Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, October 9th, 4:05 PM ET
Location: University of Phoneix Stadium, Glendale
Betting Odds: ARZ +5.0, 49.0 total via PFF.com
Network: FOX
Writer: Estevão Maximo. (@estevao_maximo on Twitter)
Philadelphia Eagles
Quarterback
Jalen Hurts (Start, QB1)
The Philadelphia Eagles are the one team in the NFC that has looked dominant for more than one game. While that says a lot about the current state of the NFC, and also the depth of this Eagles’ roster with outstanding talent at virtually every unit, it wouldn’t be possible without the superb play of Jalen Hurts.
The former Heisman Trophy runner-up leads an offense ranked 2nd in points, and fourth in total yards, and for those with reservations about his talent as a passer, through four weeks, the Eagles have the top offense in football in Net Yards per passing attempt (8.2)
This offense is getting it done through the air, as it’s only middle of the pack in yards-per-carry. The addition of AJ Brown has given Hurts a true alpha receiver averaging just shy of 10 targets a game, and 100 receiving yards.
Hurts is also averaging a little over 13 carries per game and already has over 200 yards through the ground, with four rushing touchdowns to go with it. He’s legitimately playing like an MVP candidate, and one of the best fantasy quarterbacks in tier 1.
Running Backs
Miles Sanders (Start-RB2/flex), Kenneth Gainwell (Sit)
For all the Kenneth Gainwell truthers out there, Miles Sanders is still the lead dog in this backfield, and there’s no reason to expect a change in the near future. Infamously known for not finding the end zone in 2021, Sanders is off to a superb start with three scores on the year.
A monsoon in Philadelphia is the justifying reason for Sanders getting 27 rushing attempts in last week’s game, and you should expect something closer to the 15 carries he averaged through Weeks 1-3, but even then, the upside as an RB2 is there, especially against a Cardinals’ offense that’s top 10 in points allowed to opposing running backs.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
AJ Brown(Start, WR1), Devonta Smith(Start WR3), Zach Pascal(Sit), Dallas Goedert (Start, TE1)
There was a little bit of concern about AJ Brown moving to an Eagles team that really found its groove as a run-heavy offense in the second half of last season, but Nick Sirianni has really shown an ability to evolve his passing attack, and it’s a little of the chicken and the egg situation.
Either AJ Brown has helped take Jalen Hurts’ game to the next level, or the evolution of Hurts and thus the head coach’s willingness to push the ball down the field (Eagles are 6th in passing yards, despite being 24th in attempts), has helped integrate AJ Brown into the offense, and allow him to put up ridiculous numbers.
Forget first impressions, Devonta Smith has averaged nearly 8 targets a game since Week 2, and that counts the horrid conditions of Week 4. The former Heisman Trophy winner will always be a bit of a volatile play with Brown looming to basically alpha his way into 10+ targets on any game, and the rushing attack with the most attempts in football, but in such a prolific offense, Smith is a very intriguing WR3 play
There is only so much volume to go around, but in the current environment, Dallas Goedert’s guaranteed five targets and 50 or so receiving yards are more than enough to make him a very safe TE1 play, even if he isn’t finding the end zone, with only one score through four games.
Arizona Cardinals
Quarterbacks
Kyler Murray (Start, QB1)
The Cardinals are one of the more lackluster teams at the start of 2022, and basically the anti-Eagles in their passing attack. Kyler Murray is second in the league in passing attempts, but middle-of-the-pack (15th) in yards. Kliff Kingsbury is throwing the ball a lot, but not really stretching the field, and a big part of that may be the absence of DeAndre Hopkins.
This game has shootout potential with the highest over-under on the day at 49.0, but the more realistic expectation is that the 5-point home dogs, Cardinals, trail early and play catch up for most of the afternoon.
Murray should be able to compile decent numbers, even if the final outcome isn’t unlikely to be favorable for the 2-2 Cardinals.
Arizona is taking care of the ball with only two turnovers on the year, but with this BB gun offense, you almost wish they traded some turnovers for a more aggressive approach because this isn’t cutting it.
Running Backs
James Conner (Start, RB2/flex)
There was a lot of buzz about Darrell Williams and Eno Benjamin possibly taking over with the injury to James Conner a couple of weeks back, but he didn’t miss any time and remains the lead back while active in this RB room.
Conner finally cracked 50+ yards on the ground against the Panthers last week and hasn’t scored since Week 1 against the Chiefs, but the heavy passing work of 18 targets through four games creates a solid floor for the Cardinals RB and shields him from bad game scripts, especially in a game that Arizona should trail.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Marquise Brown (Start, WR2), Greg Dortch(Sit), AJ Green (Sit), Zach Ertz (Start, TE1)
Marquise Brown leads this offense in yards-per-reception, with 11.5, which illustrates the lack of big-play ability in the Cardinals’ passing attack. After a lackluster Week 1, Brown has been targeted 11+ times in every game since, peaking at 17 with 14 catches against the Rams in Week 3.
The second leading receiver in terms of targets on the team (Zach Ertz) trails Brown in targets by 14 (31 to 45), even against the strong secondary of the Eagles, Brown should see plenty of volume to be a steady WR2 for fantasy managers everywhere.
Greg Dortch flourished through three weeks, simply for being a sure-handed (caught 20 of 23 targets) slot option in a pass-heavy attack, but completely disappeared last week against the Panthers. He should be considered a desperation play at flex until proven otherwise.
Zach Ertz is the other playable half of this passing offense, as clearly the number two target for Murray, at least until the return of Nuk. Ertz leads the team with two touchdowns and should be a low-end TE1, high-end TE2