Minnesota Vikings - Fantasy News

Who to Start: Drew Brees or Case Keenum?

by Mike Rose

1/12/18

NFL

Minnesota Vikings

Case Keenum

What could end up being the most entertaining and exciting game of the divisional round of the playoffs will take place on Sunday afternoon when the New Orleans Saints go marching into U.S. Bank Stadium for a clash against the Minnesota Vikings.

New Orleans is coming off an exciting win over NFC South rival Carolina in the Wild Card round. Led by Drew Brees, the Saints will be ready to look Case Keenum and company square in the eyes and pull the upset after Minnesota enjoyed its bye last week.

Brees is expected to accumulate 17.0 Dober Fantasy Points while Keenum is projected a half-point better at 17.5. The biggest question is whether the veteran will outsmart and outplay the playoff newbie.

Fantasy Matchup: Drew Brees (17.0 PFP) vs. Case Keenum (17.5 PFP)

These two teams clashed to open the regular season back in Week 1. Minnesota won that matchup, so Brees and company will be looking for some revenge as a trip to the NFC Championship Game will be on the line. In the first meeting, Brees threw for 291 yards and one touchdown while completing 73 percent of his passes. Keenum watched that game from the sideline as Sam Bradford was Minnesota’s starter under center.

Brees has averaged 16.61 Dober Fantasy Points per game this season, which is about a half-point less than Keenum, and he enters this matchup as a half-point underdog. That’s a little surprising considering he had a fantastic game last week and Keenum lacks playoff experience. In the Wild Card round against Carolina, Brees was stellar completing 23 of 33 passes for 376 yards and two touchdowns against one interception. He completed 69.7 percent of his passes while he registered his twelfth game in which he played to a quarterback rating of 100 or higher this season.

He finished the 2017 campaign as the No. 9 quarterback in fantasy and threw for 4,334 yards with a great 23-to-8 touchdown-to-interception ratio. He compiled a 103.9 passer rating but did lose five fumbles. He did this while leading the No. 5 offense in passing yards per game (261.8), No. 2 in total yards per contest (391.2) and the No. 4 points per game average in the league (28.0).

However, he will be facing a Vikings defense that was No. 1 in total yards allowed (275.9) and points scored against at 15.8 per game. The Vikes were also No. 2 in passing yards allowed (192.4). So this could be a tough matchup for Brees. But if he plays like he did against Carolina, no one can beat him.

Meanwhile, Keenum will be getting his first taste of playoff action against the Saints and their defense that ranks No. 15 in passing yards allowed (224.8) and No. 10 in points allowed (20.4) per game. Each stat is respectable and they played extremely well against Carolina at times last week. Keenum finished the regular season throwing for 3,547 yards and 22 touchdowns in place of Bradford. While he came out of nowhere, his clock and game management are what has helped get this team to its current position.

The only problem I have with him in this matchup is the fact that his lack of postseason experience could affect him and challenge his nerves, which could lead to poor play and turnovers. He’ll lead the No. 11 passing attack as the Vikings hope to continue their quest to be the first team to ever play a Super Bowl in its home stadium. However, the Vikes must take one step at a time.

My gut tells me to go with the veteran after what we saw out of him last week. He’s playing at the top of his game lately and could keep it going on Sunday. Pick Brees for your Dober Play Cards.

NFC Divisional Round Fantasy Matchup: Drew Brees (+0.5) vs. Case Keenum