Arizona Cardinals at Dallas Cowboys

Spread: Cowboys -1

O/U:55

The Cowboys will be playing for the first time in almost five years without Dak Prescott as their starting quarterback. He had started in all 69 games since his rookie season before fracturing his ankle last week. Andy Dalton takes over at quarterback and after replacing Prescott last week, Dalton completed 9 of 11 passes for 111 yards. The Cardinals also lost a key player for the season last week with edge rusher Chandler Jones getting biceps surgery. Kyler Murray has excelled running the football and passed for a career-high 380 yards last week against the Jets. The Cowboys runs the most plays per game in the NFL, while the Cardinals are ninth meaning this game sets up well for fantasy.

MVP/Captain

Ezekiel Elliott, RB DAL – The Cowboys will try to rely on the run more with Dak Prescott out. They have fallen behind often since the defense has struggled, but the offense has started slowly, too. After opening the season with 22 carries in each of the first two games, Elliott has 14, 12 and 19 the last three games. Elliott has 32 targets and can still produce in the passing game.

Kyler Murray, QB ARI – Murray hasn't been sharp as a passer this season, but the floor is very high due to his running. He has rushed for at least 29 yards in every game and had at least 67 yards in three of them and has rushed for five touchdowns. Murray has multiple touchdown passes in two games and at least 270 yards passing in three. He has at least 24 DK points in every game and the Cowboys defense has been one of the worst in the NFL.

DeAndre Hopkins, WR ARI – Hopkins has acclimated extremely well to a new offense. He has been flooded with targets. He has 45 receptions and averaging 105.6 yards per game. He has at least 131 receiving yards in three of five games. He has at least 20 DK points in four of five games and has at least nine targets in four games. The Cowboys have allowed the second most fantasy points to wide receivers.

Mid-Tier

Andy Dalton, QB DAL – The Cowboys offense was on a historic pace with Prescott leading the way and on pace for 6,760 passing yards. The offense will obviously slow down with Dalton, but it won't be bad. Dalton is one of the more capable backups and has a lot of weapons surrounding him. The Cardinals are a bottom 10 pass defense by DVOA and top pass rusher Chandler Jones is out for the season.

Christian Kirk, WR ARI – Kirk is getting more involved in the offense the last two games with two targets. He has eight receptions for 97 yards with a touchdown in those games and had at least 10.9 DK points in each. The Cowboys tend to struggle with slot receivers and Kirk plays the slot at times. The Cowboys have allowed nine touchdowns to wide receivers.

CeeDee Lamb, WR DAL – Lamb has at least seven targets in the last four games. He gets open easily and has two 100-yard games. He has at least 20 DK points in three of five games and has at least five receptions in all five games.

Dart Throws

Dan Arnold, TE ARI – Arnold is risky, but he's also very cheap. Arnold didn't have a catch last week against the Jets in a game the Cardinals played from ahead comfortably. Two weeks ago against the Panthers in which the Cardinals played from behind almost the entire way, Arnold caught all four targets for 39 yards. The game is expected to be fast-paced and should stay close. The Cowboys have allowed the seventh-most fantasy points to tight ends, including three receiving touchdowns.

Michael Gallup, WR DAL – Gallup is way cheaper on DK compared to FD. He has been inconsistent, so many will play the other receivers that get more targets. Gallup is capable of getting a touchdown and making a big play. While it was a small sample last week, Dalton did target Gallup for two big plays late in the game that helped Dallas beat the Giants. Gallup has five targets or fewer in four of five games, but has at least 50 yards in four games.


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