The Minnesota Vikings and Los Angeles Chargers are set to take the field on Thursday night, and both teams have a lot riding on this game. The Chargers are 4-3, but don’t feel great about where they’re at after a massive loss to the Indianapolis Colts. And the Vikings were close to toppling the Eagles, but now sit at 3-3 and need a win to get them back into the NFC playoff picture.

Thursday Night Football can make or break your fantasy football weekend. If you start the right player, you can get off to a hot start and take a massive lead over your opponent. But if you make the wrong choice, you could be stuck with a five-point performance from one of your starters.

Today, we’re going to break down this game and tell you who you should start and who you should sit.

Fantasy Breakdown

Before we get into the start, sit recommendations. Here’s a table breaking down how many points each team gives up to each position group, and where that ranks across the league.

Note: 32nd means they give up the most points. 1st means they give up the least points.

So what does this table mean?

The Vikings have a very good defense. They don’t give up a lot of fantasy points to any position, but especially receivers and quarterbacks. However, if you have the Chargers defense, or they’re on waivers, think about scooping them up and starting them, because the Vikings don’t take a lot of points away from their opponents’ defense.

As for the Chargers, they’ve been pretty good against receivers and tight ends, but have struggled stopping the run. I know the Vikings’ defense has been good this year, but opposing defenses average just over six points per game against them.

Best Starts

Justin Herbert, QB, Los Angeles Chargers

I know this goes against the chart I just used because the Vikings give up the 6th-least points to quarterbacks, but Justin Herbert is an exception. The Chargers are so banged up at running back and offensive line that they’re going to throw the ball at ton this game, especially because their receiving core is pretty healthy. He might not give you 25+, but he should easily eclipse the 14.7 points the Vikings give up on average.

Oronde Gadsden, TE, Los Angeles Chargers

Because the Chargers are going to throw the ball so much and his recent form has been incredible, Oronde Gadsden is a must-start this week. He has been one of Herbert’s favorite targets the last couple of weeks, and if there’s anywhere the Vikings’ defense is susceptible, it’s against tight ends. It’s hard to find a reliable tight end in fantasy, but with a good game tonight, Gadsden could become just that.

Jordan Mason, RB, Minnesota Vikings

I know a lot of people are scared of Aaron Jones’ potential return, but even if he plays tonight, Jordan Mason should still be the Vikings’ RB1. He’s playing pretty well in place of Jones, and the Chargers have been horrible against opposing running backs in fantasy this season. This could be the last time Mason is the clear-cut RB1, so get one last good use out of him this week.

Best Sits

Kimani Vidal, RB, Los Angeles Chargers

Kimani Vidal had a massive game the week after Omarion Hampton went out, but he only saw nine carries last week in the Chargers’ loss to the Colts. Still, he was their lead back and should be this week, but I’d still sit him. The Vikings’ defense has been very good at defending the run this season, and I expect the Chargers to throw the ball a lot. If you have another option, I’d bench Vidal.

Quentin Johnston, WR, Los Angeles Chargers

After a red-hot start to the season, Quentin Johnston has cooled off quite drastically in recent weeks. With Keenan Allen coming into form, Ladd McConkey finally gets back to being the Chargers’ top receiver, and Gadsden’s emergence, it’s hard for Johnston to get the same volume he saw early in the year. Plus, the Vikings’ defense is very good at limiting opposing wideouts.

TJ Hockenson, TE, Minnesota Vikings

TJ Hockenson has emerged as a reliable tight end option in fantasy with Carson Wentz under center, but this week, he faces a Chargers defense that is very good at limiting its opponents’ tight ends. I think Minnesota will run the ball a lot this week, so Wentz will have limited drop-backs, and I think most of those will find either Justin Jefferson or Jordan Addison. I have Hockenson in one league, and I’m benching him in favor of Gadsden this week.