Saints vs. Cardinals Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Kyler Murray, Alvin Kamara, James Conner, Chris Olave, Zach Ertz, DeAndre Hopkins

Last week was wild. The NFL kept us on our toes with plenty of large upsets that resulted in some surprising fantasy stars. It’s always a weird week when Deon Jackson and Mike Gesicki are leading their positions. Thankfully, we also saw the return of the Bengals' offense with both Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase atop their positions.

This week, Amazon and the NFL have graced us with two NFC teams each at 2-4 on the season. The New Orleans Saints are heading to the desert to take on a demoralized Cardinals team.

There are fantasy names aplenty in this matchup, including welcoming back star WR DeAndre Hopkins. Amazon and the NFL desperately need this game to have some offense. Thankfully, we have two QBs who can make that happen. My name is Ellis Johnson, and this is your Thursday Night Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em article.

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New Orleans Saints @ Arizona Cardinals - 8:20 pm ET

Notable Injuries:

• Marquise Brown (WR, ARI) - Ankle - Out
• James Conner (RB, ARI) - Ribs - Out
• Darrel Williams (RB, ARI) - Knee - Out
• Eno Benjamin (RB, ARI) - Footb - Questionable
• Michael Thomas (WR, NOS) - Foot - Out
• Jarvis Landry (WR, NOS) - Ankle - Out
• Jameis Winston (QB, NOS) - Back - Doubtful

Must-Starts for Fantasy Football Lineups

Alvin Kamara (RB, NOS)

In the two games where Kamara has been fully healthy, he has been amazing. However, some people haven’t realized how great he has been since he has yet to find the endzone in a match. Over the last two weeks, Kamara has had 42 rushing attempts for  202 rushing yards (4.8 ypc), as well as 15 targets for 12 receptions and 116 yards. 

More importantly, this production didn’t all come from an easy matchup with the Seahawks (although Arizona thinks they are shut down), he also did it against a very stout Bengals defense. Ultimately, Kamara is back to being a matchup-proof play and once he finds the endzone, he’s a top-five player at the position.

This week, he faces a Cardinals team that is allowing the seventh most rushing yards per game. I usually like to make deeper calls for the Pie Shop, and last week I called Brian Robinson to find the endzone. However, I really think Kamara opens it up for the first time this year.

*Pie Shop: An Australian term (often used in Rugby League) to describe who will score a Try (or in this case touchdown) this week. (Season Calls: 3-2)

DeAndre Hopkins (WR, ARI)

He’s back. If you were the manager that drafted him and held on this whole time, congratulations. It’s time to see if all of that waiting has paid off or not. All week, Nuk has been posting videos on his socials about how he is ready to come back and perform.

Thankfully, for fantasy purposes, his biggest target threat Marquise Brown won’t be there. Instead, the veteran WR will be the top option, competing with old man Zach Ertz, slot machine Rondale Moore, and newly acquired Robby Anderson. He should see elite volume in this matchup, with the only concern being Marshon Lattimore’s health. Play him as a low-end WR1 in this matchup.

Zach Ertz (TE, ARI)

Despite just calling him old, Ertz has been the TE4 in fantasy this season. A lot of this has been from the absence of Hopkins; however, now Hopkins is back but Brown is out. As a result, the volume will be there for the veteran. Especially on a week where tight ends like Dallas Goedert, Tyler Higbee, and Irv Smith Jr. are on bye, he is a top option (outside of Travis Kelce and Mark Andrews) this week.

Kyler Murray (QB, ARI)

I'm not going to lie, I didn’t want to make Murray a must-start. However, coming in at QB6 on the season is a solid matchup and means he has to be here. The reason I didn’t want to is that this Arizona offense has been brutal to watch. Honestly, if it wasn’t for the Broncos, Murray’s contract and performance would be a hot topic.

Thankfully, we have a history of Murray performing better with Hopkins in the lineup. Plus, the Saints are allowing the 13th- most fantasy points to the position. Start Murray as a mid-tier QB1 this week.

Solid Starts for Fantasy Football Lineups

Eno Benjamin (RB, ARI)

Assuming both Darrel Williams and James Conner are out, Benjamin is a solid start. If Conner is active, then he becomes the solid start option. Last week was a mess for this Cardinals team. What was looking like an unbelievable wire pick up and play in this matchup, Benjamin surprisingly got shut down against Seattle. 

This week, neither James Conner nor Darrel Williams should return. As a result, Benjamin is a volume play on a good offense. However, the Saints are allowing the eighth-fewest fantasy points to the position. For me, he is an RB3 option this week.

Flex Considerations for Fantasy Football Lineups

Jameis Winston or Andy Dalton (QB, NOS)

At the time I’m writing this, it is unclear if Winston will return this week or if we will see Dalton again. Thankfully, both QBs have very similar outlooks in this matchup. The Cardinals are allowing the 11th-most fantasy points to the position and just got torched by Joe Burrow. 

The worrisome part is that this team will only have Chris Olave back healthy this week, making them rely on their underrated depth receivers, Tre’Quan Smith and Marquez Callaway. Regardless of who starts, they are a fringe QB2 in any Superflex league desperate at the position.

Rondale Moore (WR, ARI)

18 targets, 13 receptions, and 109 yards is what Moore has done since returning from injury two weeks ago. Moore is clearly involved in this offense and has the ability to turn any play into a house call. With Brown out and Hopkins acclimatizing to the offense, Moore could see a good amount of targets for the third week in a row. In fact, because my first call was pretty obvious, I’m calling for Moore to open the Pie shop for the second time in his career.

*Pie Shop: An Australian term (often used in Rugby League) to describe who will score a Try (or in this case touchdown) this week. (Season Calls: 3-2)

Taysom Hill (TE?, NOS)

Hill is wild for fantasy. If Winston is out, I have more faith in his usage; however, either way, he is a true boom-or-bust play at TE. If you play him, shoot for the moon, but don’t be upset if he comes up very short.

Consider Sitting for Fantasy Football Lineups

Chris Olave (WR, NOS)

Yes, I have Olave down here. I know he has looked like an excellent young receiver, and I think he could be in talks with Drake London for the best WR in this class. However, my ranking of him is truly a mark of admiration for Byron Murphy. 

Murphy has been lights out against the opposing team’s top passing options. I’m talking he held A.J. Brown and D.K. Metcalf to a combined five receptions for 66 yards over the last two weeks. Arguably more impressive was that both lines were fairly similar, with two or three catches and 30 yards a piece. I like Olave, but he isn’t those two WRs (yet), and I would only play him with caution this week.

Tre’Quan Smith and Marquez Callaway (WR, NOS)

I have a feeling one of these two will have a solid game this week; however, I have no idea which it will be. Either way, the floor is way too low for both of these receivers to have them sniff your starting lineup for fantasy. 

Honorable Sit Mentions: A.J. Green and Adam Trautman

Ellis’ Picks

NOS +1.5 (3-3), Under 44.5 (2-4)

Career Thursday Night record: Spread (25-17), Over/Under (23-19)

Last week, I got a little too excited hoping for a better Thursday Night matchup. Instead, I missed on both of my picks (although the Bears deserved that win). This week, I’m looking to rebound in what I am hoping, praying, and begging to be a better game.

The Cardinals are 1.5-point home favorites in this matchup, with a 44.5 over/under. Honestly, this is a really tough one to pick. The Cardinals should be better than they have been, but they have been held back by coaching. The Saints are a better-coached team; however, they don’t really have offensive weapons outside of Kamara, Olave, and Hill. Nonetheless, one thing I’ve learned from this season is that bad teams are just bad, and I think the Cardinals have finally entered that territory.

Catch me here next week to break down Week 8’s matchup between Lamar Jackson and the Ravens as they travel to Tampa Bay to face Tom Brady and company. 

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