Monday Night Matchups Analysis

Ravens @ Cardinals

Players we love:

Justin Forsett, RB, Ravens - Forsett has come on strong the last three weeks after I began thinking it's time to give him "one hit wonder" status. The Ravens have had an abysmal start to the season (1-5) but whenever they manage to stay in the game long enough Forsett shows that he's a premiere feature back. The past three weeks he's averaged 111 yds/gm and 5.0 yds/rush and proven - mainly to me - he's an every week start no matter the opponent.

This week against the Cardinals isn't the best matchup but the one weakness Arizona has is their run defense. The Cards are middle of the pack or below in nearly all significant run defense categories. If the Ravens can keep the game close and not have to rely solely on throwing the ball then Forsett will have a good to great game.

Carson Palmer, QB, Cardinals - Carson Palmer has been having another MVP season and the former Heisman trophy winner should have a "heisman" moment on Monday Night Football. The Ravens secondary has been one of the league's worst this season. They rank fifth in total passing yards given up, second in yards per attempt, and sixth in passing yards per game.

So far this season the Ravens have given up the most fantasy points to opposing QBs and there is no reason to think they will be getting better anytime soon. Pro Football Focus has Carson Palmer ranked as their number one QB heading into week 7. After going up against this pathetic Ravens secondary he'll definitely look like the best QB in the league.

John Brown, WR, Cardinals - Brown is questionable to play Monday with a hamstring injury but if he does he is a must-start. The Ravens have given up big plays all season and with an average of 15.1 yards a reception Brown is the Cardinals go-to big play receiver. Brown's averaged 114 receiving yards the last three games as he has picked up for where Michael Floyd has been lacking. He probably won't get 196 yards like he did last week but Brown should be a good bet to play and an even better bet to light it up.

Players We Hate:

Kamar Aiken, WR, Ravens - The Cardinals have been one of the best secondaries in the league this year. PFF has them ranked as the second best team in pass coverage. Tyrann Mathieu and Patrick Peterson might be the most talented duo of corners in the league. Aiken has already gotten more targets this season than he had in his previous four years. He has played decently well up to this point.

Aiken has 7+ targets in four of six games but even if he is targeted a lot on Monday Night I just don't see him being very effective. An incredible amount of attention will be paid to Steve Smith Sr. but whatever is left for Aiken should be enough to slow him down significantly.

Baltimore TEs - The Baltimore TE situation has been a tire fire all season and that will continue. For awhile it seemed like 2nd round pick Maxx Williams would take over the majority of snaps but last week Crockett Gillmore came in and out snapped Williams 65 to 19. Despite that, Williams still had more receptions (4 to 3) than Gillmore. Usually fantasy is about getting the guy with the most opportunities and chances to go out there and score. Right now there is no telling which Baltimore TE will be the guy and there's a chance that won't be established at any point this season. Williams looks like he will eventually be a good receiving option for the Ravens but he's just not on the fantasy radar right now.

Show Me Players:

Joe Flacco, QB, Ravens - The Ravens have the 10th worst pass blocking line in the league according to PFF. Flacco has had to deal with a lack of talent at receiver (a 35 year old planning on retiring as your best receiver is never a good thing). There is a part of me that feels bad for Flacco but if he wants to be considered "elite" he has to will his team to victory despite bad circumstances. Going against a talented Cardinals defense doesn't seem like the best matchup for Flacco and the Ravens offense, but I have learned to never fully count this guy out. Just sayin', watch out for Wacko Flacco.

Steve Smith Sr, WR, Ravens - Best soundbite and best receiver over 30 years old (I'm including Calvin Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald). Smith is dealing with several injuries right now and is going against one of the league's best corners in Patrick Peterson. I still think Smith Sr. should have a good game in primetime.

David Johnson/Andre Ellington, RB, Cardinals - Chris Johnson is back to being a fantasy stud and that means David Johnson and Andre Ellington have been relegated to bench duties. David Johnson might be worth the handcuff but Ellington is expendable after seeming like he may be a stud one day.

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