Monday October 27, 2014
Washington Redskins @ Dallas Cowboys

The majority of NFL fans are shocked by how good the Cowboys have been this season. Even more people are befuddled by how well the defense has played. The Redskins have also been somewhat shocking. Their defense has been shockingly bad and backup QB Kirk Cousins spiral was shockingly rapid. Nonetheless, this is a classic trap game for the Cowboys. They’re expected to win at home against their arch division rival. After a string of big wins, Dallas may be ripe for the picking. Or the Redskins may just get crushed.

Washington Redskins: Key Players
Colt McCoy
McCoy looked pretty good last week replacing Cousins. BY the end of this week, Redskins fans will be clamoring for Robert Griffin III to return. Not that McCoy is awful, but he’s not that good either.
Verdict: Sit McCoy. If you are depending on him, chances are your fantasy team is in big trouble.

Alfred Morris
Morris has not been good this season. He’s averaging only 3.8 YPC and is now dealing with an ankle injury. Whether it’s his talent or O-line that’s diminished, either way it his killing his fantasy value. He also lacks PPR and red zone value, so he is really hard to have confidence in right now.
Verdict: Sit Morris. He was bad before he hurt his ankle. He will get the touches but just isn’t doing enough with them.

Pierre Garcon
Garcon has taken a serious step back this season. He has been very inconsistent. The fact that 21 of his 35 receptions came in just two games is proof of that. Still, gut feeling this week, Garcon continues to get back on track Monday night.
Verdict: Start Garcon. He should only be started in PPR format not standard. Look for him to catch 7-9 passes this week against Dallas.

DeSean Jackson
The boom-or-bust WR has been more boom than bust this season. However, with McCoy starting it could hurt his value, especially if they decide to go more conservative. D-Jax has been good so far, but a Dallas defense that is giving up the third least fantasy points to opposing WRs may be able to shut him down.
Verdict: Sit Jackson. Bad matchup and bad QB. That may be too much to overcome this week.

Jordan Reed
Reed has been excellent since returning from a hamstring injury. This week he faces a Cowboys’ defense that is giving up the second most fantasy points to opposing TEs. They have also given up 50 completions to TEs, which is the most in the league.
Verdict: Start Reed. All signs point to Reed having a monster game on Monday night.

Dallas Cowboys: Key Players
Tony Romo
Romo has been playing well and the Redskins defense has been awful. There is no reason he shouldn’t torch that secondary. The Cowboys will use the run to take pressure off Romo and get the play action pass going, and then he will pick them apart.
Verdict: Start Romo. He is a great start in daily leagues this week. It would not be surprising if he was the top fantasy QB in Week 8.

DeMarco Murray
Murray has been as good as it gets this season. The issue many people have is that he is touching the ball at a record setting pace and they believe he is destined for injury. However, if he’s on your fantasy team, you’re loving it. Keep riding Murray until the wheels fall off.
Verdict: Start Murray. He’s a must start every single week. This week he has a great matchup, too.

Dez Bryant
Bryant will have his best game of the season on Monday night (barring injury). He’s going to make a run at Emmanuel Sanders for the week’s top WR.
Verdict: Start Bryant. He is going to have a huge game against that Washington secondary.

Terrance Williams
Williams is just not seeing the receptions and targets to allow you to feel comfortable. He has managed to keep scoring TDs, but this week they’re going to Bryant. Without TDs his two catches won’t cut it.
Verdict: Sit Williams. There are better and safer options than Williams. If he doesn’t score a TD he doesn’t have much value.

Jason Witten
In the words of Stephen A. Smith, father time is undefeated (I doubt he made that up, but that’s who I heard it from). Father time has caught up with Witten. His days as a viable weekly fantasy starter are over. He may have a big game here and there, but that’s about it.
Verdict: Sit Witten. He’s just not that good anymore. It was a great career, however, his best days are behind him.

Predictions

Final Score
Washington: 20
Dallas: 31

Best Play
Redskins: Jordan Reed
Cowboys: Dez Bryant

Sleeper
Pierre Garcon (I know he’s not exactly a sleeper, but I think he will greatly outperform expectations.)