The Kirk Cousins-Adrian Peterson revenge match ended 19-9 on Thursday night with the Minnesota Vikings coming away with the win over the Washington Redskins. It was a field-goal heavy affair, but Dalvin Cook still managed to go off, and Stefon Diggs and Adrian Peterson both had nice games. Redskins starting quarterback Case Keenum suffered a concussion, leading to Dwayne Haskins’ second career appearance.
The Vikings imprﷺove to 6-2 with their fourth consecutive win. They are a half-game behind the Packers in the NFC North. The Redskins fall to 1-7, with their𓃲 only win of the season coming against the Dolphins.
Here aওre five things you need to know for fantasy football:
1. Case Keenum injured, Dwayne Haskins steps in
Keenum suffered a concussion in the first half of Thursday’s game. He was ruled out to return and was replaced by Haskins. Before exiting, Keenum was 12 for 16 for 130 yards and a lost fumble. The second half started with a Redskins possession with Haskins under center, who did not fare well. They hℱad two punts after going three-and-out, an interception and a 43-yard field goal by Dustin Hopkins.
It looks like former head coach Jay Gruden’s concerns about Haskins may have been appropriate: Haskins finished the evening with three completions on five attempts for 33 yards and an interception. The 2019 first round pick from the Ohio State University looked flat-footed and confused. His performance was not unlike his first appearance in which he completed nine of 17 passes for 107 yards and three interceptions against the Giants. If he becomes the starter, he will be an even further downgrade for the Washington offense.
2. Adrian Peterson has successful homecoming, passes LaDainian Tomlinson in all-time rushing
In only his second game back to Minnesota since parting ways with the team after the 2016 season, Peterson finished with 14 carries for 7ꦗ6 yards. The former Oklahoma Sooner was drafted by the Vikings in 2007, during which time he led the league in rushing three times and accrued 11,747 of his 13,701 career yards.
Peterson also reached a milestone on Thursday night and moved into sixth place on the all-time rushing list, passing LaDainian Tomlinson. His recoℱrd-breaking moment received a standing ovation from Vikings fans.
3. Dalvin Cook explodes against a feeble Redskins run defense
Cook was unstoppable on Thursday night, both in the air and on the ground. He led the team in rushing with 23 carries for 98 yards and scored the team’s only touchdown, and had another five catches on six targets for 73 yards. Alexander Mattison also had a productive game with 13 carries for 61 yards. He is an extremely valuable handcuff in the event Cook were to be injured, and with 13 touches on the evening, it appears he may have some standalone value in this offense as well. Mattison should be rostered by all Cook owners.
4. Stefon Diggs has another 100-yard game
Diggs had another strong game in which he caught all seveꦅn of his targets for 143 yards. This is his third consecutive 100-yard game, and fourth in five games. The absence of the Vikings No. 1 receiver Adam Thielen certainly helps Diggs. Thielen is set to return from a hamstring injury in Week 9 against the Chiefs. For now, Diggs remains a WR2 with upside.
5. Terry McLaurin struggles amid quarterback issues
F1 McLaurin has his second down game in a row. He finished with four catches on six targets for 39 yards, preceded by a Week 7 game in which he was targeted twice and caught one pass for 11 yards. His lack of production is more of a reflection of bad quarterback play. In light of the precarious Redskins quarterback situation, it’s difficult to trust any pass catcher on this team for fantasy.