Arizona Cardinals-New Orleans Saints Fantasy Outlook
By Scott Allen
Sep 15, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham (80) reacts during the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Foldy-USA TODAY Sports
The Arizona Cardinals travel to face the New Orelans Saints on Sunday. If you are looking for some fantasy gems when it comes to the Cards on Sunday, I probably would think twice about it. If the Cards are to win on Sunday, it will most likely be from a team effort, not someone like quarterback Carson Palmer throwing for 400 yards or running back Rashard Mendenhall rushing for 100 and a couple of scores.
If you are looking for fantasy points, then the Saints may just be the team you are looking for. The Saints play well at home, especially quarterback Drew Brees. If you have Brees, I suggest starting him. If you have Palmer, I suggest benching him if he isn’t already your back up.
The one area maybe the Cards have an advantage is at running back. Mendenhall does look better and there is a chance he could score a couple of times depending on how they perform in the red zone. The Saints are a lot like the Cards though at running back, utilizing multiple players to get the job done. A guy like Darren Sproles is the sexy pick but Mark Ingram and Pierre Thomas shouldn’t be ruled out.
If you are looking at wide receiver, stay away from the Cards Larry Fitzgerald. If you have him, pay attention to the Friday injury report and then the pre-game shows on Sunday if he hasn’t been ruled out by then. Even if he does play on his nagging hamstring injury, he won’t be 100 percent, not even close. Sit him. A good replacement in deeper leagues could be Kerry Taylor. He came up big against the Detroit Lions in the second half when he was used with Fitz on the bench.
Saints tight end Jimmy Graham is a good bet if you have him. The Cards do get their tight end Rob Housler back however I’d sit him. Until he gets a couple of games back under his belt, he should be considered unreliable.