Manning is clearly in game-manager mode right now. He had another so-so outing in Week 11, passing for 153 yards and a TD in the win over the Ravens. This offense is all about the running game but this is a week which could see the Giants ask Manning to do more to keep up with the high-scoring Cardinals. Arizona's pass defense is weak, giving up 210 yards a game so look for Manning to take to the air more than usual and have success. He hasn't given his owners many reasons to be excited about him lately but he'll come through with a fine outing on Sunday.
Jacobs had another productive outing in Week 11, rushing for 73 yards and a pair of scores before leaving the game with a knee injury. The injury isn't believed to be serious and Jacobs should play this week. The Cardinals' run defense has been solid, giving up only 89.8 yards a game but this matchup favors the Giants' ground game because it is too good to be shut down. If Jacobs plays, he'll score at least once and dish out his usual brand of punishment. Start him as you normally would.
Ward continues to be a valuable backup to Jacobs and a productive flex option in many leagues. He rushed for 41 yards last week and caught four passes for a team-high 54 yards. He'll be active again this week and fantasy owners can expect him to get double-digit touches. His value is rock solid as a RB3 in PPR leagues so start him there and look forward to at least 75 total yards.
Burrress has really fallen on tough times. He's caught more than three passes in a game only once in his last seven games and he's been held under 60 yards receiving every game in that span. He'll be needed this week, however, as the Giants will have to throw it more than usual. Burress has become a matchup play for fantasy owners but the matchup is very good this week so he's looking better than usual.
Toomer has become a non-factor in the Giants' passing game. He caught only one pass last week and has only 13 receptions in his last six games. Despite the favorable matchup, Toomer is far too risky to count on from a fantasy perspective. I wouldn't rule out him having a good game, but I wouldn't want to use a valuable starting spot on him given his significant downside.
Smith's fantasy luster has pretty much come and gone. He's caught only three passes the past two games and has only one TD in his last seven. This is a promising matchup and he could surprise as Manning could find him for several intermediate passes. But it's too risky to count on him given how little involvement he's had in the passing game lately. You can do better at WR this week.
The Boss wasn't so boss last week. After scoring in three straight games, he failed to catch a pass in the win over Baltimore. Look for Boss to get back on track this week against a poor Arizona pass defense. Manning will look for him in the Red Zone and a TD is very probable. Put last week's disappointment in the rear view mirror and expect much better results from Boss this week.
Tynes got the start ahead of John Carney last week and converted his only FG attempt from 19 yards out. This is a week-to-week situation and the Giants could go back to Carney at any time. So make sure Tynes is starting before you use him. But there is plenty of upside with the Giants' kicker this week in what should be a high-scoring game so if Tynes starts, he's definitely worth starting in your fantasy league.
Kurt Warner is playing at an MVP level but the Giants boast one of the league's strongest defenses so this will be an exciting matchup. Warner will give up some sacks and few teams bring the heat like the Giants. They will give up plenty of points this week but the sacks will be there and a takeaway or two is very likely as well.
Warner keeps winging it and his fantasy owners continue to rejoice. He threw for 395 yards and a TD last week and has topped 300 yards in four straight games. The Giants give up only 174.8 passing yards a game but Warner owners shouldn't fret. This passing attack is far too potent for any defense to stop and Warner will throw it at every turn. Don't expect 300 yards again, but he will deliver strong fantasy numbers once again.
Hightower hasn't done much in his last two starts. He had another lackluster performance last week, rushing for only 35 yards against a bad Seattle defense. The matchup is much worse this week as the Giants give up only 91 rushing yards a game. Hightower has been a great story but he's not a strong play this week so bench him if you can.
With Hightower struggling last week, Arrington had his second productive outing in three games. He rushed for 40 yards and a TD and caught three passes, including another score. Will this continue? In a game which should see the Cardinals throwing it a ton, he's not a bad flex play in larger PPR leagues as he could catch 4-plus passes. He's definitely someone to target because the third-down RB in this offense will have value.
There isn't a better WR duo in the game right now than Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin. Fitzgerald had another huge game in Week 11, catching 10 passes for 151 yards. The Giants boast a strong pass defense, but they won't slow this guy down. He's an elite WR and a Must Start every week in fantasy leagues. But you already knew that, right?
Boldin has been a fantasy stud this season. He was all over the field last week against Seattle, catching 13 passes for 186 yards. He also ran once as the Cardinals continued to use him in their Wildcat formation. There isn't much more to be said about Boldin that hasn't been said already. He's a superstar playing at a high level. He'll deliver as usual this week.
Breaston was quiet last week after his Week 10 explosion, catching only two passes for 15 yards. With Fitzgerald and Boldin commanding so many receptions each week, Breaston's value will remain inconsistent. He's talented but this isn't a good matchup for him so don't expect another huge game. Keep him benched this week.
Rackers came through with a huge game last week, kicking four FGs, including one from 54 yards out, in the win at Seattle. Nobody is slowing the Cardinals down so Rackers always has plenty of upside each week. There's no reason to sit him this week if you've normally been starting him.
The Cardinals boast a top-10 run defense but it will be tested by the Giants' superb running attack. Arizona gives up 22.8 points per game and on the road against a standout team isn't a good spot to gamble with them from a fantasy perspective. They won't do much against the Giants so look elsewhere for defensive help this week.
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