NFC East Fantasy Outlook

October 4, 2007 @ 16:57:51

By Ben Rubin
Edited by Herija C. Green

NFC East

Do Not Bench List - All Positions

• Quarterback Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys: Romo's hot start continued against the St. Louis Rams last week, as he threw for 300-plus yards for the second consecutive week, and added three more touchdowns to his total. Romo is averaging 2.50 passing touchdowns per game, and he's been doing well rushing the ball too, averaging 17.8 yards per game. This week, you can expect another good performance from Romo, and he is a strong play against the Buffalo Bills.
• Wide Receiver Terrell Owens, Dallas Cowboys: Last week was Owens' worst performance thus far this year, as he went without a touchdown and only caught three passes for 33 yards. Expect a rebound week for Owens as he's a strong play against the Bills.
• Tight End Jeremy Shockey, New York Giants: Shockey didn't have a great game last week, but he's still averaging 49.2 yards per game. Against the New York Jets in Week 5, Shockey should see the ball a lot more, and he's a strong play. Make sure to keep him in your lineup.

Quarterbacks

Player	Team	Gm	Pass Yds/G	Pass TD/G	INT/G	Rush Yards/G	Rush TD/G
Eli Manning	New York Giants	4	222.5	1.75	1.25	-1.0	0.00
Jason Campbell	Washington Redskins	3	207.0	0.67	1.00	26.7	0.00

Manning - Now that the defense finally seems to be settling down, Manning's numbers should only improve. They haven't been bad so far this year, but the awful defensive showing earlier this season had to have had some minor effect on his numbers. Manning's a decent No. 1 quarterback, but a strong play this week against the Jets.

Campbell - Though Campbell certainly hasn't looked great this year, he'll get an excellent opportunity this week against the Detroit Lions, who have allowed more passing yards than any other team this season. If Campbell's going to have a good week, it could be against the Lions. Make sure to start him as he's a strong 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
Julius Jones	Dallas Cowboys	4	14.25 (21.80)	2.25 (19.41)	44.0	0.25	1.25	18.8	0.00
Marion Barber III	Dallas Cowboys	4	14.25 (21.80)	4.00 (34.50)	76.5	1.00	1.50	16.8	0.25
Brandon Jacobs	New York Giants	1	6.00 (2.39)	0.00 (0.00)	26.0	0.00	0.00	0.0	0.00
Derrick Ward	New York Giants	4	24.00 (38.23)	3.50 (35.90)	88.2	0.00	4.25	28.5	0.25
Clinton Portis	Washington Redskins	3	18.67 (30.27)	2.33 (36.84)	75.7	1.00	2.33	14.7	0.00
Ladell Betts	Washington Redskins	3	12.00 (19.46)	1.67 (26.32)	27.3	0.00	1.33	18.3	0.00

Jones- Jones recorded his first touchdown of the season against the Rams, but he's still the No. 2 running back on the Cowboys in goal line situations. He's a No. 3 option with a strong play against the Bills.

Barber - He may not have gotten a touchdown last week, but Barber's still off to a great start. He's been the surprise fantasy steal at running back over the first quarter of the season, and it looks as if he will keep up the good year. He's a good No. 1 option for your team, and he's a strong play against the Bills.

Jacobs - Jacobs (knee) is starting to get more reps in practice, but it's still to be determined whether or not he'll play this week. Keep updated during the week to check on his status, but if he's going to play, you may still want to consider keeping him on the bench this week.

Ward - As far as injury replacements go, Ward has done pretty well for the Giants. He's a strong play this week, but be sure to get an update on Jacobs' condition before the game. If Jacobs is playing chances are Ward's stats will likely take a hit. For now consider Ward a No. 1 back for Week 5.

Portis - Portis is a great No. 1 option and against the Lions defense he's a strong play. Portis should be well rested coming off the Redskins Bye week, and his 1.00 touchdowns per game should only continue. Make sure he starts this week.

Betts - Betts is mainly a backup to Portis, but he still gets in on 12 plays per game. In key situations, however, the ball will likely go to Portis, and because of that, Betts should not be anything more than a No. 3 or flex option with a strong play versus Detroit.

Wide Receivers

Player	Team	Gm	Util (%)/G	RZ (%) Plays/G	Rec/G	Rec Yards/G	Rec TD/G
Patrick Crayton	Dallas Cowboys	4	5.50 (8.41)	0.75 (6.47)	3.25	65.5	0.50
Plaxico Burress	New York Giants	4	9.50 (15.13)	1.00 (10.26)	4.75	71.5	1.50
Santana Moss	Washington Redskins	3	8.67 (14.05)	0.00 (0.00)	4.00	66.3	0.00
Antwaan Randle El	Washington Redskins	3	6.67 (10.81)	0.67 (10.53)	3.67	79.3	0.00

Crayton - Crayton exploded against the Rams catching seven passes for 184 yards and two touchdowns. This was after he had been somewhat of a disappointment taking over for injured wide receiver Terry Glenn (knee) as the Cowboys No. 2 receiver. He's a decent No. 2 or quality No. 3 receiver and a strong play against the Bills.

Burress - Burress is continuing to have a great year for the Giants, as he's averaging 1.50 touchdowns per game. Fantasy owners will certainly be happy if he keeps that up. He may not keep that exact pace, but he should continue to do well. He should be starting for every fantasy team this week as a high-end No. 1 starter.

Moss - Moss should be the main beneficiary of a good week by Campbell. Against the Lions and their awful pass-defense, Moss could have a big week. He's a strong play as a No. 2 or No. 3 receiver this week.

Randle El - Randle El is a decent No. 3 fantasy receiver, but he could also from playing the Lions. Since his incredible Week 1, Randle El has slowed down a bit, as expected. Determining whether or not to play him should be done on a weekly basis, and this week against Detriot, he can be started as a No. 3 or Bye week replacement.

Tight Ends

Player	Team	Gm	Util (%)/G	RZ (%) Plays/G	Rec/G	Rec Yards/G	Rec TD/G
Jason Witten	Dallas Cowboys	4	7.25 (11.09)	1.00 (8.62)	5.00	76.0	0.50
Chris Cooley	Washington Redskins	3	4.33 (7.03)	0.67 (10.53)	2.00	18.0	0.67

Witten - Witten is having a great year so far, averaging 76.0 yards per game. He's played a key part in Romo's success this season, and he should keep it up against the Bills. He's a great No. 1 option, and should remain in your lineup.

Cooley - While many other Redskins should expect big games this week, Cooley may not be one of them. He hasn't been as good as expected, but that doesn't mean he won't be soon. This week against the Lions though, it'll likely be the wide receivers that put up good numbers, and not Cooley, who carries a weak play as a weak No. 1 or Bye week replacement in this game.

Place Kickers

Player	Team	Gm	XPA/G	XP/G	FGA/G	FG/G	Kick Pnts/G
Nick Folk	Dallas Cowboys	4	4.75	4.75	1.75	1.50	9.2
Lawrence Tynes	New York Giants	4	1.75	1.75	2.25	1.75	7.0
Shaun Suisham	Washington Redskins	3	1.67	1.67	2.33	2.00	7.7

Folk - Folk has proven himself through the first four games to be reliable enough to start weekly. He's having a great year so far, averaging 9.2 kicking points per game, and he's a strong play against the Bills.

Tynes - The Giants can't be disappointed so far in Tynes. He's a decent No. 1 kicker for your team, and should start this week as the Giants play the Jets.

Suisham - If Washington can do what other teams have done to the Lions this year, Suisham could be called on a lot this year. He's a decent No. 1 kicker or a Bye week replacement, but he's a strong play.

Defensive Teams

Team	Gm	Off Pnts Allw/G	INT/G	Sacks/G	FR/G	DEF/ST TD/G
Dallas Cowboys	4	16.5	2.25	2.2	0.50	0.2
New York Giants	4	25.0	0.50	4.0	0.75	0.2
Washington Redskins	3	16.3	0.67	2.3	0.67	0.0

Cowboys - Outside of a shaky performance in Week 1, Dallas has been a pretty good defensive team thus far and should play well against the Bills, who haven't put up many points this year. Start them this week, but don't expect the dominance they displayed against the Rams last week.

Giants - The Giants finally broke through and had a great defensive effort against the Philadelphia Eagles. One week shouldn't be enough for you to jump on their bandwagon, but against the Jets they should make for a decent No. 1 option.

Redskins - The Redskins defense has been pretty good this year and even though the Lions have had success on offense, expect the Redskins to be able to pressure Lions quarterback Jon Kitna for some sacks and turnovers. They're a strong play as our No. 1 defense against Detroit.

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

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