Fantasy Scouting Report: Dallas Cowboys

Blogging The Boys gives us the news out at the ranch.

QB Tony Romo – His ankle is fine and the Dallas offense will be ready to go when the New York Giants come to town Sunday night to open up Cowboys Stadium. As a starter, Romo is 4-0 against the Giants in the regular season. While New York’s defense will try to prevent the Cowboys’ big-play passing attack that beat the Buccaneers in Week 1, look for Dallas’ offensive coordinator, Jason Garrett, to stick a similar plan—score fast to eliminate New York’s ground attack. He will count on Tony Romo’s arm to do so. Romo has some of his better games against the Giants, and has had huge games on the SNF stage.

RB Marion Barber – Last week against Tampa Bay, Barber was back to his bruising ways. Although the Cowboys mixed in Felix Jones and Tashard Choice early, Barber came to do his job: close out the game. New York’s front seven is one of the stingiest in the NFL, but Barber should still see the bulk of the carries for Dallas. With 14 carries for 79 yards and a touchdown against the Bucs, he has shown that he can be counted on to be a solid fantasy starter. Having value as a goal line back and a good checkdown receiver for Romo, you can always expect a double-digit day for Barber.

RB Felix Jones – The enigma of the Dallas offense is also that for fantasy owners. Jones has the speed and ability to make the big play; but if he doesn’t, he can leave you with a frustrating four-point day. Dallas was expected to incorporate him more into the passing game, yet he failed to notch a reception in Week 1. Going forward, last week should be the exception, not the rule. If you have Jones in a PPR league and/or a flex league, you may want to consider him. He also adds value as a kick returner. In straight-up leagues, I would wait another week because Marion Barber will continue to get the bulk of the carries at RB, while Tashard Choice looks to have monopolized the third-down duties.

WR Roy Williams – Williams had a bit of a breakout game in Week 1 as the Dallas offense hit three touchdown passes for more than 40 yards against Tampa. His 66-yard score showed that the 10 pounds he shaved in the offseason has helped him in the ‘explosiveness’ department. 86 yards and a touchdown most likely satisfied many fantasy owners who started him, but just the three catches could have some concerned. Facing a Giants defense that will put heat on Tony Romo will cause quicker throws. Williams may have more catches this week than last, but that doesn’t mean he will have more yards. He is the number one receiver, but Dallas likes to spread the ball around.

TE Jason Witten - Still one of the best in the game and Tony Romo’s favorite target. He is a must start every week, especially this week as the Giants’ linebackers are considered to be a liability in the middle of the field.

K Nick Folk - The Dallas offense will score points on a weekly basis. Folk is solid on extra points and his field goal accuracy can be counted upon. His 51-yarder last week is proof of that.

Cowboys Defense – This unit gave up a whopping 450 yards to the Byron Leftwich-led Bucs last week. 174 of those yards were rushing. You can’t expect a team that features LB DeMarcus Ware to end up with zero sacks two weeks in a row, can you? Head coach and defensive coordinator, Wade Phillips, did not blitz much late in the Week 1 game while Dallas nursed their double-digit lead over the Bucs. They also failed to create any turnovers, but the special teams did block a field goal. Up against a physical New York offense, this defense will be tested. Just remember, when these two teams last met (Week 15 in 2008), the Dallas defense held the Giants to 218 total yards and eight points. Eli Manning threw two interceptions to CB Terence Newman in that game and was sacked eight times, three by Ware.

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