Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, October 3rd at 4:04 PM ET
Location: SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles California
Betting Odds: ARZ +6, 45.5 over/under total via Oddsshark
Network: FOX
Arizona Cardinals
Quarterback
Kyler Murray (Start, QB1)
Kyler Murray has been on a tear this year. He had a down passing day in week 3 against the Jaguars. That should be the exception not the rule for the season. You are still encouraged by his 34 passing attempts and 7 rushes. Murray does have a tougher defense in the Rams for week 4. What I expect from this game is a high-scoring affair where the Rams get up early and Kyler and the Cardinals will be passing a lot to keep up. Seven different players got targets in week 3 so Kyler has the ability to spread the ball around and beat tough coverages when needed. He was drafted to be a top 5 quarterback for fantasy and he will continue to be in week 4.
Running Backs
Chase Edmonds (Start, RB3), James Conner (Sit, Flex)
The running backs for Arizona have been frustrating for fantasy. Chase Edmonds hasn’t had over 12 carries in a single week so far this season. He hasn’t gone over 63 yards rushing. He is involved in the passing game, having 16 targets so far this season. He is playing on average 62% of the Cardinals snaps which is more than James Conner’s 42%. The issue is he keeps losing work to Conner. Conner has out-touched him for the season and has 2 touchdowns. Both are startable for fantasy. For Edmonds, you are banking on his snap percentage and pass-catching work. For Conner, you’re banking on redzone work where he out touches Edmonds with 8 carries compared to 3 for Edmonds. Your expectations for both have to be lowered. If one were to go down to injury the other would easily be an RB1 for fantasy.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
DeAndre Hopkins (Start, WR1), A.J. Green (Start, WR3), Christian Kirk (Sit, Flex), Rondale Moore (Sit, WR4), Maxx Williams (Sit, TE2)
DeAndre Hopkins was a game-time call heading into week 3 and ended up playing. Even with the nagging rib injury which will still be there for week 4, he managed 6 targets. You are still starting Hopkins as the wide receiver you drafted him to be. After Hopkins is a flex play at best, A.J. Green and Christian Kirk came out of week 3 with 6 and 8 targets respectively. I’m higher on Green due to him playing on average 80% of the team’s snaps compared to Kirk’s 58.4%. Red zone numbers favor Green as well. He has gotten 4 targets versus Kirk’s 2. I believe it’s a full sit for Rondale Morre. He was a waiver darling coming into week 3 and highly disappointed. He only plays on average 36% of the team’s snaps. I know he had a massive week 2 but that’s not something you can count on. Max Williams is just not getting enough targets to be fantasy-relevant.
Los Angeles Rams
Quarterback
Matthew Stafford (Start, QB1)
Matthew Stafford has been on fire since coming to LA. He has 9 TDs and only 1 interception. The offensive line has also been able to keep him upright only allowing 1 sack per game. The weapons the Rams have surrounded Stafford with make him a high-end fantasy quarterback. This is a big divisional matchup with the winner holding onto first place. I expect Stafford to continue his dominance. Nothing on the Arizona defense gives me any pause when it comes to starting Stafford. There are just so many weapons to throw to and Stafford is experienced and smart enough to pick the best one.
Running Backs
Darrell Henderson (Start, Flex), Sony Michel (Sit, RB4)
Darrell Henderson did not play week 3 with a rib injury. He wasn’t an early Sunday inactive so there was some chance he would play. All reports and signs point to him being back in week 4 against the Cardinals. The Cards are middle of the road in terms of run defense so I expect the Rams to be able to run the ball fairly well. What worries me is the lingering injury issues for Henderson. One hit could put him back out. I think as a flex play you can get away with that risk. If he were to have a setback this week I would upgrade Sony Michel to a flex-start. As of right now, I cant see Michel getting enough work to be fantasy-relevant. He had an okay showing in week 3 with 20 carries and 67 yards against a rough Tampa defense. Sony should still be on your bench with the injury risk for Henderson.
Wide Receivers/ Tight Ends
Cooper Kupp (Start, WR1), Robert Woods (Start, WR3), Desean Jackson (Sit, WR5), Van Jefferson (Sit, Flex), Tyler Higbee (Start, TE1)
Why arent all wide receivers having breakfast with their quarterback? It seems to be working for Cooper Kupp. He has posted monstrous numbers with Stafford at quarterback. He has 10+ targets in every game this season. He is the focal point of the offense and should be an every-week start for your fantasy team. Now let’s start with the sits. DeSean Jackson is not a startable or even roster-able wide receiver. Yes, he had a good week 3 but that’s not what he will be doing the rest of the season. Van Jefferson is a sit but could be a flex play if you are needy. He is the true 3rd option on the team. Robert Woods will be the wide receiver talked about the most. He has had a disappointing season so far, while the team has been exceeding expectations. Woods is still playing over 85% of the snaps and is still getting targets. He is also involved in the red zone having 4 red-zone targets compared to Kupp’s 7 and Higbee’s 3. It’s only a matter of time before teams start taking away Kupp as an option and Woods benefits from it. Tyler Higbee is still a good tight end. He has the targets and snap percentage to make him a fantasy starter. On a team that passes a lot you want most of their weapons and will start most of them as well. Van Jefferson is a stash for now. He will have big weeks here and there but won’t be consistent enough to start week to week.
– Dustin Ludke (Dunit13dl on Reddit)