Saying that two teams finished in the same place in the standings in a given year is information, but it is woefully incomplete. For example, the New Orleans Saints and Arizona Cardinals both finished in second place in their respective divisions a year ago. Of course, the Cardinals went 11-5 and earned a Wild Card berth despite cycling through four quarterbacks over the course of the season. The Saints, meanwhile, went 7-9, and even that came as the result of a Week 17 victory. They would have been afterthoughts in any other division, only qualifying as minor contenders because the NFC South was awful. Sunday, the teams start their seasons playing against one another.
Fantasy football advice, Week 1: Who to start/sit for Saints vs. Cardinals
They were both second-place teams in 2014, which implies similar results. That was not the case.
From a fantasy perspective, the Saints will have most of their contributors Sunday, with the notable exception of running back C.J. Spiller, who will miss the game with a knee injury. The Cardinals have listed wide receiver Michael Floyd as a game-time decision as he recovers from a hand injury, while backup tight ends Jermaine Gresham and Troy Niklas are both questionable with hamstring issues, though neither was exactly expected to be much of a fantasy contributor to begin with.
The Cardinals will host Sunday’s game, slated for 4:05 p.m. ET. Here’s a look at the fantasy names to consider for the game:
SAINTS
Start 'em: The New Orleans running game will be strong this season as long as the running backs themselves actually stay healthy; for now Mark Ingram is that, and deserves a start. ... Brandin Cooks is a ridiculously attractive wide receiver play in all formats.
Start 'em?: I've spent much of the preseason lower on Drew Brees than most, and this continues. They're facing a good defense, on the road, likely outdoors, and have set themselves up to be more of a run-heavy team this season. The truth is that if you have Brees in a season-long league, you're probably using him, but I'm not excited about it. ... Khiry Robinson has been criminally underrated all preseason, and with C.J. Spiller shelved, he looks like a lottery-ticket flex play.
Sit 'em: If the Saints do go more run-heavy, as I predict, there might not be enough targets for Marques Colston or Brandon Coleman to really produce. ... Josh Hill and Benjamin Watson have both been talked up a bit as Jimmy Graham replacements, but for the time being, stay away. ... There's something of a changing of the guard among kickers this year, with several teams going to new options. The Saints, with Zach Hocker, are among those teams. New kickers are always scary propositions. ... The Saints' defense is bad.
CARDINALS
Start 'em: Last year was disappointing for Andre Ellington. He's still a fine RB2 consideration, but perhaps lacks a super-high ceiling.
Start 'em?: A quarterback just off a significant injury might be scary, but Carson Palmer is fairly appealing against a poor defense and with some weapons. He's a mid-range QB2 with upside. ... If there were only one Arizona wide receiver to focus on, that one guy would be a must-start. As it is, John Brown and Larry Fitzgerald are likely to battle for targets. It's tough to say which is the better option. ... Chandler Catanzaro produced well as a kicker last year as long as the Arizona offense was competent, and it should be competent. ... The Cardinals' defense won't be as good as it was a year ago, and New Orleans' offense is still more than competent. Arizona is a risky play.
Sit 'em: The second tier of Arizona running backs -- namely Chris Johnson and David Johnson -- are unlikely to be huge fantasy contributors unless Ellington suffers an injury. ... Michael Floyd's injury and Jaron Brown's low place on the depth chart mean neither is a good fantasy option. .. Darren Fells has earned the start at tight end, but that doesn't make him a fantasy play.
SUMMARY
Start in every league: Mark Ingram, Brandin Cooks, Andre Ellington
Start if you're desperate: Drew Brees, Khiry Robinson, Carson Palmer, John Brown, Larry Fitzgerald, Chandler Catanzaro, Arizona defense
Bench: Marques Colston, Brandon Coleman, Josh Hill, Benjamin Watson, Zach Hocker, New Orleans defense, Chris Johnson, David Johnson, Michael Floyd, Jaron Brown, Darren Fells
