Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, October 23rd, 1:00 PM ET
Location: U.S. Bank Stadium, Minnesota
Betting Odds: MIN -3;5, 49.0 total via PFF.com
Network: FOX
Writer: Estevão Maximo (@estevao_maximo on Twitter)
Arizona Cardinals
Quarterback
Kyler Murray (Start, QB1)
The two pick-sixes helped, but it’s also no coincidence that the Cardinals put up 42 points with the return of DeAndre Hopkins. An offensive scheme that was struggling through the first few weeks extracted the most it could from the former Texan with 14 targets and 10 receptions for 100+ yards on his first game back.
Kyler Murray will now go up against a Vikings defense that’s allowing a whopping 6.0 yards per play and is second to last in net yards per passing attempt with 7.3. While the former number-one pick isn’t having the best of starts, his 37.6 rushing yards per game still leave him as a very reliable QB1, especially against a defense that’s struggled this much to stop the passing game.
Running Backs
James Conner (Start, RB2), Eno Benjamin (Start, RB2 if Conner is out/Sit if Conner is healthy)
James Conner was a game-time decision against the Saints last Thursday, and barring some new development, should return to the field on Sunday, but his status is a bit more in question than it was before the injury.
Eno Benjamin filled in nicely as the team’s leading back, and has nearly one extra yard per carry with 4.6 than Conner’s 3.7 on the season, while also contributing similarly productive numbers in the passing game.
If Conner returns, he does so at a low-end RB2 status, and even possibly a FLEX role depending on who else is available on your roster. He’s likely to receive every opportunity to continue as the lead back, but especially in his first week back, the Cards could lean a little more on Eno Benjamin in a more even committee.
If Conner doesn’t play, Eno Benjamin continues as a very solid RB2.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
DeAndre Hopkins (Start, WR2), Rondale Moore (Sit), Greg Dortch (Sit), Zach Ertz (Start, TE1)
DeAndre Hopkins missed the first six weeks of the season with a PED suspension, and came back in Week 7 with business as usual, putting up 104 yards on 10 catches, and especially with Marquise Brown out, the offense should really go through him as the Cardinals look to build on some momentum following last week’s win.
Greg Dortch stood out early in the year getting a ton of work in the slot, but moving forward it’s hard to rely on him and Rondale Moore as consistent options, as both combined for three targets in Hopkins’ first game back. They’re both behind whoever is the leading back (Conner or Benjamin), and also Ertz in the passing game hierarchy.
Zach Ertz is averaging a little over 5 receptions a game, and is the clear number two option in this offense, making him a low-end TE1.
Minnesota Vikings
Quarterbacks
Kirk Cousins (Start, QB1)
The Minnesota Vikings beat the Dolphins a couple of weeks ago before their BYE, despite being outgained by over 200 yards (228 to be exact) and doing so on the back of a +3 turnover differential. Outside of that game, and the MNF debacle in Philly, Kirk Cousins has thrown for at least 250 yards in every other game.
The Vikings QB doesn’t have the rushing work to give him the upside of other QBs, but going against a Cardinals defense that’s sixth most in fantasy points allowed to opposing Quarterbacks, he’s a lock as a low-end QB1 for your lineup.
Running Backs
Dalvin Cook (Start, RB1)
Dalvin Cook perfectly embodies the feelings around this Minnesota Vikings team through six weeks. You know the talent from a middle of the first round pick, and overall the results have been there with at least 75 rushing yards in every win, but you feel like you’re owed more as the Vikings’ back has yet to reach over 100 yards on the ground in a single game this year.
Cook is still nursing that shoulder issue, but it’s been something he’s dealt with in previous years and hasn’t really affected the volume of his work, as the Vikings running back is averaging 17 carries in the last four games, and remains a steady RB1 option.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Justin Jefferson (Start, WR1), Adam Thielen (Start, FLEX), K.J. Osborn (Sit), Irv Smith Jr. (Start, TE2)
Expectations were as high as possible for Justin Jefferson in 2022 with Kevin O’Connell taking over the offense, and through six games, the Vikings’ standout receiver has only found the end zone three times, but the disappointment of that has been capped by the 109 receiving yards he’s averaging per game.
There is really not a lot that needs to be said about Justin Jefferson, as the Vikings’ top receiver is one of the biggest shoo-ins for weekly volume in the entire league.
Adam Thielen isn’t generating a lot of excitement at this point in his career, but the career Viking has received at least seven targets in every game since week 1, and there hasn’t really been anyone standing out in this receiver room to challenge his role as the number two option for Cousins. Thielen is a pretty reliable FLEX play, and could even be considered a WR3 through hot stretches of TD on the season.
Irv Smith Jr. was an intriguing name heading into the season, and although the results haven’t really been there through this first third of the season, he’s one of my streaming plays of the week going up against a Cardinals defense that’s only better than the Seahawks in fantasy points allowed to tight ends, and Smith Jr. much like Thielen has been targeted pretty consistently with five per game since Week 1.