Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, December 29, 2024, 1:00 ET
Location: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Network: FOX
Writer: Chris Helle (@ChrisHelleQBL on Twitter)
Dallas Cowboys
Quarterback
Cooper Rush: Sit
In Rush’s 7 full games played, he’s finished as a QB1 only twice and has yet to break the 20-point threshold. Let’s not forget the last time he played against this Philly defense, he finished the day with -2 fantasy points. That game was at home, so traveling on the road to Philadelphia is going to make this a long game. The Eagles’ secondary has started to bend a bit more over the past weeks, but there are definitely better QBs with better matchups to look for if you need to stream a QB this week.
Running Back
Rico Dowdle: FLEX Option, RB3
Ezekiel Elliott: Sit
Rico Dowdle has taken over this backfield and was on a hot streak with three straight games as the RB6, RB16, and RB13 before this past week. Rushing for only 23 yards against the Buccaneers is a pretty big caution flag for any lead back. Dowdle survives as a fantasy asset on volume, and the team wasn’t using him in a competitive game that they won this past week. The script against the Eagles can get out of hand quickly, and Philly’s defense has been a brick wall to opposing RBs. Dowdle will stay in FLEX consideration given he will likely see some more check-down work, but this is generally one to avoid if possible.
Wide Receiver
Ceedee Lamb: Start, WR2
Brandon Cooks: Sit
Kavontae Turpin: Sit
Credit must be given to Ceedee Lamb for playing through his sprained AC joint every week and seemingly re-aggravating the injury in every game but continuing to play through it. He’s one of the most talented WRs in the league, and his team will need to lean on him to keep this game competitive. It’s a tough matchup, but he was a ray of light in his face away from scoring a TD that would have landed him around 17 fantasy points in PPR against the Eagles back in week 10. The biggest concern is if he takes a hit or lands on that shoulder wrong early on and potentially being sidelined for most of the game. Aside from that, he should be able to produce as always and see his typical high-volume workload. He’s the only pass catcher on this offense that can be reliably started though.
Tight End
Jake Ferguson: Streaming Option, low-end TE2
Jake Ferguson had his best game since Week 9 via a mere 6 receptions for 40 yards. He doesn’t have a very high ceiling and has an extremely low floor, but Rush has shown some favoritism to him and the TE position over the past few weeks. All eyes will be on Ceedee, and Philly’s linebackers have been shaky in coverage these past few weeks. Ferguson is an extremely risky start, but could be an option if you’re desperate for a dart throw assuming the Cowboys will need to lean more into the passing game.
Philadelphia Eagles
Quarterback
Jalen Hurts: Streaming Option, QB2
If you own Hurts and made it through him being taken out of this past week’s game against the Commanders, congratulations but you may want to consider pivoting away from him this week too (assuming he makes it through concussion protocol). The Eagles may be thinking twice about how many hits they let him take, so there could be a dip in his rushing plays and brotherly shove TDs. Another factor is that the team is very aware of Saquon’s pace to break the all-time single-season rushing record. I’d expect the team to continue feeding Saquon as much as they can, and maybe even let him find the endzone should the ball be downed on the 1-yard line. Kenny Pickett would not be a viable fantasy option to bank your season on if he ends up getting the start.
Running Back
Saquon Barkley: Start, RB1
Kenneth Gainwell: Sit
Saquon Barkley is 268 yards from breaking the all-time single-season rushing yards. It’s been reported that the team is “very aware” of his pace, so it can be assumed they’ll continue to feed him 20+ carries behind one of the best offensive lines in the NFL. The Cowboys rushing defense is tied with the Commanders for allowing the 3rd most yards/rush – so this could shape up to be a monster week from the current RB1. Even though Kenneth Gainwell has seen the field a bit more over these past few weeks, his workload hasn’t shown quite enough to be worth taking the risk of starting.
Wide Receiver
A.J. Brown: Start, WR2
Devonta Smith: FLEX Option, WR3
Jahan Dotson: Sit
It’s been back-to-back weeks as a top-10 WR for A.J. Brown as he’s had 8 catches in each of his last two games for 110 and 97 yards respectively and a TD in each of those games. Hurts being taken out of this past week’s game had no impact on his efficiency, and if anything he saw a higher target share with Pickett at the helm. You’re starting him if you have him, but there’s a chance he sees a couple fewer targets should the game be kept more on the ground or a few more targets to go Devonta Smith. Smith dropped what could have been a game-sealing catch, but the Eagles are a team that puts the ball back in those players’ courts to allow them to shake off the mistake.
Tight End
Grant Calcaterra: Sit
Grant Calcaterra has filled in the shoes of the injured Dallas Goedert, but this offense runs the ball at the highest rate in the league and he’s the 4th receiving option on the totem pole. Look elsewhere if you’re in need of streaming a TE this week.
No mention of how yall feel with Hollywood Brown? He looked decent last week with limited reps even