Thielen logged two receptions (on three targets) for eight yards and one touchdown during Sunday's 29-13 win versus the Bears.
Analysis: Thielen had a touchdown catch in the first quarter and then sat in the second half as Minnesota rested most starters ahead of the playoffs. Thielen finished the season with six touchdowns, down significantly from the 14 and 10 touchdown seasons he posted the prior two years, even though his other receiving stats were mostly similar to his previous two seasons.
Jan 9, 2023 10:50 AM EST
Thielen had one reception for 16 yards on four targets in Sunday's loss at Green Bay.
Analysis: Thielen's role in the offense has declined the past three games while T.J. Hockenson's grows larger. Thielen has just five receptions and 15 targets his last three games, while Hockenson has 37 targets. Neither player may get many targets this week against Chicago as Minnesota may decide to rest or even bench their starters ahead of the playoffs.
Jan 2, 2023 11:15 AM EST
Thielen caught one of five targets for six yards in Saturday's 27-24 win over the Giants.
Analysis: Thielen's underwhelming performance came on a day when quarterback Kirk Cousins attempted 48 passes. Though his five targets were the second-most of any Minnesota pass catcher, the veteran was only able to reel in just one catch. Meanwhile, both Justin Jefferson and T.J. Hockenson saw 16 targets and turned in outstanding fantasy performances. The Vikings remain a high-volume passing offense, so Thielen will look to bounce back when the Vikings visit the Packers in Week 17.
Dec 26, 2022 5:52 PM EST
Thielen caught three of four targets for 41 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's 39-36 overtime win over the Colts.
Analysis: Thielen wasn't targeted until halfway through the fourth quarter, which was odd considering he had caught at least two passes in every previous game this season while seeing fewer than seven targets only twice in the last 12. The 32-year-old receiver got going late, bookending a six-play drive with a 19-yard catch and a one-yard touchdown to cut what was once a 33-point deficit to eight. In the final minute of overtime, Thielen helped get Minnesota in range for a game-winning field goal with a 21-yard catch. He'll look to recapture a more prominent role in Week 16 against the Giants.
Dec 17, 2022 2:59 PM EST
Thielen secured seven of eight targets for 65 yards and a touchdown in the Vikings' 34-23 loss to the Lions on Sunday.
Analysis: Thielen finished second in receptions and targets while checking in third in receiving yards on the afternoon for the Vikings. The veteran wideout made an impact with a 23-yard touchdown grab late in the third quarte as well, bringing Minnesota to within eight points at the time. Thielen's production has some ebb and flow to it, but he's now posted tallies of five or more catches in four of the last seven games going into a Week 15 home matchup against the Colts on Saturday afternoon.
Dec 11, 2022 4:25 PM EST
Thielen reeled in two of six targets for 27 yards during Sunday's 27-22 win against the Jets.
Analysis: After tallying at least three catches and 30 receiving yards in eight of the Vikings' first nine games of the season, Thielen has fallen short of both thresholds in two of the last three, with the exception a 9-61-1 line on 10 targets during a Thanksgiving Day win versus the Patriots. His snap share (86 percent) was in line with the rest of his outings this season, but the fact he's in an offense with one of the league's top wide receivers in Justin Jefferson appears to have relegated the 32-year-old to TD-dependent status at this point in his career.
Dec 5, 2022 9:34 PM EST
Thielen secured nine of 10 targets for 61 yards and a touchdown in the Vikings' 33-26 win over the Patriots on Thursday night.
Analysis: Thielen tied Justin Jefferson for the team lead in receptions and finished second to his star teammate in receiving yards and targets. The sure-handed veteran wideout's catch total was a season high, and it marked his first time over the 50-yard mark in three games. Thielen's third touchdown of the season, a 15-yard score with 9:34 remaining, also proved to be the difference in the game, making it a highly productive all-around night. Thielen's first opportunity to build on Thursday's performance comes in a Week 13 home matchup against the Jets a week from Sunday.
Nov 24, 2022 9:10 PM EST
Thielen had two receptions (three targets) for 25 yards in Sunday's 40-3 loss to the Cowboys.
Analysis: Minnesota's entire passing offense was shut down by Dallas, resulting in mediocre stat lines from Thielen and the rest of the starting unit. The veteran slot man was providing serviceable fantasy results prior to this dud, so fantasy managers shouldn't react too heavily to a blowout game script. Thielen will look to turn things around on a short week when the Vikings take on the Patriots on Thursday.
Nov 20, 2022 7:55 PM EST
Thielen caught five of seven targets for 49 yards in Sunday's 33-30 overtime win over Buffalo.
Analysis: Thielen finished fourth on the team in targets behind Justin Jefferson (16), K.J. Osborn (11) and T.J. Hockenson (10). Jefferson dominated to the tune of 193 yards and one touchdown but no other VIking reached 50 yards or found the end zone. Thielen's nose for the end zone has been key to his fantasy success in recent years -- he totaled 24 touchdowns over the previous two campaigns -- but he's scored only twice in 2022. Ending a touchdown drought that dates back to Week 6 won't be easy in Week 11 against the tough Dallas defense.
Nov 13, 2022 4:20 PM EST
Thielen (ankle) was a full practice participant Thursday.
Analysis: Thielen has been included on Vikings injury reports in back-to-back weeks, first due to a knee bruise and this time around with an ankle issue. While he was listed as full all of last week, he opened Week 10 prep with a limited session Wednesday, only to get back to all activity one day later. Now that his status has been cleared up ahead of Sunday's game at Buffalo, Thielen should be good for his 85-plus percent share of the snaps that he receives on a weekly basis.
Nov 10, 2022 2:51 PM EST
Thielen (ankle) was a limited participant in practice Wednesday.
Analysis: It's the first time this season Thielen has been limited or absent from practice. He handled his usual every-down role this past Sunday in a 20-17 win over Washington, catching three of seven targets for 67 yards while playing 94 percent of snaps on offense. He's seen at least seven targets in every game since Week 1, though never more than nine in a contest.
Nov 9, 2022 2:33 PM EST
Thielen secured three of seven targets for 67 yards in the Vikings' 20-17 win over the Commanders on Sunday.
Analysis: Thielen checked in third in receiving yards on the afternoon for Minnesota, putting up a higher tally than usual thanks in large part to a 36-yard grab. However, the veteran wideout apparently has some serious competition for targets moving forward in the form of newly acquired T.J. Hockenson, who drew nine looks in his team debut. Thielen will aim to build on his second straight 67-yard effort when he faces a tough Bills defense in a Week 10 road interconference showdown.
Nov 6, 2022 4:40 PM EST
Thielen (knee) practiced fully Wednesday, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: After Sunday's 34-26 win against the Cardinals, coach Kevin O'Connell relayed that Thielen picked up a bruised knee, which comes as no surprise in a game in which the wide receiver needed to leave for a spell and get examined in the sideline tent. That said, O'Connell also called Thielen "OK," and his listing on the first injury report of Week 9 confirms as much. Thielen now can turn his focus to Sunday's game at Washington, whose defense ranks in the bottom 10 in the NFL in terms of touchdowns (eight) and YPT (8.7) allowed to opposing wide receivers this season.
Nov 2, 2022 2:36 PM EST
Coach Kevin O'Connell said that Thielen suffered a bruised knee during Sunday's 34-26 win against the Cardinals, but the wide receiver is "OK," Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
Analysis: Thielen was shaken up after his third catch of the game early in the second quarter, but after a visit to the sideline tent, he was able to return and eventually finished with six receptions (on seven targets) for 67 yards, his second-highest yardage total of the campaign. With an injury now in tow, his status will be monitored this week in advance of next Sunday's contest at Washington.
Oct 30, 2022 2:14 PM EST
Thielen brought in four of eight targets for 36 yards and a touchdown in the Vikings' 24-16 win over the Dolphins on Sunday.
Analysis: Thielen once again generated a modest yardage total, but he made up for it by securing his second touchdown grab of the season on a two-yard catch early in the fourth quarter. The veteran continues to mostly be stuck in a short-area role -- he's averaging a career-low 9.8 yards per reception -- but Thielen's route-running savvy and chemistry with Kirk Cousins will continue affording him plenty of fantasy viability in a Week 8 home matchup against the Cardinals following a Week 7 bye.
Oct 16, 2022 3:01 PM EST
Thielen caught four of seven targets for 27 yards in Sunday's 29-22 win over the Bears.
Analysis: Thielen trailed only Justin Jefferson in targets, but his fellow wideout's 12 catches for 154 yards made for a far more productive day. In fact, after posting his highest yardage of the campaign last week, Thielen's output Sunday marked a season low. Working alongside arguably the league's best wideout in Jefferson, the 32-year-old Thielen has to make do with secondary looks, but with at least seven targets in four straight games, his involvement remains relatively consistent.
Oct 9, 2022 1:52 PM EST
Thielen recorded eight receptions on nine targets for 72 yards in Sunday's 28-25 win over the Saints.
Analysis: Thielen continued to see increased usage in the Vikings' offense, as he has 24 total targets across his last three games. He worked primarily in the intermediate areas of the field, with his longest catch of the day going for 16 yards. Thielen has had a narrow range of outcomes through four games this season, tallying between 52 and 72 receiving yards in each of his last three games. For a big performance, he'll likely to need to find the end zone -- which he's done once this season.
Oct 2, 2022 12:09 PM EST
Thielen recorded six receptions on eight targets for 61 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 28-24 win over the Lions.
Analysis: Justin Jefferson was swarmed by the Lions' defense, and Thielen took advantage by tying for the team lead in targets. His biggest contribution came on a one-yard touchdown reception, though he also tallied two receptions that went for 15 yards. Thielen has steadily picked up his performance as the season has progressed, and he's now topped 50 receiving yards in consecutive games.
Sep 25, 2022 4:53 PM EST
Thielen secured four of seven targets for 52 yards in the Vikings' 24-7 loss to the Eagles on Monday night.
Analysis: Thielen finished with at team-leading yardage total while checking in third in catches and targets. The veteran has put together a relatively modest start in head coach Kevin O'Connell's offense with a 7-89 line on 11 targets, leaving him in search of his first standout effort of the season in a Week 3 NFC North home clash versus the Lions on Sunday.
Sep 19, 2022 9:08 PM EST
Thielen caught three of four targets for 36 yards in Sunday's 23-7 win over the Packers.
Analysis: Thielen finished a distant second on the Vikings in receiving, as running mate Justin Jefferson set a career high with 184 yards and two touchdowns on nine catches. Stopping Jefferson will surely be a focus of the Eagles ahead of their Week 2 matchup, which could open more opportunities for Thielen to contribute.
Sep 11, 2022 5:04 PM EST
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