The best combined record of any game in Week 11 is the 15-3 carried by the Detroit Lions and Arizona Cardinals Sunday. The 7-2 Lions might be the NFL's best success story of the season if the Cardinals weren't 8-1 despite losing their starting quarterback two different times, including last week when Carson Palmer was knocked out for the year to a torn ACL.
Lions vs. Cardinals start/sit advice: Calvin Johnson faces off against Andre Ellington
So who expected these two to possibly be the NFC’s two best teams? Anyone?
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Palmer's injury aside, the Cardinals enter Week 11 basically healthy from a fantasy perspective. Running back Andre Ellington is on the week's injury report, as he has been all season, but he should be fine to play Sunday. The Lions, meanwhile, aren't nearly as healthy. Running back Reggie Bush isn't expected to play Sunday. And while wide receiver Calvin Johnson showed in Week 10 that he has nothing to worry about, the team's tight end trio of Eric Ebron, Brandon Pettigrew and Joseph Fauria are all question marks despite all being expected back for Sunday's game.
The Cardinals will play host Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET. Here’s a look at the fantasy names to consider:
LIONS
Start 'em: Overall, it's been an underwhelming season for Matthew Stafford, who hasn't reached 20 fantasy points in a game since Week 4, but you have to think getting his primary weapons back bodes well. ... In his first game back from injury, Calvin Johnson looked great in Week 10. He's right back to where he used to be ranked. ... Golden Tate's production continued even with Johnson's return. He's a low-end WR2, but still a starter. ... The Lions' defense has been one of the league's top units this season, and against a new starter at quarterback, it could be a fine unit.
Start 'em?: With Reggie Bush out, both Joique Bell and Theo Riddick become interesting options, but against a good Arizona run defense, you probably want to look elsewhere unless you're stuck. ... Matt Prater appears to be rounding into form after missing the first chunk of the season.
Sit ‘em: Even if they weren’t all battling for touches, you wouldn’t want to use Eric Ebron, Brandon Pettigrew or Joseph Fauria. With all of them back, you can’t even consider it.
CARDINALS
Start 'em: Even banged up, even against a good defense, Andre Ellington is Arizona's best weapon. You're using him if you have him. ... Larry Fitzgerald has risen back to reasonable WR2 status. ... The Cardinals' defense is coming off an absolutely dominant game, and has enough production this season to be started almost every week.
Start 'em?: After a great start to the season, Chandler Catanzaro has cooled of late. He's still a reasonable play, but no longer a very exciting one.
Sit 'em: I actually think Drew Stanton will be fine as the new Arizona quarterback, but this is a tough matchup to start out on. Tread lightly. ... John Brown has outperformed Michael Floyd of late, and it hasn't even been close, but I'm not using either one. ... John Carlson has only had more than four fantasy points in a game once all season.
SUMMARY
Start in every league: Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson, Golden Tate, Detroit defense, Andre Ellington, Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona defense
Start if you’re desperate: Joique Bell, Theo Riddick, Matt Prater, Chandler Catanzaro
Bench: Eric Ebron, Brandon Pettigrew, Joseph Fauria, Drew Stanton, John Brown, Michael Floyd, John Carlson
