RADIO
Week 17 of the NFL regular season means that the majority of fantasy football leagues are holding their championship finals. As we fight for fantasy titles, fans get a Saturday slate that features three matchups. Below you can read our matchups analysis article for the Cardinals vs. Rams game to help make any fantasy lineup decisions for both season-long and DFS.
Following a brutal road loss to the Carolina Panthers last week, the Arizona Cardinals have officially been eliminated from NFL Playoff contention. They'll look to play the role of spoiler against their NFC West divisional rivals, as the Rams fight for postseason position.
Read our fantasy football breakdowns for these games -- the recommended starts, sits, and matchups we love heading into the Week 17 matchups. Good luck, RotoBallers!
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Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Rams
Spread: Bengals -6.5
Implied Total: 47.5
Matchups We Love
The Rams continue to feed Kyren Williams out of the backfield. He has seen 81 carries over the past three games to go with 317 yards and three touchdowns. Now, he gets an excellent matchup in Week 17 against the Cardinals. Arizona has given up the sixth-most fantasy points to running backs this season while allowing a 100-yard rusher in four straight games. So, Williams is a strong RB1 play this weekend.
TE Trey McBride
Trey McBride had his worst fantasy game of the season last week. However, expect a bounce-back performance from him in Week 17 against the Rams. McBride has caught at least seven passes in four of the past five games, and this Los Angeles secondary has had a hard time stopping tight ends this season. This defense has allowed the ninth-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends.
Trey McBride’s stats this season:
• 120 targets
• 92 catches
• 958 receiving yards
• 1 rushing TDIf the season ended today, he would have the most catches in a season without a receiving TD in #NFL history. pic.twitter.com/gluRPUBoRI
— NFL Stats (@NFL_Stats) December 26, 2024
Matchups We Hate
None
Other Matchups
QB Kyler Murray
It might be too hard to trust Kyler Murray as your QB1 in the fantasy football championship this week. He has just been too inconsistent this season, finishing outside the top 22 at the position in five of the past 13 weeks. On top of that, this Rams defense has allowed only one top-12 fantasy quarterback finish since Week 10. So, Murray will be a riskier QB1 option in Week 17.
Matthew Stafford has not been a great fantasy quarterback option in recent weeks, scoring under 16 fantasy points in three of the past four games. As a result, Stafford will be more of a middle-of-the-pack QB2 option in Week 17 against the Cardinals. Arizona has also allowed only three top-12 fantasy quarterback finishes since Week 7.
RB James Conner
It remains to be seen if James Conner (knee) will be able to suit up in Week 17. He left last week's game early due to a knee injury. If he can play on Saturday, though, he is a must-start against the Rams. Los Angeles has given up the eighth-most rush yards this season, and Conner has finished as a top-7 fantasy running back in three straight games.
Update: Conner is listed as questionable for Saturday's game.
#Cardinals RB James Conner (questionable, knee) is 'trending in the right direction' for Saturday vs. #Rams, per source.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) December 27, 2024
Marvin Harrison Jr. has been one of the biggest fantasy busts this season. He has scored under 10 PPR fantasy points in four of the past five games and currently ranks as the WR36 of the year. Therefore, he will be a risky flex play in Week 17 against the Rams. Harrison just can't be trusted in fantasy right now, even against a Los Angeles secondary that has allowed over 11 PPR fantasy points to seven different wideouts since Week 12.
WR Cooper Kupp
After being Matthew Stafford's favorite target in the passing game for years, that has certainly changed for Cooper Kupp in recent weeks. He has seen just six targets over the past two games while catching only three passes for 24 yards. So, Kupp is no longer a must-start. However, the veteran will still come in as a high-end WR3 against a Cardinals secondary that has allowed over 13.5 PPR fantasy points to slot wideouts since Week 11.
WR Puka Nacua
Puka Nacua will continue to be a strong WR1 option in Week 17 against the Cardinals. Nacua has seen at least nine targets in all eight of his full games this season, and he has emerged as Matthew Stafford's go-to target in the passing game. So, fantasy managers should keep him in their lineups this weekend.
Puka Nacua is just 139 yards shy of 1,000 receiving yards this season (he has only played in 10 games).
He would be the 1st Rams WR in history to have 1,000+ receiving yards in both of his first 2 years with the team 👀 pic.twitter.com/bQeyL8snyq
— Rams Bros. (@RamsBrothers) December 24, 2024
Notable Fantasy-Relevant Injuries
- James Conner (knee) - Questionable
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