Arizona Cardinals - Fantasy News

Cowboys vs. Cardinals Start 'Em / Sit 'Em

by Aaron Bowers

9/19/17

NFL

Arizona Cardinals

Kerwynn Williams

Monday Night Football in Week 3 will be a battle of 1-1 teams when the Dallas Cowboys travel to the desert to take on the Arizona Cardinals.

The Cowboys looked impressive in Week 1, stifling the Giants offense without Odell Beckham Jr. on their way to a 19-3 victory. Things weren’t so easy in Denver in Week 2, though. Dallas wasn’t able to get anything going offensively, and its defense gave out in a 42-17 drubbing.

The Cardinals began their season in Detroit where they were crushed by the Lions, 35-23, in a game that saw Carson Palmer throw four interceptions. They bounced back in Week 2 with an overtime victory against the hapless Colts in Indianapolis.

Dallas Cowboys Week 3 Projected Fantasy Points
Dak Prescott: 16.0 DFP
Ezekiel Elliott: 14.0 DFP
Dez Bryant: 10.5 DFP
Dan Bailey: 10.0 DFP
Jason Witten: 8.0 DFP
Terrance Williams: 7.5 DFP
Cole Beasley: 6.5 DFP

Arizona Cardinals Week 3 Projected Fantasy Points
Carson Palmer: 17.5 DFP
J.J. Nelson: 13.5 DFP
Larry Fitzgerald: 10.5 DFP
Jaron Brown: 7.0 DFP
Kerwynn Williams: 7.0 DFP
Phil Dawson: 7.0 DFP
Andre Ellington: 6.0 DFP

Start 'Em: Dak Prescott (16.0 PFP)

After consecutive games with under 300 yards passing and a 3-to-2 touchdown-to-interception ratio, things can only go up from here for the Cowboys star quarterback. There are few pass defenses in the league as good as the Broncos and Giants, yet Prescott was able to average 15.9 DFP in those two games. The Cardinals defense looks like a tough matchup on paper, but they have struggled to start the season. The running game will get back on track and Prescott should find exploitable matchups to get over his PFP this week.

Sit 'Em: Dez Bryant (10.5 PFP)

There aren’t many players in the NFL averaging twelve targets per game through the first two weeks of the season. However, Bryant has struggled to turn those targets into production with only nine receptions for 102 yards and a touchdown. As the unquestioned No. 1 receiver, Bryant will draw the coverage of Patrick Peterson and will probably be double-covered whenever possible. Bryant is a bully at 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds. He uses his size to box out smaller players and go up to get jump balls. Peterson (6-foot-1 and 220 pounds) is one of the few players in the league who can match him up one on one. Bryant will break free for a few receptions, but he won’t get the touchdown he needs to get over 10.5 PFP.

Start 'Em: Larry Fitzgerald (10.5 PFP)

Fantasy players who have targeted Fitzgerald through the first two weeks of the season have been sorely disappointed. Through two games, Fitz has nine receptions for 95 yards and no touchdowns. Though 34 years old, the lack of production can’t really be blamed on Fitzgerald. As evidenced by his 19 targets in two games, he has been open. Unfortunately, Carson Palmer has been a disaster, and the offense has stalled without David Johnson. In Week 3 the Cardinals will play their first home game of the season. Look for Bruce Arians to get Palmer back on track in Phoenix on Monday night. Fitzgerald is a prime candidate to roast the vulnerable Dallas secondary in a game in which the Cards could surely be trailing throughout.

Sit 'Em: Kerwynn Williams (7.0 PFP)

A popular pick among fantasy players after Johnson’s injury, Williams was a massive disappointment in Week 2. He had 22 yards and wasn’t targeted in the passing game against a mediocre Colts defense. Chris Johnson came off the street to lead the team in rushing, taking 11 carries compared to nine for Williams. Andre Ellington also mixed in with two rushes and five targets in the passing game. Williams will be a minor part of an uninteresting backfield situation, and given the probability of a negative game script, none of the Arizona running backs are likely to score many fantasy points. We feel good about fading him in this matchup.