Will the Seahawks be able to exploit the Injuries on the Cardinals’ Defense?
Thursday Night Football brings us an NFC West showdown between the Seattle Seahawks and the Arizona Cardinals. Fantasy managers are staring at lineups full of question marks, especially with both offenses struggling to find consistency early in the year.
The Cardinals’ defense has been shredded through the air, giving up an average of 275 passing yards per game, and with star corner Will Johnson sidelined (groin injury), the passing lanes are even more vulnerable. This is the kind of matchup where savvy fantasy players can gain an edge: let’s break down who you should fire up 🔥, who you should sit ❄️, and a sleeper 🌙 who could win you your week.
🔥 Starts
- Sam Darnold (QB, Seahawks) 🔥
Darnold has been one of 2025’s pleasant surprises, settling into Seattle’s system with confidence. Against a Cardinals secondary missing their top corner, the path is wide open for him to have one of his best fantasy outings yet.
Stat Projection: 23/34 passing, 278 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR, Seahawks) 🔥
JSN and Darnold have built instant chemistry. His stat lines have been electric so far:
• Week 1 vs. Steelers: 10 targets, 103 yards
• Week 2 vs. Saints: 8 targets, 96 yards, 1 TD
• Week 3 vs. 49ers: 11 targets, 124 yards
Expect 10+ targets again in this game with no Will Johnson to shadow him. He’s a locked-in WR1 for TNF.
Stat Projection: 9 receptions, 108 yards, 1 TD
- Kenneth Walker (RB, Seahawks) 🔥
With Zach Charbonnet questionable, Walker is in line for a heavy workload. He’ll get goal-line carries and early-down work in a game script that favors Seattle controlling the tempo.
Stat Projection: 19 carries, 87 yards, 1 TD; 2 catches, 14 yards
Trey McBride (TE, Cardinals) 🔥
McBride is the security blanket for Kyler Murray, averaging 8 targets per game this season. Seattle has struggled against athletic tight ends, and McBride should be peppered with opportunities as Arizona looks for stability on offense.
Stat Projection: 6 receptions, 64 yards, 1 TD
❄️ Sits
- Cooper Kupp (WR, Seahawks) ❄️
The name value is strong, but the production hasn’t followed. Kupp’s targets have dipped every week since Week 1, as other weapons (notably JSN and Horton) have carved out bigger roles. With Seattle spreading the ball around, he’s not worth the risk on a short week.
Stat Projection: 3 receptions, 41 yards
- Kyler Murray (QB, Cardinals) ❄️
Murray has gone over 200 passing yards just once this season, and the lack of explosive plays is killing his fantasy ceiling. Against Seattle’s aggressive pass rush and secondary, it’s hard to trust him in a primetime lineup.
Stat Projection: 19/30 passing, 192 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT; 4 rushes, 27 yards
🌙 Sleeper Pick
- Tory Horton (WR, Seahawks) 🌙
Horton is quietly stealing looks from Kupp and is coming off a breakout performance last week. With defenses locking onto JSN, Horton is primed to slip into a consistent WR2 role. On a short week against a banged-up Cardinals secondary, he could pay off big.
Stat Projection: 5 receptions, 72 yards, 1 TD
Wrap-Up
The Seahawks look poised to take advantage of a depleted Cardinals secondary and should dominate through the air with Sam Darnold and Jaxon Smith-Njigba leading the way. Kenneth Walker’s workload only adds to their fantasy firepower.
On the other side, Arizona’s offense remains unreliable, with Trey McBride as the lone trustworthy option.
If you need upside on Thursday night, JSN, Walker, and Horton are your best bets, while fading Kyler, Kupp, and Harrison could save you from a primetime disappointment.
