Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, October 29th, 4:25 PM ET
Location: State Farm Stadium, Glendale Arizona
Betting Odds: BAL -7.5, 44.5 total via Odds Shark
Network: CBS
Writer: Justin Mello (@JustinMelloNE on Twitter)
Baltimore Ravens
Quarterbacks
Lamar Jackson (Start, QB1)
The former Heisman winner and NFL MVP reminded us last week just how good he is. This offense seems to have found its rhythm, and Week 8 could be another wonderful explosion of production for Lamar Jackson and the Ravens. The Cardinals’ defense has been woefully inept. They have allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season. They also are ranked as one of the worst defenses in the NFL in just about every PFF metric. They are graded as the sixth-worst defense against the run, ninth-worst in tacking, fifth-worst in pass rush, and dead last in pass coverage. The dual-threat quarterback should have an absolute field day against this defense. Fire him up with confidence.
Running Backs
Gus Edwards (Start, RB2), Justice Hill (Start, Flex)
Just as Lamar Jackson did, Gus Edwards enjoyed a nice day of production last week. I expect this to continue in Week 8. The Cardinals have allowed the third most fantasy points to running backs this season. In a game that the Ravens should find themselves up early, they will likely be running the ball quite a bit. Edwards is not a workhorse by any means and only played 50% of offensive snaps last week, but he is their clear lead back on early downs and is used heavily between the tackles. He received 77% of the running back carries last week and has double-digit carries in every game since Week 2. Expect him to be fed a healthy enough amount of work against the Cardinals to make him an RB2.
Justice Hill has been playing second fiddle to Edwards, but he still played 50% of offensive snaps last week and has been averaging over six carries and two receptions over his last five games played. Against an inferior Arizona run defense with a probable positive game script, Hill is a decent flex candidate if you’re in a pinch.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Zay Flowers (Start, WR2), Odell Beckham Jr. (Start, Flex), Rashod Bateman (Sit), Mark Andrew (Start, TE1)
The rookie out of Boston College has emerged as the undisputed WR1 for the Baltimore Ravens. Zay Flowers has averaged over seven receptions and 63 yards per game. This is a picture-perfect matchup for him on Sunday. The Cardinals have allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to wide receivers this season and have struggled mightily in coverage. PFF ranks Zay Flowers’ matchup with Arizona as the fifth-most favorable of all wide receivers in Week 8. Flowers has yet to reach 80 yards in a game this season which is concerning enough to limit his WR1 appeal, but he is undoubtedly an exciting WR2 in this enticing matchup.
Veteran free agent signing Odell Beckham Jr. has pretty much been a non-factor this year for Baltimore. However, his role is seemingly growing as he set season highs in targets, receptions, and yards last week, and he played his highest percentage of offensive snaps since Week 1. Although he hasn’t been a viable starting option yet, I love him as a high-upside flex player in Week 8. For the reasons already mentioned above for Flowers, this matchup is a great one for Beckham. To make things even better, OBJ is most likely to line up across from Marco Wilson based on the alignment that the two are usually in pre-snap. Wilson is ranked 175th in coverage this season by PFF out of 185 cornerbacks. Beckham has the chance to do a lot of damage against this Arizona secondary given this matchup. If you’re in need of some upside in your flex spot, definitely consider the former Giant, Brown, and Ram.
Former first-round (bust) Rashod Bateman is the forgotten man in this offense. He has played under 50% of offensive snaps and cannot be trusted in your lineup.
Mark Andrews is part of a small handful of guys who need to be started as a TE1 every week. It doesn’t hurt that he also has the third-best matchup advantage of all tight ends this week according to PFF. There is no reason to remove him from your top TE spot if you have him on your team.
Arizona Cardinals
Quarterback
Joshua Dobbs (Sit)
I have to admit that I’ve been pretty impressed with Joshua Dobbs this season all things considered. He definitely deserves some praise for admirably filling in for Kyler Murray, but he probably doesn’t deserve a spot in your starting lineup this week. He hasn’t thrown a touchdown pass in three weeks, and the Ravens defense doesn’t figure to make this a “get right” game for Dobbs. Baltimore has allowed the fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks this season. In fact, they have only allowed four passing touchdowns through seven games. While Dobbs has surpassed the expectations of many, he is nowhere near the caliber of quarterback to overcome this difficult matchup. Steer clear.
Running Backs
Emari Demercado (Start, Flex)
So much for Keontay Ingram and Damien Williams. Emari Demercado has established himself as the clear lead back with James Conner injured. He played over 80% of offensive snaps last week and got all but one of the carries for the Cardinals. The Ravens’ defense has been middle of the pack against the run, so the matchup isn’t too concerning in that sense. Everything seems to be going in Demercado’s favor, but there are probably many better fantasy options in reality. The Cardinals haven’t run the ball very much over the last few weeks, and this is largely because they have been playing from behind. They also haven’t run the ball very well. Demercado is barely averaging four yards per carry, and Arizona’s offensive line is ranked as the seventh worst in run blocking per PFF. Even if Demercado is the clear lead back, the Cardinals don’t run the ball frequently or effectively enough to make a significant impact. This limits Demercado to a flex play.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Marquise Brown (Start, WR3), Rondale Moore (Sit), Michael Wilson (Sit), Trey McBride (Sit)
This may be a tough day for the Arizona receivers. The Ravens are PFF’s second-highest-rated coverage defense which is bad news for the Cardinals. Marquise Brown is the clear top option in this receiving core, but he arguably has the most difficult matchup. Lining up almost exclusively on the outside, Brown will draw coverage from star cornerback Marlon Humphrey as well as Brandon Stephens who has excelled in coverage this year. The good news for Brown is that the Cardinals may need to air it out in this one, and he has at least seven receptions in each of his last six games. He also is playing over 90% of offensive snaps and has been targeted on 24% of his routes run. This level of participation in the offense makes him a fine starting option, but the tough matchup reduces him to a WR3.
His two teammates Rondae Moore and rookie standout Michael Wilson simply aren’t involved enough to overcome this unfavorable matchup. Neither one of them has had more than four receptions in a game over the last three weeks, and both are targeted on just 14% of their routes run. This lack of involvement in combination with the elite secondary they are about to play makes them an easy sit this week.
Trey McBride has only reached four receptions in one game this year and hasn’t really carved out a predominant role in the offense. To make matters worse in Week 8, the Ravens have allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to tight ends this season. There isn’t any reason to start McBride.
I can’t anymore with these intrusive ads. Very poor placement.