Fantasy Scouting Report: Dallas Cowboys

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QB Tony Romo – In each of the last two weeks, Romo has thrown for 255 yards and no touchdowns. Last week against the Broncos, an INT and a lost fumble added insult to injury for Romo owners. This week, he will face the 28th-ranked passing defense in the Chiefs. All signs point to this being the game for Romo to break out of his funk – well…maybe not all signs. WR Roy Williams is doubtful due to some cartilage damage he suffered from stretching out for one of Romo’s high throws.

The Dallas coaches would love to go into their Week 6 bye with a 3-2 record. What could be of even greater significance is if they could do so by putting their signal-caller in a position to have a breakthrough game. This funk of Romo’s has to end sometime. Playing the 0-4 Chiefs should help. Rumors from Valley Ranch suggest that Romo has been trying too hard to play “under control”. Expect him to loosen back up to his old gun-slinging ways.

The Cowboys’ offense took no shots down the field last week. No way that happens two weeks in a row.

RBs Marion Barber, Tashard Choice – Barber (quad) was still listed as probable this week, but he practiced fully and should revert back to his barbarian-style running. The Chiefs allow 128.5 rushing yards per game. Dallas’ big offensive line has paved the way for a per game rushing average of 163.8 yards. This could end up being a huge game for Barber. It’s not too far of a stretch to think he could have more than 100 total yards and a score or two.

The only thing that could take away from Barber this week is how the Cowboys utilize Tashard Choice. Because Felix Jones will more than likely miss his second straight game, Choice will be the only other runner the team fields. He already gets the majority of the 3rd-down snaps, which is a little bit of a bonus for PPR leagues. Even if Barber’s quad is at 100%, Choice could easily see 40% of the carries. If Dallas rests Barber, Choice is the man.

WRs Patrick Crayton – Crayton moves into the number one position because Roy Williams is highly doubtful for this game. Crayton is a do-everything guy for the Cowboys. He returns punts, which helps in leagues that give points for return yards. He often gets in on one end-around or reverse per game, and is good for about four catches. Without Williams in the lineup and if Romo attacks the Chiefs’ secondary, Crayton’s catches could be up more towards 8-10 balls.

Miles Austin, Sam Hurd, and maybe even rookie Kevin Ogletree (if activated) are also in the mix to pick up the slack. Austin would get the start opposite Crayton and could pull in a big play or two like he did in Week 1 against the Buccaneers.

Overall, the Dallas WRs are risky starts. They will continue to be so until Romo and the rest of the offense consistently puts more points on the board (just 24 offensive points in the last two games).

TEs Jason Witten – Denver did an excellent job in bracketing Witten all game. He finished with 4 catches for 31 yards. That is a darn good Mile High defense. The one in Arrowhead Stadium? Not so much. Expect Romo to feed Witten the ball early and often.

K Nick Folk – Dallas should be able to put up some points on the board against the Chiefs. Folk is a solid start this week.

Cowboys D/ST – Slowly, but surely, this unit continues to improve. They have held opponents to under 20 points per game. The pass rush is improving (3 sacks @ Denver) and DeMarcus Ware forced a fumble in last week’s game.

Where’s Ware? Everybody seems to be asking that. This has to be the week Ware gets a sack. He’s more than hungry; his stomach is growling. Combine that with LB Keith Brooking’s lights-out leadership in the middle and CB Mike Jenkins’ improved play, and the Cowboys defense could really do some damage this week.

Head over to Blogging The Boys for Cowboys coverage.