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NFC East Fantasy Outlook

September 20, 2007 @ 16:00:00

By Ben Rubin
Edited by Herija C. Green

NFC East

Do Not Bench List - All Positions

Running Back Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia Eagles: Westbrook sprained his knee against the Redskins but shouldn't miss any time in Week 3. Westbrook is quietly off to a great so far, rushing for 90.5 yards per game and receiving for 56 per game. He's been utilized in 57 plays (41.5 percent of his team's offense) thus far so the opportunities are there for him to keep up the stats.
Wide Receiver Terrell Owens, Dallas Cowboys: Owens is averaging 1.5 touchdowns per game so far this young season and has proven to be one of the main targets in the Cowboys' offense. As always, Owens should stay in your lineup, even against the Chicago Bears defense.
Tight End Jeremy Shockey, New York Giants: Shockey has caught an even five passes per game the first two games of the season and has shown a lot of heart for a struggling Giants team. The defense may be bad, but the offense has been serviceable, and with quarterback Eli Manning likely to start, Shockey could continue to put up good numbers, especially for a tight end.

Quarterbacks

Player	Team	Gm	Pass Yds/G	Pass TD/G	INT/G	Rush Yards/G	Rush TD/G
Tony Romo	Dallas Cowboys	2	265.5	3.00	0.50	23.5	0.50
Eli Manning	New York Giants	2	261.5	2.50	1.00	1.0	0.00
Donovan McNabb	Philadelphia Eagles	2	212.0	0.50	0.50	12.0	0.00
Jason Campbell	Washington Redskins	2	215.5	0.50	1.50	34.0	0.00

Romo - Romo has been pretty consistent this year, averaging three touchdowns per game and even running the ball a little bit, averaging 23.5 rushing yards per game. Against Chicago he may slow down a little bit but should remain a starter in your lineup with the weapons he has on offense. He is a weak play.

Manning - Manning wound up starting last week but didn't finish the game. While he can put up big numbers every week, don't just leave him in as your starter. Keep yourself up to date on the latest Manning news this week to find out whether or not he's likely to be in the whole game. If you have other good options at quarterback you may want to consider using them this week until Manning puts up a good week and looks to be healthy. If all signs point to a full game of Manning start him as a decent No. 1 option.

McNabb - McNabb hasn't been incredible this year, and as a result Philly hasn't really done too much on offense. If you were looking for McNabb to be your savior at quarterback, then you're certainly disappointed at this point. His numbers should slowly improve, but until they do, you may want to look for another option at quarterback. Don't give up on McNabb though yet, just wait and see what he'll give you in the coming weeks. He is a No. 2 quarterback this Sunday.

Campbell - Getting adjusted to the NFL is no easy task, and Campbell's giving it his all. He hasn't really been amazing yet, but he's showing signs that he could wind up having success in the future. His numbers aren't good enough to make your starting lineup every week yet, but he's a strong play and could be a low-end No. 1 quarterback against the Giants this week.

Running Backs

Player	Team	Gm	Util (%)/G	RZ (%) Plays/G	Rush Yds/G	Rush TD/G	Rec/G	Rec Yards/G	Rec TD/G
Julius Jones	Dallas Cowboys	2	17.00 (25.85)	3.00 (22.81)	49.0	0.00	1.00	17.5	0.00
Marion Barber III	Dallas Cowboys	2	15.00 (22.81)	5.00 (38.02)	77.0	1.50	1.50	17.5	0.00
Brandon Jacobs	New York Giants	1	6.00 (4.67)	0.00 (0.00)	26.0	0.00	0.00	0.0	0.00
Derrick Ward	New York Giants	2	19.50 (30.32)	4.50 (35.75)	89.5	0.00	4.00	31.0	0.50
Clinton Portis	Washington Redskins	2	17.50 (28.17)	1.50 (33.33)	83.5	1.00	0.50	3.5	0.00
Ladell Betts	Washington Redskins	2	13.00 (20.92)	1.00 (22.22)	36.5	0.00	1.50	21.0	0.00

Jones - In the typical fantasy owner's nightmare, Jones continues to get more overall carriers, but less carries in the red zone. Unfortunately, look for much of the same as the year continues. Jones hasn't rushed for a touchdown yet, and that should be a troubling sign for fantasy owners. Play Jones as a decent No. 3 back this week against a tough Chicago defense.

Barber - Barber has been getting the touchdowns and extra yardage that you may have expected out of Jones, but look for the carries to remain about split between the two. Against Chicago, it would be best to use Barber as a weak No. 1 or strong No. 2 fantasy back.

Jacobs - Still out with a hurting knee, there's only a chance Jacobs will even practice this week. Keep him on your bench until he's healthy.

Ward - For the second straight week Ward did a nice job of filling in for Jacobs, rushing for 90 yards on just 15 carries against the Green Bay Packers. In a critical game with Washington this week Ward is a low-end No. 1 or solid No. 2 option.

Portis - Portis is off to a good start so far this year and should keep it up against the Giants defense. Unless he gets injured, there's no reason for Portis not to be a starter on your team. He's a quality No. 1 back this week with a strong play against New York.

Betts - Betts is still going to get some carries, but as weeks go he could lose some touches to Portis. He may pick up an occasional touchdown, but don't expect much out of him on a weekly basis. Betts is a decent No. 3 choice with a strong play in Week 3.

Wide Receivers

Player	Team	Gm	Util (%)/G	RZ (%) Plays/G	Rec/G	Rec Yards/G	Rec TD/G
Patrick Crayton	Dallas Cowboys	2	3.50 (5.32)	0.50 (3.80)	1.50	25.5	0.00
Plaxico Burress	New York Giants	2	8.00 (12.44)	1.00 (7.94)	5.00	88.0	2.00
Reggie Brown	Philadelphia Eagles	2	7.00 (10.19)	1.00 (10.61)	1.50	20.5	0.00
Kevin Curtis	Philadelphia Eagles	2	8.00 (11.64)	1.50 (15.92)	3.00	40.5	0.00
Santana Moss	Washington Redskins	2	8.50 (13.68)	0.00 (0.00)	4.50	58.5	0.00
Antwaan Randle El	Washington Redskins	2	7.00 (11.27)	1.00 (22.22)	4.50	103.0	0.00

Crayton - As wide receiver Terry Glenn (knee) continues to miss games, Crayton should become more confident as the No. 2 receiver for the Cowboys. So far, however, he hasn't done much at all. He should stay on your bench for the time being.

Burress - Whether Manning is healthy or not, Burress (ankle) is still the big receiver who's an easy target for any quarterback. He's put up great numbers so far, and looks to be the Giants main target in the passing game. Burress missed practice both Wednesday and Thursday this week, but he has said he'll be ready for Sunday. If he plays, Burress is a solid No. 1 receiving option for your team.

Brown - Brown has been a disappointment so far this year. The Eagles' No. 1 receiver hasn't produced good fantasy numbers at all, managing only 20.5 receiving yards a game. His production depends on that of McNabb's, and until McNabb steps it up, Brown's numbers will likely continue to disappoint. Put him on your bench, as he's barely putting up any points at all.

Curtis - Curtis' numbers could be better right now if McNabb had hit him when he was open. He's getting open and putting up better numbers than Brown so far. Curtis is an injury replacement or bench option this week.

Moss - Moss had a much better Week 2 than Week 1, and his numbers should improve as Campbell improves. Don't let his Week 1 get to you, he's got a great matchup this week and can be played as a solid No. 3 receiver with a strong play.

Randle El - After a huge Week 1, Randle El cooled down against the Eagles. Look for his numbers to be closer to his Week 2 totals as opposed to his monstrous Week 1 outing. However, in Week 3 he's an iffy No. 1 or strong No. 2 selection at the receiver spot. Like Moss, he is also a strong play.

Tight Ends

Player	Team	Gm	Util (%)/G	RZ (%) Plays/G	Rec/G	Rec Yards/G	Rec TD/G
Jason Witten	Dallas Cowboys	2	6.00 (9.12)	0.50 (3.80)	4.00	71.5	0.50
L.J. Smith	Philadelphia Eagles	2	3.50 (5.09)	0.50 (5.31)	2.00	13.0	0.00
Chris Cooley	Washington Redskins	2	4.00 (6.44)	0.50 (11.11)	1.50	17.5	0.50

Witten - Owens and Witten have helped the Cowboys get off to their fast start. Witten's 71.5 receiving yards per game are third among tight ends, and he may hold up close to that pace. Witten is one of the best tight ends in the league and is off to a good start, so there's no reason for him to be anywhere but in your lineup as a solid No. 1 tight end with a strong play against Chicago.

Smith - The entire Eagles offense has been a disappointment so far, and Smith is no exception. Until the Eagles offense picks up, don't expect Smith to put up good stats. Put him on the pine this week.

Cooley - Cooley also isn't off to a great start, but he should pick it up. He's got a golden opportunity against a Giants team that has allowed 85.5 yards and 1.5 touchdowns (worst in the NFL) per game to the position. Start Cooley with a strong play this week.

Place Kickers

Player	Team	Gm	XPA/G	XP/G	FGA/G	FG/G	Kick Pnts/G
Nick Folk	Dallas Cowboys	2	5.00	5.00	2.00	2.00	11.0
Lawrence Tynes	New York Giants	2	1.50	1.50	3.00	2.50	9.0
David Akers	Philadelphia Eagles	2	0.50	0.50	3.00	3.00	9.5
Shaun Suisham	Washington Redskins	2	1.50	1.50	2.50	2.50	9.0

Folk - Folk has been pretty busy so far this year with the Cowboys, and with Dallas playing the Bears this week, some of those extra points could turn into field goal attempts. The risk of course is if those extra points turn into punts. Folk is a No. 1 kicker with a weak play this Sunday night.

Tynes - Tynes missed a field goal last week after a poor snap but hasn't really been that bad for the Giants this year. He's a decent No. 1 option as a kicker, and is a decent play against the Redskins this week. You should start him.

Akers - Usually one of the league's best kickers, Akers has been perfect this year, hitting an average of three field goals per game. Against the Lions this week he could tack on a few more. Akers is a decent No. 1 kicker this week.

Suisham - Suisham hasn't missed yet, and this week he plays the Giants whose defense can't stop anyone. They'll probably get into the red zone a couple times, and if Campbell can't lead them into the end zone, they'll be looking to Suisham to get the field goal. He's not a great No. 1 kicking option, but there are a lot worse choices out there.

Defensive Teams

Team	Gm	Off Pnts Allw/G	INT/G	Sacks/G	FR/G	DEF/ST TD/G
Dallas Cowboys	2	27.5	2.50	1.5	0.50	0.00
New York Giants	2	40.0	1.00	1.0	0.50	0.00
Philadelphia Eagles	2	15.0	1.00	2.5	0.50	0.00
Washington Redskins	2	12.5	0.00	2.5	0.50	0.00

Cowboys - The Bears offense has struggled so far, and the Cowboys have done alright on defense. Going against a weak offense could mean a huge week for a so-so defense. Start them this week against quarterback Rex Grossman and the Bears with a strong play.

Giants - The worst defense in the league this year is facing a decent offense in the Redskins. Clearly the Giants defense has problems they need to work out before you should even think about putting them in your lineup.

Eagles - The Eagles boast a solid defense, and face the Lions who are off to a 2-0 start. The Eagles are allowing only 15 points per game and are looking good. Don't fear the Lions, and start the Eagles as a decent No. 1 defense this week.

Redskins - Though the Redskins defense has looked good so far, they face a pretty good offense in the Giants. If you've been counting on their defense, you should look another way this week as they are a very weak No. 1 or bench option this Sunday.