The 7-8 Green Bay Packers continue to make a late playoff push as they’ve won three straight games. Fantasy football managers are looking to secure their own league championship this week. We’re looking to see whether this NFC North matchup between the Packers and Minnesota Vikings will provide managers some fantasy star power.
Two Packers playmakers in the spotlight to produce are running backs Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon. We’re on top of all angles in this matchup for fantasy managers and bettors alike — let’s dive into whether you should start Jones or Dillon against the Vikings.
Should You Start Aaron Jones vs. the Vikings?
We had concerns about how Jones would work in tandem with Dillon in 2022 after seeing the duo split usage in 2021. However, those concerns haven’t been justified as the season played out, as Jones is clearly the RB1 in the Packers’ offense when healthy. It turns out that Jones’ health was a bigger factor for Dillon’s inclusion than anything else.
Jones is RB10 in PPR leagues, averaging 15.2 fantasy points per game. He’s one of the best receiving threats out of the backfield, ranking ninth in receiving yards with 373. He’s 10th in rushing yards and needs 38 yards to reach 1,000 for the third time in four years.
He’s not a guaranteed star each week, as Jones has five games with 26 or fewer rushing yards, but he’s a solid RB2 for most rosters. His effectiveness varies on the week, but his receiving contributions help his floor when he’s not getting explosive carries. Jones has at least two catches in every game this season.
MORE: Week 17 Fantasy RB Start/Sit Recommendations
With this in mind, take part in an Underdog Fantasy Best Ball league and throw Jones into your lineup to help separate yourself from the pack!
Jones is currently ranked as the RB9 in our Week 17 PPR fantasy football rankings. He’s a lock to start if he’s active to play with that ranking. We’re hoping for an RB1 type of return.
He is dealing with a knee/ankle injury that had him limited in practice this week, so keep an eye on his status for Sunday. It’s hard to imagine Jones sitting in such an important game, but if he’s a flex option for you and we hear he’ll have a limited workload, that can sway your decision to sit him.
Should You Start AJ Dillon vs. the Vikings?
The case to start Dillon is a more difficult one than Jones. If we know Jones will see a limited workload against Minnesota, then Dillon is a much more viable starting option. But short of that, it’s not an ideal situation for Dillon to be in your championship-level lineup.
Dillon has been fine this season, earning six rushing scores compared to Jones’ two. He’s also on pace to get close to last year’s 803 rushing total, as he enters this week with just 0.8 yards per game less. However, he’s really only had fantasy value over the last month as he’s started scoring touchdowns.
MORE: Week 17 Fantasy Football Sleepers
It’s unlikely Dillon will be more than a touchdown-dependant starting option for your lineup. He has five touchdowns in the last four weeks but only 36 rushing yards in each of his last two games. It’s a nice bonus he’s caught three passes in three of his last four games.
There are worse gambles than starting Dillon, considering his red zone touches as Minnesota’s weak defense against receiving backs. He’s RB35 for us this week, so he’s more of a matchup-based flex play who I’d be nervous having to start.