hardcorebob
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This is a service that I subscribe to for fantasy football purposes. Some good info and funny comments in here, especially when it's about Eli.
This matchup features two good fantasy defenses, but the poise of Tony Romo, Jason Witten's ability to beat the safeties in coverage and the physical running style of Marion Barber make the Cowboys the better play even if Terrell Owens isn't at full speed. For those excited about Eli Manning's strong outing last week, play the videotape this week. You won't see it otherwise.
5-Star Players
QB Tony Romo, Cowboys. Romo's value is directly related to the health of Owens. It was hard not to notice Romo's struggles without Owens in the lineup. Even if Owens plays, he won't be 100 percent. The Giants will not have to use double coverage as much, and as a result, they will be able to concentrate on Witten. Romo's ability to roll out and work off bootlegs will be neutralized by New York's edge rush. Expect more from the short passing game, especially in the middle of the field. That will be where Romo finds the most success.
WR Terrell Owens, Cowboys. It's hard to tell what to do with Owens. All indications are that he will play. But what will Owens give you? High-ankle sprains are no joke, and if Owens can't cut or outrun coverage, even the Giants will be able to cover him. Owens will put up steady numbers, but you might want to go with a safer option.
TE Jason Witten, Cowboys. Witten has become one of the most polished pass-catching tight ends in the game. He runs smooth routes and routinely blows right past linebackers. Witten is Romo's first look under pressure, which will be the norm this week against the Giants. We expect a big game from Witten. He's your best option at tight end.
K Nick Folk, Cowboys. Folk was among the leading scorers in the league this year, and it never hurts to go with a Pro Bowl selection.
WR Plaxico Burress, Giants. Burress has a significant height advantage against cornerback Terence Newman, so look for Manning to try and hit Burress with sideline routes that will limit chances for an interception. The goal is to let Burress win jump balls with his superior leaping ability. Burress also can turn it upfield and beat safety help because of his speed. He's a great play this week.
4-Star Players
RB Marion Barber, Cowboys. Barber will carry the rushing load as long as Dallas is in the playoffs. Barber is a physical between-the-tackles runner who uses his speed to make plays in space. Barber also is a worthy receiver. He will help keep the Giants' aggressive defensive front seven at bay. Barber is a strong play.
Cowboys defense/special teams. Expect some scoring if this game follows the trend of the first two meetings. In the playoffs, the game is all about avoiding the big mistake, so the Giants will run more often. Dallas is strong against the run and can make big plays on defense. The Cowboys will limit yardage and points, and their ability to get to Manning makes them a solid play.
RB Brandon Jacobs, Giants. Jacobs' physical style didn't work against the undersized Buccaneers, and it will be even more difficult for him to find room against Dallas. With Ahmad Bradshaw stealing carries, Jacobs' value is somewhat tarnished. However, Jacobs is always a threat to score because he's strong in the red zone.
K Lawrence Tynes, Giants. We saw Tynes attempt to make a tackle last week. It was a weak effort, but it is still better than anything he has done with his foot this season. Still, with the high-scoring nature of the first two matchups and with options limited in the playoffs, you could do worse.
3-Star Players
QB Eli Manning, Giants. Manning is coming off perhaps his best game of the season, but it was made possible by the fact Tampa Bay couldn't get to him. Manning stood in the pocket and got into a rhythm. That won't happen this week. Dallas will hit Manning early and often. Once Manning takes a few hits, he will revert to his inconsistent form. Don't play Manning.
Giants defense/special teams. The Giants can get after the passer, and their edge pressure will limit Romo's options outside of the pocket. New York hasn't improved enough against the run to make us think they can shut down Barber, however, and their secondary gives up too many big plays. Don't rely on them in postseason leagues.
2-Star Players
WR Patrick Crayton, Cowboys. Romo will work the middle of the field, and Crayton will add to that with deep posts and crosses. Crayton scored in the last meeting, and New York's safeties have been on skates all season. Crayton has some added value if Owens can't go.
RB Julius Jones, Cowboys. Jones has a good burst through the line of scrimmage, and he will see about 10-12 touches in this game. That will set up play-action chances for Romo. Jones, however, won't do more than that. There's little value here.
RB Ahmad Bradshaw, Giants. Bradshaw is the X factor for the Giants this week. He didn't play in either regular-season matchup against Dallas. Bradshaw has good quickness and burst to the outside, and he is more physical between the tackles than his size suggests. He also is a solid receiver. Bradshaw is a change-of-pace from Jacobs, and the Giants will need to utilize that against the Cowboys' solid interior defense. We don't know how much work Bradshaw will get, however, which limits his fantasy value.
WR Amani Toomer, Giants. Toomer has once again become old reliable for Manning. Expect Manning to get the ball to Toomer on third downs, especially on short crosses and slant routes. Toomer is sharing opportunities with Sinorice Moss and Steve Smith, however. This isn't the strongest play.
TE Kevin Boss, Giants. Manning won't hesitate to look to Boss, who is not a poor man's Shockey, but a smart man's Shockey who is always in the right place. Boss' 6-7 frame makes him an ideal red-zone target. There's sleeper value here.
1-Star Players
WR Sinorice Moss, Giants. Dallas will either have to go to nickel defense or put Roy Williams in coverage when Moss is in the slot. Moss has good speed, but Manning will be under constant pressure. We don't see Moss making much of an impact.
WR Steve Smith, Giants. Smith could be a sleeper in this one. He gives Manning one more big target to combat Dallas' furious pass rush. Smith's contribution, however, led to just three catches for 29 yards. Too risky for usage.
This matchup features two good fantasy defenses, but the poise of Tony Romo, Jason Witten's ability to beat the safeties in coverage and the physical running style of Marion Barber make the Cowboys the better play even if Terrell Owens isn't at full speed. For those excited about Eli Manning's strong outing last week, play the videotape this week. You won't see it otherwise.
5-Star Players
QB Tony Romo, Cowboys. Romo's value is directly related to the health of Owens. It was hard not to notice Romo's struggles without Owens in the lineup. Even if Owens plays, he won't be 100 percent. The Giants will not have to use double coverage as much, and as a result, they will be able to concentrate on Witten. Romo's ability to roll out and work off bootlegs will be neutralized by New York's edge rush. Expect more from the short passing game, especially in the middle of the field. That will be where Romo finds the most success.
WR Terrell Owens, Cowboys. It's hard to tell what to do with Owens. All indications are that he will play. But what will Owens give you? High-ankle sprains are no joke, and if Owens can't cut or outrun coverage, even the Giants will be able to cover him. Owens will put up steady numbers, but you might want to go with a safer option.
TE Jason Witten, Cowboys. Witten has become one of the most polished pass-catching tight ends in the game. He runs smooth routes and routinely blows right past linebackers. Witten is Romo's first look under pressure, which will be the norm this week against the Giants. We expect a big game from Witten. He's your best option at tight end.
K Nick Folk, Cowboys. Folk was among the leading scorers in the league this year, and it never hurts to go with a Pro Bowl selection.
WR Plaxico Burress, Giants. Burress has a significant height advantage against cornerback Terence Newman, so look for Manning to try and hit Burress with sideline routes that will limit chances for an interception. The goal is to let Burress win jump balls with his superior leaping ability. Burress also can turn it upfield and beat safety help because of his speed. He's a great play this week.
4-Star Players
RB Marion Barber, Cowboys. Barber will carry the rushing load as long as Dallas is in the playoffs. Barber is a physical between-the-tackles runner who uses his speed to make plays in space. Barber also is a worthy receiver. He will help keep the Giants' aggressive defensive front seven at bay. Barber is a strong play.
Cowboys defense/special teams. Expect some scoring if this game follows the trend of the first two meetings. In the playoffs, the game is all about avoiding the big mistake, so the Giants will run more often. Dallas is strong against the run and can make big plays on defense. The Cowboys will limit yardage and points, and their ability to get to Manning makes them a solid play.
RB Brandon Jacobs, Giants. Jacobs' physical style didn't work against the undersized Buccaneers, and it will be even more difficult for him to find room against Dallas. With Ahmad Bradshaw stealing carries, Jacobs' value is somewhat tarnished. However, Jacobs is always a threat to score because he's strong in the red zone.
K Lawrence Tynes, Giants. We saw Tynes attempt to make a tackle last week. It was a weak effort, but it is still better than anything he has done with his foot this season. Still, with the high-scoring nature of the first two matchups and with options limited in the playoffs, you could do worse.
3-Star Players
QB Eli Manning, Giants. Manning is coming off perhaps his best game of the season, but it was made possible by the fact Tampa Bay couldn't get to him. Manning stood in the pocket and got into a rhythm. That won't happen this week. Dallas will hit Manning early and often. Once Manning takes a few hits, he will revert to his inconsistent form. Don't play Manning.
Giants defense/special teams. The Giants can get after the passer, and their edge pressure will limit Romo's options outside of the pocket. New York hasn't improved enough against the run to make us think they can shut down Barber, however, and their secondary gives up too many big plays. Don't rely on them in postseason leagues.
2-Star Players
WR Patrick Crayton, Cowboys. Romo will work the middle of the field, and Crayton will add to that with deep posts and crosses. Crayton scored in the last meeting, and New York's safeties have been on skates all season. Crayton has some added value if Owens can't go.
RB Julius Jones, Cowboys. Jones has a good burst through the line of scrimmage, and he will see about 10-12 touches in this game. That will set up play-action chances for Romo. Jones, however, won't do more than that. There's little value here.
RB Ahmad Bradshaw, Giants. Bradshaw is the X factor for the Giants this week. He didn't play in either regular-season matchup against Dallas. Bradshaw has good quickness and burst to the outside, and he is more physical between the tackles than his size suggests. He also is a solid receiver. Bradshaw is a change-of-pace from Jacobs, and the Giants will need to utilize that against the Cowboys' solid interior defense. We don't know how much work Bradshaw will get, however, which limits his fantasy value.
WR Amani Toomer, Giants. Toomer has once again become old reliable for Manning. Expect Manning to get the ball to Toomer on third downs, especially on short crosses and slant routes. Toomer is sharing opportunities with Sinorice Moss and Steve Smith, however. This isn't the strongest play.
TE Kevin Boss, Giants. Manning won't hesitate to look to Boss, who is not a poor man's Shockey, but a smart man's Shockey who is always in the right place. Boss' 6-7 frame makes him an ideal red-zone target. There's sleeper value here.
1-Star Players
WR Sinorice Moss, Giants. Dallas will either have to go to nickel defense or put Roy Williams in coverage when Moss is in the slot. Moss has good speed, but Manning will be under constant pressure. We don't see Moss making much of an impact.
WR Steve Smith, Giants. Smith could be a sleeper in this one. He gives Manning one more big target to combat Dallas' furious pass rush. Smith's contribution, however, led to just three catches for 29 yards. Too risky for usage.
