Fantasy football advice, Week 8: Who to start/sit for Cardinals vs. Browns

The Arizona Cardinals started the season 3-0, and looked like maybe the strongest team in the league through those three games. Since then, though, they’ve gone 2-2 and struggled more. Sunday, they look to re-establish themselves among the league’s best on the road against the 2-5 Cleveland Browns.

The Cardinals will be without tight end Darren Fells for the second straight week. Wide receiver John Brown, dealing with double hamstring injuries, is questionable as well, though he did get in a limited practice session Friday. The Browns, meanwhile, will be without wide receiver Andrew Hawkins as he deals with a concussion. Running back Isaiah Crowell should play through his rib injury, and quarterback Josh McCown, who has been dealing with a shoulder injury, is expected to make it a go Sunday, though he’s a game-time decision. If he has to miss the game, Johnny Manziel would replace him.

The Browns host the Cardinals Sunday, with the game scheduled for 1 p.m. ET. Let’s take a look at the fantasy names to consider:

Start ‘em: He’s not been quite as strong as he was the season’s first couple weeks, but Carson Palmer is still an easy QB1. ... Somehow, Chris Johnson is not only once again a starting NFL quarterback, he’s also a must-start one. ... Chandler Catanzaro still hasn’t had fewer than six fantasy points in a game all season. ... The Cardinals’ defense has intermittent one-point fantasy days (season log: 1-18-30-1-11-1-9), which is weird, but it’s still a must-start unit overall.

Start ‘em?: His elite numbers and targets have fallen off of late, but Larry Fitzgerald is still a decent starting play -- even better if John Brown misses, though Brown himself is a strong start when healthy. ... If Brown does sit out, Michael Floyd has had back-to-back 11-point fantasy days, and would stand to benefit from Brown’s absence. ... With Darren Fells out, Jermaine Gresham will get enough targets to at least be a desperation play, though his chances at a touchdown would seem to be low.

Sit ‘em: With the successes of Chris Johnson, Andre Ellington and David Johnson have kind of been left behind.

Start ‘em: It was a bad Week 7 for Travis Benjamin, but it was his first bad week all season. He’s still a strong fantasy play. ... At this point, you kind of have to buy in on Gary Barnidge, with five straight double-digit fantasy days, though I remain skeptical of his long-term value.

Start ‘em?: Increased targets for Duke Johnson Jr. has made him a defensible flex play, though not a high-end one. ... The Cleveland offense might struggle Sunday, which would limit Travis Coons’ kicking upside.

Sit ‘em: It looks like Josh McCown will play Sunday, but even if he does, it’ll be at less than 100 percent against a good defense. And if McCown is out, Johnny Manziel isn’t a great option either. ... Isaiah Crowell has lost touches to Robert Turbin, rendering both hard to use in fantasy. ... Fantasy defenses just don’t fare well against Arizona. Avoid the Browns’ defense.

Start in every league: Carson Palmer, Chris Johnson, Chandler Catanzaro, Arizona defense, Travis Benjamin, Gary Barnidge
Start if you’re desperate: Larry Fitzgerald, John Brown, Michael Floyd, Jermaine Gresham, Duke Johnson Jr., Travis Coons
Bench: Andre Ellington, David Johnson, Josh McCown, Johnny Manziel, Isaiah Crowell, Robert Turbin, Cleveland defense