Arizona Cardinals vs. Baltimore Ravens
On paper, this game looked to be one of the most exciting matchups of the weekend slate. Two dynamic quarterbacks both with rushing and passing ability and lots of weapons around them. The Ravens showed that they were the better team in this one but the most important realization that may have come from this game was that we may have a new QB1 this year in Lamar Jackson. Let’s take a look at what we saw:
Arizona Cardinals
Quarterback
- Kyler Murray: 25/40, 349 yards, 0 TDs, 0 INTs | 3 rushes, 4 yards
Kyler Murray started the game off with a brilliant escape from pressure on the first play and ran for 7 yards. After this play, I was hyped to see what the rest of the game brought and to see if it would live up to the hype. Well, the Cardinals offense failed to score their first touchdown until the start of the 4th quarter as the Ravens defense was able to get 9 hits on Murray and sack him 3 times. Murray showed flashes of being an elite quarterback in this league with the ability to scramble and some nice touch passes including a beautiful throw to Christian Kirk on a corner route to beat the defense. Although Murray may have disappointed fantasy owners this week, look for him to bounce back and become a borderline QB1 the rest of the way starting next week versus the Panthers.
Running Backs
- David Johnson: 7 carries, 14 yards, 1 TD | 1 target, 1 catch, 0 yards
- Chase Edmonds: 1 carry, 2 yards | 2 targets, 2 catches, 15 yards
David Johnson left this game briefly due to a wrist injury but managed to come back in the game and salvaged his day with a 1 yard TD run. All in all, it was a tough day at the office for the running game in this one as the Ravens defense made stopping the run their main priority. When David Johnson left the game, Edmonds came in to replace him as the every-down back so if he is still available I would pick him up as a handcuff to DJ and know that he is one injury away from a full-time role in a productive offense. I still believe in this offense as a whole and in DJ being a productive RB1 this year. If he wouldn’t have scored the TD he would have been a big buy low candidate but even so, I would be looking to trade for DJ and not trade him away.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
- Larry Fitzgerald: 11 targets, 5 catches, 104 yards
- Christian Kirk: 8 targets, 6 catches, 114 yards
- Damiere Byrd: 7 targets, 6 catches, 45 yards
- KeeSean Johnson: 2 targets, 1 catches, 31 yards
- Maxx Williams: 1 target, 1 catch, 21 yards
The ageless wonder has fooled us once again. With an average draft position close to the 8th round in a 12 teamer, Larry Fitzgerald once again looks to be as consistent of a WR play in fantasy as they come. With 11 targets in this game, Fitzgerald continues to be a productive WR for fantasy and looks to be a consistent WR2 option in any PPR league. Christian Kirk was able to haul in 6 of his 8 targets and produced a 114-yard effort. He was being taken almost two rounds ahead of Fitzgerald this offseason but he is the clear number 2 target on this offense. I still like his upside as he is the deep threat to the offense and helps open up the middle of the field for Fitzgerald. Damiere Byrd and KeeSean Johnson stood out to me in this game as well. Byrd has had 7 targets in each of his first two games of the season and looks to have great chemistry with Murray. Johnson just has the looks of a big-time WR in this league. I would keep my eye out for both in a deeper league.
Baltimore Ravens
Quarterback
- Lamar Jackson: 24/37, 272 yards, 2 TDs | 16 carries, 120 yards
Ladies and gentlemen, may I please introduce you to the new QB1 for the 2019 season, Lamar Jackson. I will be the first to admit that his first two matchups were probably the easiest two matchups he will have all season but man, he has taken advantage of both of them. With 33 points against the Dolphins and 30 points against the Cardinals, Jackson has exceeded even some of the loftiest expectations some had coming into the year. The only cause for concern we had for Jackson after the Dolphins game was the lack of a running threat. It turns out he just didn’t need that part of his game against them as they ran away with it. In this game, however, Jackson showed his wheels off with 120 yards rushing to go with nearly 300 yards passing and 2 TDs. If Jackson can continue to build on his impressive passing performances lookout league, we may have the new best fantasy QB this year. Look for more of the same from Jackson next week as he travels to Kansas City.
Running Backs
- Mark Ingram: 13 carries, 47 yards | 2 targets, 2 catches, 30 yards
- Gus Edwards: 3 carries, 11 yards
Mark Ingram gave all of us fantasy owners a scare when he left the game briefly after a big hit in this game. Luckily, he was ok and was able to return to the game. Ingram almost got you 10 PPR points this week which is underwhelming but decent enough that he most likely won’t lose you your week. This being said it looks like the Ravens will continue to make Jackson a focal point of their passing and running offense if the game is close. In the blowout in Miami, Ingram scored 2 TDs and had over 100 yards rushing. In a good matchup Ingram can be a locked-in RB2 for you but in a matchup versus the Chiefs next week I would temper your expectations for a productive day in the shootout that should be. Gus Edwards looks to be the handcuff for Ingram should he miss a game but I am still enamored with Justice Hill. I think later in the season Hill will be a flex option so I am holding my shares for now.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
- Marquise Brown: 13 targets, 8 catches, 86 yards
- Mark Andrews: 9 targets, 8 catches, 112 yards, 1 TD
- Miles Boykin: 3 targets, 1 catch, 11 yards
- Hayden Hurst: 1 target, 1 catch, 1 yard, 1 TD
Now, this is where it gets interesting for the Ravens. Marquise Brown looks to be the best receiver on the team and has a nice connection with Jackson. Moving forward I think Brown can be a WR2 or WR3 for you. With 18 targets in his first two games and speed to burn any defensive back that tries to cover him, Brown and Jackson could light up the league this year. The other reliable option on this offense is tight end, Mark Andrews. Andrews and Jackson began to show a rapport towards the end of last season and that is translating into this year. Andrews has 17 targets in two games and has registered over 100 yards both times with a TD in each game. Andrews has leaped into a top ten TE moving forward and he should be locked into your lineup at TE every week. Outside of Brown and Andrews, no one has shown the ability to be a consistent option nor does it look like there is any other pass catcher you want to own on this explosive offense.
- Colin Weatherwax