Week 14's Fantasy Focus on the Cowboys
As the Cowboys play host to the Chargers, many of us will be dreaming of playoff scenarios. Obviously, the Cowboys always come first. But, in the world of fantasy football, the playoffs are now!
For leagues that start their playoffs next week, some of us owners face win-and-in situations. Hopefully, those Cowboys we have on our squads can help us out.
Make the jump for the Week 14 Fantasy Focus.
QB Tony Romo - Last week, I said not to expect a huge day from Romo. Boy, was I wrong! After having a career day (41 of 55 for 392 and 3 TDs with 0 INTs), Romo asked the special teams coach if he could be the placekicker's holder. Now, the ball will hit his hands on every offensive play other that Razorback and punt formations.
San Diego will be a challenge for the Dallas passing attack. It currently ranks 8th (204.4 YPG) in pass defense, but the defense ranks averagely in points allowed (15th in NFL, 20.2 PPG). The Chargers have a tendency to force teams into a shootout with them. That, alone, should tell you that Romo is a great start this week.
RBs Marion Barber - The reason the Chargers try to force teams into a shootout is to cover for a weakness: their run defense. It ranks 21st in the league, giving up an average 117.8 YPG. SS Eric Weddle will miss the game and the rotation at NT has done little in clogging up holes.
Barber has looked great in the past few weeks, but did have a rare fumble against the Giants. The problem with the Dallas rushing attack looks to be the offensive line's inability to beat down the opposition (not a Flozell joke). It would make sense for the Cowboys to control the ball and keep Philip Rivers off the field. If they can manage to do so, Barber would get around 20 carries. I'd start him if I had him.
Felix Jones - Rumor has it that the Chargers don't do a very good job at containing RBs on outside runs. Felix excels at outside runs, so does the Dallas O-line. Starting "El Gato" is a gamble every week. You gamble on him having a big game, but more often that not, you are disappointed with the amount of touches he receives.
I'll go out on a limb and bank on him hitting a homerun this week. That doesn't mean he'll have double-digit carries though. Flip a coin.
Tashard Choice - He's buried on the depth chart, so getting 5-10 points out of him is the most you can expect.
WRs Miles Austin - If anyone can benefit from a shootout game, it's Austin. CB Antonio Cromartie can be a gambler at times, and I've heard that the San Diego secondary is not comprised of sure tacklers. OC Jason Garrett will have Austin running all over the field.
He caught 10 for 104 and a TD against the Giants - a week after abusing the Raiders. It's not presumptuous to chalk up another big day for him.
Roy Williams - Okay, RW is finding his niche on offense...and it's catching TDs. He caught two last week and one the week before. Don't expect him to rack up the yardage, but he could score you 10-15 points if he's your best option. Not great, but not bad either.
TEs Jason Witten - Holy career day from JWitt last week! He caught a whopping 14 passes for 156 yards. And get this: he averaged more YAC than Miles Austin, 11.1 to the WR's 10.4.
The end zone is still eluding Witten though. This has got to be the week he scores, right? Right?
Cowboys D/ST - Uh oh. Giving up a 30-burger to the Giants dropped the scoring defense from 2nd down to 5th in the league (now allowing 17.8 PPG). Both the D and the /ST can be blamed for that. Giving up two big plays to cost the team the game had to have humbled these units. They've got to regroup fast because Philip Rivers is spearheading an offense that ranks 3rd overall in scoring, averaging 28.5 PPG. If the Chargers' running game wasn't ranked so low (30th averaging only 88.7 YPG), the total offense could be up there in the top three with that of the Saints, Colts, and our Cowboys.
CBs Terence Newman and Orlando Scandrick will have their work cut out for them. Luckily, Mike Jenkins is back in the secondary both preventing big plays and making a few himself. SS Gerald Sensabaugh gets one of the tougher jobs in the NFL: covering TE Antonio Gates.
The Chargers score TDs, so it may not be wise to start the Dallas D/ST this week. Although they could get some sacks on Rivers, he's only thrown 6 INTs this year.

It's playoff time for the BTB and BTB Part Deux fantasy leagues on FleaFlicker! Below are the playoff brackets for both leagues. If your team is not in either one, then you are playing in the Consolation #1 bracket.
BTB League
Round 1(14 Tue 12/8-Mon 12/14) |
Semis(15 Tue 12/15-Mon 12/21) |
Finals(16 Tue 12/22-Mon 12/28) |
||
| #1 The Speed o... | ||||
| [TBD] | ||||
| #4 Flashlights | ||||
| [TBD] | ||||
| #5 Quincyyyyy | ||||
Winner![]() |
||||
| #3 Doomsday Redux | ||||
| [TBD] | ||||
| #6 Official Sp... | ||||
| [TBD] | ||||
| #2 Static | ||||
BTB Part Deux League
Round 1(14 Tue 12/8-Mon 12/14) |
Semis(15 Tue 12/15-Mon 12/21) |
Finals(16 Tue 12/22-Mon 12/28) |
||
| #1 kill everbody | ||||
| [TBD] | ||||
| #4 Paper Cranes | ||||
| [TBD] | ||||
| #5 Reykjavik R... | ||||
Winner![]() |
||||
| #3 Maui Paniol... | ||||
| [TBD] | ||||
| #6 WheresWare? | ||||
| [TBD] | ||||
| #2 StarBoys | ||||

As always, feel free to use this thread to discuss your FF dilemmas as well as anything Cowboys, anything football.
SBNation's fantasy webpage features injury updates, a Start/Sit section, and even a Flash in the Pan Alert. Check it out!
For your convenience, here's the link: sbnation.com/fantasy.
0 recs |
44 comments
|
Comments
I'll start...
Pick Two:
Wes Welker vs CAR
Steve Smith vs PHI
DeSean Jackson @ NYG
I saw a dog today. Have you seen a dog? You probably have. How was school? Was it fun? Did you get a lot of homework? Huh? Do you have any friends? Do you have a best friend? Does he have a big coat, too?
I'd go welker and jackson
I don’t trust Moore against philly
by ChrisRichey on Dec 12, 2009 1:39 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
he
means the NYG Smith, not CAR Smith. Carolina faces New England this week.
by what_the_crap on Dec 12, 2009 1:45 PM CST up reply actions
+1
The Knights season may have just ended, but the Cowboys year is just begining!
by aussie_cowboy on Dec 12, 2009 7:28 PM CST up reply actions
interesting
I’d probably go Welker and Jackson
by what_the_crap on Dec 12, 2009 1:44 PM CST up reply actions
I'd definitely go Smith & Jackson...
Like all good WR, they’ll want to go score for score against each other.
The tribulations of Winter...
90% of Americans say 'OH SHIT!' before going into the ditch on a slippery road.
The other 10% are from TEXAS and they say, 'HOLD MY BEER AND WATCH THIS!!!'
I agree..
“The problem with the Dallas rushing attack looks to be the offensive line’s inability to beat down the opposition (not a Flozell joke). "
Does the O-Line eat too much after Thanksgiving? Lol, just a joke but in all seriousness, is it me or does the offensive line seems to wear down this time of year?
by torchindefenses on Dec 12, 2009 1:14 PM CST reply actions
Dunno if it's that or if defenses just start figuring out offenses later in the year.
It sure would be nice to have some games when those guys win their battles up front. It would be a real blessing for this game.
I saw a dog today. Have you seen a dog? You probably have. How was school? Was it fun? Did you get a lot of homework? Huh? Do you have any friends? Do you have a best friend? Does he have a big coat, too?
by Aaron Novinger on Dec 12, 2009 1:19 PM CST up reply actions
I am locked out
of my team and have been for some time. What do I do?
Locked out?
I’ve never seen that before. Maybe you have to update your email/password or someting.
I saw a dog today. Have you seen a dog? You probably have. How was school? Was it fun? Did you get a lot of homework? Huh? Do you have any friends? Do you have a best friend? Does he have a big coat, too?
by Aaron Novinger on Dec 13, 2009 12:13 PM CST up reply actions
how come other defences start figuring our ofense at the end of the year, but
our defence can’t do the same? Especially with devisional teams. I think this is either a cliche or we need new coaches.
SD is notoriously bad against TEs
altho they’re no longer at the very bottom of the barrel, they have given up especially big games to Heath Miller (8/70/2) and Scheffler (6/101/1), plus Celek (6/47/1), and gave up TDs to Boss and Z. Miller as well. Then last week 6/80 to Evan Moore from CLE. With Witten finally getting his groove back and having the hot hand anyway, I think he’s a great start this week.
I’m starting Roy Williams this week in the BTB2 league playoffs (kind of surprised StarBoys dropped him!) so I’m hoping those red zone targets keep up and the chemistry that seems to finally be developing between Romo and Roy is for real.
SD Secondary
Aaron “heard that the San Diego secondary is not comprised of sure tacklers”. And he heard right. The SD secondary has missed 41 tackles so far this season, 29th in the league.
Given the way Austin has been breaking/eluding tackles, this may be another good day for him.
by One.Cool.Customer on Dec 13, 2009 9:19 AM CST up reply actions
Gee whiz, they do suck at tackling!
I saw a dog today. Have you seen a dog? You probably have. How was school? Was it fun? Did you get a lot of homework? Huh? Do you have any friends? Do you have a best friend? Does he have a big coat, too?
by Aaron Novinger on Dec 13, 2009 12:16 PM CST up reply actions
Smith
Buffalo good against the pass because they’re so bad against the run. Smith should be leaned on by Moore
+1
Smith is usually a must start vs an all or nothing guy like Chambers.
I saw a dog today. Have you seen a dog? You probably have. How was school? Was it fun? Did you get a lot of homework? Huh? Do you have any friends? Do you have a best friend? Does he have a big coat, too?
by Aaron Novinger on Dec 13, 2009 12:17 PM CST up reply actions
D Williams or K Moreno?
This would normally be a no brainer but Williams is coming off an ankle injury
In Romo we Trust
from
what I read …. Williams is feeling really good since he took a week off. I’d roll with him.
by what_the_crap on Dec 12, 2009 2:53 PM CST up reply actions
Two WRs with questions
Roy Williams — Can he continue the red zone production?
Percy Harvin — Will the migraines be a factor?
Upgrade to a BTB Platinum Account to view this signature.
by accidental innuendo on Dec 12, 2009 4:47 PM CST reply actions
deshawn jackson or brandon jacobs
currently i have deshawn starting but the weather may make me lean toward jacobs. what do you all think?
djax off a week of rest
seems to be fine head-wise since they’re planning to use him as the punt returner as well, so i’d say he’s the biggest upside play
Hey quick question?
Anyone hear if they are going to show the cowboys vs saints game on any other channel?
What the French?! Toast!
I've heard that if the Saints remain undefeated, the league will feel the pressure to simulcast it on other major networks...
ala the Pats/Giants game in ‘07. So, it’s TBD.
I saw a dog today. Have you seen a dog? You probably have. How was school? Was it fun? Did you get a lot of homework? Huh? Do you have any friends? Do you have a best friend? Does he have a big coat, too?
by Aaron Novinger on Dec 13, 2009 12:19 PM CST up reply actions
Link for watching the game from Asia
Hello gents, I’m currently in Asia and was wondering if anyone has a link or website they go for watching the game out here in the Far East
atdhe.net
The Knights season may have just ended, but the Cowboys year is just begining!
by aussie_cowboy on Dec 12, 2009 7:30 PM CST up reply actions
QB Issue
My league’s playoff starts next week. My main issue is my QB – I’ve started Peyton all year. I hear, given that the Colts are already looking good for the No. 1 seed, that he may be pulled pretty early in games. Right now my only backup is Hasselbeck, but Alex Smith, Vince Young, and Jason Campbell are all available.
Do you think the Colts will go for the undefeated season or should I grab someone now to cover the possibility that PM will not play much?
by doomsdayreturns on Dec 12, 2009 6:45 PM CST reply actions
Manning wont play the last few regular season games.
The Knights season may have just ended, but the Cowboys year is just begining!
by aussie_cowboy on Dec 12, 2009 7:30 PM CST up reply actions
Alex Smith
I picked him up as my backup for P.Manning in the league. SF is suddenly very pass heavy, he’s got good weapons to throw to with Davis and Crabtree and Gore out of the backfield, plus he’s got a very juicy matchup against a weak STL secondary in week 16 when you’re probably most likely to need him. I’d grab him now since he’s kind of a hot pickup right now.
Can't believe Suh didn't get the Heisman
Obvious bias for offensive skill players. The voters obviously don’t appreciate the contribution other positions make to the team.
Suh was clearly the best college player this year.
Ahhhhh...
While I think Suh’s season was absolutely impressive, I was more angry Gerhart didn’t get the Heisman. The guy was an absolute workhorse, and had his biggest games in the most important games for Stanford. Ingrams really only surpassed Gerhart in YPC, but did it with nearly half the workload. Impressive? Yes, but ingram wasn’t even the leading rusher in his own conference.
Gerhart was a beast all season long. Should have won it.
My thoughts exactly
The Knights season may have just ended, but the Cowboys year is just begining!
by aussie_cowboy on Dec 13, 2009 12:18 AM CST up reply actions
Good argument
but Ingram saved his best games for the biggest opponents (over 200 YPG versus top-25 opponents) and posted his stats against SEC defenses.
Also, I know this has nothing to do with who should have won, but Ingram’s speech was awesome after the award. It is nice to see such raw emotion from an athlete.
If I had a nickel for every Super Bowl the Eagles have won, I would have zero nickels.
by Cowboyfan729 on Dec 13, 2009 3:37 AM CST up reply actions
I don't think Gerhart is necessarily better than Ingram
No offense to the PAC 10 people, but it is no SEC.
Anyhow, both are very good players, but Suh was one of the best college DT’s ever. Can’t say the same about them. There have been many rb’s better than them in the college game, there hasn’t been many DTs better than Suh.
I see you watch The League
great show and if you don’t watch it, check out season one asap.
WR Questions
I’ve got 3 WR’s who won’t go today, so I need to pick up one. My league has Meachem @Atl (Though I already have Colston), Garcon v. Den, Nicks v. Philly, Britt v. Stl, and then the cast of thousands. Suggestions? I’m running out Colston and Calvin Johnson.
Also, Jacobs @ Philly or K. Moreno @ Ind
Always stick with your big guns when in doubt= Megatron and Colston.
Jacobs.
I saw a dog today. Have you seen a dog? You probably have. How was school? Was it fun? Did you get a lot of homework? Huh? Do you have any friends? Do you have a best friend? Does he have a big coat, too?
by Aaron Novinger on Dec 13, 2009 12:20 PM CST up reply actions

by 

























