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NFC East Week 16 Fantasy Outlook

December 20, 2007 @ 15:00:00

By Ben Rubin
Edited by Cory J. Bonini

Note: All statistics appearing in this article are from Weeks 12-15, unless otherwise noted.

Do Not Bench List - All Positions

Quarterback Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys: Romo (thumb) had a disastrous effort in the Cowboys 10-6 loss to the Eagles this past Sunday. He completed only 13 of his 36 pass attempts for 214 yards, zero touchdowns and three interceptions. It was only his second multi-interception game of the season, the other coming against the Buffalo Bills in Week 5 when he had five interceptions. He also injured his thumb but is expected to play this week. Keep up to date with KFFL this week to check on his status, but if he does play he is a good No. 1 quarterback with a strong play against the Carolina Panthers.
Running Back Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia Eagles: Once again, Westbrook was pretty much the entire Eagles offense on Sunday against the Cowboys. He finished with 144 total yards (81 rush, 63 receiving) but didn't reach the end zone. That's not to say he didn't have his chance. Much to the dismay of Westbrook owners in fantasy football, Westbrook had an easy run to the end zone at the two-minute warning, but decided rather to sit down at the one yard line to lock up the Eagles victory. That's the kind of play a team really appreciates, but fantasy football players dread. This week, Westbrook is a weak play as a good No. 1 running back. Make sure he stays in your lineup though because in every game Westbrook has played in he has either totaled more than 100 yards or scored a touchdown.
Wide Receiver Terrell Owens, Dallas Cowboys: Owens has really struggled the past two weeks totaling only 58 receiving yards in that time. Owens has caught for more than 58 yards in a game 10 times this season, so this is clearly a temporary slump. Owens has been very reliable for the most part this season, so he is someone you shouldn't even consider benching this week as the Cowboys play the Panthers this week.
Tight End Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys: Witten had yet another big game against the Eagles, catching eight passes for 113 yards. It was Witten's fourth 100-yard game of the season, and the first time he has had 100 or more yards in back-to-back games in his career. He has already set career highs in receiving yards and touchdowns; he set his career reception mark this past Sunday, as well. He is a No. 1 tight end, and you can expect a typical Witten week against the Panthers Saturday.
Tight End Chris Cooley, Washington Redskins: Cooley had a pretty poor game against the Giants last Sunday night, but it wasn't his fault. Only eight passes were completed all night to Redskins receivers, so a big night would've been pretty unexpected. Cooley should turn it right back around against the Minnesota Vikings this week, so start Cooley as quality No. 1 tight end.

Quarterbacks

Player	Team	Gm	Pass Yds/G	Pass TD/G	INT/G	Rush Yards/G	Rush TD/G
Donovan McNabb	Philadelphia Eagles	2	193.5	1.00	0.00	32.0	0.00
Eli Manning	New York Giants	4	217.8	1.00	1.50	2.5	0.00
Todd Collins	Washington Redskins	2	195.0	1.00	0.00	-1.5	0.00

McNabb - Though McNabb led the Eagles to a huge upset victory over the Cowboys, he didn't have that good of a game. He completed 23 of 41 passes for 208 yards and a touchdown. He was able to rush nine times for 53 yards, his highest rushing total since Oct. 22, 2006, when he had 76 yards. He still doesn't have a rushing touchdown this year after he had three last year in only 10 games. He plays a New Orleans Saints defense that has allowed 1.75 touchdowns and 251.2 passing yards over the last four weeks, so play McNabb this week as a decent No. 1 quarterback.

Manning - The Giants were upset at home by the Redskins last Sunday night, and you could certainly pin some of the blame on Manning. He went 18 of 52 for 184 yards and a touchdown. Those 34 incomplete passes were the most by a quarterback in a single game since Joe Namath had 36 against the Denver Broncos in 1967. In Manning's defense, the team dropped a remarkably disgusting 12 passes. Manning has had a season to forget so far, throwing 19 touchdowns and 17 interceptions with quarterback rating of 72.7 for the year. Keep Manning on your bench as a weak play against the Buffalo Bills.

Collins - Collins completed only eight of 23 passes for 166 yards in a win against the Giants, but poor weather conditions likely played a role in the low completion percentage. We still haven't seen too much of Collins, so you can't say for sure if you can expect him to rebound this Sunday against the Vikings. Unless he's your only option, keep him on the bench as a weak play.

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	4	16.75 (27.44)	5.00 (45.64)	64.8	0.75	3.75	17.5	0.25
Julius Jones	Dallas Cowboys	4	11.00 (18.02)	1.50 (13.69)	31.0	0.00	1.75	15.0	0.00
Brandon Jacobs	New York Giants	2	31.00 (20.45)	1.50 (7.31)	100.0	0.00	3.00	20.5	0.00
Reuben Droughns	New York Giants	4	9.00 (11.88)	3.50 (34.11)	26.2	0.50	0.50	3.5	0.00
Clinton Portis	Washington Redskins	4	26.00 (37.58)	4.50 (40.94)	70.0	0.50	3.25	32.2	0.00

Barber - Though he was just named to the 2008 Pro Bowl, Barber's fresh off his worst start since Week 5, and he has seen less carries each of the past two weeks than he has all season. He totaled only seven carries for 32 yards, and he did not catch a single pass. Barber should still be considered a No. 1 running back, but he is a weak play this week against the Panthers.

Jones - Jones was not alone in his struggles this past Sunday against the Eagles, but his numbers certainly stood out. Seven carries for just five yards marks the first time in his career he's ever rushed for less than 10 yards in a game that he played. Jones isn't playing well on a team where he's not even the premier running back, so it's not a smart idea to start him unless you have to. Consider him a No. 3 or injury replacement option this week.

Jacobs - On a day where the Giants played pretty poorly as a team, Jacobs excelled at running back. The same can't be said for Jacobs receiving the ball out of the backfield as many big dropped passes hurt Manning and the Giants. Rushing the ball though, he had 25 carries for 130 yards, a great game for him. Jacobs is a quality No. 1 or 2 running back and is a strong play against the Bills this week.

Droughns - Droughns is still the main backup for the Giants, though Ahmad Bradshaw seems to be getting more carries than Droughns at this point. If you hold onto him though, you may be lucky enough to get a touchdown or two from Droughns if he gets the opportunities, but you also run the risk of getting 10 yards and zero touchdowns from him as well. Consider him a No. 3 running back and a strong play this week.

Portis - Portis had the best week among NFC East running backs, rushing 25 times for 126 yards and a touchdown. The performance earned him a nomination for FedEx Ground Player of the Week award for Week 15. Portis does face the challenge of playing the Vikings' tough run defense. Over the past four weeks, they are giving up an average of only 49.8 rushing yards per game, something Portis isn't looking forward to dealing with. Consider Portis a good No. 1 or 2 back, and start him anyway against the Vikings.

Wide Receivers

Player	Team	Gm	Util (%)/G	RZ (%) Plays/G	Rec/G	Rec Yards/G	Rec TD/G
Patrick Crayton	Dallas Cowboys	3	5.00 (6.14)	1.67 (11.41)	2.67	47.3	0.67
Plaxico Burress	New York Giants	4	11.00 (14.52)	2.00 (19.49)	5.00	75.0	0.50
Amani Toomer	New York Giants	4	7.00 (9.24)	0.75 (7.31)	3.25	47.2	0.25
Reggie Brown	Philadelphia Eagles	4	7.75 (11.21)	1.25 (13.39)	4.50	44.2	0.50
Kevin Curtis	Philadelphia Eagles	4	8.75 (12.66)	1.00 (10.71)	4.75	62.0	0.25
Santana Moss	Washington Redskins	4	9.25 (13.37)	1.75 (15.92)	4.00	51.0	0.00
Antwaan Randle El	Washington Redskins	3	3.67 (3.97)	0.00 (0.00)	1.33	20.0	0.00

Crayton - Crayton (foot) played through all of last Sunday's loss to the Eagles and finished with two receptions for 54 yards. Aside from Owens, Crayton has really been the Cowboys only other receiver that poses a threat to opposing defenses this year, but he has been streaky. Still, Crayton has set career highs in receptions, yards and touchdowns this year and is filling in nicely for injured Cowboys receiver Terry Glenn. Crayton is a solid No. 2 or 3 option and should start for you this week.

Burress - With Manning struggling at quarterback, it's hard for any Giants receiver to have a big game, especially someone like Burress who's been playing with numerous injuries nearly all season. With Shockey out for the year and the Giants on their way to backing into the playoffs, they will rely on Burress even more so than they have before and it'll be important for him to play like he's healthy and make big plays. Though he's missed a ton of practice time this year, he has been playing in every game since week one, so you can expect Burress to play and perform well this week. Consider him a decent No. 1 or 2 receiver this week against the Panthers.

Toomer - Toomer and his stats continued to take a hit last week as the Giants receiver didn't catch a single pass, finishing with two drops. Though some of that blame could go on Manning, Toomer had two drops and is just as easy to blame. Toomer has only three touchdowns on the season, and even with Shockey getting injured, it's hard to see Manning trusting anyone but Burress in the red zone. Start Toomer as an injury replacement; otherwise, just leave him on your bench as a weak play against the Bills.

Brown - If you started Brown this week, you lucked out. He didn't have much impact throughout the game, and had he not scored the game's only touchdown he would've done absolutely nothing for you this week. His touchdown was only his third of the year, a far cry from what was originally hoped for him at the beginning of the season. Consider Brown a decent No. 3 wide receiver against the Saints this week.

Curtis - Curtis set a career high in receptions this week, breaking his 2005 mark of 60 on the year. He has already broken his career high in total receiving yards, and he now sits 30 yards shy of 1,000 at 970. After a slow start, Curtis has really turned it around for the Eagles and has become their primary receiver. Like Brown, Curtis is a decent No. 3 receiver this week and should play for your team.

Moss - Moss had the Redskins' biggest week receiving, catching three of Collins eight completions for 75 yards. Still, Moss hasn't done much all year to make you want to start him. Consider Moss an injury replacement option or a bench option this week with a weak play against the Vikings.

Randle El - Time is running out for Randle El to catch a touchdown pass. This would be the first year in his career that he failed to catch a touchdown pass. There's still the slightest chance that touchdown could come through the air. Randle El has been taking some extra snaps in practice. Randle El hasn't had a good season, and he has been a big letdown in the fantasy football world after showing flashes earlier in the season. Keep him on your bench as a weak play.

Tight Ends

Player	Team	Gm	Util (%)/G	RZ (%) Plays/G	Rec/G	Rec Yards/G	Rec TD/G
L.J. Smith	Philadelphia Eagles	3	6.00 (6.51)	0.67 (5.36)	2.33	25.0	0.00
Kevin Boss	New York Giants	4	1.50 (1.98)	0.25 (2.44)	0.75	8.8	0.25

Smith - Smith (knee) missed the Eagles Week 15 game against the Cowboys, and unfortunately, it's not looking any better for this week. Keep updated with KFFL to see if Smith will play this week, but it looks very unlikely at this point.

Boss - Boss is a rookie out of Western Oregon and has only five receptions on the season. With Shockey now out for the year with a broken leg, Boss will be his replacement and could have some decent games. Unless he's your only replacement option for Shockey, keep Boss on your bench this week as a weak play against the Bills.

Place Kickers

Player	Team	Gm	XP/G	XPA/G	FG/G	FGA/G	Kick Pnts/G
Nick Folk	Dallas Cowboys	4	3.00	3.00	1.75	2.00	8.2
Lawrence Tynes	New York Giants	4	1.75	1.75	1.25	1.50	5.5
David Akers	Philadelphia Eagles	4	2.25	2.25	1.00	1.75	5.2
Shaun Suisham	Washington Redskins	4	1.50	1.50	2.25	2.75	8.2

Folk - Even though the Cowboys lost, Folk still hit both field goals he attempted, and he has now hit seven of eight in the past four weeks. Folk has been consistent all year and has been a solid kicker for you if he has been on your team. Consider him a good No. 1 kicker and start him this week against the Panthers.

Tynes - Unlike Folk, Tynes has been very inconsistent this year and at one point there was talk of him being replaced. Instead, he turned it around and secured his job. He has scored five points or less in three of the last four games and is still struggling for the Giants. Keep Tynes on your bench as a weak play against the Bills this week.

Akers - In possibly his worst full season as a starter, Akers did manage to find a bright spot. Against the Cowboys last Sunday, Akers scored his 884th point becoming the Eagles all-time scoring leaders. He did, however, miss a 47-yard field goal, his first ever miss at Texas Stadium. Considering starting him at kicker for this week as Akers is a decent No. 1 or bench option.

Suisham - Though Suisham has had a great season, he could be slowed up a bit this week against an excellent Vikings defense. The Vikings have allowed an average of only one field goal and 1.25 extra points the past four weeks. Taking that into consideration, keep Suisham on your bench this week as a weak play.

Defensive Teams

Team	Gm	Off Pnts Allw/G	INT/G	Sacks/G	FR/G	DEF/ST TD/G
Dallas Cowboys	4	16.8	0.75	2.8	0.50	0.2
New York Giants	4	18.5	0.00	3.8	0.25	0.0
Philadelphia Eagles	4	18.8	1.00	2.5	0.75	0.0
Washington Redskins	4	15.0	0.50	1.8	0.50	0.0

Cowboys - The Cowboys may have lost, but they forced three fumbles, four sacks, and allowed only 10 points. The Cowboys have been a pretty good defense all season, and this week take on a Panthers team that is scoring only 12.5 points per week the past four games. With any luck, the Cowboys will have just as good of a performance against the Panthers as they did against the Eagles. Dallas is a decent No. 1 option but a weak play this week.

Giants - The Giants are struggling on both sides of the ball at this point, having averaged only 0.25 turnovers forced per game over the last four weeks. They nearly lost to the Lions, Bears, and Eagles in recent weeks. After fighting their way back up to the top half of the NFL's best defenses, keep them on your bench as a weak play against the Bills.

Eagles - After holding one of the NFL's best offenses to only six points, the Eagles face an offense just as hot as the Cowboys offense was. They've averaged 26.2 points per game over the last four weeks. The Eagles defense may have had one big game in them, but asking them to put on that type of performance two weeks in a row is probably pushing it. Keep the Eagles on your bench as a weak play.

Redskins - Holding the Giants offense to 10 points sure isn't as big of a deal as it would have been earlier in the season, but the Redskins should be happy nonetheless. They play the NFL's third-ranked rushing offense over the last four weeks as they travel to Minnesota to face running backs Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor. Those two players alone should make you leave the Redskins on your bench as a weak play.