What We Saw: Week 5

Arizona Cardinals vs Cincinnati Bengals

 

Arizona Cardinals

 

Quarterback

 

• Kyler Murray: 20/32, 253 yards | 10 carries, 93 yards, 1 TD

 

Kyler Murray was decent as a passer, but shined running the ball today. His touchdown came on a designed quarterback run when the Cardinals were facing a 4th down inside the red zone, and he was able to outrun the defense to the edge to the end zone. He also picked up 24 yards on a scramble up the middle in the last minute of the game to set up the game-winning field goal. Murray’s passing production was a little limited by a few drops, but overall he was efficient and was helped by the Cardinals offensive line doing a good job today. Murray showed some excellent timing on a couple of throws down the sideline to running back David Johnson, and Murray should be more productive as a passer as the season continues and he develops further chemistry with his receivers. His weekly fantasy production is stable thanks to his rushing ability coupled with the fast pace the Cardinals play at.

 

Running Backs

 

• David Johnson: 17 carries, 91 yards | 5 targets, 3 receptions, 65 yards
• Chase Edmonds: 8 carries, 68 yards, 1 TD | 4 targets, 3 receptions, 18 yards

 

Both Cardinals running backs were impressive today, just like most running backs that have faced the Bengals this season. David Johnson received most of the backfield touches but did most of his receiving work lined up as a wide receiver. It was disappointing that he failed to reach 100 yards or score a touchdown, but Johnson remains a no-doubt start at the running back position for fantasy teams. Chase Edmonds scored on a 37-yard run, taking a pitch from Murray and finding a hole before accelerating upfield and outrunning the Bengals defense. Edmonds is not a threat to Johnson’s role, but he is one of the most valuable fantasy handcuffs and may have standalone value later in the season if he continues to produce with his touches. He has seen his volume of touches increase every game, and after the way he produced today that should continue next week.

 

Receivers/ Tight Ends

 

• Larry Fitzgerald: 8 targets, 6 receptions, 58 yards
• KeeSean Johnson: 7 targets, 3 receptions, 22 yards | 1 carry, 3 yards
• Pharoh Cooper: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 33 yards
• Trent Sherfield: 3 targets, 1 reception, 23 yards
• Charles Clay: 1 target, 1 reception, 27 yards

 

Christian Kirk missed this game with an injury, but none of the other Cardinals receivers were able to take advantage of his vacated targets. Larry Fitzgerald was solid, catching several receiver screens including one where he was tackled just shy of the end zone. His target volume appears to be secure, and the designed plays to get him the ball close to the line of scrimmage give him a strong floor. KeeSean Johnson dropped a great pass from Kyler Murray and struggled to provide value despite his seven targets. The Cardinals played from ahead for most of this game, which depressed the target numbers for their other receivers. That said, Kirk and Fitzgerald appear to be the only ones worth starting in season-long leagues with Johnson being an interesting cheap flier for DFS tournaments based on volume alone.

 

Cincinnati Bengals

 

Quarterback

 

• Andy Dalton: 27/38, 262 yards, 2 TDs | 2 carries, 5 yards

 

Andy Dalton got off to a very slow start but turned it on after halftime, leading the Bengals to a second-half comeback only to see the Cardinals drive right down the field for the game-winning field goal as time expired. Dalton had just 22 yards at halftime and missed a couple of throws including what should have been an easy touchdown to Tyler Eifert. Dalton’s supporting cast did let him down a few times, with his receivers dropping a few passes and his offensive line struggling at times to give him a pocket to thrown in. He remains a viable streaming option in favorable matchups, as this game was, but not someone you want to rely on week-to-week.

 

Running Backs

 

• Joe Mixon: 19 carries, 93 yards | 1 target, 1 reception, 16 yards
• Giovani Bernard: 2 carries, 10 yards | 3 targets, 3 receptions, 16 yards

 

Joe Mixon had a great first drive and looked to be in for a huge day before seeing his running lanes disappear as the game went on. He is still one of the most talented running backs in the league, which he displayed on a few plays that would have gone for negative yards if not for his impressive elusiveness, but the offensive line in front of him failed to create many running lanes for him to take advantage of. Giovani Bernard was a non-factor in this game even though the Bengals were in plenty of obvious passing situations, which cements his status as a handcuff to Mixon and not much more.

 

Receivers/ Tight Ends

 

• Tyler Boyd: 14 targets, 10 receptions, 123 yards, 1 TD
• Auden Tate: 6 targets, 3 receptions, 26 yards, 1 TD
• Damion Willis: 4 targets, 4 receptions, 38 yards
• Tyler Eifert: 4 targets, 2 receptions, 14 yards
• C.J. Uzomah: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 16 yards 

 

One of the narratives coming into this game was that the Cardinals really struggled to defend tight ends, and while Tyler Eifert should have had a touchdown if not for a terrible throw by Andy Dalton the Cincinnati tight ends were mostly held in check. Instead, it was slot receiver Tyler Boyd who dominated, hauling in ten receptions including a 42-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter that tied the game. Auden Tate could have had a much bigger day but dropped what should have been an easy touchdown on the first drive of the game. Dalton looked his way a few times in the red zone, and 6’5 Tate has the size to be a strong red-zone target. With John Ross set to miss at least eight weeks with injury and A.J. Green still out, Tate is worth adding. 

 

• Dan Adams