Monkey Knife Fight Rush Hour:
Detroit Lions at Arizona Cardinals
Tomorrow marks the official first Sunday of the 2019 NFL season! In Arizona, the Cardinals are preparing to square off against the Detroit Lions, as Kliff Kingsbury and company will finally reveal their long-awaited, mysterious offensive scheme. Kyler Murray makes his NFL debut, and as soon as he throws his first official pass, bettors that predicted him to throw an NFL pass before he recorded an MLB hit can cash those tickets from months ago (35 dollars, here I come). Vegas has this game set at 46 total points, and the Lions are the betting favorites via the spread by 2.5 points. On Monkey Knife Fight, the total rushing yards for two running backs combined – Kerryon Johnson and David Johnson are the obvious choices – is set at 136.5. If those two running backs combine for 137 yards, bettors cash at 1.5x.
Last season, David Johnson had a down year for the Cardinals. He carried the ball 16 times per game for an average of 3.6 yards per carry, or 58 yards per game. As the starter, he saw 79.4% of the total offensive snaps, and he should see a similar percentage in the Cardinals’ new offense. Kingsbury is expected to push the tempo of the game, which should increase Johnson’s rush attempts. He is definitely going to see more targets out of the backfield, but with only Chase Edmonds as a viable change-of-pace backup, he should see quite a few run-pass options, tosses, and stretches, as well. Kingsbury barely runs between the tackles, but the Lions’ linebacker core is so bad that this week might be different. Johnson is going to have to produce on the ground if Murray is going to have any time to throw, especially with that powerful Lions’ defensive line. This game script suggests a good start to the season for DJ.
Kerryon Johnson played in conjunction with LeGarrette Blount last season, carrying the ball 11 times per game for 64 yards, or 5.4 yards per carry. He only received 51.6% of the offensive snaps, but that number should increase to around 80% this season without Blount in Detroit. CJ Anderson is definitely going to get some work, but he is solidified as a backup. If the Lions are going to stop the high-powered Cardinals’ offense, they are going to have to run the ball early and often. The Cardinals have one of the worst defenses in the league, especially with Patrick Peterson out due to a suspension and Robert Alford out with a leg injury. Both Chandler Jones and Terrell Suggs did not look especially effective last season, and Johnson should be able to find plenty of success between the tackles. The emerging Lions’ workhorse is in a prime position to rush for over 100 yards this Sunday, and if he does, DJ will have to do relatively nothing to ensure that this recommendation hits.
Recommended Players: Kerryon Johnson and David Johnson
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