What We Saw: Week 7

The QB List staff catches you up on everything you missed during Week 7 of the 2020 NFL season.

Ben Brown
What We Saw 4 Years Ago
Series Navigation
Introduction
Giants @ Eagles
Packers @ Texans
Lions @ Falcons
Browns @ Bengals
Bills @ Jets
Cowboys @ Washington
Steelers @ Titans
Panthers @ Saints
49ers @ Patriots
Buccaneers @ Raiders
Jaguars @ Chargers
Chiefs @ Broncos
Seahawks @ Cardinals
Bears @ Rams

Seahawks @ Cardinals

 

Another Sunday night, another crucial NFC West matchup but this time with two of the most exciting and dynamic quarterbacks in the NFL! After the snoozefest between the Rams and the 49ers last week, football fans were treated to a spectacular Sunday Night Football contest as the Seahawks visited the Cardinals in what turned out to be an instant classic. With 44 points in the first half and another 24 points in the second, the score was tied 34-34 going into overtime. 

The Cardinals forced the Seahawks to punt on their opening possession before Kyler Murray led them into field goal range. In a bizarre decision, Kliff Kingsbury decided to attempt a field goal on 2nd down, which Zane Gonzalez duly shanked wide left. The drama wasn’t finished, however. Russell Wilson then threw to D.K. Metcalf who ran 48 yards up the sideline for what was thought to be the winning touchdown only for a flag for offensive holding. On the very next play, Wilson threw a pass in the direction of Tyler Lockett, who had a sensational night, but it was intercepted by this year’s first-round draft pick Isaiah Simmons and returned into Seahawks territory. Gonzalez redeemed himself by nailing the 48-yard field goal to give the Cardinals an improbable win.

This was the first game in NFL history in which each quarterback had at least 300 passing yards and 50 rushing yards. Phenomenal performances from Russell Wilson and Kyler Murray.

 

Seattle Seahawks

 

Quarterback

 

Russell Wilson: 33/50, 388 yards, 3 TDs, 3 INTs, 2 Sacks | 6 carries, 84 yards

 

Russell Wilson (38.92 fantasy points), the favorite for the MVP award had an uncharacteristic night – flashing his brilliance at times to put the Seahawks ahead but 3 sloppy interceptions allowed the Cardinals back into the game, the final interception in overtime handing them the victory. He started the game by going 75 yards in 3 minutes, bookended by grabs to Tyler Lockett, who had himself a night of nights!

 

 

He threw two more touchdown passes to Lockett, but he was picked off in overtime as he seemed to rush the process of the pass, which arrived as Lockett was still running his route downfield.

 

 

It was a wild, back-and-forth ride all night. Wilson still put up great fantasy numbers and truth be told this defeat will only spur him on to improve and succeed. Another key NFC West matchup against the 49ers awaits next weekend.

  

Running Backs

 

Carlos Hyde: 15 carries, 68 yards, 1 TD | 4 targets, 3 receptions, 8 yards

Chris Carson: 5 carries, 34 yards | 2 targets, 1 reception, 7 yard

Travis Homer: 3 carries, 10 yards

DeeJay Dallas: 3 targets, 2 receptions, 18 yards

 

The question suddenly flooded Twitter, “Where is Chris Carson?” – the Seahawks lead back did not return to the field after sustaining a foot injury midway through the second quarter. The main beneficiary was former 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (16.60 fantasy points), who wasted no time in making his presence felt with a nice run down the sideline after a shovel pass from Wilson. But yes, it wasn’t Chris Carson!

 

 

The sad truth is that Carson has been an injury headache throughout his time in Seattle. If he was to miss time, it looks like Hyde would be an immediate waiver wire add. He is just 10% rostered in Yahoo! leagues. Prioritize him over youngsters Travis Homer and undrafted rookie DeeJay Dallas.

 

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

 

Tyler Lockett: 20 targets, 15 receptions, 200 yards, 3 TDs

David Moore: 3 targets, 3 receptions, 54 yards | 1 carry, 4 yards

Will Dissly: 4 targets, 2 receptions, 38 yards

D.K. Metcalf: 5 targets, 2 receptions, 23 yards

Jacob Hollister: 3 targets, 3 receptions, 22 yards

Greg Olsen: 3 targets, 2 receptions, 18 yards

Freddie Swain: 1 target

 

With the first play of the game, Tyler Lockett (53.00 fantasy points) stated his intent for the night. This miraculous one-handed grab was only a taste of what was to come.

 

 

Lockett ran riot against a porous Cardinals secondary, showing speed and evasiveness in all areas of the field. Often overlooked as an elite, top 10 receiver, Lockett now has 45 catches for 542 yards and 7 touchdowns in just 6 games. His 3rd touchdown grab of the night was something really special.

 

 

Both Lockett and D.K. Metcalf (4.30 fantasy points) can be considered WR1 for fantasy purposes this season with Wilson playing at this level. However, it was a disappointing night for Metcalf, who didn’t make the impact on the stats sheet as Lockett did, however, he did have a profound effect on this game by putting in a Herculean effort to run down Budda Baker after an INT and prevent a clear Cardinals touchdown.

 

 

Every other receiver in this offense is simply a bit-part player and should not be considered when looking at starters each week. A note on the tight end situation with the return of Will Dissly (5.80 fantasy points) from injury. Through 6 games, Dissly, Greg Olsen (3.80 fantasy points), and Jacob Hollister (5.20 fantasy points) have shared 40 targets somewhat sparingly. This is a situation to avoid for fantasy purposes.

 

Arizona Cardinals

 

Quarterback

 

Kyler Murray: 34/48, 360 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT, 1 fumble | 14 carries, 67 yards, 1 TD

 

It was one of those games that neither quarterback deserved to lose. You could argue that Kyler Murray (40.50 fantasy points) was better than Wilson on the night, and seeing his team fight back to claim the victory was cathartic.

The beauty of Murray is that he is a dual-threat quarterback with triple-play qualities – that is he has the tools to extend plays with his legs, sway defenders with his movement, and execute top-level passing acumen.

 

 

And when he adds a trip to the endzone to his night, fantasy owners are going to be happy. He was the complete package in this one, as he showed on his jinking run for a score.

 

 

He also loves it when his No.1 receiver DeAndre Hopkins has a one-on-one downfield.

 

 

Murray masterfully executed the Cardinals’ final drive of regulation, setting up a game-tying field goal by Zane Gonzalez, before taking his team down the field once again in overtime to win the game. That experience is invaluable, and it shows a clear progression from his rookie season.

 

Running Backs

 

Chase Edmonds: 5 carries, 58 yards | 7 targets, 7 receptions, 87 yards

Kenyan Drake: 14 carries, 34 yards | 2 targets, 1 reception, 7 yards

 

Murray led the Cardinals in rushing tonight as once again Kenyan Drake (5.10 fantasy points) failed to make any inroads with his workload throughout the contest. Things got decidedly worse for Drake and his owners when he had to be helped off the field before eventually being carted to the locker room after a 4th down carry. It looks to be a serious injury. 

Bad news for Drake is great news for Chase Edmonds (21.50 fantasy points) owners. The Cardinals offense immediately picked up once Edmonds came in the game to replace Drake. Murray used his illusiveness out of the backfield to connect with him on short throws to the tune of 7 receptions for 87 yards.

 

 

Edmonds is a must-add going into waivers this week despite the Cardinals going into the bye week – he is currently 62% rostered in Yahoo! leagues.

 

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

 

De’Andre Hopkins: 12 targets, 10 receptions, 103 yards, 1 TD, 1 fumble

Larry Fitzgerald: 8 targets, 8 receptions, 62 yards

Dan Arnold: 3 targets, 2 receptions, 57 yards

Christian Kirk: 8 targets, 5 receptions, 37 yards, 2 TDs

Andy Isabella: 3 targets, 1 reception, 7 yards

Darrell Daniels: 1 target

 

An early deep shot from Murray to star receiver De’Andre Hopkins (24.30 fantasy points) set the tone for an exciting shootout through the air between these two teams. Wilson had already connected with Lockett to put the Seahawks ahead but Murray showed the confidence and skill needed to show he was up to the task of going head-to-head with the league’s best. Hopkins is the focal point of this offense, and Kyler intends to feed him at every opportunity. He had been nursing an ankle injury, so the bye will do him and this team the world of good.

 

 

After a monster 2 TD week against the Cowboys last week, Christian Kirk (20.70 fantasy points) built upon his flourishing relationship with Murray by hauling in a beautiful throw at the back of the endzone just before the half.

 

 

Kirk then dragged the Cardinals back to within 3 points late in the 4th quarter. Kirk now has 5 TDs over the past 4 games and continues to be Murray’s preference in the red zone.

 

 

Big shout out to Larry Fitzgerald (14.20 fantasy points) on reaching 1400 career receptions. The future Hall of Fame wideout was a perfect 8-for-8 tonight for 62 yards and continues to bring joy to the game for all.

 

 

— Benjamin Haller (@benjaminhaller1 on Twitter)

Series Navigation
Introduction
Giants @ Eagles
Packers @ Texans
Lions @ Falcons
Browns @ Bengals
Bills @ Jets
Cowboys @ Washington
Steelers @ Titans
Panthers @ Saints
49ers @ Patriots
Buccaneers @ Raiders
Jaguars @ Chargers
Chiefs @ Broncos
Seahawks @ Cardinals
Bears @ Rams

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