Despite their stagnant offense, there is one offensive player on the Arizona Cardinals you should consider starting in fantasy this week.
The Arizona Cardinals offense hit an absolute low point in their 19-9 loss to the Seattle Seahawks last week. Rarely will you see a team score just three offensive points to a defense that has allowed more than any other in the NFL, but the Cardinals somehow “accomplished” this rare feat.
To make matters worse, they lost Marquise Brown for a good chunk of the season. Now for the good news: Help is on the way in the form of DeAndre Hopkins and Robbie Anderson. While Anderson won’t see much time tonight, Hopkins should. So should you start the latter? Here is my take.
START the Arizona Cardinals defense/special teams
The Saints have given up 15 sacks, tied for ninth-highest in the NFL heading into Thursday’s contest. And last week, the Cardinals defense looked championship-caliber, sacking Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith five times and even scoring a touchdown on special teams.
Arizona’s defense has held even some of the best offenses in check that included Seattle’s, and the Philadelphia Eagles. With backup quarterback Andy Dalton playing tonight, the Cardinals defense should have another big showing.
SIT Arizona Cardinals running backs
Last week, I made my case for Eno Benjamin to be the RB1 in a committee of Cardinals running backs. Unfortunately, Eno fell flat on his face, rushing for just 37 yards on 15 carries, securing just 2.4 yards per rush in the process.
It’s clear that Eno may not be ready to take on the workload. But neither James Conner nor Darrel Williams have separated themselves from the pack. It seems as though every time a Cardinals running back receives an extended number of carries, they either underperform or end up injured. Right now, it’s best to just sit them and go with someone else.
START DeAndre Hopkins
Some may believe Hopkins will be rusty in his first game of the season. But he’s also the healthiest player on the field heading into tonight’s contest. This is a player you want to start, as he has had a history of providing a spark that the Arizona Cardinals offense needs.
I’ve already gone bold and said he will have a big game. Not that I believe Hopkins will be so all-world that he will turn around this stagnant offense; he won’t. But I fully expect him to put together a solid performance tonight, and perhaps hit that 100-yard mark with a touchdown.
(Statistics provided by Pro-Football-Reference)