Who Should I Start? Justin Jefferson or Jerome Ford

Friday, December 5, 3:35 PM

Fantasy managers who roster Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson ahead of the Week 14 game against Washington will be asking themselves what will happen when a very movable object meets an even more stoppable force. The Commanders' defense ranks a lowly 28th against half-PPR receivers, but calling the Vikings "inept" recently doesn't even begin to describe it. Minnesota is now turning over the ball on more than 17% of its possessions, scoring on fewer than one-third of them, and is coming off the franchise's first shutout defeat in 18 years last week at Seattle. Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (concussion) is slated to return after Max Brosmer's four-interception debacle last week, which could slightly help the superstar receiver, who is on track for career-low rates of catches, yards, and touchdowns. The Vikings have been so volatile that Jefferson should be considered a WR2, but he ultimately remains an All-Pro receiver facing a bad defense this week, giving some hope for a bounce-back game.

Sunday, November 30, 11:56 AM

Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford (hamstring), who was listed as questionable to play in Week 13, is officially active for Sunday's game against the visiting San Francisco 49ers. Ford will suit up this weekend, but fantasy managers are in some serious trouble if they are forced to play the 26-year-old in starting lineups. He was out-snapped by rookie Dylan Sampson in last week's win over the Las Vegas Raiders in the No. 2 role behind rookie Quinshon Judkins, carrying the ball just once for a loss of three yards. Ford has seen exactly one rushing attempt in each of the last three games, and he hasn't had more than two carries in a game since Oct. 5 against the Minnesota Vikings. With both Judkins and Sampson healthy, Ford is unlikely to see much work out of Cleveland's backfield against San Fran in inclement weather conditions.