The fantasy football playoffs are here, and this is the part of the year where bragging rights are on the line for an entire year. Fantasy managers are looking to make any move they can to give them the best chance to winning that championship.
Like many fantasy football managers, the Minnesota Vikings are right there in the thick of the playoff race. They defeated the Las Vegas Raiders, 3-0, on Sunday to move to 7-6. Even though he didn’t have a huge game, Vikings running back Ty Chandler did have more carries than starter Alexander Mattison (12-10).
Could this be a sign of things to come, and if so, should fantasy managers consider signing him off the waiver wire?
Should Ty Chandler Be a Fantasy Waiver Wire Add in Week 15?
One reason why Chandler got more carries than Mattison is because Mattison is dealing with a sprained ankle.
Mattison, despite having fewer carries, had a solid game against the Raiders. He rushed for 66 yards on 10 carries in the win, but it is another short week for the Vikings.
They travel to Cincinnati next Saturday to play the Bengals in a huge game between a pair of 7-6 teams. If Mattison isn’t able to go, then Chandler figures to be the RB1 in Minnesota. If that were to happen, should fantasy managers make the move and add him in Week 15?
I am going to say this as politely as possible: How could any fantasy football manager who is contending for a title look at the game Sunday against the Raiders and say, ‘I need players from that game?’
The Vikings were able to muster only 231 total yards of offense in the win against the Raiders, but they did rush for 132 yards. Yet, that was against a Raiders defense that just isn’t very good. While the Bengals rush defense ranks 27th (133.9 yards allowed) this year, there are signs this unit is figuring it out.
First, they held the Jacksonville Jaguars to only 71 rushing yards two weeks ago. That is a stellar number, as Jacksonville’s running back, Travis Etienne Jr., is currently ranked fourth in the league in rushing.
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However, it was the performance on Sunday that showed that this unit is figuring it out against the run.
The Bengals knocked off the Indianapolis Colts, 34-14, allowing only 46 yards on the ground in the process. Entering the game, the Colts were ranked 12th in rushing yards per game (115.8 yards). While they don’t have Jonathan Taylor, his backup, Zack Moss, entered Week 14 ranked 13th with 751 yards.
That is back-to-back above-average rushing attacks the Bengals have held in check. Entering their matchup next week, no one knows who the Vikings are going to go with at the quarterback position. The Joshua Dobbs honeymoon is over in Minnesota, as he was pulled in the fourth quarter and Nick Mullens took his place.
There is no way you are a fantasy championship contender in your league if you’re considering nabbing Chandler off the waiver wire. Stick with what has gotten you to the playoffs.
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