The Arizona Cardinals put up 31 points in Week 1. The Chicago Bears allowed 31. That's basically meaningless, but when the two teams face off Sunday, it would just be fun and somewhat poetic if the Arizona scored 31 again. And hey, sometimes it's hard to find a storyline for a given game.
Fantasy football advice, Week 2: Who to start/sit for Cardinals vs. Bears
Every Arizona-Chicago game requires this reference, so for the fantasy players involved -- are they who we thought they were?
The teams come into Sunday largely healthy from a fantasy perspective, with one notable exception on each side. The Cardinals will be without running back Andre Ellington for Week 2 after he suffered a knee injury in the season opener. On the Chicago side, wide receiver Alshon Jeffery was downgraded Friday after suffering a setback with his hamstring issue that had hampered him leading into Week 1, leaving some question as to whether he'll make it onto the field Sunday.
The Cardinals travel to Chicago for Sunday’s game, scheduled for 1 p.m. ET. Let’s take a look at the fantasy names to consider:
CARDINALS
Start 'em: It was a good return from injury for Carson Palmer in Week 1, with 307 passing yards and three touchdowns. Against what should be a friendly defense, he's a must-start in Week 2. ... Chandler Catanzaro should get plenty of kicking opportunities in this offense.
Start 'em?: If you could somehow each week say "I'm starting whoever does better between John Brown and Larry Fitzgerald," you'd really have something, but as it is, it's tough to decide between the two, making them flex plays. ... The Bears aren't the team they once were, but that's still a good enough offense that the Cardinals' defense wouldn't be a sure thing.
Sit 'em: It looks like, heading into Sunday, Chris Johnson will get the start at running back in Arizona, with David Johnson serving as a change-of-pace back. That may well be the case, but it's hard to picture actually using either one of them in fantasy until we see how it actually shakes out on the field. ... Michael Floyd appears to be the odd man out of the Arizona wide receiver group, making him hard to use. ... Darren Fells had a strong Week 1, but you can't expect that to continue.
BEARS
Start 'em: Anyone worried that the departure of Marc Trestman from Chicago would kill Matt Forte's value probably got quiet after Week 1. He's still a stud. ... It's still early in the season, so Martellus Bennett is still a good fantasy option. Check back in Week 7 or so.
Start 'em?: The late-week injury downgrade for Alshon Jeffery is (a) really frustrating and (b) obviously bad news. Injuries are bad; late-week injuries are the worst, because you haven't prepared for them. If Jeffery plays, he's a WR3, but one you should probably use. If he sits, obviously you sit him as well. ... All that sleeper hype about Eddie Royal and/or Marquess Wilson entering Week 1 didn't really pay off. They need to prove something before they get used, though with Jeffery again banged up they both carry some obvious upside
Sit 'em: There's a really talented quarterback somewhere inside Jay Cutler still. I hope we see him again. ... Robbie Gould's days as a strong fantasy kicker option are behind him. ... The Bears' defense is bad. We know that.
SUMMARY
Start in every league: Carson Palmer, Chandler Catanzaro, Matt Forte, Martellus Bennett
Start if you're desperate: John Brown, Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona defense, Alshon Jeffery, Eddie Royal, Marquess Wilson
Bench: Chris Johnson, David Johnson, Michael Floyd, Darren Fells, Jay Cutler, Robbie Gould, Chicago defense











