BIG "D" is for Defense
The Cowboys defense;
Getting it done...
Very quietly over the past several weeks, the Cowboys defense has been flying below the radar, but causing much disruption. It is very easy to overlook this bunch considering that is does play in the shadow of it's highly recognized offense that includes the likes of Tony Romo, Terrell Owens, and company. With these flamboyant characters drawing attention, the defense has had to force its opponents to take notice.
While the Cowboys continue to battle for their post-season existence, it has been the defense that has been carrying the team. Since quarterback Tony Romo's return the Cowboys have rattled off fours wins in their last five games. While Romo has been one of the catalysts in this turnaround, it really has been the play of the defense for the team’s recent surge into playoff contention. In the team’s first nine games, the Cowboys defense allowed 219-points (24.3 per game) and registered just 26 sacks. On November 2nd in Week 9 against their division rivals, the Cowboys were blown out by the Giants in the Meadowlands 35-14. The loss dropped their record to 5-4 and had the team on the playoff bubble and looking in from the outside. It was following this devastating loss to New York that had the Cowboys reeling and asking questions, but little did the NFL world realize it would be the "D" in Big "D" that would answer. The Cowboys had their starting quarterback back in the lineup and that may have been just what the team and the defense needed to get their swagger back. In their Week 11 matchup following their bye, the Cowboys defense began a run of dominance that has the team situated smack in the middle of playoff contention and on the rise to make noise in the post season.
In week 11, against the Redskins the Cowboys defense limited their foes to just 228-yards of offense and 10 points, while recording three sacks and forcing one turnover. This would be the first of five games that the Cowboys defense would come to life, flex its muscle and dominate like one of the leagues very best. From Weeks 11 thru 15 the Cowboys defense has simply been smothering and suffocating its opponents, recording 27 sacks and forcing 9 turnovers. Big "D" has also been limiting opposing offenses to an average of 262-net yards per game, while having surrendered just four offensive touchdowns during this run. Opponents in the last five games have totaled 69 points scored for13.8-points per game average. This recent surge in great play by the defense has elevated the Cowboys to the number one pass rushing unit in the league with 53 total sacks and their 287-yards allowed per game ranks 7th overall. The Cowboys have also vastly improved their run defense limiting opponents to just 68-yards per game over the team’s last five matchups.
One of the biggest keys for the Cowboys big turnaround on defense has been the spectacular play of linebacker DeMarcus Ware. The Cowboys linebacker has registered at least one sack in the team’s last six games and over the last five he has 25 total tackles to go along with 9 sacks to lead the defense. His 19 total sacks this season is tops in the NFL. He just needs four more to break Michael Strahan's single season record. Ware has not been alone on the defensive side getting the job, linebackers Bradie James, Greg Ellis, and nose tackle Jay Ratliff have also been big contributors. James has recorded 44 tackles (8.8 tackles per game), including 30 solo, to go with 3 sacks in the teams last five games. Ellis has also added 4.5 sacks in the past five games. Along with disruption in the middle and clogging the run, Ratliff has added 19 total tackles to go along with 3 sacks during the same stretch.
With two games left against the Ravens (9-5) and the Eagles (8-5-1), there appears to be no let up in sight for Ware and company. The Cowboys are a front-runner to make the post season, but there is very little room for error. With Big "D" ready to host its final home game at Texas Stadium, the defense prepares to face a tough Ravens team on Saturday night. For those that hunger for NFL excitement, both the Cowboys and Ravens have much at stake, both are physical teams that will bring it, no-holds barred; the table is set and the dinner bell rings at 8pm ET Saturday night.
Get your popcorn ready!
MORE FANTASY
WHO IS THE BETTER PLAY
Week 16
Having a rough time making those tough decisions? Don't know who the better play is? Taking a look at player matchups for Week 16 and studying recent trends of some, here are my preferred fantasy plays for this weekend’s slate of games.
Week 16
Having a rough time making those tough decisions? Don't know who the better play is? Taking a look at player matchups for Week 16 and studying recent trends of some, here are my preferred fantasy plays for this weekend’s slate of games.
Running backs
Sammy Morris over Kevin Faulk:
Running Back Kevin Faulk has been a fantasy stud flex option over the past several weeks. In fact his play has even rivaled some of the other RB2 options available. With the probability of snow forecasted for the Patriots Week 16 matchup with the Cardinals 15th ranked run defense and Sammy Morris healthy, Faulk could see fewer touches in the run game. Morris carried the ball 14 times last week and rushed for over 100-yards. With inclement weather expected (cold, windy, and possible snow), the Patriots are likely to stick to the ground game which would favor Morris.
DeShaun Foster over Frank Gore:
The Niners starting running back Frank Gore (ankle) missed practice again on Friday and according to head coach Mike Singletary will likely be a game-time decision. For those owners still engaged in fantasy leagues, last Sunday DeShaun Foster filling in for the injured Gore was a decent fantasy fill-in with 18 carries and 5 catches to go along with 101-total yards. It's hard to imagine the Niners pushing Gore back out on the field prematurely. It does sound optimistic that Gore could play Sunday, but seeing what Foster is capable of, the two would likely split carries with DeShaun getting the fair share. While the Rams 29th ranked defense offers a promising fantasy start this week, Gore will likely be limited (if he plays), Foster is the healthy and the preferred option.
Tashard Choice over Marion Barber:
To start with, the Cowboys running game does not have a very favorable matchup this Saturday night going up against the Ravens 3rd ranked defense. But in its past two games the rookie running back Tashard Choice has managed to use long runs to scamper his way to 179-yards against the leagues number two and four ranked run defenses. Choice has also totaled 309-yards of offense the last two weeks. Barber reaggravated his toe injury last week and hasn't practiced this week. He likely be a game-time decision, but if he does play he would more than likely be limited. Considering the impressive play of the Cowboys rookie running back, Choice once again is the preferred fantasy choice for Saturday night.
Running Back Kevin Faulk has been a fantasy stud flex option over the past several weeks. In fact his play has even rivaled some of the other RB2 options available. With the probability of snow forecasted for the Patriots Week 16 matchup with the Cardinals 15th ranked run defense and Sammy Morris healthy, Faulk could see fewer touches in the run game. Morris carried the ball 14 times last week and rushed for over 100-yards. With inclement weather expected (cold, windy, and possible snow), the Patriots are likely to stick to the ground game which would favor Morris.
DeShaun Foster over Frank Gore:
The Niners starting running back Frank Gore (ankle) missed practice again on Friday and according to head coach Mike Singletary will likely be a game-time decision. For those owners still engaged in fantasy leagues, last Sunday DeShaun Foster filling in for the injured Gore was a decent fantasy fill-in with 18 carries and 5 catches to go along with 101-total yards. It's hard to imagine the Niners pushing Gore back out on the field prematurely. It does sound optimistic that Gore could play Sunday, but seeing what Foster is capable of, the two would likely split carries with DeShaun getting the fair share. While the Rams 29th ranked defense offers a promising fantasy start this week, Gore will likely be limited (if he plays), Foster is the healthy and the preferred option.
Tashard Choice over Marion Barber:
To start with, the Cowboys running game does not have a very favorable matchup this Saturday night going up against the Ravens 3rd ranked defense. But in its past two games the rookie running back Tashard Choice has managed to use long runs to scamper his way to 179-yards against the leagues number two and four ranked run defenses. Choice has also totaled 309-yards of offense the last two weeks. Barber reaggravated his toe injury last week and hasn't practiced this week. He likely be a game-time decision, but if he does play he would more than likely be limited. Considering the impressive play of the Cowboys rookie running back, Choice once again is the preferred fantasy choice for Saturday night.
Wide Receivers
Marques Colston over Lance Moore:
The Saints passing game could once again become very healthy this Sunday against the leagues 21st ranked pass defense. With the Lions on slate, both Colston and Moore could be nice plays this week, but looking at the numbers only one figures to have a big game. While Moore leads the team in receptions (67) and yards (801) for the season, it has been Colston who’s led the team in receiving over the past three games. In the past three games Colston has 15 receptions for 216-yards, while Moore has just 10 catches for 77-yards, but more importantly Colston has been targeted 32 times to Moore's 21 in the same stretch. Expect to see Colston play a bigger role and have the better game.
Vincent Jackson over Chris Chambers:
In the Chargers last two games, there has been a big role reversal with these two receivers. In the past two weeks Jackson has become the favorite receiver with 18 targets, while Chambers has only seen 10. Jackson is also the teams leading receiver this season with 940-yards and 7 touchdowns, while Chambers has fallen off the map with just 3 catches in his last three starts. Fantasy owners should consider Jackson a decent WR3 play and the preferred option this week against the Bucs. Don't consider Chambers.
The Saints passing game could once again become very healthy this Sunday against the leagues 21st ranked pass defense. With the Lions on slate, both Colston and Moore could be nice plays this week, but looking at the numbers only one figures to have a big game. While Moore leads the team in receptions (67) and yards (801) for the season, it has been Colston who’s led the team in receiving over the past three games. In the past three games Colston has 15 receptions for 216-yards, while Moore has just 10 catches for 77-yards, but more importantly Colston has been targeted 32 times to Moore's 21 in the same stretch. Expect to see Colston play a bigger role and have the better game.
Vincent Jackson over Chris Chambers:
In the Chargers last two games, there has been a big role reversal with these two receivers. In the past two weeks Jackson has become the favorite receiver with 18 targets, while Chambers has only seen 10. Jackson is also the teams leading receiver this season with 940-yards and 7 touchdowns, while Chambers has fallen off the map with just 3 catches in his last three starts. Fantasy owners should consider Jackson a decent WR3 play and the preferred option this week against the Bucs. Don't consider Chambers.
Quarterbacks
Tyler Thigpen over Eli Manning:
This week the struggling Giants will limp into a Week 16 matchup with the 11-3 Panthers. One reason for the Giants recent struggles has been the inconsistent play of quarterback Eli Manning. In the teams last two games Manning has averaged 157-yards passing per game with only 1 touchdowns against two interceptions. Even in his last two starts at home this season, Manning has averaged a 73.4 passer rating. This week he could have his hands full with the Panthers 12th ranked pass defense. Thigpen has been a big surprise this season for not only the Chiefs, but fantasy owners. In his last two starts Thigpen has averaged 179-yards passing and 37-yards rushing. The Chiefs quarterback has also thrown 2 touchdowns and added a rushing score over the past two weeks. This week Thigpen will face a Dolphins pass defense that is ranked 20th in the league and should be a decent QB2 play. Thigpen is the preferred option over Manning this Sunday.
Matt Ryan over Joe Flacco:
With the Ravens rookie quarterback heading to Big "D" to face the Cowboys big pass rush, it could be a long Saturday night. The Ravens are going to try to force the issue running the ball, but Flacco will undoubtedly have to make some plays. The Cowboys defense has been on the rise and Flacco could feel lots of heat in Week 16. While it's never easy being a rookie in the NFL, the Falcons rookie quarterback Matt Ryan could be looking at a big game on Sunday. Traveling to Minnesota on Sunday, the Falcons QB will have the comforts of playing in a dome and facing one of the leagues poor pass defenses. While the Vikings can put pressure on opposing quarterbacks, their 22nd ranked secondary has been susceptible to the big play with 45 pass plays for 20-yards or more. With half the wall gone, the Falcons will surely run and could set up some big plays. Ryan has to be the preferred play of the two rookies this week.
Keep checking back for more football and more fantasy....
By David G. Ortega
This week the struggling Giants will limp into a Week 16 matchup with the 11-3 Panthers. One reason for the Giants recent struggles has been the inconsistent play of quarterback Eli Manning. In the teams last two games Manning has averaged 157-yards passing per game with only 1 touchdowns against two interceptions. Even in his last two starts at home this season, Manning has averaged a 73.4 passer rating. This week he could have his hands full with the Panthers 12th ranked pass defense. Thigpen has been a big surprise this season for not only the Chiefs, but fantasy owners. In his last two starts Thigpen has averaged 179-yards passing and 37-yards rushing. The Chiefs quarterback has also thrown 2 touchdowns and added a rushing score over the past two weeks. This week Thigpen will face a Dolphins pass defense that is ranked 20th in the league and should be a decent QB2 play. Thigpen is the preferred option over Manning this Sunday.
Matt Ryan over Joe Flacco:
With the Ravens rookie quarterback heading to Big "D" to face the Cowboys big pass rush, it could be a long Saturday night. The Ravens are going to try to force the issue running the ball, but Flacco will undoubtedly have to make some plays. The Cowboys defense has been on the rise and Flacco could feel lots of heat in Week 16. While it's never easy being a rookie in the NFL, the Falcons rookie quarterback Matt Ryan could be looking at a big game on Sunday. Traveling to Minnesota on Sunday, the Falcons QB will have the comforts of playing in a dome and facing one of the leagues poor pass defenses. While the Vikings can put pressure on opposing quarterbacks, their 22nd ranked secondary has been susceptible to the big play with 45 pass plays for 20-yards or more. With half the wall gone, the Falcons will surely run and could set up some big plays. Ryan has to be the preferred play of the two rookies this week.
Keep checking back for more football and more fantasy....
By David G. Ortega
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