Sit/Start Week 3: Reviewing All the Fantasy Relevant Players In Every Single Game

Panthers at Cardinals

 

Game Info

Kickoff: Sunday, September 22nd at 4:05 pm EST

Location: State Farm Stadium, Glendale, AZ

Betting Odds: ARI +2.5, 45.5 Total via Oddsshark

Network: FOX

Sleeper Spotlight: Greg Olsen

 

Carolina Panthers

 

Quarterback: 

• Cam Newton (QB1 / check injury reports)
• Kyle Allen (QB2)

 

Panthers coach Ron Rivera announced Tuesday what NFL fans across the country have all been thinking: Cam Newton just isn’t right. Newton aggravated a left foot sprain he suffered in the preseason, Rivera confirmed on Tuesday and is currently day-to-day. Newton has been inaccurate early in the season, he’s thrown the most uncatchable passes through two weeks according to PFF. Whether that is due to the foot injury or his ongoing recovery to shoulder surgery is anyone’s guess. But the matchup is enticing should Cam play. Backup quarterback Kyle Allen will start should Cam not be able to go. Allen played in two games to close out 2018 and while he did have a two-touchdown game in Week 17, it was a meaningless contest against the Saints who had already clinched a playoff spot. Arizona is currently giving up nearly 30 PPR points to opposing QBs, second-worst in the league. With injuries to quarterbacks across the league, Allen could be a savior for those desperate fantasy owners.  

 

Running Backs:

• Christian McCaffrey (Start / RB1)

 

No matter who is calling signals for the Panthers on Sunday they will have just one running back to feed. Christian McCaffrey played every snap last week and has yet to be taken off the field this season. McCaffrey had just his second RB3 or worse performance last week. He has been remarkably consistent for fantasy owners, finishing as a weekly RB2 or better 89% of weeks he’s played. I expect a full bounce back this week against a defense that’s giving up 25 points per game and 150 yards per on the ground.     

 

Wide Receivers / Tight Ends:

• D.J. Moore (Start / WR2)
• Curtis Samuel (Flex)
• Greg Olsen (Start / TE1)

 

I like all of the Panthers pass catchers this week, even if Cam can’t go. The matchup is just too good. Arizona hasn’t been able to stop anyone in the opening weeks and is allowing more than 300 yards in the air. However, expecting young receivers D.J. Moore or Curtis Samuel to be anything more than a second wide receiver would be generous. Both young players have struggled out of the gates. Some of that may be related to Cam inaccurate throws but neither player has made the jump fantasy owners expected. Start both but temper your expectations. Get Greg Olsen in your lineups this week. The Cardinals haven’t been able to cover the tight end early in the season, allowing three touchdowns and 135 yards per to the position.   

 

Arizona Cardinals

 

Quarterbacks:

• Kyler Murray (Start / QB1)

 

The Panthers have given up plenty of points early in the season but they have only allowed about 200 yards passing to opposing QBs per game and just two touchdowns. However, Kyler Murray’s advantage is pure volume. Arizona wants to play with tempo and they want to throw the ball. Murray has attempted 94 passes through two games, a pace of over 750 attempts in a season. It’s an absurd number and Murray will continue to produce as a starting fantasy QB as long as that volume continues. With four wides and pass-catching backs, there is no reason to think that it won’t. Just wait till he starts running the ball. 

 

Running Backs:

• David Johnson (Start / RB2)
• Chase Edmonds (Waiver Watch / Flex)

 

After a solid Week 1, with more than 130 total yards and a receiving touchdown, David Johnson all but disappeared in Week 2. Johnson missed large stretches of the game with a wrist injury, but he has been ruled healthy and ready to go this weekend. Let’s hope that is the case. Once Johnson gets integrated into this offense and rolling he’s going to be hard to stop. This week I don’t like him to finish as an RB1 but he’s an easy start. However, keep an eye on the injury reports. If Johnson cannot play, Chase Edmunds is a player you can pick up and start in his place.  

 

Wide Receivers / Tight Ends:

• Christian Kirk (Start / Flex)
• Larry Fitzgerald (Start / Flex)

 

The Panthers’ defense has been solid against pass catchers early in the season. Last week Chris Godwin did manage 121 yards they have held Mike Evans and the Rams trio of receivers each under 100 yards. Quite an impressive feat. However, because of the sheer pass volume that Arizona puts out, starting Christian Kirk and Larry Fitzgerald weekly as your Flex should be automatic. Think of the Arizona pass offense as handling the ball off to receivers instead of running backs. The Cardinals ran 60 plays last week and passed on 40 of them. In Week 1 they ran 89 total plays on offense and passed on 60% of them. Kirk and Fitzgerald are running free at times and making plays with the ball in their hands. Until the league figures out how to defend them put them in your lineup. 

   

-Marc Salazar (@dingwog)