Monday Night Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Cardinals vs Rams

Fantasy football start em, sit em and lineups advice for the Cardinals vs Rams Monday game in Week 14 (2021). Dan Fornek analyzes the MNF matchups with a detailed breakdown.

Week 13’s AFC East matchup between the Patriots and Bills was derailed by bad weather and extremely windy conditions. If you’re a fan of run-heavy offenses and defensive showcases, then it was right up your alley. However, fans of points and fantasy scoring were likely disappointed. New England won the matchup 14-10 thanks to a game plan that featured just three passes from Mac Jones and 46 rushing attempts for 222 yards and a touchdown from the combination of Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson. Josh Allen produced just 145 passing yards and a touchdown against New England in a game that will soon be forgotten. Week 14’s Monday night matchup won’t be impacted by weather and will feature two of the better offenses in the NFL.

The Rams come into this game off a crucial win against Jacksonville after a three-game losing streak. Matthew Stafford has had ups and downs this season but has played well in his first season for Los Angeles. Stafford is completing 66.7% of his passes for 3,611 yards and 30 touchdowns with just nine interceptions. The Rams offense features a two-headed backfield between Darrell Henderson (142 carries for 648 yards and five rushing touchdowns) and Sony Michel (103 carries for 426 yards and two rushing touchdowns) this season. The Rams passing attack is spearheaded by Cooper Kupp (100 receptions on 136 targets for 1,366 yards and 11 touchdowns) with secondary roles from Van Jefferson (39 receptions, 70 targets, 621 yards, and five touchdowns), Tyler Higbee (44 receptions, 62 targets, 395 yards, and three touchdowns), and midseason acquisition Odell Beckham Jr. (nine receptions on 18 targets for 127 yards and two touchdowns).

Meanwhile, the Cardinals come into an NFC leading 10-2 record despite playing three games without Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins. Arizona went 2-1 during that stretch before getting both players back in last week’s win against Chicago. On the season, Kyler Murray is completing 72% of his passes for 2,399 yards and 19 touchdowns with just seven interceptions in nine games. He’s also added 59 carries for 206 yards and five touchdowns. Arizona’s backfield is led by James Conner who is having a resurgent year during his first season in Arizona. Conner has 166 carries for 630 yards and 12 touchdowns while adding 20 receptions on 22 targets for 209 yards and two scores. Arizona utilizes a balanced passing attack, with four players getting at least 50 targets this season. The passing attack includes Christian Kirk (64 targets, 50 receptions, 632 yards, and four touchdowns), Rondale Moore (57 targets, 48 receptions, 421 yards, one touchdown), A.J. Green (56 targets, 35 receptions, 552 yards, three touchdowns), and DeAndre Hopkins (51 targets, 37 receptions, 518 yards, eight touchdowns).

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Los Angeles Rams at Arizona Cardinals

• Game time: Monday, December 13 at 8:15 p.m.
• Game line: Arizona -2.5
• Game total: 51.5

Must Start for Fantasy Football Lineups

Kyler Murray (QB, AZ)

Kyler Murray made his return to Arizona’s lineup against the Bears in Week 13 and had himself a day. Murray attempted only 15 passes but completed 11 of them for 123 yards and two touchdowns. He also showed that his ankle wasn’t a hindrance anymore by carrying the ball 10 times for 59 yards and two additional touchdowns. When healthy, Murray is one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the NFL and should be started without reservation in all fantasy formats. The Rams’ defense is stellar and has allowed just 16.4 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks this season, but Murray has game-breaking ability that can’t be benched.

Matthew Stafford (QB, LAR)

The Cardinals have been one of the best defenses against quarterbacks this season, allowing just 14.1 fantasy points per game thanks to a 16 to 12 TD/INT ratio. However, Matthew Stafford is another quarterback that transcends matchups. Stafford has gotten hot again after two underwhelming weeks before the bye (537 yards and two touchdowns and four interceptions). In Weeks 12 and 13, Stafford completed 61% of his passes for 597 yards and six touchdowns, and just one interception. Given his play with the Rams this season, Stafford remains a must-start regardless of matchups.

James Conner (RB, AZ)

Chase Edmonds is on the cusp of returning, but James Conner has earned a steady role in the Cardinals’ offense. Since Week 8, Conner is averaging 18 carries, 4.3 targets, and 101.8 all-purpose yards per game. He also has six total touchdowns during that stretch. For most of the season, Conner was a touchdown-dependent running back option, but the injury has allowed him to take on a more dependable role. Conner will likely see his receiving work suffer if Edmonds can return this week, but odds are he will get the bulk of the carries as the Cardinals try to get ready for a lengthy playoff run. The Rams are allowing just 16.6 fantasy points per game this season. Conner is still a solid RB2 option, even if his counterpart can get off the IR this week.

Sony Michel (RB, LAR)

Darrell Henderson was nursing a quad injury in Week 13, which led to Sony Michel having a fantastic game as the lead option in the backfield. Michel carried the ball 24 times for 121 yards and a touchdown while adding three receptions for eight yards. Michel took advantage of a strong matchup and likely earned a more significant touch share in the backfield. Michel will get a tough matchup against a Cardinals’ defense allowing 16.6 points per game this season, but if he earns a greater share of the backfield then he is a great start in what should be a volume role.

UPDATE: Darrell Henderson has been placed on the COVID-19 list and ruled out for Week 14.

DeAndre Hopkins (WR, AZ)

Like Kyler Murray, DeAndre Hopkins played for the first time since Week 8 and had an impact against the Bears. Hopkins was able to play 74% of the offensive snaps for Arizona and caught both of his targets for 32 yards and a touchdown. Hopkins has struggled to have a significant target share this season, but he has had an absurd touchdown upside when healthy. Hopkins doesn’t have a single game with more than 100 receiving yards, but he still has eight touchdowns in nine games. The Rams haven’t used Jalen Ramsey as a shadow corner this season, which means Hopkins should have moments with strong matchups against a secondary that allows 21.8 fantasy points per game this season.

Cooper Kupp (WR, LAR)

Cooper Kupp continues to leverage a high usage role into massive fantasy production. Kupp has double-digit targets and at least 90 receiving yards in 11 of 12 games this season. He’s also added at least seven receptions in every game and has gotten a touchdown in seven games this year. Kupp is the unquestioned top receiver in a high-powered offense and will be facing off against a defense that has been strong against receivers this season (21.2 fantasy points per game). Kupp only had five receptions for 64 yards in his first matchup against Arizona, but it came on 13 targets. Kupp gets unbelievable passing volume, so he’s a locked-in starter regardless of matchups.

Van Jefferson (WR, LAR)

Initially, the Rams’ trade for Odell Beckham Jr. seemed like it made Van Jefferson the odd man out of the Los Angeles passing attack. However, Robert Woods tore his ACL the following day and Jefferson was able to maintain his role in the passing attack. Jefferson has seen a consistent target share in the three games with Beckham, averaging eight targets, four receptions, and 62.7 receiving yards in the last three weeks. He also has two touchdowns in his last two games. Jefferson caught all six of his targets for 90 yards and a touchdown against the Cardinals in their first matchup and sees a target share that makes him a safe WR3 with upside for the rest of the season.

Zach Ertz (TE, AZ)

Zach Ertz has commanded a consistent role in Arizona's passing attack since his trade from the Eagles. In six games with the Cardinals, Ertz is averaging 5.2 targets, 3.8 receptions, and 46.5 receiving yards per game. He's also added three receiving touchdowns by carving out a consistent role in the end zone. The Rams' weakest position on defense is their interior linebackers, which could lead to a good day for Ertz in the passing attack. Los Angeles is allowing 7.6 fantasy points per game to tight ends this season and have given up four passing touchdowns to the position on the year.

Consider Sitting for Fantasy Football Lineups

Tyler Higbee (TE, LAR)

Tyler Higbee has put together a solid 2021 season after a disappointing 2020. In 12 games, the veteran tight end has 44 receptions on 62 targets for 395 yards and three touchdowns. Unfortunately, Higbee has put together some inconsistent games on the year, making his fantasy production unpredictable. Higbee has nine games this year with at least five targets but has only gone over 50 receiving yards just twice. Higbee can be safely faded this week against a Cardinals defense that uses versatile defenders to shut down opposing tight ends all season (4.6 fantasy points per game, second-best in the NFL).

UPDATE: Tyler Higbee has been placed on the COVID-19 list and ruled out for Week 14.

Upside Plays for Fantasy Football Lineups

Darrell Henderson (RB, LAR)

Like Edmonds, Henderson comes into this game coming off an injury with an uncertain role. Sony Michel had a fantastic game as the lead back and will likely feature heavily in-game plans going forward. Henderson will likely end up getting immediate work as a change of pace back with pass-catching upside going forward, making his role more inconsistent. If this game shoots out like expected, that could mean a big day for Henderson. However, his upside could be limited if this game stays close.

UPDATE: Darrell Henderson has been placed on the COVID-19 list and ruled out for Week 14.

Odell Beckham Jr. (WR, LAR)

Odell Beckham Jr. has had inconsistent production since being traded to the Rams. In three games, Beckham has 18 targets, nine receptions, 127 yards, and two touchdowns. OBJ is still getting acclimated to his new team and the coaching staff is still attempting to find the best way to utilize him within the passing attack. Beckham Jr. has shown the ability to take over games and could have a big day in-store in a key divisional matchup.

Rondale Moore (WR, AZ)

Rondale Moore continues to have an inconsistent role in the Cardinals’ passing attack in a limited role. The rookie hasn’t played in more than 50% of the team’s offensive snaps since Week 9 and has just five games with five or more targets. Moore has had some real boom weeks, including an 11-catch performance against Seattle in Week 11. He followed that up with just one reception on two targets for eight yards against Chicago in Week 13. With Hopkins back in the fold, Moore is likely relegated to a gadget role going forward. However, he has shown the ability to have huge production even with a limited workload.

Christian Kirk (WR, AZ)

Christian Kirk started the 2021 season hot but has struggled to maintain consistent production this season. In his first six weeks, Kirk caught 26 of 31 targets for 358 yards and three touchdowns. In the six games since Kirk has 24 receptions on 33 targets for 274 yards and just one score. Kirk has struggled to carve out a consistent role over DeAndre Hopkins and A.J. Green this season but has shown the ability to have big games. Kirk had just one reception for five yards in his first game against the Rams but has FLEX upside as the slot receiver with Kyler Murray back at quarterback.

A.J. Green (WR, AZ)

A.J. Green came to Arizona in the offseason and immediately became the trusted WR2 in the Cardinals’ offense. The veteran receiver has eight games with at least five targets and six games with 50 or more receiving yards this season. The former Bengal has also added three receiving touchdowns, although he hasn’t found the end zone since Week 6. Green caught his only target for 14 yards against the Bears in Week 13, but Arizona only put the ball in the air 15 times. In his first matchup against the Rams, Green caught five of six targets for 67 yards and a touchdown. Green gets enough work in the passing game to give him FLEX upside this week.

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