to catch quick dump-offs in open space. Rivers’ route participation may increase if the Rams fall behind and Stafford is forced to air it out. Rivers has shown a knack for making the most of his limited touches, making him a viable dart throw in GPPs.
Rivers is a risky play in cash due to his low floor and unpredictable workload, making him better suited for GPPs than cash games. Pairing Rivers with Stafford in lineups expecting a negative game script for the Rams can differentiate your build. His salary allows you to fit in multiple high-priced studs without sacrificing too much upside.
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