A couple weeks ago, both the Arizona Cardinals and Kansas City Chiefs looked to be in great shape for a playoff run. The Cardinals were 9-1, clearly in first place in the NFC West, while the Chiefs were 7-3 and tied with the Denver Broncos for first in the AFC West. Both teams, though, have lost both of their games since, and now sit in danger of losing their status. They'll both look to get back on the right track as they face one another Sunday afternoon.
Fantasy football advice, Week 14: Who to start/sit for Chiefs vs. Cardinals
In terms of winning teams, these two don’t have a lot of strong fantasy options, but let’s look at them.
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The only fantasy-relevant Chiefs' players on the week's injury report are running back Jamaal Charles and tight end Anthony Fasano, and both are expected to be 100 percent for Sunday. The Cardinals have more to worry about. Running back Andre Ellington has already been ruled out for the game with a hip injury, while wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald is considered a game-time decision with a knee issue.
The Cardinals play host Sunday, with the game scheduled for 4:05 p.m. ET. Here’s a look at the fantasy considerations:
CHIEFS
Start 'em: That's now seven straight games, and eight out of nine, with double-digit fantasy numbers for Jamaal Charles. He's a must-start.
Start 'em?: The Chiefs' refusal to give Travis Kelce heavy targets keeps his value frustratingly low.
Sit 'em: It's been a really underwhelming fantasy season for Alex Smith. He's off the fantasy radar. ... Maybe eventually Dwayne Bowe scores a touchdown. Maybe not. ... Cairo Santos has averaged fewer than six points a game in his last five. ... The Chiefs' defense has one or two fantasy points in six different games this season, including its last three in a row.
CARDINALS
Start ‘em: The Cardinals’ defense is one of the league’s better units, and should be started every week.
Sit 'em: Since taking over for Carson Palmer, Drew Stanton has averaged fewer than 11 fantasy points a game. ... With Andre Ellington out, the team will use some combination of Marion Grice, Stepfan Taylor and Michael Bush, and it's hard to imagine using any of them in fantasy. ... The Cardinals' receivers -- John Brown, Michael Floyd, Jaron Brown and the injury question mark of Larry Fitzgerald -- are too inconsistent and too low-ceiling to put out there in fantasy. ... John Carlson hasn't had much to offer for fantasy all year. ... After a great start to the season, Chandler Catanzaro has averaged 4.7 points a game in his last seven.
SUMMARY
Start in every league: Jamaal Charles, Arizona defense
Start if you're desperate: Travis Kelce
Bench: Alex Smith, Dwayne Bowe, Cairo Santos, Kansas City defense, Drew Stanton, Marion Grice, Stepfan Taylor, Michael Bush, John Brown, Michael Floyd, Jaron Brown, Larry Fitzgerald, John Carlson, Chandler Catanzaro
