It doesn’t come as much of a surprise with all the work Rudolph does in the community, especially with the Children’s Hospital.
Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph is the team’s nominee for the 2019 Walter Payton Man of the Year.
It doesn’t come as much of a surprise with all the work Rudolph does in the community, especially with the Children’s Hospital.
The team went all-out in its efforts to get Rudolph the award last season. While Rudolph didn’t win, that doesn’t take anything away from what he did, and what he continues to do.
If you want a refresher on what Rudolph has done for the state of Minnesota, see the video below. Make sure to grab some tissues.
Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph might not be in as much of a pass-catching role as he was in the past, but the’s still finding the end zone.
Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph might not be in as much of a pass-catching role as he was in the past, but the’s still finding the end zone.
In 2019, Rudolph has 33 catches for just 301 yards. With that, though, Rudolph has already caught six touchdowns, up two from last season. He’s caught all six touchdowns in the last six weeks and has five in the last four weeks, including a two touchdown performance against the Cowboys in Week 10.
It is pretty remarkable that Rudolph has been able to find the end zone as much as he has in his career. His 47 receiving touchdowns rank fifth in team history, just three behind Sammy White for fourth place.
Rudolph will have his next chance to find the end zone on Sunday against the Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium. In 15 career games against the Lions, Rudolph has 61 catches for 617 yards and nine touchdowns.
Vikings tight end Irv Smith Jr. has been solid for Minnesota in his rookie season.
Vikings tight end Irv Smith Jr. has been solid for Minnesota in his rookie season.
The second-round pick out of Alabama has 28 catches for 267 yards and a touchdown. While those numbers might not jump out, it’s worth noting that Smith is doing this behind Kyle Rudolph on the roster.
It’s a major upset that neither Iowa Hawkeyes standout claimed this spot, but Denver’s Noah Fant has been one of the most mistake-prone starters at any position and Detroit’s T.J. Hockenson wasn’t much better before landing on injured reserve with an ankle ailment sustained on Thanksgiving Day. Smith has been better than advertised as a blocker while helping to fill the receiving void left by Pro Bowl wideout Adam Thielen’s extended absence due to a hamstring injury.
Smith has a Pro Football Focus grade of 66.9, a mark that ranks 24th among tight ends in the NFL.
After failing to find the end zone the first six weeks of the season, Rudolph has now done so six times in the six games since.
For the sixth time in the last six games, Minnesota Vikings tight end and Notre Dame product Kyle Rudolph found the end zone, cutting the Seahawks lead on Monday Night Football to just four.
Like we’ve seen from Rudolph time and time again, it was a one-handed snag that wound up a score.
The Seattle Seahawks secondary caught a break on Sunday, with the news that Minnesota Vikings star receiver Adam Thielen (hamstring) will not play on Monday night.
Thielen has not played since Week 9 against the Chiefs, a game he left after just seven snaps.
Still, the speedy receiver has hauled in 27 receptions for 391 yards and six touchdowns in what has only really amounted to six games.
Most expected he’d return in time to face Seattle on Monday night, including Seahawks coach Pete Carroll – who said, “I’ll be really surprised if he doesn’t make it back for Monday night.”
“He’s a great player,” Carroll continued. “Makes the plays. Hard to cover. Can beat you on the one on ones. More than that, he makes big plays – really timely, clutch. He just comes through. If he’s on my team, I say you can’t replace that guy. He is what he is. They have Stefon Diggs. He’s a terrific football player and he’s really picked up the slack and all that, but it’s hard to replace those guys.”
The Vikings will rely heavily on Diggs as well as running back Dalvin Cook and a pair of strong tight ends in veteran Kyle Rudolph and Irv Smith, Jr.
However, not getting Thielen back will only make things tougher for Kirk Cousins and the rest of the Minnesota offense, who is meeting a Seattle defense that has been red-hot these past few weeks.
Last week we discussed how Kyle Rudolph had turned a corner after he pulled down a pair of one-yard touchdowns in Minnesota’s victory Sunday night at Dallas.
Despite a slow start that saw him fail to get in the end zone through six games, Rudolph managed to find pay-dirt four times in the four games since.
Well.
Make that five times in his last five games.
The Vikings got off to an incredibly slow start Sunday against the underdog Broncos, falling behind 20-0 on their home field by halftime.
The Vikings came marching back in the second half before Rudolph put them in front for the first time all day.
Kyle Rudolph unintentionally got caught up on the Mason Rudolph situation last night on social media.
Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph was on Good Morning Football on Friday morning and shared his unintentional connection to the incident at the end of Thursday’s Pittsburgh Steelers game.
Fantasy football starters, sleepers, sits ahead of Week 11.
It’s crunch time in fantasy football.
A little scouting and you can avoid a crucial late-season loss or do just enough to cross the finish line with a win this week. We’ve got you covered with a quick scouting report to help you out.
Here are five sleepers to start and five starters you’ve got to sit in fantasy football Week 11:
Starts
New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold. Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
QB Sam Darnold
Since returning from mono, the Jets and Sam Darnold haven’t have the best go of things. But he’s fresh off a very solid game in their meeting with the Giants in Week 10. An upcoming meeting with the Redskins suggests that could continue. Washington allows the highest completion rate (72.5 percent) and seventh-highest touchdown rate (100.7) to opposing quarterbacks. Darnold also has thrown at least 30 passes in every game this year.
RB Melvin Gordon
The Chiefs are known for the offense and known for their shaky defense. That shaky level starts with their run defense, the second-worst ranked run defense in the NFL. That plus Melvin Gordon is kind of back? In his last two games, he’s combined for 188 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Good idea for the Chargers to get him the ball this week.
RB JD McKissic
Also a potential sleeper to find on the wavier wire, JD McKissic has plenty of value for the Lions this week. With Kerryon Johnson out, Ty Johnson was the No. 2 but struggled while No. 3, McKissic, did better. Now Ty Johnson is injured and form considered, McKissic is the starter against the Cowboys this week for Detroit. McKissic has more carries and features in the pass game even with Matt Stafford out. The Cowboys have struggled against opposing backs in the air in recent weeks as well.
Target these players on the waiver wire in Week 11.
This NFL season has been more unpredictable than any year I can remember. Constant injuries to big-name players and then even injuries to their backups have provided little room for consistency. When it comes to fantasy football, this has been the dagger for most people who thought they drafted the perfect team.
It goes to show that fantasy football is a gamble. You never really know what a player is going to do week to week and we all know projected points mean less and less each week. However it is Week 11 and for those of you who have not quit your leagues altogether, it may not be too late.
With Green Bay, Tennessee, New York (Giants) and Seattle all on a bye, here are your waiver wire pickups for Week 11 to help you make that playoff push:
(Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
WR James Washington — 18.3% rostered (ESPN)
With the revolving door of quarterbacks in Pittsburgh this season, James Washington has not had the breakout sophomore season everyone predicted. On Sunday against the rams, however, the Oklahoma State product connection finally flourished between Washington and quarterback Mason Rudolph.
Washington finished the day with six catches for 90 yards and a touchdown. As the Steelers keep winning games and having success throwing the ball, look for Washington to be included more and more in this young offense. The Steelers travel to Cleveland to face the Browns on Thursday night.
Often times, the best fantasy seasons can get blown up in a one-and-done scenario and often the difference between winning and losing can come down to a single player with a favorable matchup.
Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Often times, the best fantasy seasons can get blown up in a one-and-done scenario and often the difference between winning and losing can come down to a single player with a favorable matchup.
It’s never too early to begin planning for the run to a championship and we’re looking at what, on paper at this time, look to be the five best closing schedules based on opponents and the five worst. The teams listed have their final four games because, while most fantasy championships are decided in Week 16, there are some leagues that play 17-week schedules or have a free-for-all game in Week 17 that can win fantasy owners some transaction money as well.
THE FIVE BEST
Philadelphia Eagles (NY GIANTS, at Washington, DALLAS, at NYG Giants) – With two games against the hapless Giants, another with Washington and games in Week 14 and 16 at home, the Eagles closing schedule is about as good as it could be.
Green Bay Packers (WASHINGTON, CHICAGO, at Minnesota, at Detroit) – With Washington and Chicago having to come to Lambeau Field in December, that is a huge advantage for the Packers and, given that they’ve owned the NFC North all season, going into climate-controlled games at Minnesota aren’t much worse.
Cleveland Browns (CINCINNATI, at Arizona, BALTIMORE, at Cincinnati) – Getting Cincinnati twice and the struggling Cardinals in the mix, this is a pretty good schedule for a team that underachieved to date and needs to finish the season strong, whether it leads to an unlikely playoff berth or not.
Minnesota Vikings (DETROIT, at LA Chargers, GREEN BAY, CHICAGO) – With three of four games at home, where Minnesota has been dominant since US Bank Stadium opened, they will be a hard team to beat or keep out of the playoffs.
New England Patriots (KANSAS CITY, at Cincinnati, BUFFALO, MIAMI) – The Patriots have three of four games at home and the only road game against hapless Cincinnati, which should play to their strengths…again.
THE FIVE WORST
Los Angeles Rams (SEATTLE, at Dallas, at San Francisco, ARIZONA) – With the Seahawks, Cowboys and 49ers on their plate for the fantasy playoffs, the road to trying to repeat at NFC champions will be a tough road for the Rams.
Buffalo Bills (BALTIMORE, at Pittsburgh, at New England, NY JETS) – The Bills have been a good story in the first half of the season, but landing the Ravens and then road games at Pittsburgh and New England will be as tough as it gets for AFC contenders.
Chicago Bears (DALLAS, at Green Bay, KANSAS CITY, at Minnesota) – The Bears have been a disappointment this season when compared to expectations and all four of their final opponents are currently set to be playoff teams
Seattle Seahawks (at LA Rams, at Carolina, ARIZONA, SAN FRANCISCO) – With road games against the Rams and Panthers to start the fantasy playoffs and closing out with San Francisco, the only saving grace here would be the Week 16 home game against the Cardinals.
Washington Redskins (at Green Bay, PHILADELPHIA, NY GIANTS, at Dallas) – The Redskins 2019 season has been a disappointment and things don’t get easier with the Packers, Eagles and Cowboys on the closing slate of games.
Here is the Week 11 Fantasy Market Report:
RISERS
Kyle Rudolph – In a year when tight ends haven’t been consistently producing huge numbers, Rudolph was invisible at the start of the season. In the first five games (he was healthy for all of them), he was targeted just eight times, catching six passes for just 36 yards and no touchdowns. When Adam Thielen went down in Week 7, Rudolph got incorporated back into the offense. In the last four games, he has caught 15 passes for 112 yards and four touchdowns, making himself fantasy relevant once again.
Michael Thomas – While Thomas has been dominant throughout his career, what he has accomplished this season is nothing short of astounding. In nine games, he has been targeted 108 times, catching 86 passes for 1,027 yards and four touchdowns – a pace that would shatter his career highs across the board. He’s on pace for 183 targets, catching 153 passes 1,826 yards and seven TDs. He has just two games with less than 11 targets, one game with less than eight receptions, one game with less than 89 receiving yards, five games with 10 or more receptions and five games with more than 110 receiving yards. You don’t hear his name in MVP discussions, but there is no more valuable receiver in the league this year to his team.
Ronald Jones – Jones hasn’t been a guy fantasy owners have wanted to start every week because he’s been in a timeshare with Peyton Barber and didn’t look worthy of his draft slot as a rooking. But, in his last six games, he has rushed for 246 yards and four touchdowns and caught 14 passes for 142 more yards. He still isn’t a guaranteed starter in most leagues, but he’s giving owners a viable option if they need a player.
Golden Tate – Tate was kind of an afterthought after missing the first four games of the season due to suspension. But, with all the turmoil in New York, he has been the steadying influence on the offense in the six games he’s played. In the last five games, he has been targeted 54 times, catching 30 passes for 404 yards and three touchdowns. He has caught six or more passes in four of those games and has 80 or more receiving yards in four of those five as well. Tate has never been a touchdown machine, but he has a history of being a volume-of-receptions guy and he is quickly establishing himself as the No. 1 receiving target in New York.
Melvin Gordon – It took Gordon some time to get up to speed after his holdout. In his first four games, Gordon rushed 44 times for just 112 yards in one touchdown – averaging just 2.5 yards a carry. In his last two games, he has looked like Gordon of old, rushing 42 times for 188 yards and three touchdowns. For a guy who was a pain for fantasy owners the first half of the season, he’s looking like his former self, which was one of the most dynamic fantasy running backs in the game.
FALLERS
Devonta Freeman – The biggest concern for most fantasy owners was whether Freeman could stay healthy for 16 games after battling injuries much of 2017 and missing all but two games last year. While he left Sunday’s win against New Orleans with an ankle injury. The fact of the matter is that he has no 100-yard rushing games through nine games, has just two games with more than 13 carries and two games with 40 or more rushing yards, has averaged just 7.4 yards per reception with just three games with more than three catches and his three TDs this season have all been as a receiver. His production had ground to a halt. In his last three games, he has rushed 30 times for just 96 yards, caught 13 passes for just 79 yards and scored no touchdowns. In this instance, an injury may be a good thing because it will end the temptation to keep him in your lineup.
JuJu Smith-Schuster – Jalen Ramsey played the “you’re no Antonio Brown card” last week before the Steelers-Rams game, but anyone who has JuJu already knows that. Without Ben Roethlisberger gun-slinging, Smith-Schuster’s numbers have suffered. In his last six games, he has three or fewer receptions in four them and yardage days of 15, 7, 16 and 44 in the mix. He has had just enough big games to keep him in lineups, but, at this point, he’s doing fantasy owners more harm than good if they continue starting him every week.
Robby Anderson – He’s been a fantasy enigma. He has a history of stringing together very productive games over the last three years, but this season has been brutal. He has two games with more than 43 receiving yards, has just one touchdown and individual yardage days of 23, 11, 16, 10, 43, 33 and 11. Most owners who had him have likely already dumped him and those who haven’t should consider it because it just doesn’t look like his typical month on fantasy dominance is coming.
Sammy Watkins – Back in Week 1, Watkins set the fantasy world on fire, catching nine passes for 198 yards and three touchdowns. In the nine games the Chiefs have played (seven with Watkins in the starting lineup, he has caught 31 passes for just 314 yards and no touchdowns. He hasn’t hit 65 receiving yards in any game despite the Chiefs slinging the ball early and often in games.
John Brown – Big things were expected from Brown in Buffalo and he showed that early. In his first two games, he caught 14 passes for 195 yards and a touchdown. Since then, he has been extremely consistent, catching either four or five passes in every game since and has consistent yardage numbers (51, 69, 75, 83, 54, 76 and 77), but has caught just one touchdown in those seven games. He still gets decent fantasy numbers on a weekly basis, but the big-play, huge-point games he has made a name for himself getti8ng, just haven’t materialized – he doesn’t have a catch of 30 yards since Week 1. We don’t recommend dumping him, but we do suggest managing your expectations for the huge games and big plays Brown has been known for.
