While Knight ($5,500) was the Cardinals’ lead back before their bye week, things changed when the team returned from their bye this past Sunday vs. the Cowboys. After missing one game with an ankle injury, Demercado ($4,500) made his return for Arizona and he operated as the team’s main rusher over Knight vs. Dallas.
Demercado rushed 14 times for 79 yards, while Knight rushed nine times for 27 yards. However, Knight still out snapped Demercado 38-27 and out carried him in the redzone 3-1. Knight also held the edge in the passing game, catching both of his targets for 20 yards while running 17 routes, whereas Demercado caught his lone target for -1 yards while running seven routes. Overall, Demercado and Knight finished with 8.8 and 6.7 FPTS, respectively.
Given Demercado was the far more efficient rusher, averaging 5.5 YPC, compared to just 3.0 for Knight, Demercado should continue to see the bulk of the carries this Sunday vs. Seahawks. Meanwhile, Knight should see some rushes as well and he should operate as the team’s main receiving back.
While Demercado is likely to see more carries, this is a brutal matchup on the ground, with Seattle giving up the fewest yards per rush in the NFL this season (3.5). Conversely, the Seahawks are surrendering the second-most catches (48) and the fifth-most receiving yards to running backs (362). Plus, the Cardinals are likely to throw the ball at a high rate, as 6.5-point underdogs vs. Seattle on DraftKings Sportsbook.
While Demercado is the better player to own from this backfield for the rest of the season, this Sunday’s matchup vs. the Seahawks better suits Knight and he is the more viable fantasy option for Week 10.
