NFC East Fantasy Outlook

October 25, 2007 @ 13:55:48

By Ben Rubin
Edited by Herija C. Green

NFC East

Note: All statistics appearing in this article are from Weeks 4-7, unless otherwise noted.

Do Not Bench List - All Positions

• Running Back Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia Eagles: As usual, Westbrook and the rest of the Eagles' offense have had their success depend on the performance of quarterback Donovan McNabb. Though McNabb didn't have that bad of a game in Week 7, his offense only managed one touchdown. Westbrook continues to put up quality numbers however, going over 100 total yards for the fifth time in the five games he's played in. Any time a back goes over 100 yards that consistently there shouldn't be any question of him starting for your team.
• Wide Receiver Plaxico Burress, New York Giants: Burress (ankle) obviously has not been playing healthy for a majority of the season, but he continues to put up good numbers. His practice time is being limited again, so be sure to keep up on his status before starting him. If he's healthy though he is a strong play against the Miami Dolphins.
• Tight End Jeremy Shockey, New York Giants: In the Giants rout of the San Francisco 49ers in Week 7, Shockey caught five passes for 39 yards. In addition, he also recorded his second touchdown in the last four weeks on two-yard play. Shockey's recent success should come as no surprise, as he caught seven touchdowns in 15 games each of the past two seasons. He is a strong play this week against Miami, and he should be among your starters.

Quarterbacks

Player	Team	Gm	Pass Yds/G	Pass TD/G	INT/G	Rush Yards/G	Rush TD/G
Eli Manning	New York Giants	4	192.5	1.75	1.25	3.0	0.00
Donovan McNabb	Philadelphia Eagles	3	214.0	0.67	0.33	8.3	0.00
Jason Campbell	Washington Redskins	3	186.7	1.00	0.67	4.3	0.33

Manning - The Giants five-game winning streak can partially be attributed to Manning's play. He hasn't made too many mistakes, and this week he gets a special treat; a Miami defense that has allowed a league-worst 15 touchdowns to opposing quarterbacks over the past month. As expected he's a strong play against the Dolphins and this could be a big game for him.

McNabb - McNabb has had trouble finding the end zone of late, and as a result, the Eagles offense has suffered. This week though he should have plenty of opportunities to pass the ball around as he takes on a Minnesota Vikings team, which has allowed a league-worst 334 yards per game through the air. He's a decent No. 1 option with a strong play against the Vikings weak pass defense this week.

Campbell - The Redskins' offense didn't show up against the Arizona Cardinals, but they still came away with the win. The 4-2 Redskins travel to play the New England Patriots this week where Campbell is just a low-end No. 1 or bench 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
Brandon Jacobs	New York Giants	3	19.33 (23.61)	4.00 (31.27)	97.7	0.67	1.33	6.0	0.00
Derrick Ward	New York Giants	4	16.75 (27.27)	2.75 (28.66)	43.8	0.50	2.50	15.5	0.00
Clinton Portis	Washington Redskins	3	21.33 (34.96)	2.67 (29.59)	59.7	0.67	2.33	19.3	0.00
Ladell Betts	Washington Redskins	3	7.00 (11.47)	1.33 (14.80)	14.7	0.00	1.67	9.7	0.00

Jacobs - Jacobs (ankle) has done better than expected in his first three games back following his injury, and his consistency has rewarded the fantasy owners who stayed with him or picked him up when he came back. He's averaging nearly 100 yards per game, and this week he's a very strong play against the Dolphins, who boast one of the worst rush defenses in the NFL.

Ward - Ward's (ankle) playing time and stats are slowly slipping away as an ankle injury will more than likely cause him to sit out the Giants' Week 8 game. Stay updated on his status throughout the week before officially benching him.

Portis - Though Portis only had 43 yards on 18 carries in Week 7 against the Cardinals, he did find the end zone twice. Portis and the Redskins take on the Patriots this week, and based on his recent success, he should be either a No. 1 or No. 2 running back this week.

Betts - Betts had only three carries in Week 7, further proving that he's become primarily a backup. Unless Portis suffers an injury or there is a chance in philosophy regarding the distribution of carries, there is no reason to start Betts.

Wide Receivers

Player	Team	Gm	Util (%)/G	RZ (%) Plays/G	Rec/G	Rec Yards/G	Rec TD/G
Amani Toomer	New York Giants	4	6.00 (9.77)	1.50 (15.63)	3.50	44.8	0.50
Reggie Brown	Philadelphia Eagles	3	7.00 (11.26)	0.67 (9.11)	4.00	50.0	0.00
Kevin Curtis	Philadelphia Eagles	3	6.67 (10.72)	1.00 (13.66)	4.00	68.0	0.33
Santana Moss	Washington Redskins	2	4.50 (4.92)	0.00 (0.00)	1.00	4.0	0.00
Antwaan Randle El	Washington Redskins	3	5.33 (8.74)	0.00 (0.00)	4.00	61.3	0.00

Toomer - With Burress and Shockey likely gaining much of the attention of the Dolphins in Week 8, Toomer has the possibility to be open quite often. He's been fairly consistent for the Giants this year, and he has two touchdowns in his last four games. He's a strong play as a No. 2 or No. 3 wideout against Miami this week.

Brown - Brown didn't pick up from his performance in Week 6, but he didn't have a bad week either. This could be the week Brown finally gets in the end zone however, as he's a No. 2 or 3 option with a strong play against the Vikings' porous defensive backs.

Curtis - Curtis is still McNabb's favorite target, and like Brown, this could be a big week for him as he's a strong play as a No. 2 or No. 3 option against Minnesota.

Moss - Moss had only two receptions for eight yards last week as he continues to recover from a groin injury. Until he shows that he is reliable and will be an active part of the Redskins offense, leave him out of your lineup unless he is needed as a Bye week replacement.

Randle El - Randle El is having a good season, he just needs to score more touchdowns. Those should come in time if he continues to catch for more than 60 yards per game. This week against the Patriots, consider Randle El a No. 3 option.

Tight Ends

Player	Team	Gm	Util (%)/G	RZ (%) Plays/G	Rec/G	Rec Yards/G	Rec TD/G
L.J. Smith	Philadelphia Eagles	1	2.00 (1.07)	1.00 (4.55)	1.00	8.00	0.00
Chris Cooley	Washington Redskins	3	6.33 (10.38)	1.00 (11.10)	4.67	44.7	0.67

Smith - Smith (groin) missed the Eagles' Week 7 game, but he could play in Week 8. Be sure to check for updates on his status during the week, but even if he does play, he hasn't put up great numbers while he's been in. It'd be best for him to stay on your bench until he's fully recovered.

Cooley - Cooley had an off week against the Cardinals, catching one pass for three yards. This week against the Patriots, chances are the Redskins will need to resort to their passing game, in which case Cooley could see a lot of action and have a big game. Play him as a quality No. 1 option this week.

Place Kickers

Player	Team	Gm	XPA/G	XP/G	FGA/G	FG/G	Kick Pnts/G
Lawrence Tynes	New York Giants	4	3.75	3.25	1.25	1.00	6.2
David Akers	Philadelphia Eagles	3	0.67	0.67	3.33	2.33	7.7
Shaun Suisham	Washington Redskins	3	2.67	2.67	1.00	0.33	3.7

Tynes - Tynes has now missed two extra points this season and could be in danger of losing his job, though head coach Tom Coughlin apparently remains committed to him. Still, don't start a guy who can't even hit the extra points, especially this week as he's a weak play against Miami.

Akers - Akers connected on all three of his field goals last week against the Bears, and this week he should see many more opportunities against the Vikings. He is a strong play as a solid No. 1 kicker.

Suisham - It seems like Suisham's Redskins either put the ball in the end zone, or they don't score. He's only hit one field goal in his last three games, and he's a weak play against the Patriots this week. Keep him on your bench.

Defensive Teams

Team	Gm	Off Pnts Allw/G	INT/G	Sacks/G	FR/G	DEF/ST TD/G
New York Giants	4	9.5	1.50	5.8	0.75	0.8
Philadelphia Eagles	3	12.7	0.67	1.7	0.00	0.0
Washington Redskins	3	11.0	2.00	3.0	0.33	0.7

Giants - The Giants defense has played a big part in their five-game winning streak, and this week they are a strong play going as a quality No. 1 defense against the winless Dolphins.

Eagles - If you have had the Eagles defense thus far, you may be a little disappointed. They haven't allowed too many points, but they also haven't forced many turnovers. They face an explosive player in Vikings running back Adrian Peterson this week, which could turn out badly for the Philadelphia defense. Keep them on the bench.

Redskins - Unfortunately for the Redskins, they play a team this week that's on pace to break the NFL's all-time single season scoring mark. That is usually a good hint that it's the right week to leave this defense on your bench.

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Ben Rubin
Ben Rubin has been a KFFL contributor since 2007.

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