RADIO
Steamrolling into Thursday night on a six game winning streak, the Arizona Cardinals look to make it seven against a tough Minnesota Vikings team. The Cardinals certainly have more viable fantasy options than the Vikings, so let's break it down.
Carson Palmer's touchdown to interception ratio is incredible, 29 to 9. The veteran has thrown at least one touchdown in all but one game this season and has posted four touchdowns in a game three separate times. Minnesota’s pass defense is great, allowing 227 yards per game, and is a big reason why they are 8-4. They have relinquished 17 touchdowns through the air, though.
Palmer will be a QB1 the rest of the way, no matter what team he is facing. Palmer can still put up solid numbers this week but might not break out as he has in previous weeks.
Minnesota’s run defense is solid as well, giving up the seventh fewest fantasy points to running backs this season, according to Yahoo! sports. Andre Ellington will miss his second straight week with a toe injury while Chris Johnson is out for the rest of the season, unless the Cardinals make it to the Super Bowl. A door opens for fantasy owners of David Johnson, again.
Coach Bruce Arians is hoping to get David Johnson around 25 touches against the Vikings, according to ESPN.com. It’s his job to lose now, with Stepfan Taylor and Kerwynn Williams backing him up, who have had only 600 yards and two touchdowns combined in two to three year careers. As the starter last week, Johnson rushed the ball 22 times for 99 yards, and also caught two passes for 21 yards and a touchdown. He’s an RB1 and should be a cheap option for daily fantasy.
Larry Fitzgerald is questionable with an ankle injury, but it appears that the Cardinals are simply monitoring his reps on a short week. Fitzgerald hasn’t scored a touchdown in the past four weeks, and has only two in the past eight. He’s still their number one receiver, but could find trouble against the Vikings who give up the 13th fewest fantasy points to wide receivers. Fitz is a WR1. Like Palmer, he is always a steady option but won't likely break out this week.
John Brown and Michael Floyd are both a WR3, with a lot of upside. Arizona is averaging 1.8 receiving touchdowns inside the red zone, third highest in the league. However, they can both be considered boom-or-bust, simply because they'll be splitting targets with Fitzgerald. They should still both be started in PPR leagues, especially those of 12+ teams. Brown has been more consistent while Floyd has produced solid numbers in five out of his last six games.
