The flagging offense of the Arizona Cardinals gets one last shot to re-earn its playoff bye Sunday. They need a win over the San Francisco 49ers Sunday afternoon and some help from the St. Louis Rams, but Arizona could still wind up with the NFC's No. 1 overall seed.
Cardinals vs. 49ers start/sit advice: Ryan Lindley, Kerwynn Williams, Colin Kaepernick
Could the Cardinals still end up with the NFC’s No. 1 seed?
The Cardinals will again be without quarterback Drew Stanton this week. They should, however, have wide receivers Larry Fitzgerald and Jaron Brown and tight end John Carlson on the field despite all three being on the injury report. The 49ers, meanwhile, will miss running back Carlos Hyde and wide receiver Stevie Johnson, but wide receiver Michael Crabtree is expected to make his return from injury.
The Cardinals will travel to San Francisco for the game, scheduled for 4:25 p.m. ET on Sunday. Let’s take a look at the fantasy considerations:
CARDINALS
Start 'em?: If you have any faith at all in the Arizona offense, you could maybe justify using Chandler Catanzaro in fantasy, but it's risky.
Sit 'em: The team almost went with Logan Thomas over Ryan Lindley last Sunday before reversing course; you couldn't possibly use either one. ... Stepfan Taylor and Kerwynn Williams don't have much to offer in fantasy. ... The team's quarterback situation has robbed any fantasy value from its pass-catchers -- Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Floyd, John Brown, Jaron Brown and John Carlson. ... The struggles of the team's offense crushed the Cardinals' defense last week, and that could happen again Sunday.
49ERS
Start ‘em: The 49ers’ defense hasn’t been great lately, though any defense facing that Arizona offense can look at least competent.
Start 'em?: Week 16 was a surprisingly huge game for Frank Gore, who is a nice flex play or better, especially with Carlos Hyde out.
Sit 'em: The big game from Colin Kaepernick in Week 16 was nice to see, but it's hard to make the case that makes him reliable for fantasy. ... The Niners' pass-catching group of Anquan Boldin, Michael Crabtree and Vernon Davis have fallen off a cliff lately. ... Phil Dawson's production has evaporated.
SUMMARY
Start in every league: San Francisco defense
Start if you’re desperate: Chandler Catanzaro, Frank Gore
Bench: Ryan Lindley, Logan Thomas, Stepfan Taylor, Kerwynn Williams, Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Floyd, John Brown, Jaron Brown, John Carlson, Arizona defense, Colin Kaepernick, Anquan Boldin, Michael Crabtree, Vernon Davis, Phil Dawson
