Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, November 14th, at 4:05 PM EST
Location: University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
Betting Odds: CAR +10, 45 total via Oddsshark
Network: FOX
Carolina Panthers
Quarterback
P.J. Walker (Sit)
Remember when Sam Darnold was the darling of the league Weeks 1-4? That ended quickly. Darnold has been Jets-bad since then, and last week against New England could be the game that truly did him in going forward. He was putrid against the Patriots, completing 16 of 33 attempts for 172 yards and three inexcusable interceptions. It’s been SOD (Same Old Darnold) for the last month-plus, and yet the Panthers don’t have an out on him given the money they have tied into him for 2022. With news coming out that Darnold has a fractured scapula, he’s now set to miss time. He’s simply no longer worthy of a fantasy roster spot if you’ve held on this whole time, and his potential replacement P.J. Walker, isn’t either.
Running Backs
Christian McCaffrey (Start, RB1), Chuba Hubbard (Sit)
Christian McCaffrey returned from a five-week hamstring injury against New England, and is presumed to have his old role back. He had only 14 carries for 52 yards, and four receptions for 54. I wouldn’t say the explosiveness was there, but he didn’t look hindered at all, which is a plus. He doesn’t have reliable QB play ahead of him, but resumes RB1 duties immediately against the Cardinals. With CMC back, Chuba Hubbard has lost his fantasy relevancy. It’ll take a re-injury for Hubbard to be anything more than a bench cuff.
Wide Receivers / Tight End
D.J. Moore (Start, WR3), Robby Anderson (Sit)
Like Darnold, D.J. Moore started off the season very strong. But also like Darnold, and simply because of his poor play, Moore has taken a nose-dive since Week 5. He has not amassed over 100 yards since Week 4, and hasn’t scored since either. You’ll continue to start Moore because the target share is there, but his output is predicated all on Darnold and/or Walker, so don’t hold your breath. If you haven’t dropped Robby Anderson yet, you probably should. I mean, Anderson is ready to drop Darnold himself! He’s been unplayable essentially all season long, and can’t be trusted until Darnold is out of the lineup. And even then, I wouldn’t be pressed to start him with Walker under center.
Tight ends Ian Thomas and Tommy Tremble continue to hold no fantasy relevancy.
Arizona Cardinals
Quarterback
Kyler Murray (Start, QB1), Colt McCoy (Sit)
Kyler Murray was hit with the pre-game inactive tag last week against the 49ers due to his ankle injury, and it didn’t matter one bit. Colt McCoy came in and played efficiently, completing 22 of 26 passes for 249 yards and a touchdown. Kliff Kingsbury has already suggested that he didn’t have a feel for Murray’s status to return this week just yet, but it’ll be interesting if the Cardinals opt to rest him another game in which they should be able to take care of business against the Panthers. His ankle is improving, but the Cardinals are taking the long-term approach, and rightfully so. If Murray is a go, presume him to be healthy, and start him. If he is inactive again, I personally wouldn’t throw McCoy out there; especially when the only notable QB on their bye this week is Joe Burrow.
Running Backs
James Conner (Start, RB2), Eno Benjamin (Sit)
Chase Edmonds suffered a high ankle sprain in the first quarter against San Francisco last week, and now the ‘Zona backfield belongs to James Conner. In unexpected fashion, Conner has rewarded fantasy owners who took a chance on him mightily. He has scored in three straight games; six total by way of one through the air and five on the ground. Against the 9ers, it was a blowup performance without Edmonds getting in the way, and one would expect he will continue to see the majority of touches with him sidelined multiple weeks. Conner’s compliment should now be Eno Benjamin, who he himself scored against SF last week. Despite being set up to take on an expanded role, Benjamin is worthy of a grab off your wire, but not worth starting this week. You can fire up Conner as an RB2 this week, but the Carolina defense has been fairly stout against the run, as the unit has allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points to the position this season.
Wide Receivers / Tight Ends
DeAndre Hopkins (Start if active, WR1), A.J. Green (Start if active, Flex), Christian Kirk (Start, Flex), Rondale Moore (Sit), Zach Ertz (Start, TE1)
The Arizona receiving room is a bit messy right now, partly to DeAndre Hopkins being sidelined last week due to a hamstring injury, and A.J. Green due to COVID. At the time of writing, it’s unclear if they’ll both be returning this week, and so you’ll need to continue to monitor into the weekend. Assuming they are both a go, Hopkins should project to finish as a low-end WR1, and Green has Flex potential alongside a healthy Christian Kirk. Kirk benefited with Nuk & Green out last week, as he caught all six of his targets for 91 yards. Rondale Moore hasn’t been much of a fantasy factor since Week 2.
Zach Ertz hasn’t been called upon much since his trade to the desert, but still has at least three receptions in each game since joining the team. You could do worse at tight end each week, and you’ll continue to start him in hopes of a few receptions and even a score.
-Matthew Cava (@cavaM_ Twitter & Reddit)
You have a typo on Darrell Hendersons name. It says Darnell.
his momma calls him Darnell.
Darnell Anderson