Packers vs. Vikings Fantasy Advice: Start Jarrett Boykin; Sit Greg Jennings

In my experience, when two bad football teams get together, they usually put up a pretty high score. Whether that's because of sloppy tackling, poor execution or wacky plays being more prevalent, it happens. A lot. And while I wouldn't classify the Green Bay Packers as a bad football team, they're certainly one step away with all of the injuries they've incurred. (And, yeah, I am calling the Minnesota Vikings a bad football team.)

So while our good handicapper friends in the 702 have set the total on this game at 43.5 (at the time of this writing), I'm betting that it goes over (that recommendation is of course for entertainment purposes only!). My projections this week may be slightly on the higher side, but I really believe that if you are deciding between a Packer or a Viking and someone else, start the guy going in this game.

QUARTERBACKS

Scott Tolzien stepped up last week in throwing for a ton of yardage, but the Giants threw seven and eight men in the box almost all game, trying to get Tolzien to turn it over via the air. It worked. He threw for 339 yards, 0 touchdowns and 3 picks. Yuck. But the Vikings secondary is not near as bad as Minny's, so I expect Tolzien's best game as a pro this week (not like that's saying much). If it's possible to be worse, it's got to be the other side of the ball in Christian Ponder. His #1 target Greg Jennings is banged up. His #2 target Kyle Rudolph is out. The Packers defense is going to have a big day against the pass.

Scott Tolzien: 260 passing yards, 2 passing touchdowns, 1 interception, 5 rushing yards, 0 rushing touchdowns
Verdict: Start in 2-QB leagues and 16-team leagues

Christian Ponder: 170 passing yards, 1 passing touchdown, 2 interceptions, 10 rushing yards, 0 rushing touchdowns
Verdict: Bench in all leagues

RUNNING BACKS

I feel really bad for Eddie Lacy. He had really come into his own, and now thanks to the Rodgers injury, he's the one getting battered instead of doing the bludgeoning himself. Even with defenses designed to shut him down, he's still managed to hold onto start-worthy value the past couple of weeks. I think the sledding gets a bit easier this week for him. We've all seen Adrian Peterson destroy the Packers before, and he is the only chance the Vikes have of keeping it close. It seems like he's over that groin injury, so start him with full confidence.

Eddie Lacy: 95 rushing yards, 1 rushing touchdown, 3 catches, 20 receiving touchdowns, 0 receiving touchdowns
Verdict: Start in all leagues

James Starks: 30 rushing yards, 0 rushing touchdowns, 1 catch, 10 receiving yards, 0 receiving touchdowns
Verdict: Bench in all leagues

Adrian Peterson: 110 rushing yards, 1 rushing touchdown, 2 catches, 15 yards, 0 receiving touchdowns
Verdict: Start in all leagues

Toby Gerhart: 10 rushing yards, 0 rushing touchdowns, 0 catches
Verdict: Bench in all leagues

WIDE RECEIVERS

Jordy Nelson has managed to retain WR1 value with Tolzien throwing to him, and Jarrett Boykin is having one of the best breakout seasons in the league this year. However, it's clear from his play that James Jones is playing hurt, and he even came out and said as much this week. I can't trust him until I see a good game from him--that won't happen this week. There's no way Greg Jennings doesn't gut this game out in his return to Lambeau, but temper expectations. The same can be said for both Jerome Simpson, Jarius Wright and Cordarrelle Patterson, however low expectations may be already.

Jordy Nelson: 8 catches, 95 yards, 1 touchdown
Verdict: Start in all leagues

Jarrett Boykin: 6 catches, 70 yards, 1 touchdown
Verdict: Start in all leagues

James Jones: 3 catches, 45 yards, 0 touchdowns
Verdict: Start only in 16-team PPR leagues

Greg Jennings: 4 catches, 35 yards, 0 touchdowns
Verdict: Start only in 16-team PPR leagues

Jerome Simpson: 3 catches, 40 yards, 0 touchdowns
Verdict: Start only in 16-team PPR leagues

Cordarrelle Patterson: 3 catches, 35 yards, 0 touchdowns
Verdict: Start only in 16-team PPR leagues

Jarius Wright: 1 catch, 10 yards, 0 touchdowns
Verdict: Bench in all leagues

TIGHT ENDS

I still like Brandon Bostick for the rest of the season, and this could be a very good game for him. Quarless should be involved, but he won't do anything exciting. John Carlson has been a sneaky PPR play, especially in tight end-premium leagues like the Fantasy Football Players Championship (FFPC). I like him as a shark start once again in Week 12, especially if you're missing a stud like Jermichael Finley.

Brandon Bostick: 3 catches, 45 yards, 0 touchdowns
Verdict: Start in 14-team PPR leagues and all 16-team leagues

Andrew Quarless: 1 catch, 10 yards, 0 touchdowns
Verdict: Bench in all leagues

John Carlson: 6 catches, 60 yards, 1 touchdown
Verdict: Start in most 12-team leagues

KICKERS

Both of these kickers have too good of matchups this week to sit. Although if you wanted to make the case for finding someone else other than Blair Waslh this week because he is still a bit hobbled and kicking on a cold field in Lambeau, I wouldn't argue with you.

Mason Crosby: 3 field goals, 3 extra points
Verdict: Start in all leagues

Blair Walsh: 3 field goals, 2 extra points
Verdict: Start in most leagues

DEFENSES

As I stated earlier, I'm not a big believer in either quarterback. But I don't think these defenses are the ones to be starting in a week where you have 28 other alternatives. If you need to start one, hope that Ponder tosses a floater in Morgan Burnett's direction that he returns for a score.

Packers: 3 sacks, 2 interceptions, 0 fumble recoveries, 305 yards, 23 points allowed
Verdict: Start in most 14- and 16-team leagues

Vikings: 2 sacks, 1 interception, 1 fumble recovery, 420 yards, 30 points allowed

More from Acme Packing Company:

• Packers Place Casey Hayward on Injured Reserve, Activate Jerel Worthy and Sean Richardson
• Vikings vs. Packers Primer: Game Time, TV Channel, Broadcast Schedule, and More
• Vikings vs. Packers: Q&A with Daily Norseman
• Vikings vs. Packers: Five Things to Watch For
• Packers Injury Report, Week 12: Micah Hyde Probable, Sam Shields Questionable for Vikings