Even two weeks into the season, not many people would have expected the Arizona Cardinals, at 2-0, to be the NFC West's top team. But with the division's other three teams sitting at 1-0, the Cardinals, who missed the playoffs last year despite winning 10 games, are starting out well at least.
Fantasy football start/sit advice, Week 3: 49ers vs. Cardinals
Not many would have guessed the Cardinals would be the NFC West’s lone 2-0 team.
Brian Bahr
Sunday, they host division rival San Francisco 49ers at 4:05 p.m. ET, and a win then would really cement their place as a surprise team. Let's take a look at the fantasy players in the game:
49ers
Start in every league: Frank Gore, Michael Crabtree, Phil Dawson, Defense/special teams
Start if you're desperate: Colin Kaepernick, Vernon Davis
Bench: Carlos Hyde, Anquan Boldin
He’s at the bottom end of the starting running backs, but still, Gore has fewer question marks than many of the running backs around him. He’s unlikely to be a home run at the position, but he’s just as unlikely to no-show. ... Back to health and in a game they didn’t run away with early, Crabtree was very productive in Week 2, and that’s likely to continue. ... Dawson hasn’t had a really big kicking game yet, but he’ll get there. ... This game features two high-end defenses, and both should be started.
I’m still a believer in Kaepernick despite his late-game struggles last week, but this matchup might give him some problems. ... Davis is complicated. The matchup is so tight-end-friendly that you want to play him if he’s active, but his health is enough of a question mark that it might be difficult to wait for a late-afternoon game. Unless you have another tight end that plays at 4 p.m. or later, you probably need to look elsewhere.
Hyde didn’t do anything in Week 2 after a good Week 1. Ultimately, something will need to happen with Gore for Hyde to do much. ... Boldin could see a boost if Davis is out, but he’s far from a safe play.
Cardinals
Start in every league: Andre Ellington, Larry Fitzgerald, Defense/special teams
Start if you're desperate: Michael Floyd, Chandler Catanzaro
Bench: Drew Stanton, Stepfan Taylor, John Carlson
I've been seeing questions about Ellington's "disappointing" start, but he has 181 yards through two games. He'll find the end zone eventually. ... It's been a really slow start for Fitzgerald, but come on, it's still Larry Fitzgerald. He's performed with a subpar quarterback most of his career. ... I have the Cardinals' defense ranked fifth this week.
I’m confident with Floyd. Not quite as confident as I am with Fitzgerald, but I still think he’ll be an okay flex play. ... Catanzaro has performed really well through two games; his 21 fantasy points ties him for seventh among kickers.
Stanton is not a very good NFL quarterback. You knew that. ... Taylor's role increases with the Jonathan Dwyer news, but he's still not someone you're using. ... Carlson has set himself above Rob Housler among the team's tight ends, but he's a long way from fantasy-useful.
