A battle between first place teams! Arizona Cardinals! Atlanta Falcons! One 9-2, and the other -- 4-7? Really? Oh, well, Sunday afternoon's game between the two is indeed a fight between two first-place teams, even if that's mostly due to the vagaries of divisional arrangements.
Fantasy football advice, Week 13: Who to start/sit for Cardinals vs. Falcons
Would you believe this is technically a matchup of first-place teams?
The Cardinals listed quarterback Drew Stanton, running back Andre Ellington and wide receivers Larry Fitzgerald and John Brown on the week's injury report. Only Fitzgerald is at any risk to miss Sunday, and even he has said he's pretty sure he'll play. On the Atlanta side, wide receiver Harry Douglas was limited in practice this week, but looks likely to play Sunday.
The Falcons will host Sunday’s game at 4:05 p.m. ET. Let’s look at it for fantasy:
CARDINALS
Start ‘em: It’s been a rough stretch of games for Andre Ellington, as his injuries and schedule have caught up with him. You’ll still be using him against the porous Atlanta run defense, but this might be his last time as a sure starter all season. ... The Cardinals’ defense has averaged 15 points a game in its last four, and needs to be started every week.
Start 'em?: The best Arizona pass-catching option at this point is John Brown, and it's not actually that close. Considering all the team's question marks, he's still just a low-end flex, though. ... Chandler Catanzaro has really fallen off from his early-season production, but in what looks like a nice matchup, he could rise again Sunday.
Sit 'em: Even against a bad defense, Drew Stanton is at best a low-end QB2. Look elsewhere. ... It's hard to imagine letting your playoff fate rest in the hands of Michael Floyd or a banged-up Larry Fitzgerald. ... John Carlson has had four or fewer fantasy points in 10 of 11 games this season; he's averaged 2.6 fantasy points a game.
FALCONS
Start 'em: Sunday was a good game for Julio Jones by normal wide receiver standards, but the fact that 12 fantasy points was his highest total since Week 3 is disheartening. Still, he's a WR2, as is teammate Roddy White.
Start 'em?: If you're up against it, Matt Bryant has been a fine kicker of late. Against Arizona's defense, he might struggle for opportunities, though.
Sit 'em: How can you run Matt Ryan out there? He's averaged 13.6 fantasy points a game since Week 4 with no game over 15; that's low-end QB2 territory. Stay away. ... Against a strong Arizona defense, Steven Jackson would be defensible as a flex play if it's desperate, but I'd prefer to just avoid him. ... Remember when I said Levine Toilolo would be a decent low-end fantasy option after a Week 1 touchdown? He's averaged 1.2 fantasy points a game since. Good times. ... Nope, not the Falcons' defense.
SUMMARY
Start in every league: Andre Ellington, Arizona defense, Julio Jones, Roddy White
Start if you’re desperate: John Brown, Chandler Catanzaro, Matt Bryant
Bench: Drew Stanton, Michael Floyd, Larry Fitzgerald, John Carlson, Matt Ryan, Steven Jackson, Levine Toilolo, Atlanta defense
