It's only the third week of the season and the drama is growing.  Teams are faced with tough choices to keep them competitive.  No more difficult is the decisions facing the Minnesota Vikings.  Built with a solid defense and the irrefutable talent of Adrian Peterson the Vikings have yet to win a game in 2008.  It doesn't get any easier, Minnesota will be challenged by the Packers and Bears in the NFC North and will need tough wins to hope for a playoff bid.  This week head coach Brad Childress  benched starting quarterback Tarvaris Jackson.  On the year Jackson has a 50% completion percentage and is averaging 154 yards passing per game.  He was unable to convert in the red zone and Vikings management felt it was time to move on.

This week the Vikings will start veteran QB Gus Frerotte who has played on 7 teams in 15 years.  Frerotte completed 56% of his passes with the Rams in 2007 and threw 7 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.  Heading into week 3 against Carolina the cards will be stacked against the veteran QB.  The Vikings are listing wide receivers Bernard Berrian and Sidney Rice on the injury report.  Berrian saw limited practice time on Wednesday while Rice did not participate.  The Vikings will face a formidable defense in Carolina, who has allowed just 286 yards per game in total offense.  No doubt the Panthers will stack the box to stop the rushing attack of Peterson.  It could be a long day for Frerotte with limited weapons at wide receiver.

From a Fantasy perspective, Carolina's defense should put up some good numbers in Week 3 by limiting points allowed and forcing Frerotte to throw the ball.  Meanwhile there's not much good to say about Vikings players this week.  Peterson is banged up and may see fewer carries because of a hamstring injury.  Keep an eye on the injury report on Friday and be prepared to replace him if the news gets worse.  On a brighter note, Chester Taylor has been working with Frerotte after practice and should see more action this week.  Also kicker Ryan Longwell is a fantasy standout because of the Vikings' stalled offense.  Last week Longwell kicked 5 field goals and maybe relied on more if the Vikings continue to struggle in the red zone.