Predictions Summary Projections by Position Projection Team Boxes

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Prediction: WAS 17, ARI 20 (Line: ARI by 6.5)

UPDATE: Carson Palmer and Drew Stanton are both questionable this week. Palmer still has a shoulder issue and Stanton is trying to get through the concussion protocol. Both only practiced on a limited basis in all practices this week and HC Bruce Arians earlier said he wanted one full day from Palmer in order to play him but then was less direct saying he did not know who was going to start this week. This will be a great situation for the quarterback if healthy unless they are forced to go with Logan Thomas. Unless either are cleared, it will be a game time decision and this is a later afternoon game on Sunday. I am leaving the projections alone for now but be aware of the risk you are assuming if you wait – be able to switch elsewhere if neither starts.

Jordan Reed is expected to also be a game time decision but may play his first game this year depending on his hamstring on Sunday. Since Patrick Peterson is healthy again, I am lowering Garcon’s projections since he should be locked on him this week.

The 1-4 Redskins come off their Monday night loss and take their 0-2 road record to face the 3-1 Cardinals who just fell from the unbeaten ranks. The Cardinals defense should keep the Skins at bay but quarterback questions may mean the Cardinals won’t score much either.

So far the only recipe for a win has been to face the worst team in the NFL in the Redskins stadium and all is fine. Otherwise, this team struggles to keep up or to hold down their opponents. That’s not getting any better this week though a home stand against the Titans in week seven is a possibility. If not then it may not be until week 11 when the Bucs come to visit.

QUARTERBACK : Though the results may have been no different, Kirk Cousins is not doing himself any favors by being 0-6 as a starter. Granted Robert Griffin III had not thrown a touchdown yet when he left in week two, And Cousins has been a decent to good fantasy play but until he starts winning games, we’ll be back to RG3 when he is healthy.

RUNNING BACK : Alfred Morris chugs along but the losing streak for the Skins means that he usually gets fewer than 15 carries in a game and since he rarely ever catches the ball, his fantasy stock remains low unless he is at home against a soft defense. Morris scored three times in such games and never on the road. Roy Helu, Darrel Young and Silas Redd have all stolen at least one touchdown from Morris.

WIDE RECEIVER : The Skins opted to leave Pierre Garcon under the coverage of Richard Sherman on Monday night and predictably he ended up with just two catches for 23 yards while DeSean Jackson ended with five catches for 157 yards and one score thanks to two deep catches. Andre Roberts never gets that many passes or gains many yards but he scored in each of the last two games. The trio are set as the only wideouts that matter and all three have at least minor fantasy value.

Notable this week – Andre Roberts returns to face his ex-employer.

TIGHT END : Jordan Reed has been out since the season opener with a hamstring strain but has aimed for a return this week. I will pencil him in as a starter since he practiced a bit last week, Niles Paul will take the #2 role and lose all value once Reed is in place.

MATCH TO THE DEFENSE: Pierre Garcon faced Richard Sherman last week and they left the matchup alone. This week will be Patrick Peterson on Garcon unless the cornerback’s ankle continues to be an issue after twisting last Sunday. The Cardinals are very tough at home and held both Philip Rivers and Colin Kaepernick to only one touchdown and about 240 passing yards. The rushing defense has also been outstanding in Arizona where the best any runner has produced is just 40 yards. The Cardinals are weaker against tight ends which could play well for Reed if he returns this week. Forget the rankings below – the Broncos ripped them in Denver but that has little bearing on this game in Arizona.

The Cardinals lost their first game of the year when the Broncos bombed them but the upcoming schedule is lighter than most to be sure. Carson Palmer needs to get healthy not only to help win games, but to pump up the fantasy scores of the Cardinals players who should be cranking out the yards and scored over the next month or so.

QUARTERBACK : Drew Stanton received a concussion last week in Denver and will need to pass the protocol in order to play. Third-stringer Logan Thomas is a rather large step down and would place this game in jeopardy. Carson Palmer may be cleared for this week and says no later than next week. But that all puts this game in question. I will assume that Stanton plays and update based on what happens.

RUNNING BACK : Andre Ellington recorded his first rushing and receiving touchdowns in the loss in Denver and that included 112 yards on four receptions. At home, he’s been rushing for around 60 yards per game with a few catches added on. Since Jonathan Dwyer left, Ellington is taking all but one or two rushes for the Cardinals each week.

WIDE RECEIVER : Larry Fitzgerald trudges along with never more than 60 yards in any game and no touchdowns. Michael Floyd remains the top receiver but even he was held to a ridiculous one catch for seven yards last week. and he too has yet to score this year. John Brown has all three wideout touchdowns and yet never more than 52 yards in any game. This group patiently awaits Palmer to return.

TIGHT END : No fantasy value.

MATCH TO THE DEFENSE: The good news is that the Redskins are horrible against the pass and allow multiple scores to most teams along with decent yardage But the rushing defense has been very good. It all depends on which quarterback plays but at this point, any non-Thomas quarterback, Fitzgerald, Floyd and Ellington should be starting this week. Ellington won’t have a big game but should still produce moderate stats in a home game.

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