Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, December 31st @ 1:00 PM ET
Location: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Betting Odds: PHI -10.5, 48 total via PFF.com
Expected Weather: Overcast
Network: FOX
Writer: Matthew Cava (@cavaM_ on Twitter/X)
Philadelphia Eagles
Quarterback
Jalen Hurts (Start, QB1)
Jalen Hurts is coming off a record-breaking game against the Giants on Christmas night, in which he rushed for his 15th touchdown of the year; the previous record was held by Cam Newton at 14 in 2011. Hurts also threw for 301 yards, a touchdown, and an interception in the win against New York. He enters Week 17 – the fantasy Championship game for many – with a very enticing matchup against a Cardinals defense allowing the sixth most fantasy points to opposing QBs this season.
Running Back
D’Andre Swift (Start, RB1)
D’Andre Swift found the end zone last week against the Giants for the first time since Week 11, and he was eight yards shy of what would have been his first 1oo-yard game on the ground since back in Week 3. Perhaps he’ll reach the century mark this week against an Arizona defense that is the worst in the league in points allowed to RBs this year. Per CBS Fantasy, the Cardinals are allowing an average of 23.53 fantasy points to ‘backs.
Wide Receivers/Tight End
A.J. Brown (Start, WR1), DeVonta Smith (Start, WR2), Dallas Goedert (Start, TE2)
A.J. Brown is hoping to end his touchdown dry spell this week, as he hasn’t found the end zone since Week 12. Even during a scoring drought, since Week 13 Brown is averaging 12 targets per game, and has 28 receptions for 344 yards in that span. He’ll remain on the WR1 radar.
DeVonta Smith scored last week for the first time since Week 13, and he has been a steady WR2 dating back to Week 8. Per FantasyData, he’s projected to be good for 14.06 points in PPR formats.
Tight end Dallas Goedert has nine targets in each of the last two games, with 11 catches and 101 yards in that span. He’s six receptions shy of setting a career-high in receptions for a season at 59, but Goedert will remain on the TE2 radar, as the Cardinals are strong against tight ends; they are allowing the 24th most fantasy points to TE’s on the year.
Arizona Cardinals
Quarterback
Kyler Murray (Sit)
Kyler Murray is dealing with an illness to kick off the week of practice, but it’s of no real concern for his game status against Philly. It’s been a very bad year for the Cardinals, as they enter Week 17 with a 3-12 record. Murray has only been playing since Week 10, has thrown for 1305 yards, holds a 6:4 passing touchdown to interception ratio, and also has three rushing scores. The Eagles have been horrid against opposing QBs this season, allowing the second most fantasy points, but it would be pretty risky to consider Murray as a streaming option, given the fact that it’s Championship weekend.
Running Back
James Conner (Start, RB2), Emari Demercado (Sit)
James Conner has had his carries dip each week since Week 13, but he is coming off a Week 16, 100 yards from scrimmage performance against the Bears. The Eagles are strong against opposing RBs, but Conner will remain on the RB2 radar; especially if his involvement in the passing game remains from last week.
UDFA rookie Emari Demercado has strung together solid back-to-back games, averaging 13 full-PPR points in that span. He should continue to have chances for more touches in these two final weeks of the year, but would be hard to trust in the fantasy finals.
Wide Receivers/Tight End
Marquise Brown (Sit), Rondale Moore (Sit), Michael Wilson (Sit), Trey McBride (Start, TE1)
The Arizona receivers have been a disappointment this season, and even with the matchup being as favorable as ever this week, you should be fading the likes of Rondale Moore and rookie Michael Wilson. Marquise Brown was inactive against the Bears with a heel injury, and it’s trending towards another game missed this week against an Eagles defense allowing the most fantasy points to WRs this year.
The only Cardinals pass catcher worth starting is tight end Trey McBride, who is having a stellar second year in the league. He enters Week 17 with 72 receptions, 743 yards, and two touchdowns, and is set to face a Philadelphia defense allowing the ninth most fantasy points to TE’s on the season. Just last week though, Philly held Darren Waller to two receptions on five targets for 32 scoreless yards.
Engram a TE2? He’s #4 scorer in PPR league.
Its not based on what he has done but what we project for him this week. TE range is 5-9.90 points. With Lawrence as questionable, there is reason to believe that Engram might not be as productive as usual. He has been in the TE2 range six times this year
You don’t think gamescript and check downs in the passing game can offer Achane flex appeal with high upside? Especially with waddle out and mostert not 100%.
Every writer has a different read on perceived gamescript, etc. Personally, I’m of the mindset that Achane should outscore Mostert this weekend. However, a tough Baltimore defense limits the ceiling for both, in my eyes. Best of luck, and thanks for reading!
Do yall think Zeke will outscore Singletary in a non PPR format?
In full PPR, I definitely prefer Zeke…much tougher call in standard formats. I’m torn; Zeke’s snap share is so incredibly high that it’s hard to ignore the sheer volume he’ll see. It comes down to projected gamescript for me. I like the Bills to roll the Pats, and I think Singletary will have a much easier time against TEN with Stroud under center than he did vs CLE last week with Keenum at the helm. I’ll give Singletary my endorsement here. Best of luck, and thanks for reading!
Appreciate the insight. Same thinking on my end. Just see the Pats getting stomped and not having enough time of possession for Zeke to do enough. If I win it’ll be my 4th year in a row to win my home league. Using this site as my primary source!
Been riding Tua all season. Seriously considering benching him for Carr. Is that crazy?
i started lamar jackson, ur dum