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NFC East Fantasy Outlook

October 18, 2007 @ 15:34:15

By Ben Rubin
Edited by Herija C. Green

Note: All statistics appearing in this article are from Weeks 3-6, unless otherwise noted.

Do Not Bench List - All Positions

Quarterback Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys: Though Romo's performance was completely overshadowed by New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady's last week, he actually did quite well. He made a nice rebound from his five-interception performance the week before, throwing for two touchdowns and one interception. Through his last four games, he's averaging 294.0 yards and 2.25 touchdowns per game. Romo is a strong play against the Minnesota Vikings this week.
Running Back Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia Eagles: Westbrook is continuing his excellent season, adding an additional 120 yards rushing last week against the New York Jets. He did, however, go without a touchdown, but that's nothing to be concerned about. He's still one of the top running backs for fantasy football in the league. Make sure he starts against the Chicago Bears this week, as he's a strong play.
Wide Receiver Plaxico Burress, New York Giants: Burress continued to add to his jaw-dropping stats Monday night against the Atlanta Falcons, catching six passes for 97 yards and yet another touchdown. He's been a favorite target for quarterback Eli Manning this season, and he's tied for the league lead with eight touchdowns. Though he's a weak play against the San Francisco 49ers, he should still be a starter for your team.
Wide Receiver Terrell Owens, Dallas Cowboys: Just because he kept his mouth shut didn't mean he was leaving his game behind. Owens caught six passes for 66 yards and a touchdown against New England last week. He's a strong play this week against the Vikings.
Tight End Jeremy Shockey, New York Giants: Shockey didn't have a touchdown Monday night against the Falcons, but he did catch five passes for 63 yards. His touchdown total is low, but they should come in the future, as Shockey is a big target, and an easy player for Manning to hit.

Quarterbacks

Player	Team	Gm	Pass Yds/G	Pass TD/G	INT/G	Rush Yards/G	Rush TD/G
Eli Manning	New York Giants	4	214.0	1.50	1.50	2.8	0.00
Donovan McNabb	Philadelphia Eagles	3	265.7	1.67	0.33	4.7	0.00
Jason Campbell	Washington Redskins	3	218.3	1.33	0.33	6.0	0.33

Manning - Manning and the Giants are rolling, having won four games in a row. His performance hasn't been outstanding, but it's been good enough to get the Giants right back into playoff contention. This week he'll take on the 49ers, but he should probably remain on your bench unless replacing a player on a Bye.

McNabb - The play of McNabb has drastically improved over the last few weeks, and that has resulted in somewhat of a turnaround for the Eagles. Now 2-3, the Eagles host the Bears this week, and McNabb is a solid No. 1 option and a strong play.

Campbell - It's amazing what a difference a few weeks makes for Campbell. Now more than a third of the way through the season, Campbell looks far more comfortable leading the Redskins. The Redskins are playing good teams very well, losing a close game to the Green Bay Packers this past Sunday, and they now welcome the Arizona Cardinals in a game that Campbell can do very well. He's a strong play, and make sure he starts for your team as a quality No. 1 option.

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	4	10.50 (16.77)	1.75 (17.03)	42.5	0.25	1.00	10.5	0.00
Marion Barber III	Dallas Cowboys	4	13.00 (20.76)	2.00 (19.47)	56.8	0.25	2.75	22.2	0.25
Brandon Jacobs	New York Giants	2	17.50 (13.54)	2.00 (14.49)	93.0	0.50	0.50	1.0	0.00
Derrick Ward	New York Giants	4	21.50 (33.28)	2.25 (32.61)	60.5	0.50	3.50	19.0	0.00
Clinton Portis	Washington Redskins	3	21.33 (32.75)	2.67 (32.00)	65.3	0.33	3.67	27.0	0.00
Ladell Betts	Washington Redskins	3	9.33 (14.33)	1.67 (20.00)	13.7	0.00	2.00	14.0	0.00

Jones - Though Jones isn't the Cowboys go-to guy anymore, he's still putting up decent numbers. At this point, he's a low-end No. 3 running back, or a good flex option, as he always maintains the possibility of scoring a touchdown. He is a weak play this week against Minnesota.

Barber - After his fast start, Barber has cooled down a lot, dropping his rushing average to 56.8 yards per game over the last four weeks. He still gets a good number of touchdowns, but this week he goes up against the second-best run defense in the league in the Vikings. He is a weak play, but should still start for your team as a No. 2 or No. 3 option.

Jacobs - Jacobs (neck, ankle) suffered two injuries against the Falcons but is expected to be fine for this week's game. Considering his success since returning from his first injury, you should start Jacobs this week as a No. 1 or No. 2 fantasy running back against San Francisco. Just make sure to confirm that he's playing before you officially start him.

Ward - Last week against the Falcons, Ward (ankle) injured his ankle but was able to return to the game. Though he only rushed the ball eight times, he still got a touchdown. At this point, Ward can be played as a No. 2 running back this week.

Portis - Portis is having a solid season thus far, and he's been very consistent. He's getting the ball a lot, and though he hasn't scored a touchdown since Week 3, more should come in time. Start him this week as a decent No. 1 or quality No. 2 running back.

Betts - Betts' stats are a clear indication of what the Redskins rushing offense is looking to do. Over his last four games he's averaged only 13.7 yards per game, and that number isn't likely to jump too much without an injury to Portis. Play Betts only as an injury replacement or keep him on your bench.

Wide Receivers

Player	Team	Gm	Util (%)/G	RZ (%) Plays/G	Rec/G	Rec Yards/G	Rec TD/G
Patrick Crayton	Dallas Cowboys	4	8.25 (13.18)	1.75 (17.03)	5.25	82.5	1.00
Reggie Brown	Philadelphia Eagles	3	5.33 (8.62)	0.33 (3.34)	3.67	43.0	0.00
Kevin Curtis	Philadelphia Eagles	3	9.00 (14.55)	1.00 (10.03)	6.00	121.0	1.33
Santana Moss	Washington Redskins	2	8.00 (8.19)	0.00 (0.00)	1.50	41.0	0.00
Antwaan Randle El	Washington Redskins	3	5.67 (8.70)	0.00 (0.00)	3.67	54.0	0.00

Crayton - Ever since the first few disappointing weeks have passed, Crayton has been excellent as the No. 2 receiver for the Cowboys. He's averaging a touchdown per game over the last four weeks, and he's becoming a reliable target for Romo. As the Cowboys play the Vikings this week, much attention will likely be paid to Owens, leaving open the possibility of a huge week for Crayton. He's a strong play and should certainly be starting as a high-end No. 1 receiver this week.

Brown - As Brown caught more passes against the Jets, it started to look like he was coming out of his little slump that has disappointed countless fantasy owners this season. He was getting open often and was able to catch six passes for 89 yards. McNabb was looking his way more often, and in more critical situations and that's a very good sign. He's a No. 3 receiver or Bye week replacement with a strong play this week against the Bears.

Curtis - Curtis has really built up good chemistry with McNabb so far, in the past three weeks he's averaging 121.0 receiving yards per game. He's been hotter than any wide receiver recently except for Cincinnati Bengals wideout T.J. Houshmandzadeh, and it doesn't look as if he'll slow down anytime soon. He's a strong play as a No. 1 receiver against the Bears this week.

Moss - After taking himself out of the Redskins' game in Week 6 because of a hamstring cramp, it's clear that Moss is not what he once was, or at least not when he's injured. This has slowed him down a lot this season. He's a strong play this week as a No. 2 receiver if he's a go.

Randle El - Randle El has struggled a bit of late, but if possible, he should still remain in your lineup as a decent No. 3 option with a strong play against Arizona. Eventually, Campbell's going to have to pass to someone other than tight end Chris Cooley, and Randle El should be one of the primary guys, especially with Moss slowed by injury.

Tight Ends

Player	Team	Gm	Util (%)/G	RZ (%) Plays/G	Rec/G	Rec Yards/G	Rec TD/G
Jason Witten	Dallas Cowboys	4	9.25 (14.77)	2.00 (19.47)	6.00	77.8	0.75
L.J. Smith	Philadelphia Eagles	1	2.00 (1.08)	1.00 (3.34)	1.00	8.0	0.00
Chris Cooley	Washington Redskins	3	7.33 (11.26)	1.33 (16.00)	5.33	50.0	1.00

Witten - Romo has spread the ball around really well this season, as even Witten is having a great year. Among all tight ends this season, Witten has been one of the very best, and should be in your lineup every week. He's a strong play as our No. 1 tight end this week against the Vikings.

Smith - Smith hasn't done much at all this season, missing a good part of the year due to injuries and surgery. While it's true he may need time before he does as well as he has in the past, he hasn't shown anything promising yet, and until he does he should remain on your bench.

Cooley - Campbell is making a habit out of throwing touchdown passes to Cooley, who has caught one touchdown in each of his last four games, dating back to Week 2. While he keeps this up, there's no reason Cooley should be anywhere but starting for your team as a quality No. 1 option.

Place Kickers

Player	Team	Gm	XPA/G	XP/G	FGA/G	FG/G	Kick Pnts/G
Nick Folk	Dallas Cowboys	4	3.25	3.25	2.25	2.00	9.2
Lawrence Tynes	New York Giants	4	3.50	3.25	1.00	0.75	5.5
David Akers	Philadelphia Eagles	3	3.00	3.00	2.33	1.33	7.0
Shaun Suisham	Washington Redskins	3	2.33	2.33	1.33	0.67	4.3

Folk - Folk has been consistent for the Cowboys, missing only one field goal all season. He's a strong play against the Vikings this week and should start for your team.

Tynes - Tynes hasn't quite excelled so far this season. It's mainly because of the Giants offensive production, but he still hasn't been that great. Keep him on the bench or play him as a low-end Bye week replacement this week.

Akers - Even though Akers missed two field goals against the Jets, he's still one of the most consistent kickers in the game. He's a strong play against the Bears as a No. 1 place kicker this week.

Suisham - Not only is Suisham a weak play this week, but he hasn't been great at all against anyone. Keep him on your bench, if you even need him on your team.

Defensive Teams

Team	Gm	Off Pnts Allw/G	INT/G	Sacks/G	FR/G	DEF/ST TD/G
Dallas Cowboys	4	16.2	1.25	3.0	0.50	0.5
New York Giants	4	10.5	1.00	4.8	0.50	0.5
Philadelphia Eagles	3	13.3	1.00	4.7	0.67	0.0
Washington Redskins	3	12.7	2.00	3.3	0.33	0.3

Cowboys - Dallas plays a tough rush offense in the Vikings this week, but they should be able to contain their pass defense enough to slow them down. It's not the easiest of matchups for the Cowboys, but it's certainly easier than last week against the Patriots. They're a decent No. 1 or Bye week replacement option this week.

Giants - Playing off of a short week, the Giants host the 49ers, who have been one of the worst offensive teams in the league. This is a good week to play the Giants defense as a solid No. 1 option, which is something we bet you never thought you'd hear that after their first two games.

Eagles - The Eagles are playing a suddenly high-scoring, but sloppy Bears offense this week. Look for them to blitz quarterback Brian Griese to try and force him to make mistakes, which is prone to do under pressure. They are a strong play as our No. 1 fantasy defense this week.

Redskins - The Redskins have played excellent defense the past few weeks, and will look to keep that up against the Cardinals in Week 7. They should have good success with Arizona set to start third-string quarterback Tim Rattay this week. Play them as a good No. 1 defense with a strong play.