Fantasy Football: Tre Mason Among Starts, Sits For Cardinals-Rams Bout

Nobody said it was going to be easy.

In many leagues, the fantasy football playoffs start this weekend or already have begun. So what better way to kick things off than a game between two of the stingiest defenses in the NFL?

In one corner are the Arizona Cardinals, who are allowing just 18.1 points per game, good for third-best in the NFL. In the other are the St. Louis Rams, who haven’t allowed a single point since Nov. 23.

Not exactly a fantasy football owner’s dream matchup.

The good news is that one team has to score to win the game, so there ultimately will be players who put up serviceable fantasy numbers in this one. The tricky part is deciding whether you want to roll with a starter from this game or wait until Sunday to test your luck.

Yet the fantasy football playoffs are all about making the tough calls. Here’s who we think you should start and sit on Thursday night.

START
Larry Fitzgerald, Wide Receiver, Cardinals: OK, so this one’s a bit of a stretch. But Fitzgerald has amassed 288 receiving yards and three touchdowns in his last three games against the Rams, including a 112-yard output earlier this season. The Rams had been susceptible to the pass prior to their recent shutout streak, so if you need to roll with any Cardinals skill player, make it Larry.

Rams defense: If this is going to be a defensive battle, why not take the defense? The Rams’ unit has been on fire of late, producing double-digit fantasy points in five of its last six games in standard-scoring leagues. The Cardinals haven’t been too friendly to opposing defenses this season, but they’re on the road without Carson Palmer and Andre Ellington. Both defenses are a safe bet in this one.

SIT
Tre Mason, Running Back, Rams: Mason clearly is the team’s workhorse back, so if you’re thin at running back, you might have to start him. But the Cardinals’ run defense presents a brutal matchup, and the rookie managed just 66 yards on 20 carries against the Washington Redskins’ stout front last week. There are plenty of other better options out there.

Kerwynn Williams, Running Back, Cardinals: Much was made of Williams’ 19-carry, 100-yard performance in his NFL debut last weekend. Don’t expect an encore. The Rams have allowed just one 100-yard rusher since Week 3 and have yielded a total of 41 rushing yards over their last two games. Add the fact that Williams likely will split carries with Stepfan Taylor and Marion Grice, and this has “let-down game” written all over it.

Have a fantasy/NFL question for Darren? Send it to him via Twitter at @darren_hartwell

Thumbnail photo via Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports Images