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The Arizona Cardinals head east this weekend to play Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and the Philadelphia Eagles in a game that will tell fans a lot about where their teams will end up. The Cardinals will be considered a heavy underdog by many, but if they were to pull this game out, their season would still be salvageable. For the Eagles, they need to win this game to stay within reach of winning the NFC East.
Both teams will need their big time players to step up during this game if they want to win. Let's take a look at some of these guys and see what kind of impact they can have for your fantasy football team.
LeSean McCoy:
LeSean McCoy has been on an absolute roll this season. He has already collected 825 yards this season and he has scored a touchdown in every game this season. There is no reason to expect that streak to end this weekend against the Cardinals. Arizona falls in the middle of the pack in terms of allowing fantasy points to running backs, giving up the 18th most points per game. McCoy is a definite starter though and he will undoubtedly get your team plenty of points.
Michael Vick:
Vick is a quarterback that can do it all, as we well know. He has the arm to sling the ball down the field for a big gain or he can scramble out of the pocket and turn it into a 20-yard gain. If the Cardinals do a bad job of playing contain, Vick will have a big day. Arizona has allowed the 7th most points to opposing quarterbacks, partly because of their mediocre pass rush. It will be interesting to see how defensive coordinator Ray Horton gameplans to stop Vick, which is something many other teams have not done well this season.
DeSean Jackson/Jeremy Maclin:
Arizona has given up the fifth most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this season, so Jackson and Maclin will be getting targets often. The Cardinals' secondary has been susceptible to the deep pass throughout this season and given the speed that these two receivers possess, Arizona could struggle keeping them in check.
Brent Celek:
The Cardinals have not done a good job in covering opposing tight ends throughout the season and their woes will not stop this week. Celek has become a huge part of the Eagles offense, being targeted nine times and making seven receptions last Monday against the Bears. Arizona allows the 16th most fantasy points to opposing tight ends, so Celek would be a great option for the tight end slot on your fantasy team.
Trent Cole/Jason Babin:
It's going to be a long weekend for Levi Brown and Brandon Keith, as they face two of the most premiere pass rushers in the NFL on Sunday. Cole and Babin, as we hear on every national broadcast, love to line up in the wide-nine formation, making offensive tackles look like turnstiles as the quarterback gets pummeled. This is the matchup of a lifetime for this duo, as Arizona has given up the third most fantasy points to opposing defensive ends this season. If the Cardinals choose not to have tight ends help chip block, Cole and Babin will collect sacks this weekend.
Beanie Wells:
Wells is yet again hampered by a knee injury, but he has shown that he is willing to play through the pain and will likely play on Sunday. He had a poor performance last week against the St. Louis Rams, but now is not the time to give up on him. The Eagles have given up the third most fantasy points to opposing running backs this season, so Wells is a must start.
Larry Fitzgerald:
John Skelton is likely to be the starting quarterback again this weekend with Kevin Kolb still recovering from a brutal turf toe injury, so inexperience will be a factor against the vaunted Eagles pass rush and secondary. Still, Fitz is the by far the best receiver the Cardinals have and will see a few targets throughout the game. It will be interesting to see how much the Eagles choose to leave Fitzgerald in single coverage, which they may be able to afford to do given the skill they have at the cornerback position.
Calais Campbell:
There's that guy again. Campbell has been one of the most consistent players on this Cardinals team throughout the year and he remains a fantasy "must start" again. Hopefully for Arizona, Campbell can continue on the rampage that he went on last week where he collected 1.5 sacks and a field goal block. The Eagles have given up the 20th most points to opposing defensive ends this season, so it should be a decent matchup for Calais.
Patrick Peterson:
Peterson is starting to gain some more national notoriety after returning a punt 99-yards for a touchdown in overtime last weekend. On top of that, he has been the most consistent cornerback for the Cardinals this season and will have a big matchup against DeSean Jackson on Sunday. If you are in need of a corner for your IDP league, Peterson might even be available on the waiver wire (he is owned in 72% of Yahoo! Fantasy leagues). And if your league counts return yards for points, then Peterson is a must start.
Daryl Washington:
Washington becomes the sleeper of the week this Sunday as he has an incredible matchup against the Eagles, who have allowed the sixth most fantasy points to opposing linebackers this season. D-Wash has become the best linebacker on this Cardinals team as a force against both the run and the pass. He collected ten total tackles last weekend against the Rams and could be in for a big day again. The best news of all? He is owned in only 5% of the Yahoo! fantasy leagues, so you can likely pick him up off waivers before Sunday's game.
Stats Provided by Yahoo! Sports