By Cody Smith
What are you doing to me Kliff Kingsburry?
I bought into the Cardinals offense big time this preseason and this is what I get in return?
I drafted Kyler Murray as my No. 1 QB in three of five leagues and in one league, even paired him with David Johnson and Christian Kirk.
What I saw this past weekend was something I would have never expected. Kyler Murray became a game manager and David Johnson ran the ball just one time after the Cardinals coaching staff flat out lied to fantasy owners by activating David Johnson, but not stating he would only be used in case of emergency. Apparently one carry on the opening drive of the game was an emergency?
Chase Edmonds became the only facet of the Cardinals offense worth starting in what seemed like a plus match-up with the Giants.
Certainly game script dictated a lot of Murray’s usage and I’m not expecting him to post single digit fantasy points again in the foreseeable future. Remember, the Cardinals are a good, not great team. They should find themselves playing from behind a few more times this season, meaning Murray will be slinging the ball all around the field, especially when Kirk makes his return from the injury report.
I’m a little more concerned about Johnson being a no-show than Murray. Johnson has gone down with his fair share of injuries before and Chase Edmonds looks really, really good.
Edmonds has taken on more and more of a workload every week and certainly is a better fit than Johnson in Kingsbury’s offense.
The Cardinals have also signed Alfred Morris this week, which makes it seem as though Johnson missing extra time is not out of the question.
Johnson will be in my rankings this week, but keep an eye on the injury report, even though we’ve already found out that means nothing when it comes to the Cardinals organization. Johnson practiced more leading up to this week’s “in case of emergency” role than he did the week before when he scored over 20 PPR fantasy points.
Injury Notes
Patrick Mahomes' timeline is currently up in the air after dislocating his kneecap. One thing that is certain is that he won’t play this week, so find a replacement.
Matt Ryan suffered an ankle injury late last Sunday against the Rams. It isn’t certain if he will play or not this weekend, but if he is out, Falcons pass catchers should be downgraded.
David Johnson is questionable again this week after his frustrating Week 7. The Cardinals signed Alfred Morris and Zach Zenner this week, putting an even bigger question mark over Johnson’s availability. I would expect to be without Johnson this week if I had him.
Alvin Kamara is still dealing with what is being called an ankle/knee injury and did not practice on Wednesday. Kamara is trending toward playing this week and he would have a nice match-up against the Cardinals. Keep an eye on his availability this week.
James Connor should be fresh this week coming off of a bye and not having to play until Monday night. I expect him to play despite still being listed as questionable.
Josh Jacobs sustained a shoulder injury last week and is “still very sore” according to Coach Gruden. He still has a shot to play this weekend, but if he’s out, DeAndre Washington should receive a bump as well as Jalen Richard.
Kerryon Johnson won’t be back this season and can be dropped. Ty Johnson should take the Lion’s share of the workload. Chris Thompson is also out this week and will not play Thursday night.
Julian Edelman has been questionable for weeks with a chest injury, but has been playing through it. He should do that again this week.
Will Fuller is currently doubtful with a hamstring injury, but will likely miss multiple weeks. Keke Coutee and Kenny Stills should see a bump in production during his absence.
Dede Westbrook has neck and shoulder injuries following a game where he saw a team-high nine targets. His status is up in the air as he didn’t practice at all on Wednesday.
Others too keep an eye on: Rex Burkhead (foot), Phillip Dorsett II (hamstring), Corey Davis (illness) and Sterling Stepard (concussion).
Teams on a bye this week include the Ravens and Cowboys.
Enjoy!
Quarterbacks I like
Kyler Murray may have burned me, and other fantasy owners last week, but I believe last week to be a fluke. The Cardinals found themselves up by multiple scores early, forcing Murray into game manager mode. This week, another nice match-up awaits as the team faces the Saints who just allowed Mitch Trubisky to throw for 251 yards and a pair of scores. Murray has also had at least 10 rushing attempts in each of the last three weeks, proving he can add fantasy points with his legs.
My Rank: QB4
ESPN Rank: QB8
Gardner Minshew II showed his athletic ability last week, running the ball nine times for 48 yards. He also threw for 255 yards and a score against the Bengals. This week MInshew gets the Jets who have allowed just one quarterback (Tom Brady in Week 3) have a 20-point game against them. The Jets have struggled this season with their pass rush, and the more time Minshew has in the pocket, the more time speedy receivers like Dede Westbrook and D.J. Chark have to get open.
My Rank: QB11
ESPN Rank: QB15
Carson Wentz has thrown for under 200 yards in three of the last four weeks and faces a tough Buffalo defense in week 8. Buffalo allowed 282 yards and a touchdown to Ryan Fitzpatrick last weekend which is the best showing any fantasy quarterback has had against them so far this season. Wentz is coming off of a rough outing against Dallas and I’m expecting a bounce back game, even against the No. four defense against the pass.
My Rank: QB10
ESPN Rank: QB17
Quarterbacks to avoid
Aaron Rodgers may have had a huge Week 7, but I’m not jumping on the bandwagon just yet. Sure these kind of games can be expected from Rodgers, maybe a little less now than a few seasons ago, but I don’t have incredibly high hopes for Rodgers this week. Kansas City has been fairly competent against the pass this season and looked really good last Thursday against Joe Flacco. With the Chiefs down a quarterback, this could be a game where Green Bay attempts to take control on the ground. I think Rodgers has to be played, but I’m not expecting elite numbers.
My Rank: QB7
ESPN Rank: QB3
Jameis Winston threw five interceptions in his most recent game and is up to 10 on the season. He gets Tennessee off of the bye which is a tough match-up. Tennessee has allowed just two quarterbacks to throw for over 300 yards this season (Matt Ryan and Phillip Rivers.) The Titans also forced nine turnovers in seven games which should have the Tennessee defensive unit licking their chops this weekend. Expect a low scoring game from Jameis.
My Rank: QB15
ESPN Rank: QB11
Mason Rudolph is set to return this weekend against the Dolphins which should seem like a positive fantasy match-up. I just can’t seem to forget how bad Rudolph looked in his four games with the team. Rudolph never threw for over 230 yards and only cracked 200 passing yards once. He’s also not a very mobile quarterback as he only has 19 rushing yards this season. Rudolph hasn’t played in two weeks, so he may also need to knock some rust off. I’m lowering expectations for Rudolph in his first start back, even against the league’s easiest opponent.
My Rank: QB24
ESPN Rank: QB14
Week 8 Quarterback Rankings
1. Russell Wilson @Atl
2. Deshaun Watson vs. Oak
3. Josh Allen vs. Phi
4. Kyler Murray @NO
5. Tom Brady vs. Cle
6. Matt Ryan vs. Sea
7. Aaron Rodgers @KC
8. Matthew Stafford vs. NYG
9. Kirk Cousins vs. Wsh
10. Carson Wentz @Buf
11. Gardner Minshew II vs. NYJ
12. Philip Rivers @Chi
13. Jacoby Brissett vs. Den
14. Jared Goff vs. Cin
15. Jameis Winston @Ten
16. Teddy Bridgewater vs. Ari
17. Derek Carr @Hou
18. Andy Dalton @LAR
19. Case Keenum @Min
20. Jimmy Garoppolo vs. Car
21. Sam Darnold @Jax
22. Baker Mayfield @NE
23. Matt Moore vs. GB
24. Mason Rudolph vs. Mia
25. Daniel Jones @Det
26. Ryan Tannehill vs. TB
27. Mitchell Trubisky vs. LAC
28. Joe Flacco @Ind
29 Ryan Fitzpatrick @Pit
30. Kyle Allen @SF
Running Backs I Like
Joe Mixon has had a terrible start to the season. The offensive line in Cincinnati is just absolutely atrocious. Mixon hasn’t run for 100 yards all year and has ran for 12 yards on 18 carries over the past two weeks. I could see Mixon having a bounce back game this weekend in a match-up against the Rams. On the down side, the Rams could run away and hide in this game, but Los Angeles have allowed the likes of Chris Carson, Christian McCaffrey and the duo of Tevin Coleman and Matt Brieda to run all over them in a few games this season. Mixon could have a quietly good game. He is a back-end RB2 for me.
My Rank: RB19
ESPN Rank: RB26
LeSean McCoy and the Chiefs offense is tough to read. Some games McCoy is the bell cow and others it is Damein Williams that gets the run of the backfield. Last week was a McCoy week, and if things stay the same, it certainly looks promising for the veteran back. McCoy faces the Packers who have allowed the second most yards-per-carry to running backs this season, proving McCoy is a solid flex with upside this weekend.
My Rank: RB21
ESPN Rank: RB27
Running Backs to Avoid
Derrick Henry faces a brutal task this weekend against Tampa Bay. The Bucs have held Christian McCaffrey to less than 70 yards in two games this season and boast the No. three run defense in the league. Tampa has allowed just one team to run for 100 yards this season (San Francisco in week 1 ran for 100 yards exactly.) They have also only allowed three rushing touchdowns in six games this season. I expect Henry to have problems with this defense this week.
My Rank: RB18
ESPN Rank: RB12
Tevin Coleman cemented himself as the 49ers top running back last weekend with a 22-touch game against Washington. I believe Matt Breida and Jeff Wilson Jr. still may steal a few drives away this weekend as Coleman faces a tough Carolina defense. The Panthers are ranked 11th against the run, having limited Tampa Bay to just 41 total rushing yards in Week 6.
My Rank: RB25
ESPN Rank: RB14
Melvin Gordon has not looked great this year. So far Gordon is averaging just 2.3 yards per carry and has yet to amass 100 total rushing yards on the season. Austin Ekeler clearly looks like the better back and should put up better numbers than Gordon yet again this weekend.
My Rank: RB30
ESPN Rank: RB24
Week 8 Runningback Rankings
1. Leonard Fournette vs. NYJ
2. Dalvin Cook vs. Wsh
3. James Connor vs. Mia
4. Saquon Barkley @Det
5. Alvin Kamara vs. Ari
6. Christian McCaffrey @SF
7. Le’Veon Bell @Jax
8. Todd Gurley II vs. Cin
9. Aaron Jones @KC
10. Chris Carson @Atl
11. Josh Jacobs @Hou
12. Nick Chubb @NE
13. David Johnson @NO
14. Devonta Freeman vs. Sea
15. Marlon Mack vs. Den
16. Phillip Lindsay @Ind
17. James White vs. Cle
18. Derrick Henry vs. TB
19. Joe Mixon @LAR
20. Sony Michel vs. Cle
21. LeSean McCoy vs. GB
22. Austin Ekeler @Chi
23. Carlos Hyde vs. Oak
24. Tarik Cohen vs. LAC
25. Tevin Coleman vs. Car
26. Ty Johnson vs. NYG
27. Matt Breida vs. Car
28. Royce Freeman @Ind
29. David Montgomery vs. LAC
30. Melvin Gordon @Chi
31. Chase Edmonds @NO
32. Frank Gore vs. Phi
33. Rex Burkhead vs. Cle
34. Jamaal Williams @KC
35. Chris Thompson @Min
36. Adrian Peterson @Min
37. Duke Johnson vs. Oak
38. Jordan Howard @Buf
39. Kenyan Drake @Pit
40. Damien Williams vs. GB
41. Devin Singletary vs. Phi
42. Mark Walton @Pit
43. Latavius Murray vs. Ari
44. Ronald Jones II @Ten
45. Miles Sanders @Buf
46. Peyton Barber @Ten
47. J.D. McKissic vs. NYG
48. Nyheim Hines vs. Den
49. Giovani Bernard @LAR
50. Dare Ogunbowale @Ten
Wide Receivers I Like
Tyler Lockett has been incredibly efficient lately. Over the past four weeks, Lockett has caught 90% of his targets. He also found the end zone in two of those games and is currently the WR9 in PPR formats. A juicy match-up with Atlanta looms this week, a team that has allowed 10 touchdowns to wide receivers this season. The Falcons have the 29th ranked pass defense.
My Rank: WR3
ESPN Rank: WR9
Courtland Sutton is all of a sudden the WR1 in Denver after the Broncos shipped Emmanuel Sanders to San Francisco earlier this week. Sutton has averaged 15.8 yards per catch with three touchdowns over the past four weeks. He’s registered just one 100-yard game on the season, but has never seen less than seven targets in a game. Expect that number to rise a bit with Sanders no longer in the picture.
My Rank: WR7
ESPN Rank: WR16
John Brown gets to face the worst pass defense in the league this week as the Philadelphia Eagles come to town. Brown has caught at least four passes in each game this season and has posted no less than 51 receiving yards in a game. Unfortunately Brown has only found the end zone twice this season, a stat that I figure will change this weekend. Brown is currently the WR20 in PPR scoring.
My Rank: WR14
ESPN Rank: WR20
Wide Receivers to Avoid
A Tyreek Hill touchdown salvaged a rather unforgettable night last Thursday in Denver. Hill caught just three passes for 74 yards and a score in his second game back from injury. With Mahomes missing this week and Matt Moore under center, I’m expecting a down week from Hill.
My Rank: WR19
ESPN Rank: WR6
Kenny Golladay was nowhere to be found last weekend while teammate Marvin Jones Jr. posted a four touchdown game. Golladay has a better match-up this weekend, but perhaps a few of his targets begin going Jones’ way. Prior to last week, Jones had not been targeted less than eight times in a game. He was targeted just twice last week.
My Rank: WR17
ESPN Rank: WR7
Odell Beckham Jr. went 6-101 last weekend against Seattle, but faces a tougher task this weekend against the Patriots. The Patriots' defense is going to tear apart the Cleveland offensive line, giving Baker Mayfield little to no time in the pocket. This could be a rough outing for Beckham.
My Rank: WR22
ESPN Rank: WR13
Week 8 Wide Receiver Rankings
1. DeAndre Hopkins vs. Oak
2. Michael Thomas vs. Ari
3. Tyler Lockett @Atl
4. Cooper Kupp vs. Cin
5. Julio Jones vs. Sea
6. Julian Edelman vs. Cle
7. Courtland Sutton @Ind
8. Keenan Allen @Chi
9. Chris Godwin @Ten
10. Terry McLaurin @Min
11. Larry Fitzgerald @NO
12. Mike Evans @Ten
13. Stefon Diggs vs. Wsh
14. John Brown vs. Phi
15. T.Y. Hilton vs. Den
16. Allen Robinson vs. LAC
17. Kenny Golladay vs. NYG
18. Juju Smith-Schuster vs. Mia
19. Tyreek Hill vs. GB
20. Tyler Boyd @LAR
21. Calvin Ridley vs. Sea
22. Odell Beckham Jr. @NE
23. Marvin Jones Jr. vs. NYG
24. DJ Chark vs. NYJ
25. Tyrell Williams @Hou
26. Alshon Jeffery @Buf
27. Dede Westbrook vs. NYJ
28. Robert Woods vs. Cin
29. Sterling Shepard @Det
30. Brandin Cooks vs. Cin
31. Kenny Stills vs. Oak
32. D.J. Moore @SF
33. Emmanuel Sanders vs. Car
34. Curtis Samuel @SF
35. Jamison Crowder @Jax
36. Mohamed Sanu vs. Cle
37. Christian Kirk @NO
38. Golden Tate @Det
39. Corey Davis vs. TB
40. Jarvis Landry @NE
41. DK Metcalf @Atl
42. Cole Beasley vs. Phi
43. Robby Anderson @Jax
44. Preston Williams @Pit
45. Mike Williams @Chi
46. A.J. Brown vs. TB
47. Auden Tate @LAR
48. Marquez Valdes-Scantling @KC
49. Sammy Watkins vs. GB
50. Geronino Allison @KC
Tight Ends I Like
I was ready to leave Jimmy Graham for dead earlier this season. Graham posted back-to-back goose eggs in weeks two and three but has rebounded to TE12 on the season. After Graham’s two tough weeks, Aaron Rodgers vowed to get him the ball more and has done just that. Graham has posted 15-184-2 in four games since then. He is a touchdown dependent TE1 with a good chance to score against the 24th ranked defense this weekend.
My Rank: TE2
ESPN Rank: TE6
Tight Ends To Avoid
Greg Olsen faces a tough task this week against a stout San Francisco defense. Olsen is only two weeks removed from posting a goose egg against Jacksonville, but still has a TE1 floor most weeks. I’m expecting very low-end TE1 numbers this week
My Rank: TE14
ESPN Rank: TE9
Week 8 Tight-end Rankings
1. Austin Hooper vs.Sea
2. Travis Kelce vs. GB
3. Hunter Henry @Chi
4. Evan Engram @Det
5. Darren Waller @Hou
6. George Kittle vs. Car
7. Zach Ertz @Buf
8. Jimmy Graham @KC
9. Delanie Walker vs. TB
10. Darren Fells vs. Oak
11. T.J. Hockenson vs. NYG
12. Gerald Everett vs. Cin
13. Vance McDonald vs. Mia
14. Greg Olsen @SF
15. Dawson Knox vs. Phi
16. Kyle Rudolph vs. Wsh
17. Jack Doyle vs. Den
18. Dallas Goedert @Buf
19. Noah Fant @Ind
20. Foster Moreau @Hou
21. Eric Ebron vs. Den
22. Cameron Brate @Ten
23. Tyler Eifert @LAR
24. Tyler Higbee vs. Cin
25. Jordan Akins vs. Oak
Week 6 likes/dislikes
Quarterback likes
Kyler Murray: My Rank - QB4; ESPN Rank - QB7; Actual finish - QB25
Gardner Minshew II: My Rank - QB8; ESPN Rank - QB13; Actual finish - QB12
Deshaun Watson: My Rank - QB1; ESPN Rank - QB5; Actual finish - QB16
Quarterback dislikes
Matt Ryan: My Rank - QB13; ESPN Rank - QB4; Actual finish - QB30
Andy Dalton: My Rank - QB23; ESPN Rank - QB19; Actual finish - QB9
Matthew Stafford: My Rank - QB20; ESPN Rank - QB16; Actual finish - QB2
Running Back likes
Mark Ingram II: My Rank - RB9; ESPN Rank - RB16; Actual finish - RB34
Devonta Freeman: My Rank - RB7; ESPN Rank - RB12; Actual finish - RB43
Josh Jacobs: My Rank - RB8; ESPN Rank - RB18; Actual finish - RB12
Running Back dislikes
Chris Carson: My Rank - RB10; ESPN Rank - RB6; Actual finish - RB17
Phillip Lindsey: My Rank - RB16; ESPN Rank - RB10; Actual finish - RB45
Aaron Jones: My Rank - RB17; ESPN Rank - RB11; Actual finish - RB7
Wide Receiver likes
Amari Cooper: My Rank - WR1; ESPN Rank - WR43; Actual finish - WR17
Tyler Lockett: My Rank - WR7; ESPN Rank - WR11; Actual finish - WR14
Christian Kirk: My Rank - WR28; ESPN Rank - NR; Actual finish - N/A
Wide Receiver dislikes
T.Y. Hilton: My Rank - WR15; ESPN Rank - WR6; Actual finish - WR10
Kenny Golladay: My Rank - WR19; ESPN Rank - WR8; Actual finish - WR83
Tyler Boyd: My Rank - WR16; ESPN Rank - WR10; Actual finish - WR47
Tight End likes
Zach Ertz: My Rank - TE2; ESPN Rank - TE6; Actual finish - TE22
T.J. Hockenson: My Rank - TE9; ESPN Rank - TE13; Actual finish - TE20
Tight End dislikes
Gerald Everett: My Rank - TE14; ESPN Rank - TE8; Actual finish - TE6
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