Cardinals vs. Panthers: Latest Odds and Stat Predictions for Top Fantasy Stars

Owners still alive can look to Wild Card Weekend's most underrated matchup when the Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers collide Saturday.

Cam Newton is a viable fantasy option, but he also has a few names around him that are worthwhile plays, or at the very least, players to keep an eye on for next season.

The same applies to Bruce Arians' Cardinals, a team that Las Vegas believes is at a big disadvantage thanks to the question mark that is their quarterback. It is a testament to the talent of younger players in the desert that they can and will overcome a rough situation at the most important position of all.

When owners need production in fantasy matchups or want to keep an eyeball on the future, the four names below need to be focal points this weekend.

Cardinals vs. Panthers Odds and Viewing Info

Date	Time	Watch	Stream	Spread	Pick ATS	Reason
Saturday, Jan. 3	4:35 p.m. ET	ESPN	Watch ESPN	CAR -6	CAR	Carolina is hot at the right time and will stand tall against a second- or third-string quarterback.

Top Fantasy Stars

Jonathan Stewart, RB, Carolina Panthers

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Remember Jonathan Stewart, the back many an owner wishes would escape a committee approach in Carolina? 

Stewart is healthy and quite effective as of late, especially because he has been acting as the lead back. He has 10 or more points in three of his last five outings and does not sound the least bit concerned that fellow back DeAngelo Williams is on his way back from injury.

“Whatever the offensive coordinator (decides) and whatever the plan is for the game, that’s how we run things,” Stewart said, per Jonathan Jones of the Charlotte Observer. “You just do your part and just worry about that.”

There is little reason to worry about Stewart at this point. He is fresh, productive and the staff will not just turn away from its best player at the spot with everything on the line.

Many will point out that the Cardinals surrender the fourth-fewest points to backs this year. Fair enough, but the unit has been miserable down the stretch and allowed three of its last four opposing backfields to post 21 or more points.

Prediction: 85 rushing yards, 1 TD

Kerwynn Williams, RB, Carolina Panthers

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

Jody Oehler of Fox Sports 910 Phoenix best describes the feeling Arians and his staff went through last week:

Owners are at risk of the same thing if they choose to ignore the talented young back.

Do not expect Arians to make the same mistake twice. Kerwynn Williams is a talented back who rises to the occasion when given the chance, hence his minimum of six points when the staff gives him 15 or more carries.

The Panthers rank in the middle of the pack against backs, but keep in mind that five of the team's last six opponents (Atlanta twice, Minnesota, New Orleans and Cleveland) are not exactly run-first teams with elite backs.

Arizona will lean heavily on Williams Saturday both on the ground and through the air to take pressure off the quarterback. The rest will fall into place.

Prediction: 55 rushing yards, 35 receiving yards, 1 TD

Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Carolina Panthers

Sean Gardner/Getty Images

Many owners are right to be mad with Carolina rookie wideout Kelvin Benjamin right now. 

The owner of eight double-digit outbursts this season, Benjamin fell flat at the worst possible time with a total of four points over the course of his last two games.

Expect an upswing, though. The Florida State product next faces a struggling Arizona defense that ranks 29th in the league against the pass and has allowed its last five opposing wideout corps to score 13 or more points, including highs of 22 and 36.

Benjamin is still the No. 1 target in Carolina, so expect Newton to look his way often, especially deep down the field if Stewart can keep the defense honest.

Prediction: 75 receiving yards, 1 TD 

Michael Floyd, WR, Arizona Cardinals

Rick Scuteri/Associated Press

An afterthought when most think about Arizona receivers, Michael Floyd is one to depend on in a pinch this weekend—or to look to draft next year. 

Floyd would not normally get a mention at this point. His up-and-down play has rode the ebbs and flows of the iffy quarterback situation to six double-digit outings on the year.

No. 6 is a real doozy, though.

It came in Week 17 by way of eight grabs for 153 yards and two scores, good for 27 fantasy points.

Floyd now encounters a Carolina defense that has allowed all but one set of wideouts to score in double digits and surrendered 17 touchdowns in the process.  Floyd will be the top target Saturday, no matter who is under center.

Prediction: 50 receiving yards, 1 TD 

All scoring info courtesy of ESPN standard leagues, as is points-against info and ownership stats as of Jan. 1 at 12 p.m ET. Statistics courtesy of ESPN.