Who Should I Start? Justin Jefferson or Puka Nacua

Wednesday, December 24, 3:33 PM

For fantasy managers weighing whether to start Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson against the Detroit Lions on Christmas Day, the better question is how much they trust an offense led by an undrafted rookie quarterback. Vikings starter J.J. McCarthy (hand) will miss his seventh game of the season, and backup Carson Wentz (shoulder) is out for the year, leaving rookie Max Brosmer to take the reins. To say Brosmer's first start went poorly would be putting it mildly: he threw four interceptions, one returned for a touchdown, and Jefferson finished with a paltry two catches for four yards. The superstar has routinely torched the Lions in his career, gaining more than 1,200 receiving yards and scoring five touchdowns in 11 games against them. Detroit ranks dead last in the NFL in air yards allowed, so the matchup is a good one for Jefferson, albeit with the significant risk of relying upon Brosmer. The offense likely will run through running back Aaron Jones Sr. and Jefferson, the latter of whom should be considered a high-risk WR2.

Friday, December 19, 4:54 PM

The NFL has fined Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua $25,000 for his comments about officiating, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. Nacua compared NFL officials to lawyers and said they make calls to be on TV during a recent social media livestream. The star wide receiver also tweeted about the officials directly after the Rams' loss to the Seahawks on Thursday night. Nacua's off-field antics have somewhat overshadowed how dominant he's been on the field lately, posting a career day with 12 catches for 225 yards and two touchdowns on 16 targets against Seattle. The 24-year-old wideout is in the midst of a ridiculous three-game span, recording 28 catches (38 targets) for 573 yards and four touchdowns. The only other wide receivers to tally 573 yards or more over a three-game span are Josh Gordon, Calvin Johnson, and Chad Johnson, according to Stathead.