Who Should I Start? Deebo Samuel Sr. or Justin Jefferson

Saturday, December 6, 9:32 AM

Washington Commanders wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. is coming off back-to-back games with at least five receptions and 60 or more receiving yards for the first time since Weeks 4 and 5. Samuel was managing a heel injury right around his season-best performance in Week 5 against the Los Angeles Chargers. In the next four games, the former San Francisco 49er totaled just 16 catches for 96 yards and a touchdown on 22 targets while adding three carries for three yards. The return of Terry McLaurin in Week 13 against the Broncos took away some targets from Samuel, but his presence also helps Samuel by allowing him to work underneath while McLaurin stretches the defense vertically. Quarterback Jayden Daniels (elbow) will also be back on Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings, so Washington's offense will look pretty close to whole. The Vikings have allowed the fifth-fewest passing yards per game and the seventh-fewest passing touchdowns this season, placing Samuel in WR3/flex territory for fantasy football in Week 14.

Sunday, December 7, 4:59 PM

The Minnesota Vikings scored a thorough 31-0 victory against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, but star wide receiver Justin Jefferson finished the day with only two catches on four targets for 11 yards. Unfortunately for fantasy managers, Jefferson was hampered by something completely unexpected this week: The Vikings were ahead by so much that the team leaned on the running attack and took Jefferson out of the game in the fourth quarter. Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy threw no interceptions and tossed three touchdown passes, but all three were to tight ends. It was yet another letdown for fantasy managers who roster Jefferson, though Sunday certainly gave some hope that Minnesota's offense can actually move the ball again. The superstar receiver will put managers in a bind next week, as he'll take a continued slump into a great matchup against a struggling Dallas defense.