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Fantasy Football and NFL News, Rumors and Injury Updates

Dallas Cowboys Week 19 Fantasy Analysis

January 11, 2008 @ 11:10:46

By Alex Resch
Edited by Jason Hoffmann

Dallas Cowboys Fantasy Matchups - Week 19

Opponent: vs. New York Giants

The Cowboys (13-3) had a first-round bye and a chance for the team to heal, with injuries to key players. The status of star receiver Terrell Owens (ankle) is still up in the air, but the team could see center Andre Gurode (knee) return to action and could have receiver Terry Glenn (knee) on the field as well. Quarterback Tony Romo should be fired up for the shot at vindication after his infamous fumble in last year's playoff loss to the Seattle Seahawks and will face a familiar foe in the NFC Divisional Round. The Cowboys will host the New York Giants (11-6), whom Dallas has already defeated twice this season. The Giants are coming off a huge road playoff victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-8) and have been very good on the road this season, with their only traveling loss coming against Dallas. Quarterback Eli Manning looks to have improved his much-maligned ability in the clutch, but the true test for the less-famous Manning will come against the Cowboys this week.

Quarterback

Table: Per-Game Statistics - Weeks 15-18

Player	G	Comp/G	Att/G	Pass Yds/G	Pass TDs/G	INTs/G	Rush Yds/G	Rush TDs/G	PH
Tony Romo	3	16	31	185.7	0.33	1.67	9.7	0.00	++

Romo will look to replace his tabloid headlines with sports page headlines against the Giants this week. While many have questioned his recent vacations with a certain pop star, Romo should be geared up to silence his critics for at least one more game. The Giants secondary has been fairly average in the past four weeks and if Owens plays, Romo could be in for a good day. He's a solid play as a No. 1 quarterback this week.

Table: Opponent vs. Position

Team	G	Comp/G	Att/G	Pass Yds/G	Pass TDs/G	INTs/G	Rush Yds/G	Rush TDs/G
Giants	4	18	33	222.5	1.25	1.25	0.8	0.00

The Giants have been average against opposing quarterbacks over the past four weeks, but have had success in limiting scoring by the position. Romo's production could hinge on whether or not Owens is ready to play this week.

Running Back

Table: Per-Game Statistics - Weeks 15-18

Player	G	Util/G (%)	RZ Util/G (%)	In-5 Util/G	Rush Yds/G	Rush TDs/G	Rec/G	Rec Yds/G	Rec TDs/G	PH
Marion Barber III	3	14.67 (24.04)	3.33 (35.63)	0.67	45.3	0.33	1.33	7.7	0.00	X
Julius Jones	3	9.00 (14.75)	1.33 (14.25)	0.00	12.3	0.00	1.00	4.7	0.00	-

Barber is well established as the Cowboys' best running back and will look to put his Pro Bowl skills on display this week against a Giants defense that has struggled recently against the run. Barber's hard-nosed style will likely be a large key in the Dallas offensive game plan this week, especially if Owens is on the sidelines. Consider him a strong play given the matchup as a low-end No. 1 or high-end No. 2 fantasy option at running back.

Jones is the second option in Dallas production-wise, and has not put up any numbers recently to suggest him being too useful fantasy-wise. However, he has a strong matchup this week against a weak Giants run defense and is a strong play as a low-end No. 2 or high-end No. 3 running back.

Table: Opponent vs. Position

Team	G	Att/G	Rush Yds/G	Rush TDs/G	Rec/G	Rec Yds/G	Rec TDs/G
Giants	4	25.0	96.0	1.50	5.75	58.5	0.00

The Giants have been poor against the running back position in the past four weeks, allowing them to get into the end zone at a fairly high rate and allowing opposing running backs to be a threat out of the backfield as well. This matchup bodes well for Barber and Jones, especially for Barber as a touchdown threat.

Wide Receiver

Table: Per-Game Statistics - Weeks 15-18

Player	G	Targets/G (%)	RZ Targets/G (%)	In-5 Targets/G	Rec/G	Rec Yds/G	Rec TDs/G	PH
Terrell Owens	2	10.00 (10.93)	2.50 (17.82)	1.00	3.50	42.5	0.50	++
Patrick Crayton	3	5.67 (9.29)	0.00 (0.00)	0.00	3.67	42.3	0.00	X
Sam Hurd	3	4.67 (7.65)	1.00 (10.69)	0.33	2.00	38.0	0.00	N/A
Miles Austin	3	2.67 (4.37)	0.33 (3.56)	0.33	1.00	15.3	0.00	N/A

Owens (ankle) is still uncertain for the game, so be sure to monitor his status throughout the week. If he plays, he is a threat for a big play on every snap despite the injury and should be in your lineup. If he sits, look elsewhere for production this week.

Crayton could be seeing some significant action this week with injuries to Owens and Glenn. If both sit out the game, Crayton will take on some extra looks in the Cowboys passing attack. Even if both are able to play, the coaching staff will likely look to use Crayton to spell both to keep them fresh for the game and the rest of the playoffs. However, the running game should be featured prominently, damaging the value of all Cowboys receivers for the game. Consider Crayton to be a No. 3 fantasy option for the week.

Hurd likely won't be a large enough factor in the Cowboys offense to be considered for fantasy purposes. Keep him on the bench this week.

Austin also has a minor role in the Dallas passing attack and should be on the bench for this week's game.

Terry Glenn (knee) is worth keeping an eye on, as it appears he will be ready to play this week. Just how big his role will be has yet to be seen, but he could turn into a reliable downfield threat if he is truly fully recovered from his knee injury.

Table: Opponent vs. Position

Team	G	Rec/G	Rec Yds/G	Rec TDs/G
Giants	4	9.00	125.0	0.75

The Giants have been average against opposing receivers, and will no doubt be hoping to see Owens in street clothes this week. While the Giants defensive backfield may be playing at an elite level lately, they would definitely look better if Dallas is missing its best threat in the passing game.

Tight End

Table: Per-Game Statistics - Weeks 15-18

Player	G	Targets/G (%)	RZ Targets/G (%)	In-5 Targets/G	Rec/G	Rec Yds/G	Rec TDs/G	PH
Jason Witten	3	9.00 (14.75)	1.00 (10.69)	0.00	5.33	63.3	0.00	+
Anthony Fasano	3	2.33 (3.82)	0.33 (3.56)	0.00	1.67	12.3	0.00	N/A

Witten is a key cog in the Cowboys offense with or without Owens, but his role would certainly increase if the star receiver doesn't step on the field this week. Either way, Witten is a strong play this week as a No. 1 option at tight end and should be productive. Keep him in the lineup.

Fasano is a small part of the Cowboys offense and should not be considered a useful fantasy option. Keep him on the bench this week.

Table: Opponent vs. Position

Team	G	Rec/G	Rec Yds/G	Rec TDs/G
Giants	4	3.25	39.0	0.50

The Giants have played well against opposing tight ends in terms of yardage in the past four weeks, but have allowed two touchdowns to the position in that span. Witten should still enjoy a good game despite the Giants' recent success against tight ends.

Place Kicker

Table: Per-Game Statistics - Weeks 15-18

Player	G	FG/G	FG Att/G	XP/G	XP Att/G	Kick Pts/G
Nick Folk	4	2.00	2.33	0.67	0.67	6.7

Folk should continue his solid season in the Divisional Round, especially if the Cowboys offense has Owens to help them march downfield. Keep him in the lineup as a solid No. 1 fantasy kicker

Table: Opponent vs. Position

Team	G	FG/G	FG Att/G	XP/G	XP Att/G	Kick Pts/G
Giants	4	1.50	1.50	2.25	2.25	6.8

New York has been good against opposing kickers in the past four weeks and is not the friendliest of matchups for Folk. However, the Cowboys offense is potent enough to overcome the matchup and allow the rookie kicker to put points on the board.

Defensive Team/Special Teams

Table: Per-Game Statistics - Weeks 15-18

Team	G	Off Pts Allowed/G	Net Yds Allowed/G	Sacks/G	INT/G	Fum Rec/G
Cowboys	3	16.7	295.0	4.00	0.33	1.00

The Dallas defense has been solid in the past four weeks, especially in the sack department. Linebacker DeMarcus Ware, recently named to the Associated Press 2007 NFL All-Pro first team, has been a spark plug for the pass rush and has helped keep constant pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Combine the good pass rush with solid contributions from cornerback Terence Newman and safeties Ken Hamlin and Roy Williams, and the Cowboys defense is a solid unit that could present some problems for the Giants resurgent offense. Look for the Cowboys to use Ware and linebackers Greg Ellis and Anthony Spencer to rattle quarterback Eli Manning early on and keep him from establishing the sense of confidence he has enjoyed as of late. If they can get in his head and keep him from getting comfortable, the Cowboys defense could be in for a good game. Consider them a strong play as a No. 1 fantasy unit this week.

Table: Opponent Offense vs. Defense

Team	G	Off Pts/G	Net Yds/G	Sacks Allowed/G	INT Thrown/G	Fum Lost/G
Giants	4	22.2	321.2	1.50	0.75	0.75

The Giants offense has played well as of late, with Manning appearing to take a step forward as a quarterback. He has looked much more comfortable in the pocket and had a great game against Tampa Bay last week. His ability to handle pressure and deliver when it counts will be tested this week, as the Cowboys will probably attack him from all angles. If he succeeds, this team could be a problem not only for the Cowboys, but also for any other team in the league. In addition, the Giants will look to use bruising running back Brandon Jacobs heavily to keep pressure off of Manning and develop a balanced offensive scheme. Jacobs also enjoyed a strong outing last week and will look to keep rumbling forward in Dallas this week.