Arizona Cardinals a likely fantasy payoff this Sunday
By Jim Koch
It could be a big weekend for the Arizona Cardinals on your fantasy team when they face the Indianapolis Colts this Sunday
A message to any fantasy football players who have members of the Arizona Cardinals taking up space on your roster. Sure, having some of them in your starting lineup this past Sunday resulted in disappointment. Don’t fret however, this week has the potential to be a whole different story.
The Cards’ opponent this weekend, the Indianapolis Colts, have a defense that’s a mess. It’s a group that somehow managed to give up 306 passing yards to Jared Goff. Yes, that Jared Goff, the Los Angeles Rams’ starter who’s previous high was a 235-yard effort last year.
Carson Palmer, however, is someone who has lit up many a defense throughout his career. The Cardinals’ starting signal-caller, despite playing miserably last weekend, is an excellent candidate for a bounce-back performance against the Colts. Indy’s porous defense could be just what the doctor has ordered for the 37-year old.
With that in mind, two of Arizona’s wide receivers could also have big games. Larry Fitzgerald actually played decently against the Detroit Lions in week one. The future Hall of Famer hauled in six receptions for 74 yards, and has a very good shot at a 100-yard day versus the Colts.
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Another Cards’ wideout, J.J. Nelson, could also pay dividends fantasy-wise. The tiny pass-catcher caught five balls for 43 yards and a score but could’ve had more. Nelson dropped a throw along the left sideline that may have resulted in a big play for the squad if he had hung on to it.
It may have take awhile to be mentioned in this piece, but the loss of running back David Johnson is a catastrophic one for fantasy geeks. For those of you who spent your first pick on the rising star (yours truly being one of them) , you realize that he’s pretty much irreplaceable. The Cardinals will use a running back-by-committee in his absence, which severely lowers the value of any of Arizona’s runners.
Kicker Phil Dawson could also pay off handsomely if he’s inserted into your lineup this week. Forget the 32-yard missed field goal this past Sunday against the Lions. The 42-year old should have plenty of opportunities to make up for that gaffe versus Indianapolis.
The biggest points bonanza could actually come from the Cardinals’ defensive unit this Sunday. Whether it’s Scott Tolzien or Jacoby Brissett at quarterback for Indy (still yet to be announced), it really shouldn’t matter. The Cards should record a bevy of sacks and turnovers, and possibly even pitch a shutout.