Fantasy Outlook For New York Giants vs. Dallas Cowboys
The New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys are facing off in a very important game for positioning in the NFC. It is also a game that has plenty of fantasy implications, as both teams are loaded with players that could help push your team to a victory in fantasy football this week. Here is some last minute fantasy football advice for the big time NFC East matchup between the Giants and Cowboys.
Quarterbacks
Eli Manning and Tony Romo are both middle of the road fantasy options, as both teams operate best through the run game.
With that being said, if you are starting either of them you could be in for an up-and-down performance. The Giants secondary is banged up, something Romo and the Cowboys’ receivers should be able to take advantage of, but they have been operating best through the run game,
For Manning and the Giants, there is going to be a transition period without Victor Cruz in the lineup. Expect the Giants to rely heavily on the run game, with Manning sprinkling in his play action and quick hitters. Expect an efficient, but nothing flashy type of game out of Manning.
Both players are capable of putting up stats as we have seen in Giant Cowboy matchups in the pass, but there are better options for fantasy.
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Running Backs
DeMarco Murray is having an MVP caliber season, and looks to be the best running back in the NFL currently. He has ran for 100+ yards in every game this season, and that could easily continue this week after what the Giants allowed LeSean McCoy to do to them last week. Murray has fumbled more than you’d like, but he has been playing so well it hasn’t hurt fantasy owners much. His work load may start to get scaled back though, as Murray is on pace to record more carries through Week 8 than he had all of last season.
Oct 12, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray (29) is tackled by Seattle Seahawks cornerback
Richard Sherman(25) during the second half of a 26-20 Dallas victory at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
For the Giants, Andre Williams will again be the lead back. It is imperative if the Giants are to stay close to get the running game going. Thus far the Cowboys defense hasn’t been as bad as people thought it would be, mostly because of Murray running the ball. The stats look better only because they aren’t on the field as much, not because they are playing much better.
The running back position is the most attractive spot in this game for fantasy purposes. Murray is a must start as not only the best running back currently in fantasy football, but possibly of any position. Williams should be in line for a big game as the Giants will lean on him heavily as they try and figure out the passing game without Cruz. Expect good performances from both running backs this afternoon.
Receivers
There are plenty of names here that will be started in fantasy teams. For the Cowboys, Dez Bryant, Terrance Williams and Jason Witten are the names to pay attention to. For the Giants, it’s Rueben Randle, Odell Beckham Jr. and Larry Donnell.
With the emphasis on the running game for both teams, there is sometimes not enough passes to go around. With the state that the Giants secondary is currently in, any Cowboys’ receive is worth starting. Already without Walter Thurmond for the season already, Trumaine McBride joined him after the game with the Philadelphia Eagles. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is also highly questionable after barely practicing this week. This could put plenty of Giant backup defensive backs in positions they are not normally in, making for what could be a big day for Cowboy receives. Bryant, Witten, Williams is the pecking order for how they will perform.
Oct 5, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Rueben Randle (82) turns up field after a reception against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim O
For the Giants, life without Cruz starts against the Cowboys. Expect Donnell to be peppered with targets as Manning’s new security blanket. He should find plenty of room to work underneath and up the seams as the Cowboys will more than likely sell out to stop the run, which is what makes the Giants offense go. Beckham Jr. is going to be playing in his third game, and will see his role expand exponentially than it has the last two weeks. Expect him to continue using his speed to try and stretch out the Cowboys’ defense. He is a boom-or-bust WR3 for fantasy purposes, with WR2 potential as the season moves on.
Randle is the highest potential scorer in fantasy for the Giants receiving corps. He leads the team in targets already, and he should see even more without Cruz. Expect 10+ targets, a number he has reached in half the Giants games this season; expect him to make it four out of seven.