Arizona Cardinals vs Minnesota Vikings
Arizona Cardinals
Quarterbacks
- Kyler Murray: 14/21, 137 yards | 4 carries, 9 yards
- Brett Hundley: 15/25, 165 yards | 2 carries, 5 yards
Kyler Murray had a much better game this time around, playing for most of the first half. But these stats are a little deceiving, as he gained many of his yards on a few chunk plays and was generally erratic on his throws. He is, of course, blazing fast, and he showed off his wheels more than a few times as the Cardinals’ porous offensive line did not give him much time in the pocket. Supposedly Kliff Kingsbury is keeping his true offense a secret, but you can’t keep Murray’s inaccuracy a secret, nor the Cards’ offensive line woes. Time will tell if Kingsbury’s scheme can manufacture fantasy production.
Brett Hundley was the only other quarterback who saw playing time, and he was a little more efficient against the second-team defense. It’s clear that were anything happen to Murray, Hundley would take over. He’s worth a look in deeper leagues, as he could have success in Kingsbury’s scheme if Murray went down.
Running Backs
- David Johnson: 9 carries, 34 yards | 2 receptions, 7 yards
- Chase Edmonds: 3 carries, 13 yards | 2 receptions, 24 yards
- TJ Logan: 2 carries, 9 yards | 2 receptions, 17 yards
David Johnson saw most of the work for the first team offense, although he didn’t do too much with his touches. It’s clear that he is going to receive a ton of volume in this offense, but he doesn’t appear to be the same player he was in 2016. He looked closer to his 2018 self, and while volume is king in fantasy, people picking him inside the top 5 may be disappointed again. I would be fine with him towards the end of the first round where he was going before the Cardinals drafted Murray, but you can’t get him there anymore. What was also a little concerning is that the Cardinals took out Johnson inside the 10-yard line to put in Chase Edmonds, who also saw some time with the first team. Johnson won’t take all the touches, and Edmond is one of the top handcuffs in drafts. He looked significantly more explosive and quick than Johnson and may earn more playing time as the season wears on.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
- Larry Fitzgerald: 1 reception, 5 yards
- Christian Kirk: 2 receptions, 5 yards
- KeeSean Johnson: 7 receptions, 85 yards
- Damiere Byrd: 2 receptions, 51 yards
- Ricky Seals-Jones: 3 receptions, 22 yards
Because of Murray’s struggles, the Cardinals first-team wideouts were not able to accomplish much. Larry Fitzgerald and Christian Kirk are the clear starters, and it appears that KeeSean Johnson and Damiere Byrd are in competition for 3-WR sets. This is not good news for Andy Isabella, as it appears he will have an uphill battle to see playing time. Murray and Byrd seemed to have a good rapport, connecting on a long pass. Byrd also returned punts. Johnson lit up the field with both Murray and Hundley, matching all the hype reports that have come out from camp. Ricky Seals-Jones had a solid game, although it’s worth noting that veteran Charles Clay played most of the snaps with the first team. Draft this group of pass-catchers at your own risk; Kirk’s ADP has skyrocketed recently, and Johnson can be had in the later rounds. If anyone, I would grab him at a value.
Minnesota Vikings
Quarterbacks
- Kirk Cousins: 3/13, 35 yards
- Sean Mannion: 6/9, 57 yards
- Kyle Sloter: 6/7, 102 yards
Kirk Cousins was dreadful in this game. He could not get anything going with the first team offense. He was hurried on many of his plays and inaccurate on others. If the Vikings’ running game is as good as it was today, Cousins will definitely see a decrease in pass volume. It’s clear that Adam Thielen is Cousins’ favorite target and his absence makes the passing offense struggle tremendously, similar to when Cooper Kupp was out of the Rams’ lineup for the second half of last season.
Kyle Sloter looked good as the third quarterback to come into the game. He clearly outplayed 2nd-stringer Sean Mannion and was able to sustain his drive with ease. He looked comfortable with the Vikings’ offense. Hopefully with Thielen in the lineup, Cousins can return value in the later rounds.
Running Backs
- Dalvin Cook: 2 carries, 88 yards, 1 TD
- Alexander Mattison: 6 carries, 18 yards
- Mike Boone: 10 carries, 41 yards, 1 TD | 1 reception, 6 yards
The Vikings’ running game was the star of the show in this game as entrenched #1 Dalvin Cook and his backups were able to find holes, make plays, and look explosive doing it. Yet again, Mike Boone outplayed Alexander Mattison, and yet again, Mattison is the clear backup behind Cook. It’s worth noting that Boone’s success has come against mostly third stringers, although he is also playing with the Vikings’ backup offensive line. For the Vikings, it doesn’t make much of a difference which line you run with. The Vikings have come out and repeatedly said that they want to run the football a lot, and it definitely came to fruition this game. Mattison and Boone are worth a look in deeper leagues, especially if you want to reach for Cook. The problem for Cook has never been his talent, but rather his ability to stay on the field. If Latavius Murray has proven anything, it’s that the backup RB in Minnesota is worth it.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
- Stefon Diggs: 2 receptions, 24 yards
- Bisi Johnson: 3 receptions, 52 yards
- Chad Beebe & Laquon Treadwell: 0 receptions, 0 yards
- Tyler Conklin: 1 reception, 20 yards
The Vikings pass-catchers weren’t able to get much going in this game, ceding that to the running game. Stefon Diggs had a few nice catches, but Cousins was unable to connect with him on several more balls. Adam Thielen’s absence loomed large over the first team, and it’s clear that he is the engine that makes this passing offense run. Bisi Johnson had some good work with the backups, but he is at best the 5th option behind Diggs, Thielen, Laquon Treadwell, and Chad Beebe, although the latter two did next to nothing in this game. Tight ends Kyle Rudolph and Irv Smith, Jr. were out there in two-TE sets but did next to nothing either, leaving Tyler Conklin to accumulate some stats with the backups. Beyond Thielen and Diggs, I want nothing to do with this receiving core, although I would take Rudolph as a backup TE in the last round or Smith as a dynasty stash.
— Ryan Comeau