The Cardinals had been a great team at home this season, racking up a seemingly endless supply of passing yards. So when the Minnesota Vikings brought their below average -- as far as defensive rankings went -- pass defense to the desert, it should have been a fantasy paradise. Instead, Kurt Warner was outscored by the likes of David Garrard, Chad Pennington and Matt Schaub.
Even worse, his one touchdown pass was to Jerheme Urban. Anquan Boldin, Larry Fitzgerald, and even Steve Breaston were likely in fantasy lineups everywhere, only to be relative busts.
And this was the playoffs. Let's hope you rode other players or had a bye, because those guys warrant inclusion into the Brutus Boys at this point. That won't change this week, as the Cardinals visit New England. We've seen how well the Cards fare in the Eastern time zone, and I don't expect them to do anything different this time around. Not after this subpar performance.
Fool me once ...
Other Reality Checks
- I could not have been more wrong about Tashard Choice. He sliced up the Giants for nearly 100 yards on less than 10 carries. Obviously I'm not excited about the Ravens defense coming to town, but Choice has fared well against the Steelers and Giants now. Monitor the health of Marion Barber this week, because if he's limited again, Choice is a worthy start.
- Tarvaris Jackson is worth a pickup after those four touchdowns, but let's not get way ahead of ourselves. I'd have to have a serious matchup problem or injury to my starter before trusting him in my fantasy Super Bowl -- which should be this coming week.
- The Bills finally found a way to run the football, and they did so against a stout Jets' run defense. This means Marshawn Lynch is back just in time to push his owners over the top. The Bills play the Broncos this weekend, and their run defense is terrible.
- Even if Reggie Bush plays, from here on out it's very evident Pierre Thomas is the start in the Saints backfield.
- Cadillac Williams is slowly taking over the starting job from Warrick Dunn. Caddy's a play against the Chargers at home this weekend, if you are looking for RB3-type options.
- I don't know if it's because Joseph Addai has been hampered by injuries all season or what, but Dominic Rhodes is clearly a better running back this season. The Colts head to Jacksonville this weekend, and will likely have their way running the football. If you own both Addai and Rhodes, I think you have to be hoping Addai sits out again. If they split carries -- meaning Addai plays -- I'd rather have Rhodes in the lineup.
- Finally, a memo to the Vikings: Can Adrian Peterson please get end-zone chances? That's 270 yards in the past two weeks without a score. Meanwhile, Tarvaris Jackson has thrown for only 268 yards, yet tossed five touchdown passes. C'mon Childress, you are killing us.
