Week 4 vs. Los Angeles
Carson Palmer had a rough game against Buffalo last week. He threw for 287 yards, but didn’t find the end zone and had four interceptions. Palmer will need to get back on track after a shaky start to the season if the Cardinals are going to be in position for a deep playoff run again.
This week, Palmer should have a good chance at a rebound. While the Rams are supposed to be good on defense, they allowed 405 yards and three touchdowns passing to Jameis Winston last week and rank right in the middle of the league in pass defense. In a division game, the Cardinals need to get back on track and Palmer should be in line for at least borderline QB1 numbers this week.
Week 3 at Buffalo
Carson Palmer tore up the Tampa Bay defense last week, with 304 yards and three touchdowns in a blowout victory for the Cardinals. Palmer didn’t even finish the game as Arizona won 40-7, but he still managed a nice fantasy outing without any turnovers. He remains a consistent fantasy option in a prolific offense.
This week, he’ll face a Buffalo team that got torched by Ryan Fitzpatrick last week. Buffalo should be a little better on defense than they showed last week, but they are still vulnerable and Palmer is a nice start against them. Fitzpatrick had only one touchdown pass against them, but moved the ball up and down the field at will. Palmer should be good for QB1 numbers as a top-10 option and remains a good value player at the position in all league formats.
Week 2 vs. Tampa Bay
Carson Palmer had 271 yards and two touchdowns last week against the Patriots. Not a bad outing, despite the loss, as he didn’t throw any picks and showed that the Cardinals are still a force on offense.
This week, he’ll face a Tampa defense that gave up 334 yards and a pair of touchdowns to Matt Ryan last week and has a good enough offense to stay in the game. Arizona should be in full attack-mode this week to try and get past the Week 1 loss against a Patriots team missing their top two players, which should mean good things for the offense. Palmer is a top-ten option and should be active in all leagues.
Week 1 vs. New England
Carson Palmer is coming off an MVP-caliber season. He threw for 4,671 yards and 35 touchdown passes, both career highs, while tossing only 11 interceptions. In a high-octane passing offense, Palmer should have every opportunity to continue his prolific passing this season, and he has excellent weapons to work with in both the passing and the running game.
He starts the season against a Patriots defense that was very average against the pass last year and may struggle on offense without the suspended Tom Brady. Palmer doesn’t have the same upside as some of the guys with incredible matchups this week, but he’s a consistent and steady QB1 option in all fantasy leagues and should be good for top-10 numbers this week and beyond.
Fantasy Upside
Carson Palmer played at least 15 games for the third time in four seasons in 2015, starting every game while throwing for 4,671 yards, 35 touchdowns. He also greatly improving his decision-making while throwing only 11 interceptions -- his fewest in a full season in his career, with the next best being 12 back in 2005. Palmer is in full command of the Cardinals offense. More importantly, he has Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Floyd, John Brown, Jaron Brown and J.J. Nelson. David Johnson also provides additional receiving firepower out of the backfield. With the offensive line set to improve with veteran Evan Mathis stepping in at right guard to help mentor first-year starting tackle D.J. Humphries, Palmer is sitting in the catbird's seat. He threw for 300-plus yards nine times last season, 265-plus four more and had multiple touchdowns 11 times while throwing more than one pick just once.
Fantasy Downside
It's fair to wonder if Palmer will overcome the setback of a ghastly six-turnover performance in the Cardinals NFC Championship Game loss. Will Palmer's postseason failures continue to haunt him? Or will the 36-year-old quarterback bounce back as the leader of a stacked roster?
2016 Bottom Line
Yes. I'm reaching on the downside, because I don't really think there's much to the questions posed (and neither does head coach Bruce Arians). "He'll come back with more vengeance than before the injury," Arians said. With a strong supporting cast, there's no reason to believe Palmer won't continue playing at a similar level in 2016 to what we saw in 2015.
NFC Championship at Carolina
Carson Palmer had a pair of interceptions against the Packers last week, but his 349 passing yards and three touchdowns made him a solid fantasy option anyway. Palmer is coming off an MVP-caliber season and he looks better than he ever has as the Cardinals try to make it to the Super Bowl.
Palmer faces a Panther defense that frustrated Seattle last week, particularly in the first half, and was tied for seventh in the league this year with only 21 passing touchdowns allowed to opposing offenses. Still, all the quarterbacks have tough matchups this week, and three out of four of them are elite players. While we rank Palmer third amongst the four starters, as long as you have one of the top three, you’ll be in good shape this week in most fantasy leagues.
Week 19 vs. Green Bay
Carson Palmer finished his MVP caliber regular season fourth in the NFL in passing yards, tied for second in touchdown passes, and with the third best quarterback rating. The veteran from USC led the Cardinals to the number two seed in the playoffs and will look to make it back to the NFC Championship Game with a win over the Packers this weekend.
The chances look pretty good. Despite the Packers looking solid against Washington last week, and despite the Green Bay defense ranking sixth in the league against the pass this season, Palmer should put up good numbers in the divisional round. Palmer threw for a pair of touchdowns in a beatdown of the Packers just a few weeks ago, and will be playing at home in Arizona. Palmer is the second best fantasy quarterback option this week and is a fine option in all fantasy playoff formats.
Week 17 vs. Seattle
Carson Palmer had a decent enough game against the Packers last week, putting up 265 yards and a pair of touchdowns in a blowout win for the Cardinals. Palmer is now fourth in the league in passing yards this season and third in passing touchdowns, with a quarterback rating better than every other quarterback besides Russell Wilson. Palmer is a legit MVP candidate and he could seal it with a big win over Seattle this week.
Seattle is best in the league allowing only 13 passing touchdowns this season however, which could hurt Palmer’s chances of putting up big fantasy numbers. Still, he’s been so good this year, he’s borderline matchup proof, and since he plays at the same time as Carolina, the Cardinals should be motivated to win, hoping for a Panther loss that puts Arizona in the #1 seed. He should be active in all leagues.
Week 16 vs. Green Bay
Carson Palmer had a modest game against the Eagles last week, putting up 274 yards and a touchdown despite seemingly dislocating his finger midway through the outing. Palmer seems alright, and he’s still in the midst of an MVP caliber season. He was selected to a well-deserved Pro Bowl this week, and has the Cardinals in the driver’s seat for the #2 seed in the NFC.
This week, Palmer should be excellent again as the Cardinals continue to chase the Panthers for home-field advantage. The Packers are their main competition for the #2 seed as well, so this is a big week for Arizona. Green Bay is tenth in the league in passing yards allowed, and tied for fifth with only 18 passing touchdowns given up this season, but Palmer has been matchup proof for most of the season and should be active in all leagues.
Week 15 at Philadelphia
Carson Palmer had another nice game last week, throwing for 310 yards, a pair of touchdowns and no interceptions in a victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday night. Palmer is second in the NFL in passing yards and touchdowns, and he leads the league in yards per passing attempt with 8.84.
This week, Palmer should be a top fantasy option against an Eagles pass defense that has given up 29 touchdown passes to opposing offenses this year. Only the Saints have given up more, and the Eagles also rank in the bottom third of the league in passing yards allowed. Palmer has been stellar all season, and he should active as a QB1 in all leagues this week.
