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NFC East Fantasy Outlook

November 8, 2007 @ 08:56:36

By Ben Rubin
Edited by Herija C. Green

Note: All statistics appearing in this article are from Weeks 6-9, unless otherwise noted.

Do Not Bench List - All Positions

Quarterback Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys: Fresh off his new contract, Romo is once again in the spotlight. This time, he's a candidate for the FedEx Air Player of the Week after passing for 324 yards and three touchdowns against the Philadelphia Eagles. While there may be some weeks every now and then where Romo doesn't play as well as you'd hope, he seems to make up for it with performances like his last one. This week Romo is a No. 1 quarterback but a weak play against a resilient New York Giants defense.
Running Back Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia Eagles: The Eagles offense owes a lot to Westbrook, who has practically carried them this season. He rushed for 65 yards and a touchdown, and caught 14 passes for 90 yards against the Cowboys in Week 9. The 14 catches for Westbrook marked a career high, and that continues to show his importance to this offense. He is their dependable running back who's just as big a threat receiving the ball. Westbrook is a weak play against the Washington Redskins, but he should still start on your team.
Wide Receiver Terrell Owens, Dallas Cowboys: It seems like every key component of the Cowboys offense had some impact on their Week 9 game against the Eagles. Owens' day might've been the biggest, as he caught 10 passes for 174 yards and a touchdown. This makes back-to-back games for Owens with 100-plus yards and three straight games with a touchdown. Owens is putting up the numbers we all expected him to at the beginning of the season. He's a great No. 1 receiver, but a weak play against the Giants defense this week.
Wide Receiver Plaxico Burress, New York Giants: Burress (ankle) had only two receptions in Week 8, partly because of his injured ankle, and partly because of the sloppy playing conditions in London, England. He has missed plenty of practice time over the past few weeks, but this week he'll look to practice, and that may result in a bigger game. He is a strong play this week against the Cowboys.
Tight End Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys: What more can you say about Witten as he continues to have an outstanding season? He added 77 yards and another touchdown to his season's stats this past week. He's averaging 70 yards per game over the last four weeks, which is a great number for a tight end. He's a weak play this week against New York, but he should certainly stay in your lineup.
Tight End Chris Cooley, Washington Redskins: He went without a touchdown, but Cooley was once again led the Redskins in receiving last Sunday. It may be tough on receivers for the Redskins but Cooley is enjoying a great year, and he doesn't seem to show any signs of slowing down. He's a strong play this week against Philadelphia.

Quarterbacks

Player	Team	Gm	Pass Yds/G	Pass TD/G	INT/G	Rush Yards/G	Rush TD/G
Donovan McNabb	Philadelphia Eagles	4	275.2	1.00	0.75	8.8	0.00
Eli Manning	New York Giants	3	169.3	1.33	1.00	8.3	0.33
Jason Campbell	Washington Redskins	4	162.8	0.50	1.00	12.8	0.25

McNabb - McNabb didn't have that great of a game against the Cowboys in Week 9, and he will look to rebound this week against the Redskins, who are allowing 257.8 yards and 1.75 passing touchdowns per game the last four weeks. McNabb is a solid No. 1 quarterback, and is a strong play in Week 10.

Manning - Coming off the Bye week Manning and the Giants have a pivotal game against Dallas. The Cowboys pass defense isn't the best, averaging two touchdowns allowed per game over the last four weeks, and Manning should look to take advantage of that. Don't be afraid to start Manning in this matchup, as he is a strong play.

Campbell - For the second time in four games, Campbell failed to throw a touchdown pass. On a positive note, he didn't fumble the ball after losing three in Week 8. It's clear now that Campbell still has a lot to learn before he can be considered a reliable quarterback. He's a marginal No. 1 option, but against the Eagles he should probably stay on the bench.

Running Backs

Player	Team	Gm	Util (%)/G	RZ (%) Plays/G	Rush Yds/G	Rush TD/G	Rec/G	Rec Yards/G	Rec TD/G
Marion Barber III	Dallas Cowboys	3	17.67 (31.30)	4.00 (34.68)	67.0	0.67	3.00	23.7	0.00
Julius Jones	Dallas Cowboys	3	12.00 (21.26)	2.00 (17.34)	45.3	0.33	2.67	18.0	0.00
Brandon Jacobs	New York Giants	3	21.00 (32.82)	4.33 (37.58)	108.0	0.33	2.00	8.0	0.00
Derrick Ward	New York Giants	2	13.00 (13.55)	3.00 (17.35)	19.5	0.50	2.00	14.0	0.00
Clinton Portis	Washington Redskins	4	24.75 (39.77)	2.50 (34.46)	82.5	0.75	2.50	23.2	0.00
Ladell Betts	Washington Redskins	4	5.75 (9.24)	1.00 (13.78)	23.8	0.00	0.75	5.2	0.00

Barber III - After it appeared that Barber was slowing down a little, he started to pick it right back up. Against the Eagles in Week 9, Barber was more involved in the passing game, catching three for 50 yards. He also recorded his second touchdown in two games, a feat he had not accomplished since the first three weeks of the season. As of now, Barber is a solid No. 2 option against the Giants this week.

Jones - In Week 9 Jones joined Barber in the Cowboys' touchdown parade, and it was his first touchdown since Week 4. Jones was just as important to the Cowboys victory as Barber was, which may drive fantasy owners nuts. It's hard to predict when Jones will have a big week and when Barber will have a good week. Jones is a decent No. 2 or No. 3 option this Sunday.

Jacobs - Jacobs may have not wanted to leave London after rushing for 131 yards, but whether it's America or England, Jacobs has now rushed for more than 100 yards in three of his last four games. The Cowboys are allowing 82 rushing yards per game to opposing backs over the past four weeks, and Jacobs could drive that average up a little bit. He's a quality No. 2 option, and a strong play against the Cowboys.

Ward - Ward (ankle) took advantage of a well-timed Bye week to help his ankle heal. As of now, it has not yet been determined whether or not he'll be able to play in Week 10, so be sure to keep updated on his status throughout the week. If he is healthy enough, he could be used to cover a Bye week.

Portis - It's not often that you can rush for 196 yards in a week, and still wind up nowhere near the week's leading rusher. Portis is probably pretty happy with the performance nonetheless, considering that those 196 yards were the most he's had since December of 2003 when he rushed for 218 yards. Portis is a decent No.1 or No. 2 option against the Eagles this week.

Betts - Betts rushed for a season-high 64 yards on nine carries against the New York Jets in Week 9. This shouldn't raise any eyebrows, though, and Betts should remain 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	3	4.67 (8.27)	1.33 (11.56)	2.33	21.7	0.33
Amani Toomer	New York Giants	3	6.67 (10.42)	2.33 (20.24)	3.67	46.0	0.67
Reggie Brown	Philadelphia Eagles	4	8.50 (13.25)	1.00 (9.20)	4.75	73.2	0.00
Kevin Curtis	Philadelphia Eagles	4	8.25 (12.86)	1.00 (9.20)	4.50	77.5	0.25
Santana Moss	Washington Redskins	4	6.75 (10.85)	0.50 (6.89)	3.00	24.5	0.00
Antwaan Randle El	Washington Redskins	4	4.50 (7.23)	0.00 (0.00)	2.25	35.2	0.00

Crayton - Crayton didn't have anything to show for the Cowboys' 38-17 victory over the Eagles this past Sunday night. He went without a reception for the second time this season, and this is a bit surprising considering the rest of the Cowboys offense was very active in this game. It doesn't look too much better for Crayton, whose Cowboys take on the Giants this week. Crayton can be used to cover a Bye or he should stay on your bench as a weak play this Sunday.

Toomer - Don't take too much away from Toomer for his poor performance against the Miami Dolphins in Week 8. Manning had only 59 total passing yards, so there weren't too many yards out there for Toomer to get. He still has two touchdowns in his past three games, and is a strong play as a solid No. 2 receiver in Week 10.

Brown - Brown had the most receiving yards among Eagles wide receivers last week, even with a slight neck injury. Look for him to improve upon his 55 yards last week and move closer towards his four-week average of 73.2. Brown is a decent No. 2 receiver and should start for your team.

Curtis - Curtis has gone three straight games without a touchdown, but that trend may end this week against the Redskins, who have allowed a touchdown per game to opposing receivers during the last four weeks. Curtis is a decent No. 1 or No. 2 option, and he's due for another big performance.

Moss - For the eighth time in eight games, Campbell did not throw a touchdown to one of his wide receivers. This is the biggest problem for Redskins receivers as their young quarterback continues to get used to the game. Still, at this point, at least one receiver should have caught a touchdown pass. Moss seems to be recovered from his injury but still isn't putting up too many yards. He could be slotted into your lineup to cover a Bye or you can leave him on your bench this week as a weak play against the Eagles.

Randle El - The struggles at receiver for the Redskins are quite apparent as their top two receivers have averaged a combined 59.7 yards over the team's past four games. Randle El may be capable of big weeks, but as long as Campbell is still learning they could be few and far between. Keep him on your bench as a weak play in Week 10 or if you're in desperate need use him as a Bye week fill-in.

Tight Ends

Player	Team	Gm	Util (%)/G	RZ (%) Plays/G	Rec/G	Rec Yards/G	Rec TD/G
L.J. Smith	Philadelphia Eagles	3	2.33 (2.73)	0.67 (4.60)	1.00	14.0	0.00
Jeremy Shockey	New York Giants	3	5.67 (8.86)	0.33 (2.89)	4.33	42.7	0.33

Smith - Smith continues to struggle after returning from his injury. He's averaging only one reception per game over the last four weeks, and isn't showing many signs of improvement. He's a weak play this week and should stay on your bench.

Shockey - He may be having one of his worst seasons, but Shockey still isn't that bad of an option as far as tight ends go. He's a lower tier No. 1 tight end and a weak play in Week 10.

Place Kickers

Player	Team	Gm	XPA/G	XP/G	FGA/G	FG/G	Kick Pnts/G
Nick Folk	Dallas Cowboys	3	3.67	3.67	1.67	1.33	7.7
Lawrence Tynes	New York Giants	3	3.00	2.67	2.00	1.67	7.7
David Akers	Philadelphia Eagles	4	1.50	1.50	3.25	2.50	9.0
Shaun Suisham	Washington Redskins	4	1.50	1.50	1.50	1.25	5.2

Folk - Folk has been very reliable this year and continues to be one of the football season's best kickers. The Cowboys may have some trouble against the Giants this week, so Folk is a weak play as a lower-caliber No. 1 kicker.

Tynes - After a slow start, Tynes is starting to improve. Though he's missed two extra points already this season, his job seems to be safer than it was just a few weeks ago. View him as a solid No. 1 kicker this week against the Cowboys.

Akers - Akers' consistency is one reason why he is almost always one of the best kickers in the league. He is a strong play as a quality No. 1 kicker against the Redskins, as they should have plenty of red zone opportunities.

Suisham - Suisham shocked everyone with a huge week against the Jets, hitting all five of his field goals. Still, his inconsistency should leave you hesitant to start him. He's a less than ideal No. 1 option or bench candidate, but he is a strong play this week.

Defensive Teams

Team	Gm	Off Pnts Allw/G	INT/G	Sacks/G	FR/G	DEF/ST TD/G
Dallas Cowboys	3	24.3	0.67	3.0	1.00	0.6
New York Giants	3	11.0	1.00	3.7	1.33	0.3
Philadelphia Eagles	4	20.5	0.50	2.0	0.00	0.0
Washington Redskins	4	22.5	1.00	1.8	0.75	0.2

Cowboys - The Giants are coming off a Bye week which followed an unsatisfying win. They played very poorly on offense against the Dolphins, and are eager to have a strong offensive showing. The Cowboys have been allowing a decent amount of points, but their 0.6 defensive/special teams touchdowns per game is one of the league's best. All things considered though, the Cowboys are a weak play against the Giants, and are a weak No. 1 or bench option.

Giants - The Giants defense has played very well after a horrendous start, but they now face the same team they started against. It didn't turn out too well for their defense last time, but this time they should be playing with more confidence. They are a decent No. 1 selection for Week 10.

Eagles - After a tough loss last week, the Eagles look to rebound against one of the worst offenses in the league, averaging only 19 points per game with a struggling young quarterback at the helm. Still, Portis is coming off a big week, and the Eagles defense hasn't done much in the way of fumbles or interceptions over the past month. They should be benched this week.

Redskins - The Redskins may have a hard time containing Westbrook, McNabb, Brown and Curtis, and it could cost them. Washington got bounced around by the New England Patriots and started sluggishly against the Jets last week. They don't look much like the unit they were earlier in the season and should only be played as a desperation No. 1 option. Otherwise they can be left on the fantasy pine with a weak play this Sunday.