Vikings new OC John DeFelippo isn't making major changes to last year's offense under Pat Shurmur. Both DeFelippo and Shurmur run West Coast systems. “The things you keep the same are formations, for example — what you call formations,” DeFilippo explained. “We’re calling the run game pretty much the exact same. If there was a [similar] pass concept that we’re putting in, we called it what they called it last season. Coach Shurmur got taught by Coach [Andy] Reid, and like the purest West Coast guys. I’ve learned from some of the guys on that tree, as well. So from a philosophical standpoint, there’s very similar things." Between the OC switch and the arrival of QB Kirk Cousins, there have been significant changes to a Vikings offense that ranked 11th in yards and 10th in points last year. Some continuity in offensive scheme should help the transition go more smoothly.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that QB Kirk Cousins expects to sign with the Vikings on Thursday. The agreement will reportedly be a 3-year deal that's fully guaranteed. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that Minnesota had offered $28 million per year. Those are giant numbers, but that's the way QB contracts go when the player's shy of 30. Cousins lands in a nice spot for at least 2018, when he'll throw to WRs Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs, TE Kyle Rudolph and 2nd-year RB Dalvin Cook. Diggs will be in the final year of his contract, though, and Rudolph could be a cut candidate next offseason. Cousins -- who will turn 30 in August -- finished 5th among fantasy QBs last year despite losing DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon and missing Jordan Reed for most of the year. He certainly looks like a top-10 fantasy QB for 2018 at the moment. And he should support continued solid value for Diggs, Thielen and Rudolph.

The forecast for today's Cowboys-Redskins game calls for a 75% chance of rain with 10-14 mph winds. That's certainly not ideal weather for the passing and kicking games, although it's not quite bad enough for us to adjust projections. That said, we'd use the weather as a tiebreaker if you're deciding between 2 similarly ranked guys.

As expected, Washington QB Kirk Cousins did not reach agreement on a long-term contract before Monday's deadline for franchise-tagged players. That means Cousins will play out a 2nd straight season under the tag. Most expected Washington to tag Cousins a 2nd time this offseason, but his $24 million salary for 2017 will make it tough to tag him again next year. Team president Bruce Allen said the team offered Cousins $53 million guaranteed at signing and $72 million guaranteed for injury on a long-term deal but never got a counter from Cousins' camp. Cousins figures to start for some team in 2018, but the situation adds at least a bit of risk to his long-term fantasy outlook. For 2017 drafts, he presents upside at his ADP.

The Redskins have used their exclusive-rights franchise tag on QB Kirk Cousins. Other teams can't negotiate with him, and he'll make about $24 million this season. Cousins finished 3rd in passing yards in 2016 and has completed a stellar 68.3% of his passes over the past 2 years. The 'Skins, though, have been hesitant to commit big money to him long term. And there have been whispers that Cousins eventually wants out of Washington. We're not banking on the 2 sides reaching a long-term deal.

Washington QB Kirk Cousins threw for 234 yards, 2 TDs and 1 INT in Sunday's win over the Eagles. Those are modest numbers compared to his usual this season, but they came amid a season-low 21 pass attempts. Cousins remains a nice fantasy option going forward, with matchups against the Panthers, Bears and Giants remaining.

The forecast for tonight's Packers-Redskins game calls for 17-18 mph winds with gusts of 40+. That's certainly bad news for Ks Mason Crosby and Dustin Hopkins. We also made slight adjustments down to our projections for both passing games.

Windy conditions are expected for today's Redskins-Ravens game. The forecast calls for winds of 20-25 mph with gusts up to 35-40 mph. That's certainly enough to impact the passing games, particularly deep threats like DeSean Jackson and Mike Wallace. We've nudged both those guys down the Week 5 rankings. Ks Dustin Hopkins and Justin Tucker might also be hindered.

Pro Football Talk reports that Washington and QB Kirk Cousins will not reach agreement on a long-term deal before the July 15 deadline. The 2 sides have reportedly hit an impasse and halted talks. Because Washington applied the franchise tag, Cousins must sign a new contract by July 15 or they can't negotiate further until after the regular season. Washington reportedly wants to see another good season from the QB before it's willing to pony up the money that Cousins could command by playing under the franchise tag this year and next. The situation could create an interesting dynamic for the coming season. A little extra motivation probably wouldn't hurt Cousins in an offense already set up to lean on him.

The Redskins have used their franchise tag on QB Kirk Cousins.  It's a non-exclusive tag, so other teams can negotiate with Cousins.  But Washington has the right to match any offer and would receive a pair of 1st-round picks if Cousins is signed away.  In other words, he's not going anywhere.  The 2 sides now have until July 15 to work out a long-term deal.  Otherwise, Cousins will play the 2016 season on a 1-year, $19.95 million deal.

Redskins WR DeSean Jackson (knee) is active for today’s game against the Cowboys. Multiple insiders have reported this morning that Jackson, QB Kirk Cousins and TE Jordan Reed aren’t expected to play more than a half in the meaningless finale.

Redskins HC Jay Gruden said Thursday that QB Kirk Cousins will start this weekend's game against the Cowboys but added that how much he plays is "still to be determined."  We'd be surprised if Cousins played more than a half.  QB Colt McCoy figures to handle mop-up duty.  Neither is a Week 17 fantasy option.

Redskins HC Jay Gruden said Wednesday that "it’s important for us to be healthy come playoff time" and hinted at resting starters in Sunday's season finale against the Cowboys.  “Number one, it’s the health of our football team with these injured guys who are legitimately injured and can’t play," he said. "Then, from there, we’ll have to figure out the able bodies that we have — personnel groupings will be adjusted — and then throughout the course of the game, we’ll make adjustments depending on the situation.”  We're not expecting WR DeSean Jackson or TE Jordan Reed to play much, if at all, this weekend.  QB Kirk Cousins, RBs Alfred Morris and Matt Jones and WR Pierre Garcon also seem unlikely to play the full game.  Try to avoid Washington players in Week 17 fantasy lineups.

The Redskins are locked into the NFC's #4 seed heading into Week 17.  HC Jay Gruden said the team will "have to be smart" about playing injured guys in the finale against the Cowboys.  We'll see if we get any more clues about Washington's plans, but QB Kirk Cousins, WR DeSean Jackson and TE Jordan Reed will also be risky Week 17 fantasy plays.

Eagles CB Byron Maxwell suffered a sprained SC joint in Sunday night's loss to the Cardinals and might miss Saturday's game against Washington, according to Philly.com. Fellow starter CB Eric Rowe -- filling in for injured starter Nolan Carroll -- is also down with a concussion. Monday offered no update on his status. Obviously, missing their top 3 corners would not help the Eagles against a hot QB in Kirk Cousins and top WR DeSean Jackson. D-Jax burned Philly for 117+ yards in each meeting last year after Chip Kelly cut him in the offseason. Jackson missed this season's 1st meeting.

Eagles CB Byron Maxwell will get an MRI today to determine the damage to the shoulder he injured in Sunday night's loss to the Cardinals, according to NJ.com. X-rays during the game came back negative, but Maxwell never returned to action and was reportedly in obvious pain when speaking with reporters afterward. He looks iffy for Saturday's game against Washington. If Philly's missing him and fellow starter Eric Rowe (concussion), the defense would be down to E.J. Biggers and rookie Jaylen Watkins vs. Kirk Cousins and crew. We could see more big Washington passing numbers in this one.

Washington HC Jay Gruden on Monday called QB Kirk Cousins "obviously ... a guy we'd like to keep around," according to the Washington Post. That came up in reference to Cousins' contract running out in the spring and allowing him to hit unrestricted free agency. The insinuation here, of course, is that Gruden can see Cousins starting for him next year. We'll see, though, whether Gruden is a guy Washington would like to keep around beyond this season. It's too early to know what we can expect from Cousins beyond 2015. On top of that, he hasn't given fantasy football owners much to get excited about beyond a few flashes here and there. Consider us unenthusiastic about Cousins' dynasty outlook.

Redskins HC Jay Gruden committed to QB Kirk Cousins as his starter for the entire season on Monday.  It looks like the RG3 Era is over in Washington.  Cousins doesn't offer Griffin's rushing ability but is a more polished passer.  We'll have an article posted later today looking at Cousins' potential impact on the rest of the Redskins' skill-positions players.