Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, October 11th at 1:00 PM ET
Location: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
Betting Odds: ARI -8.5, 46 total via Oddsshark
Network: FOX
Arizona Cardinals
Quarterback
Kyler Murray (Start, QB1)
It has been quite a start for Kyler Murray, who is currently the QB6 in fantasy. Murray’s rushing upside is what sets him apart from a high volume passer. Kyler has 265 yards rushing, most of them on scrambles, and has scored four rushing touchdowns in just four games. Add to that seven passing touchdowns and it is easy to see why he was the number one overall selection. However, his passing leaves something to be desired. Teams are starting to play the boundary on him and force him to use the middle of the field where it gets harder for him to see. Murray has five interceptions so far and threw for just 133 yards passing last week. These next few weeks will begin to tell us the true story of his potential but this week he should destroy this Jets defense handily.
Running Backs
Kenyan Drake (Start, RB2), Chase Edmonds (Start/Flex)
Last week Kenyan Drake left the game early and gave way to Chase Edmunds in the second half. Edmonds caught 5-of-6 targets and scored a touchdown. Reports are that Drake was knocked out of the game but is not injured. Drake has not lived up to expectations so far this season, currently just the RB32. However, it is not for lack of opportunity. Drake has already seen 72 opportunities in four games. Often production is more tied to volume than talent. Look for Drake to bounce back this week, and if he has a solid game managers should even consider shopping him for a more reliable player. Edmonds is a nice flex play this week and on the cusp of an every-week flex play, especially if his work in the passing game continues to grow.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
DeAndre Hopkins (Start, WR1), Christian Kirk (Sit), Larry Fitzgerald (Sit), Dan Arnold (Sit)
DeAndre Hopkins has hardly skipped a beat on his new team. Last week Hopkins had just 41 yards but he is the clear focal point of this offense. Hopkins is being targetted 11.5 times per game, good for third in the league, and is the current PPR WR2. That sounds a lot like the Hopkins we saw in Houston. Still, with just one receiving touchdown, managers are going to need to rely on heavy volumes should they want this to continue. Hopkins should have a bounceback game this week against a poor Jets defense.
Outside of Hopkins, this Cardinals receiving corps is struggling to produce. Christian Kirk did find the endzone last week but finished with just 19 yards on three receptions. Kirk belongs on your bench this week but should be held on to for one more week if you have the room. Larry Fitzgerald is no longer a viable fantasy player at this stage of his career. Dan Arnold did catch four balls last week but right now he is not receiving enough passing volume to be a viable fantasy player, been in this solid matchup.
New York Jets
Quarterback
Joe Flacco (Sit)
HC Adam Gase said on Wednesday that quarterback Sam Darnold will miss Week 5 with a sprained right shoulder. Former Super-Bowl MVP Joe Flacco will get the start but fantasy managers should look elsewhere if they need a replacement. Flacco has finished inside the Top 12 weekly starters just once since Week 1 of 2019.
Running Backs
Le’Veon Bell (Start, Flex), Frank Gore (Sit)
The Jets expect to have Le’Veon Bell healthy and available for this Week 5 games against the Cardinals but what that means is anyone’s guess. Frank Gore has received more opportunities than expected early in the season, and it is hard to trust Gase to feed Bell. This is a neutral matchup for Bell, the Cardinals are holding opposing lead backs to just 65 yards rushing and have allowed one touchdown on the ground. However, this will be bell’s first game this season where he is fully healthy and he could bounce back in a big way. At the very least he is worth a flex play.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Jamison Crowder (Start, WR2), Chris Hogan (Sit), Chris Herndon (Sit)
After being listed on the injury reports last week Jamison Crowder emerged from a Thursday night Week 4 game healthy. Crowder looks to be past his injury concerns and ready to continue as the high volume target the Jets have come to rely on. With Flacco, managers should not expect a third 100-yard game but it isn’t out of the question. Crowder is a solid flex play with WR2 upside.
The remaining pass catchers on this roster are not great plays this week. Chris Hogan has earned as many targets as Crowder (23) but he has been far less productive. With Flacco tossing him the ball, it is hard to see that improving. Tight end Chris Herndon is an afterthought in this offense and unit we see some life out of him, he should be on waivers.
-Marc Salazar (@dingwog on Twitter)
Just to be clear. Carson was not concussed. he was checked for a concussion after a hit. There are no tiers to concussions. Had he had a concussion he would have been pulled from the game.