Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, November 5th @ 1:00 PM ET
Location: Cleveland Browns Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio
Betting Odds: CLV -8, 37.5 total via PFF.com
Network: FOX
Writer: Matthew Cava (@cavaM_ on Twitter/X)
Arizona Cardinals
Quarterbacks
Clayton Tune (Sit), Kyler Murray (Sit)
After the loss to Baltimore, head coach Jonathan Gannon went on record to state that Joshua Dobbs would remain the starter, and then on Monday he backtracked on that appointment. And then there was Tuesday afternoon when the Dobbs was officially traded to the Vikings to replace Kirk Cousins, who suffered a torn Achilles against the Packers.
Time will tell this week whether or not the Cardinals’ starter will be rookie Clayton Tune, or if Kyler Murray will make his season debut off the torn ACL injury from last season. If I had to make an educated guess, it’s going to be Tune, with Arizona looking to ‘protect’ Murray for at least one more week so he doesn’t have to face the Browns defense. And even if it were the return of Murray, it wouldn’t be wise to start him this week.
Running Backs
Emari Demercado (Start, FLEX)
Emari Demercado continues to ‘lead’ the backfield for Arizona with James Conner still on IR. Against the Ravens last week, he ran the rock 20 times for 78 scoreless yards. Off volume expectancy alone, Demercado will remain on the FLEX radar with RB2 upside.
Wide Receivers/Tight End
Marquise Brown (Start, WR3), Michael Wilson (Sit), Rondale Moore (Sit), Trey McBride (Start, TE2)
The Cleveland defense has been elite against opposing WRs this season, allowing the 30th most fantasy points to the position. Assuming Tune is under center for Arizona, this will not bode well for the likes of Marquise Brown, Michael Wilson, and Rondale Moore.
Wilson & Moore can be left on your bench, and while Hollywood can still be started as the target hog, brace for a WR3/FLEX type of finish in a rough matchup.
Rookie QBs tend to lean on their tight end, and Trey McBride is coming off a big game against the Ravens. He turned 10 receptions for 95 yards and a touchdown off 14 targets, but that was with Dobbs throwing his way. Consider McBride a TE2 streaming option, but it is worth reminding that the Browns have been the best unit in [fantasy] football against opposing TEs.
Cleveland Browns
Quarterback
P.J. Walker (Sit), Dorian Thompson-Robinson (Sit)
Another week, another P.J. Walker start for the Browns? Time will tell, but with Deshaun Watson‘s shoulder injury continuing to linger, Walker seems to be in line to play against the Cardinals. That being said, he’s not a viable streaming option, even with Trevor Lawrence and Jared Goff on BYE. The same can be said for rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson if he were to get the chance to start again.
Running Backs
Jerome Ford (Start, RB2), Kareem Hunt (Start if you must, FLEX)
Despite an ankle injury that had his status in doubt leading up to the game, Jerome Ford suited up against Seattle but was very much ineffective. He carried the ball nine times for 37 yards, adding one reception for two yards. If he can find better health entering this week against Arizona, it should bode much better for him, as the Cardinals are allowing the third-most fantasy points to opposing RBs on the season.
With Ford ailing, Kareem Hunt took on the reigns as the lead back, turning his 14 touches into 55 yards and a touchdown. If you are in a pinch, Hunt will offer FLEX consideration this week.
Wide Receivers/Tight End
Amari Cooper (Start, WR3), David Njoku (Start, TE2)
The Browns pass-catchers are trending towards unplayable sans Amari Cooper; at least if Walker is under center. Cooper caught six of 11 targets for 89 yards last week, and would be the only viable option to consider having in your lineup. Even with the trade of Donovan Peoples-Jones to Detroit on Tuesday, a name like Elijah Moore in theory will see an uptick, but he has not been the receiver the Browns thought they traded for.
David Njoku did have a solid game against the Seahawks, catching four of eight targets for 77 yards and a touchdown. If you are without the likes of George Kittle, Sam LaPorta, and Evan Engram this week, Njoku is a worthy streaming option. However, it is worth noting that the Cardinals are allowing the 31st most fantasy points to TEs on the season, making the matchup a murky one on paper.