The Arizona Cardinals travel to rival San Francisco for Week 11 of the NFL season, inexplicably in the midst of a two-game winning streak. Between Frank Gore, Larry Fitzgerald, Beanie Wells, and Vernon Davis, there's guaranteed to be a tremendous amount fantasy football variables in play during Sunday's game. With the help of numberFire.com, we've put together a comprehensive list of sit/start projections for this NFC West divisional matchup.
START
Larry Fitzgerald
numberFire.com Projections: 5.32 receptions, 74.68 yards, 0.56 touchdowns, 10.85 fantasy points
Analysis: If you benched Larry Fitzgerald last week in fear of Nnamdi Asomugha, you learned an invaluable lesson: regardless of the surrounding circumstances, always start the Cardinals' star. Fresh off a seven catch, 146-yard, two touchdown trashing of the Eagles, Fitz is the safest fantasy play in the NFC West.
Frank Gore
numberFire.com Projections: 15.48 rushes, 66.12 yards, 0.54 touchdowns, 3.69 receptions, 27.91 receiving yards, 12.95 fantasy points
Analysis: Fantasy owners who witnessed Frank Gore's six-carry, zero-yard performance last week against the New York Giants have to be nervous. Gore's midseason breakdowns are as legendary as his early season explosions. With a sore knee still hampering him, we'll err on the side of optimism this week against a weak Arizona front line, but all owners should be well-aware of his fleeting status.
SIT
Beanie Wells
numberFire.com Projections: 10.27 rushes, 41.28 yards, 0.31 touchdowns, 1.34 receptions, 9.93 receiving yards, 7.00 fantasy points
Analysis: It's almost time to hop off the Beanie Wells bandwagon. After an explosive start, Wells has collected just 82 yards over the last two weeks while nursing lingering injuries. With his health in doubt, and John Skelton emerging as a competent passer, the former Buckeye is a shaky play for any fantasy owner. San Francisco's standout frontline -- which hasn't allowed a 70-yard rusher all year -- won't help matters.
John Skelton
numberFire.com Projections: 227.24 passing yards, 1.05 touchdowns, .96 interceptions, 11.88 fantasy points
Analysis: How ridiculous would it be if John Skelton beat out Kevin Kolb for the starting job? It seems crazy to say, but it could become a reality if the youngster turns in another surprisingly effective week. Through two starts Skelton is averaging 20.39 fantasy points in standard leagues, an extraordinary number that no one saw coming. Still, the San Francisco defense is a tough nut to crack, so we'll hold off crowning the Fordham-alum until after this week.
Alex Smith
numberFire.com Projections: 217.53 passing yards, 1.22 touchdowns, 1.04 interceptions, 13.26 fantasy points
Analysis: What does it mean when Alex Smith is the seventh ranked passer in the NFL? To be honest, I have no idea. After six years of ridicule and turnover plagued play, the former number-one pick has seemingly turned over a new leaf under head coach Jim Harbaugh, limiting mistakes while remaining effective in the short passing game. Still, while the success has translated nicely to the real world, the carry-over to the fantasy realm has been has been limited. Smith is the 26th highest scoring QB in the game, and a shaky start in everything but the deepest leagues. Against an erratic Cardinals defense, it would take a ballsy leap of faith to place your trust in him.
Vernon Davis
numberFire.com Projections: 3.83 receptions, 42.44 yards, 0.34 touchdowns, 6.28 fantasy points
Analysis: No one has suffered from the 49ers' change in philosophy more than Vernon Davis. After consecutive standout seasons, the 27-year-old has suffered a shrinking role in Harbaugh's hybrid West Coast attack. The past four weeks have seen Davis' output drift downward to an average of 3.9 points per game. Until that trends reverses, it would be wise to turn your gaze elsewhere.