Seahawks vs Cardinals fantasy spotlight

The Seattle Seahawks (4-4) host the Arizona Cardinals (6-2) in a key NFC West divisional matchup on Sunday Night Football. Who are the relevant fantasy players this week? With these two teams, there is a lot to consider and keep an eye on.

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Seattle Seahawks

QB Russell Wilson: I feel like I’m going crazy for continuing to suggest to play Russell Wilson, but I will yet again open with that in regards to him. Russell Wilson has had big games against the Arizona Cardinals defense before.

If you have a QB like Eli Manning on your bench, I might consider playing Eli over Russell for this week. Overall however I’m probably still sticking with him due to potential and where I drafted him. If Russell Wilson diagnoses the blitz properly, he could have his best outing of the year.

RB Marshawn Lynch: This man needs no introduction to the Arizona Cardinals. Who could forget Beastquake 2 on Sunday Night Football last year in Arizona with the NFC West on the line?

With the Marshawn celebration too, of course, per the rules of committing a “Beastquake.” Marshawn has had an extra week to rest and it’s a big time division game. You are playing Marshawn Lynch and you’ll feel perfectly fine about it.

TE Jimmy Graham: Jimmy Graham has been getting more and more usage and targets as the season goes on for the Seahawks. The Arizona Cardinals have struggled in recent years especially vs the Seahawks at defending tight ends. Luke Willson had a heck of a game last year in Arizona.

While some of the pieces on Arizona’s defense have changed, you’re still trusting Jimmy Graham. Especially because of how high you drafted him. Under standard rules, Jimmy should be the only tight end you carry all year. You play Jimmy and you feel pretty okay about it and the potential he has vs Arizona.

Arizona Cardinals

QB Carson Palmer: To say Carson Palmer has been playing great this season could be an understatement. If it wasn’t for Eric Berry’s return to football after beating cancer, he would be a top candidate for the Comeback Player of the Year award.

His lowest fantasy points output of the year was 15.98, which is a great floor to have for a QB who was probably drafted in the 8th-10th rounds of most fantasy leagues. While Seattle’s defense is the toughest test of the year for Carson and the Arizona offense, you play him and you feel good about it. The Cardinals rely on him.

RB Chris Johnson: Another potential Comeback Player of the Year comeback right here with Chris Johnson. While he has been boom or bust in fantasy football, there is no denying he has revitalized his career playing with the Arizona Cardinals.

His last three fantasy performances, however, he has 4, 18, and 6 points. Against the Seahawks, I wouldn’t be very comfortable playing Chris Johnson unless you have to. If you can swap him with someone like Lamar Miller I would do that. He could go off against the Seahawks, but he’s been very boom or bust.

WR Larry Fitzgerald: Among those reaping the benefits of a healthy Carson Palmer is Larry Fitzgerald. Larry’s QB situation after Carson went down last year was a disaster, but that is a thing of the past now. Larry started off the season exploding for 8, 29, and 25 fantasy points.

He’s tapered off a little bit since that fast start, but he’s still been a viable flex play. Playing him as a WR2 is a bit risky though. With the possibility of Richard Sherman following Larry all game, I would bench Larry if you can. Richard Sherman has a great track record against Larry Fitzgerald and they don’t let Fitzgerald beat them.

Next: Seahawks: Arizona's defense offers big challenge for Seattle

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