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Fantasy football preview: Eagles vs. Cowboys
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Sheldon Brown and the Eagle defense will give Tony Romo problems all night
The Philadelphia Eagles will host the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night in a game with obvious playoff implications. Both teams are currently tied for first place in the NFC East with a record of 5-2, half a game ahead of the New York Giants.
Philadelphia is coming off consecutive victories against division opponents, including an impressive 40-17 win over the Giants last week. Dallas is riding a three-game winning streak, scoring over 25 points in each. Something's gotta give.
The last time these two teams met was in a "win and you're in" matchup Week 17 of last season. That game, also in Philadelphia, was decided quickly, as the Eagles jumped out to a 27-3 lead at the half. The birds ended up winning the game 44-6 and advancing as far as the NFC championship game, while the Cowboys got to go home early and work on their golf games.
The beatdown the Eagles handed out last year should only intensify the rivalry, and the rematch promises to be one of the best games of the NFL season. Here is a position-by-position look at the relavent fantasy players for both teams. As always, please post or email any fantasy questions, comments, or random thoughts.
Quarterbacks
Donovan McNabb is heating up, leading an explosive Philadelphia offense to 67 total points the last two weeks without Brian Westbrook. McNabb threw for 240 yards and three touchdowns last week, and DeSean Jackson continues to give teams nightmares with his big-play ability.
McNabb led the Eagles to 81 points in two games against the Cowboys in 2008 without throwing an interception. If Westbrook is back, as he is expected to be, it should keep the Dallas defense honest.
Their secondary is nothing special and McNabb will keep the offense rolling this week. The Cowboy offense has been lighting up the scoreboard recently as well, so the Eagles may have to keep throwing the ball throughout the contest. McNabb is as close to a must-start as it gets.
Projection: 320 yards, three touchdowns, one turnover
Tony Romo has been criticized a great deal this season, despite his strong play. Romo struggled with inefficiency and turnovers in the early season, but has improved his play dramatically over the past few weeks. He has thrown for eight touchdowns during the current three-game winning streak, and has at least 250 yards passing in all but one game this season.
Romo has enjoyed moderate success against Philadelphia, throwing for 312 yards in the Dallas win last season, but just 183 yards in the loss. He also turned the ball over five times in two games.
The Eagles have allowed more than 20 points just once this season, and gave Eli Manning fits last week. Romo has been clicking with Miles Austin of late and should have some success, but will also turn the ball over several times. He is just an average start this week.
Projection: 270 yards, two touchdowns, three turnovers
Runningbacks
Brian Westbrook's effectiveness has been limited this season due to a litany of injuries to his 30-year-old frame. When healthy, Westbrook can be one of the most explosive players in the NFL. This season, he has not carried the ball more than six times since Week 2, and has scored just twice on the season.
With the emergence of rookie LeSean McCoy, look for Westbrook to return from his injury in a time-share situation as the Eagles attempt to be cautious with their injury-prone back. Westbrook is a decent start this week, but monitor his number of carries and his health over the next few weeks.
LeSean McCoy ran the ball 25 times for 119 yards over the past two weeks with Westbrook out. In each of his two games as a starter this season, he has run for over 80 yards and found the end zone. His touches should go up with his improving performance, but he will always be limited when Westbrook is healthy.
Avoid McCoy this week if possible until his exact role in the offense is determined. Or just wait another two weeks for Westbrook to suffer his next injury.
Projections: 70 total yards, one touchdown for Westbrook; 40 total yards, no touchdowns for McCoy
Marion Barber is still the starter in Dallas, but his carries have been reduced as Felix Jones and Tashard Choice have shown the ability to shoulder a portion of the load. Barber still receives the goal line carries and has four touchdowns this season. The Eagles are tough to run against, especially at the goal line, but Barber still warrants consideration as a flex play.
Felix Jones is immensely talented, averaging 8.3 yards per carry in his short career. Jones is injury-prone, however, and has yet to receive more than eight carries in a game this season. At this point, his value is tied completely to his ability to make the big play. As long as Barber is healthy, Jones is not worth the risk in matchups as tough as this one.
Projections: 80 total yards, no touchdowns for Barber; 40 total yards, no touchdowns for Jones
Wide Receivers
DeSean Jackson is the epitome of "home run hitter" in the NFL. He now has six total touchdowns on the season, all for over 50 yards. He has three touchdowns in his last two games, and look for him to come out swinging against the Cowboy secondary. No way you bench Jackson this week.
Jeremy Maclin continues to develop in this offense, and his looks should increase as teams attempt to slow down Jackson. He has totaled nine catches for 100 yards and a touchdown in the last two games, and looks like a decent flex play this week.
Projections: 100 total yards, one touchdown for Jackson; 60 total yards, one touchdown for Maclin
Miles Austin has burst onto the scene as the number one option in Dallas over the past three weeks. After his ten-catch, 250-yard performance Week 5, he cooled slightly the next two weeks. Austin has received far more targets than anyone else in the Dallas offense and should continue to produce. Just don't expect him to repeat his Week 5 performance here.
Roy Williams is looking more and more like a waste of a first round pick by the Cowboys. He has just three catches for 35 yards in his last two games and now claims that Romo can't throw him the ball correctly. Maybe it's Romo or maybe it's his stone hands, but don't expect Williams to produce this week.
Projections: 80 total yards, one touchdown for Austin; 40 total yards, no touchdowns for Williams
Tight Ends
Brent Celek has been an integral part of this offense for the majority of the season. He reestablished himself last week with four catches for 61 yards and a touchdown. Celek remains a top ten tight end.
Projection: 60 total yards, one touchdown
Jason Witten has given the Eagles' defense trouble over the past few seasons but has struggled so far this season, failing to reach 80 yards receiving in a game. Kevin Boss had his biggest fantasy week of the season last week against Philadelphia, going for 70 yards and a touchdown. The Eagles' defense continues to have trouble against tight ends, so look for Witten to double his season touchdown total this week.
Projection: 80 total yards, one touchdown
Defenses
Philadelphia has one of the best defenses in fantasy football, accumulating 21 turnovers in seven games this season. The Eagles have only allowed more than 20 points in a game once and have forced seven turnovers in the last two games. Romo has been hot recently, but the Eagles' defense has been hotter. Start them without fear this week.
Projection: 17 points allowed, three sacks, three turnovers
Dallas has been disappointing on defense, forcing only nine turnovers so far this season. The pass rush is still there, though, with 17 sacks on the year. Dallas is running into a hot offense, so avoid starting them if possible.
Projection: 28 points allowed, two sacks, one turnover
Kickers
David Akers has been pretty reliable this season, but I see the Eagles scoring more touchdowns than field goals this week. He is still a starting caliber kicker as part of this offense.
Projection: no field goals, four extra points
Nick Folk is normally a good start thanks to the Cowboys' high-powered offense. There is potential for the Cowboys to be slowed in the red zone this week, giving Folk a lot of upside. Start him as you normally would.
Projection: one field goal, two extra points
For more info: Continue to follow the Philadelphia Fantasy Sports Examiner or email any fantasy football related questions.
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