Cardinals-Giants: Fantasy Breakdown

...And that is why they play the games. See, we don't know what is going to happen. We look at the stats, and factor in momentum, trends, and our gut feelings. Then we guess.

From the experts down to the newbies. Predictions of game winners and best bets for your starting fantasy lineups alike. There are no guarantees even if the results sometimes seem like inevitable locks.

The Eagles-Raiders game for example, or starting Matt Hasselbeck in your fantasy lineup last week against the last ranked pass defense. Both seemed like such sure things, there was no hesitation to plug in Philadelphia as victors and assume Matt would light up the Cardinals.

Unfortunately, it was opposite day in the NFL.

Which brings me in a roundabout, long-winded way to this week's Cardinals-Giants matchup. Its a tough call across the board. On the one hand you have the Cardinals' No. 1 ranked rush defense versus the Giants' No. 5 rushing offense, but are you going to sit Ahmad Bradshaw?

Or how about the Cardinals' sixth ranked passing offense versus the Giants top ranked pass defense? If you saw the Saints-Giants game you know that being ranked No. 1 means nothing when you are being absolutely shredded by Drew Brees.

So here is my fantasy breakdown. Take it from someone that has won multiple fantasy championships, my guesses are usually pretty good, but they are just guesses. No guarantees implied.

~Cardinals~

++++Kurt Warner - I'd roll the dice with Kurt Warner just about anytime. It doesn't matter if they win or lose as a team. In the Super Bowl vs. the Steelers he had 377 passing yards in a loss for example.

Plus, he is playing great right now. Believe it or not, he may actually be playing with more confidence now than at any point in his career. To be fair, the Giants are angry, and their secondary could live up to its ranking. I say even if they do, it is only one (+) notch off of this recommendation.

++++Larry Fitzgerald - Isn't Fitz a must-start for every game except for bye week? He is coming off a 13-reception game and seems to have warmed up.

++Anquan Boldin may not play this game, and even if he does he will likely be less of a factor than usual with a high ankle sprain. If you have better options, consider benching Boldin.

With this being the second to last game of the week, getting the last minute news that he is inactive will do you no good since your other wideouts will have already played.

Unless of course you are fortunate enough to have an option for Monday Night's contest, in which case feel free to gamble.

++++Steve Breaston is really coming on. Last year he gained 1,000 yards, and it was fair to assume some of his production was due to being lined up next to two Pro Bowlers.

He continues to improve though and I don't think that is the case any longer. He is a viable No. 2 on any NFL team now, and a solid No. 3 fantasy WR in the least. If he continues to return punts, his stock may inch higher.

I added a notch for Breaston given Boldin's injury, which means he is line for even more work, and he is already averaging 6 catches and 80 yards per contest.

+++Tim Hightower will be involved and get his touches whether the Cardinals are running the ball or not. He has three rushing TDs and 29 receptions.

+Beanie Wells— Hasn't done enough yet to warrant fantasy consideration.

+Ben Patrick is the best pass catcher playing TE for the Cardinals, and I think they will try to get him more involved in the game plan. The Saints showed that using a variety of formations and utilizing Jeremy Shockey helped keep the Giants off balance.

Still, you can't count on Patrick to produce. Only use him if you are desperate and willing to gamble.

++++Neil Rackers makes a great play because this could turn into a shootout, and if the game comes down to long field goals Rackers has one of the strongest legs in the league.

+++DEFENSE This is where things get extra tricky. The Cardinals are a work in progress, but have shown flashes of brilliance defending the run and the pass. The Giants were embarrassed last game and may come out firing on all cylinders.

Still, I like the momentum the Cardinals have, and I like their turnover creating potential. Weigh your other options, but unless you have the Colts' D vs. the Rams, roll with Arizona.

~Giants~

++++Eli Manning - I'd roll with Eli in just about any game as well. Before the Saints game people were crowning him one of the best performers this year. If the Cardinals can't get to Eli he could put up a huge day.

++++Steve Smith is having a great year. He has had a relatively quiet last two games with seven receptions and no TDs, but he is Eli's favorite target to date.

+++Mario Manningham has a tweaky back but is expected to play. I wonder though if he is becoming the No.3 option now that Hakeem Nicks is coming on? He only has seven catches in his last three games, but two were for TDs.

++++Hakeem Nicks has either simply strung together three productive games with a TD in each, or he is replacing Steve Smith as Eli's favorite. Only time will tell.

++Brandon Jacobs is always capable of having a big day with his massive size and athleticism, but he appears to be struggling slightly as of late and the media has definitely let him know about it. With the Cards being tough against the run, temper your expectations.

+++Ahmad Bradshaw is an exciting player to watch, it is hard not to give him five stars on talent alone. He is a dangerous player that usually has at least one long run per contest. He has three TDs in the last two games, and is averaging a stellar 6.2 yards per carry.

Again, the Cardinals are ranked No.1 against the run, and Bradshaw isn't heavily involved in the passing game. Still, I am not sitting him in my lineup this week and I wouldn't recommend you do it either.

++Kevin Boss has not been a huge producer to date. He is not your best option unless that other player is Ben Patrick.

++++Lawrence Tynes has missed three field goal attempts under 40 yards, but he gets so many chances he is one of the best fantasy kickers this season.

+++DEFENSE - See my above synopsis. The Giants would be must starts on sheer talent alone, but after last week can you trust them going up against Kurt Warner?

Simply put, who knows, and there aren't many options out there that have as much to offer as the G-men should you give them the benefit of the doubt that they will play better this week. Roll with Big Blue.

Their D-line is nasty and the Cardinals O-line is vulnerable.