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NFC East Fantasy Outlook

November 15, 2007 @ 13:31:03

By Ben Rubin
Edited by Herija C. Green

Note: All statistics appearing in this article are from Weeks 7-10, unless otherwise noted.

Do Not Bench List - All Positions

Quarterback Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys: In one of the most important games for the Cowboys this season, Romo had arguably his best performance. He threw four touchdown passes for the second time this year with the other time coming in Week 1, also against the New York Giants. He's now averaging 282.7 yards passing per game over the last four weeks, to go along with 2.67 touchdowns and only 0.67 interceptions. Romo is KFFL's No. 1 rated quarterback this week and is a strong play against the Washington Redskins.
Running Back Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia Eagles: Westbrook was once again a fantasy hero in Week 10, rushing for a touchdown and receiving two more through the air. It was his second three-touchdown performance of the year, and the second straight week that he led the Eagles in both rushing and receiving yardage. He is KFFL's No. 1 rated running back this week, but he is a weak play against the Dolphins.
Wide Receiver Terrell Owens, Dallas Cowboys: Owens had another huge game against the Giants last week. It was his third straight 100-plus-yard game, and his two touchdowns added to an even more impressive streak. Owens now has four straight games with a touchdown. Over the past four weeks, Owens is averaging an impressive 7.67 receptions, 134 yards and 1.33 touchdowns per game. As a result, he is KFFL's No. 1 rated wide receiver and is a strong play against the Redskins.
Tight End Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys: What was a disappointing week for fantasy owners was an excellent one for the Cowboys. Witten was held back on the offensive line in order to try to contain the Giants' pass rush, and it worked well. Witten, however, only caught two passes for 12 yards. This is nothing to worry about though, as Witten is a strong play against the Redskins this week. Although the NFC East can't claim KFFL's top tight end rating like it has this week with quarterback, running back and wide receiver, Witten is still a solid No. 1 option, and he should not be left on your bench after last week's poor performance.
Tight End Chris Cooley, Washington Redskins: Cooley had five receptions against the Eagles last week but only 33 yards to show for it. Cooley is averaging 31.2 receiving yards and 0.25 touchdowns per game over the last four weeks. Cooley is a decent No. 1 tight end and should play for your team this week.

Quarterbacks

Player	Team	Gm	Pass Yds/G	Pass TD/G	INT/G	Rush Yards/G	Rush TD/G
Donovan McNabb	Philadelphia Eagles	4	268.5	1.75	0.50	17.2	0.00
Eli Manning	New York Giants	3	147.0	1.00	1.00	9.3	0.33
Jason Campbell	Washington Redskins	4	162.2	1.00	0.75	15.2	0.00

McNabb - The Eagles have a great chance of bringing their record back to .500 this week against the winless Dolphins, and if they do, McNabb will likely play a huge role in their victory. The Dolphins pass defense is a little weak, allowing 195 yards along with two touchdowns and only 0.67 interceptions per game over the past four weeks. McNabb is a good No. 1 option and a strong play this week.

Manning - Manning's numbers don't exactly show the whole story from last week's game against the Cowboys. He didn't have that bad of a game, and although he had two interceptions, one of those came on the last play of the game on a deep pass. His 236 yards were the most he's had since Week 6, and he's spreading the ball around well on offense. Manning is a weak No. 1 or bench option for this week, but is a strong play against the Detroit Lions.

Campbell - Right when it seemed like Campbell wasn't making any progress as a quarterback this season, he threw his first touchdown to a Redskins wide receiver, and then he threw two more. He had a solid three-touchdown performance, without throwing any interceptions, but the Redskins still lost. It's hard to say whether or not Campbell can keep turning in strong performances, but this week isn't the best to test him out in your lineup. Campbell is a weak play against the Cowboys and should be benched.

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	19.33 (32.79)	4.67 (45.84)	62.0	0.67	3.33	19.3	0.00
Julius Jones	Dallas Cowboys	3	13.33 (22.61)	1.67 (16.37)	44.3	0.33	2.33	17.3	0.00
Brandon Jacobs	New York Giants	3	24.33 (38.62)	5.67 (44.89)	111.0	0.33	2.00	10.7	0.00
Derrick Ward	New York Giants	1	14.00 (7.41)	4.00 (10.56)	27.0	0.00	2.00	12.0	0.00
Clinton Portis	Washington Redskins	4	27.75 (43.64)	5.25 (43.91)	100.8	0.75	2.75	22.0	0.00
Ladell Betts	Washington Redskins	4	4.00 (6.29)	1.00 (8.36)	22.5	0.00	0.00	0.0	0.00

Barber III - Barber had an unproductive game against the Giants last week, rushing for only 34 yards on 12 carries. He's still getting into the end zone often enough, but when he doesn't his fantasy value is significantly lower. He's a No. 2 or No. 3 option this week and a strong play.

Jones - Jones gets nearly equal playing time to Barber, so there's no reason to value one back that much higher than the other. Though Jones isn't the main goal-line or fourth quarter guy, he should get his carries and make the most of them. He's a No. 3 running back and a strong play this week.

Jacobs - Jacobs has been very consistent since he's been healthy, as he failed to reach 100 yards (he had 95) for only the second time since coming back from his injury last Sunday. He has a tough job this week though going against the Lions rush defense that has allowed only 73.2 yards to running backs, and no touchdowns over the past four games. As a result, Jacobs is a weak play as a No. 2 option.

Ward - Ward (groin, ankle) missed another game last week, and he may not be able to play again in Week 11 against the Lions. Keep updated on his status before considering putting him in your lineup.

Portis - Portis exploded for another big week against the Eagles. His 157 total yards (137 rushing, 20 receiving) mark the second straight week he's had over 150. He seems to be completely recovered from his knee injury early in the season, and he could keep up his recent success against the Cowboys in Week 11. They are allowing 93.0 rushing yards and one touchdown per game over the last four weeks to running backs, which makes Portis a strong play as a No. 1 option this week.

Betts - As his yards per game clearly illustrates, Betts does not do much in the way of production. Those numbers aren't likely to improve at all without an injury to Portis. Keep Betts 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	3.33 (5.65)	0.67 (6.55)	2.33	28.3	0.33
Plaxico Burress	New York Giants	3	7.00 (11.11)	0.33 (2.64)	3.67	27.0	0.00
Amani Toomer	New York Giants	3	6.00 (9.52)	1.67 (13.20)	2.33	28.7	0.33
Reggie Brown	Philadelphia Eagles	4	8.25 (13.19)	1.00 (10.70)	4.00	64.8	0.25
Kevin Curtis	Philadelphia Eagles	4	7.75 (12.39)	0.75 (8.02)	4.00	52.2	0.00
Santana Moss	Washington Redskins	3	6.67 (7.86)	0.67 (4.18)	4.00	32.7	0.00
Antwaan Randle El	Washington Redskins	4	5.25 (8.26)	0.00 (0.00)	3.00	38.8	0.00

Crayton - Crayton had a solid performance in Week 10, catching five passes for 66 yards and a touchdown, this coming only a week after he had no receptions. Though Crayton has been kind of hit or miss this year in terms of production, he had a far better second quarter to the season than first. Hopefully for him, he keeps up the better weeks in which case he and Owens would make one of the best receiving tandems in the league. This week he is a No. 3 or injury replacement with a strong play.

Burress - Burress' ankle injury seems to finally be having an effect on his production. Though he's been injured for quite some time, he's been playing through the pain, and now he may soon be forced to miss a game. If he can play though, he's a decent No. 3 option this week.

Toomer - With Burress hurting, the Giants offense may call upon Toomer more often, resulting in bigger weeks for him. He's averaging only 28.7 receiving yards per game the last four weeks, but look for that number to increase if Burress can't play. Toomer is an injury replacement or bench option, but keep an eye on him as a player who could have good games in the future.

Brown - Brown made a spectacular touchdown catch last week on a play that accounted for 45 of his 55 total yards. McNabb is finally hitting Brown as much as it was thought he would in the early stages of the season. He's a No. 2 or No. 3 option at receiver this week and a strong play.

Curtis - Curtis hasn't caught a touchdown pass since Week 6, but if there's one team he could end that streak with, it's the Dolphins, who are allowing receivers 1.67 touchdowns per game. Curtis is a No. 3 or injury replacement option but is a strong play this week.

Moss - Moss (heel) missed last week's game against the Eagles, but he might play this week. Be sure to stay updated on his status before starting him, and if he does suit up, he's a weak play against the Cowboys.

Randle El - You'd think if Campbell had finally thrown a touchdown pass (three for that matter) to a wide receiver, at least one of them would go to Randle El, with Moss sitting out. Unfortunately, that's just the way Randle El's season has gone, as he remains without a touchdown reception on the season. Randle El is a weak play as an injury replacement or bench option this week.

Tight Ends

Player	Team	Gm	Util (%)/G	RZ (%) Plays/G	Rec/G	Rec Yards/G	Rec TD/G
L.J. Smith	Philadelphia Eagles	3	3.33 (4.00)	0.67 (5.35)	2.00	27.7	0.33
Jeremy Shockey	New York Giants	3	8.67 (13.76)	1.00 (7.92)	6.67	64.7	0.67

Smith - Smith caught his first touchdown of the season against the Redskins last week, and his four receptions hint that he may become a more active part of the Eagles offense as fantasy owners had expected towards the beginning of the season. For now though, he's a No. 1 or bench option and a weak play against the Dolphins.

Shockey - A huge week was just what the Giants needed out of Shockey, since none of their wide receivers had much of a positive impact on their offense. He had his first 100-yard performance of the season and also caught a touchdown. The Giants may need Shockey to have weeks like this more often if they want to stay in the thick of the playoff chase, and it could continue this week as Shockey is a strong play against the Lions.

Place Kickers

Player	Team	Gm	XPA/G	XP/G	FGA/G	FG/G	Kick Pnts/G
Nick Folk	Dallas Cowboys	3	4.00	4.00	1.33	1.00	7.0
Lawrence Tynes	New York Giants	3	2.33	2.00	2.33	2.00	8.0
David Akers	Philadelphia Eagles	4	2.00	2.00	2.25	1.75	7.2
Shaun Suisham	Washington Redskins	4	1.50	1.25	2.00	1.75	6.5

Folk - Folk has been reliable as usual lately, hitting a 44-yard field goal in his only attempt against the Giants. He has hit three out of four attempts the past four weeks, and all 12 extra points. Folk is a decent No. 1 kicker and should start this week for you against the Redskins.

Tynes - Tynes hit both field goals against the Cowboys last week and now heads to Detroit, where teams often end up in the end zone rather than settling for a field goal. If the Giants can't get into the end zone, however, Tynes will be called upon often, and could have a big game. He is a solid No. 1 kicker this Sunday.

Akers - Akers missed a 53-yard attempt last week but has been pretty consistent otherwise. He's averaging 7.2 points per game, and this week takes on the 0-9 Dolphins. One way or another, the Eagles should find ways to score like every else against the Dolphins. Akers is a decent No. 1 or bench option, so look at your other choices before starting Akers.

Suisham - Suisham hasn't had the greatest of seasons for kickers, and now, the Redskins take on the Cowboys who are allowing only five kicking points per game. Suisham, who's a low-end No. 1 or bench option is a weak play this week.

Defensive Teams

Team	Gm	Off Pnts Allw/G	INT/G	Sacks/G	FR/G	DEF/ST TD/G
Dallas Cowboys	3	15.0	1.33	3.7	0.67	0.3
New York Giants	3	18.0	1.00	3.7	1.33	0.3
Philadelphia Eagles	4	24.5	0.25	1.5	0.50	0.0
Washington Redskins	4	28.0	0.50	1.8	1.25	0.2

Cowboys - The Cowboys take on the Redskins this week, which could be a problem for Campbell and the Redskins offense. The Cowboys are only allowing 15 points per game over the last four week, and Campbell could run into some problems turning the ball over. The Cowboys are a decent No. 1 or bench option, but a strong play this week.

Giants - The Giants are KFFL's No. 1 rated defense, and they take on a Lions team that is fresh off a stunning loss to the Arizona Cardinals. The Lions are averaging 23 points per game over the past four weeks, and with a quarterback who is prone to making mistakes, the Giants defense could have a big week and are a strong play.

Eagles - The Eagles defense has not been good by any means this year, and even against a winless Dolphins team they are a weak play and should remain on the bench this Sunday.

Redskins - The 28 points allowed per game should be enough to keep you away from playing the Redskins anyway, and if that doesn't do it, then maybe the fact that they're playing the Cowboys on the road will be enough to convince you to keep their defense on your bench. The Redskins are a weak play as a bench option this week.