Week 3 fantasy football preview with projections: Raiders at Cardinals
If you’re a fan of the running back, like me, and you have the means, watch the Week 3 game between the Raiders and Cardinals.
Each team could put up some mad rushing numbers (check out the projections below) and the game should be a close one.
Our projection model is not perfect. There are many improvements that could be made, but we have had relatively good accuracy with it this season despite the flaws. Translation: Use these at your own discretion but they should be pretty darn good.
Other game previews: PIT@TB | CLE@BAL | TEN@NYG | SF@KC | DAL@HOU | BUF@NE | DET@MIN | CIN@CAR | ATL@NO | WAS@STL | PHI@JAX | OAK@ARI | IND@DEN | SD@SEA | NYJ@MIA | GB@CHI
Week 3 content | Chinstrap Ninjas Fantasy Football Contest: Week 3
The Cardinals are projected to earn a 20-19 win over the Raiders. However, with Bruce Gradkowksi now at the helm for the Raiders, Oakland fans could see a much better or worse score.
Matchups
Gradkowski will trot out as starter after lifting the Raiders to a come-from-behind win over the Rams. He doesn’t get a great matchup to start, but his receivers do. Expect a big game from Louis Murphy or Darrius Heyward-Bey. I’m giving the stats to Murphy, but they could go to either player.
As mentioned above, both Darren McFadden and that three-headed monster in Arizona (welcome back, Beanie Wells?) should put on a juking, cutting show for fans.
Projections
Quarterbacks
Bruce Gradkowski, OAK: 22-38, 217 yards, TD, INT
Derek Anderson, ARI: 17-30, 206 yards, TD, INT
Running backs
Darren McFadden, OAK: 120 yards, TD, 5 catches, 30 receiving yards
Tim Hightower, ARI: 80 yards, 2 catches, 25 receiving yards
Beanie Wells, ARI (Q-Knee, expected to play): 35 yards, TD, 1 catch, 5 receiving yards
Marcel Reese, OAK: 15 yards, 1 catch, 5 receiving yards
Michael Bush, OAK (P-Thumb): 10 yards
LaRod Stephens-Howling, ARI: 20 yards, 3 catches, 20 receiving yards
Wide receivers
Louis Murphy, OAK: 5-80, TD
Larry Fitzgerald, ARI: 5-65, TD
Steve Breaston, ARI: 4-70
Darrius Heyward-Bey, OAK: 4-40
Stephen Williams, ARI: 2-25
Yamon Figurs, OAK: 2-10
Max Komar, ARI: 1-5
Tight ends
Zach Miller, OAK: 5-40
Ben Patrick, ARI: 2-10
Kickers
Sebastian Janikowski, OAK: 2 FG, 2 XP
Jay Feely, ARI: FG, 2 XP
Defenses
Cardinals: 2 sacks, INT
Raiders: 2 sacks, INT
