The Redskins and Cowboys enter Monday Night with legitimate playoff hopes despite the fact that both are under .500. The musical chairs for who is going to be crowned champs of the NFC (L)East takes center stage in what will be an exciting and fun matchup. There are a lot of viable fantasy options on both teams. The loss of Tony Romo does take some shine off of this matchup, but the way this division is going, his injury might be the spark the Cowboys need to surge forward and take control. Okay, I highly doubt it, but can you really say it's completely impossible? Below are some of the more important characters in the league's wackiest chapter of division races.
Monday Night Football Analysis - Cowboys @ Redskins
Matchups We Love
Jordan Reed, TE, Redskins - Reed leads the Redskins in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns despite playing two less games than most of the other qualified receivers. Reed is the number one pass catcher and red zone threat on Washington. His six receiving touchdowns account for 38% of the teams total. This makes him a TE1 every week no matter the opponent. Right now Reed is battling with Delanie Walker for the league's most underrated tight end award.
Dez Bryant, WR, Cowboys - The Redskins have given up nine passing touchdowns over the last three weeks. Brandin Cooks, Devin Funchess, and Odell Beckham Jr. have all found the end zone against this team and even with Matt Cassel passing the ball, Dez should do the same. It has been a rough season for the Cowboys star receiver but there's no denying his talent and ability. Despite being hurt he has looked decent and the team hasn't stopped forcing the ball his way. I am not sure about Bryant after Monday, but on the big stage, against a suspect defense, he should shine one more time before the curtains close on Dallas' season.
Matchups We Hate
Darren McFadden, RB, Cowboys - McFadden hasn't been able to find the end zone for five straight weeks now. Also, he has turned in the most Jekyll & Hyde performances from week to week. There's no predicting if he'll have a decent day or just be plain awful. The Redskins don't have a good run defense but it plays significantly better at home compared to the road. After holding the Giants to 33 yards last week they will be looking to shut down the only scary part of Dallas' offense. McFadden's unpredictability and the fact the Redskins actually play competent football at home make this a matchup to avoid.
Redskins RBs - The Redskins backfield has been a muddled mess for most of the season with no clear fantasy option between their three main ball carriers. Alfred Morris, Matt Jones and Chris Thompson all see consistent snaps and carries without one taking the lead for the job. Over the last four weeks Morris has received 81 snaps, Jones has 83 and Thompson has 69. During that same time period they've averaged 91 rushing yards a game between the three of them. None of these backs are worth a roster spot and nothing will change that this season.
Prove It To Me Players
DeSean Jackson, WR, Redskins - Jackson has been back from injury for four weeks now. After two weeks of not so great play he has put together back to back solid performances. Jackson has always been a big play waiting to happen but not the consistent receiving threat like most top tier wideouts. Because of Jackson's boom or bust potential he isn't more than a WR3 with high upside but it looks like he has every bit of speed and skill after dealing with a hamstring problem. The Cowboys present a favorable matchup for Jackson who should put together another solid. As long as the Redskins keep looking for him deep he will return to his usual WR2/WR1 status.
Kirk Cousins, QB, Redskins - Cousins has thrown for a touchdown in every single game this season. Over the last four weeks he is completing over 65% of his passes while throwing for seven touchdowns to just two interceptions. He has been better at home, but overall he has just been solid. Against the Cowboys, and at home, Cousins should be a top 10 QB for the week. That being said, I still do not fully trust him. But one more week of good play will make me change my mind.
Jason Witten, TE, Cowboys - Witten hasn't scored since Week 1 and has five straight weeks of under 45 yards receiving. It is time to punt on Witten, and even with a good performance against the Redskins on Monday night, I still don't see him having any fantasy value moving forward. It seems that age and injury have caught up to the veteran TE.
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