Cowboys@Patriots
Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, November 24th at 4:25 pm EST
Location: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA
Betting Odds: NE -6.6, 45 Total via Oddsshark
Network: FOX
Sleeper Spotlight: Randall Cobb
Dallas Cowboys
Quarterback:
- Dak Prescott: (Start/QB1)
Going into week 12, in the past 4 weeks Dak Prescott has played, he has finished within the top 5 in fantasy production twice, and within the top 10 in the other two weeks, per FantasyPros. His ability to both unleash havoc in scrambling plays but also complete passes at a very high completion rate has turned him into a high floor quarterback who has the opportunity to put himself in close to a top three potential. That’s huge. In the final burst of bye weeks, it’s nice to know that your quarterback isn’t going to throw a massive monkey wrench into your gameplans. While New England is blooming into a top-five defense throughout since the moving on of Brian Flores, there’s ample opportunity for Dak to find roughly three to five points on the ground with his feet, let alone if a couple of touchdown passes make their way. The defense has allowed 74 combined points over the last three weeks, so there could be some rust building upon this hot rod of a defense. Don’t be too worried about starting Dak.
Running Backs:
- Ezekiel Elliott (Start/RB1)
Let’s not get cute. Yes, it would be a nice luxury to not have to start Ezekiel Elliott against a defense that will be game-planning specifically for the strongest offensive weapon in every matchup (which will lead us to a box stacked specifically to spell any huge dominant runs by Elliott). He was pretty well strong-armed in his previous two matchups, one against Detroit and one against Minnesota where he combined to average 2.6 yards per carry. With that said, in only 3 games has he had an issue not finding paydirt, as he currently sits with 8 touchdowns on the season, and just shy of 20 carries per week, there is clearly no worry to anyone in the coaching staff who the team both entrusts to have the ball other than Dak, but also who is the person they want the offense to run specifically through. I would bet anything that Elliott will either get touchdowns or yards. Don’t get cute.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends:
- Amari Cooper: (Start/Low-end WR1)
- Michael Gallup: (Start/Flex)
- Randall Cobb: (Start/Flex)
- Jason Witten: (Sit)
Dak Prescott has a multitude of weapons, with the phoenix-like return of Randall Cobb, the ascension of Michael Gallup, and the studly value of Amari Cooper. Jason Witten removed himself from the broadcast booth (to the joy of many viewers) and back into the hearts of many Cowboys fans, realizing the opportunity to push this Dallas team back into the playoffs. With 7 touchdowns and a 15 yard per reception average, Cooper is their star wide receiver that the Dallas fanbase has been waiting for since the loss of Michael Irvin, and he has delivered to the tune of almost a touchdown per week. Likely locked down for the majority of the game by star corner Stephon Gilmore, the Cowboys will likely attempt to slide Cobb across various schemes and packages or unleash in a slipped coverage the dynamic and game-changing speed of a Michael Gallup long ball. The options are almost endless, and thus I don’t really feel worried in any of the options, just know that we should damper a massive game from Cooper and/or Gallup, and expect a serviceable game from both, with a touchdown likely making its way to Cobb and/or one of the two premiere threats. This is a fun offense to watch, and this will be an amazing game to watch as Belichick attempts to deter any major breakout plays.
New England Patriots
Quarterback:
- Tom Brady: (Start)
Quarterback overall is not a consistent option for this season, and if you didn’t entrust into the major rushing options (Jackson, Mahomes, Watson), you’re likely looking at this weekly offering pool of quarterbacks and wondering if you have the right options to win you a championship. No, Tom Brady has not been an exciting offering for most of the season. And a lot of his “weapons” have either been damaged, on the mend, or inconsistent, but he continues to truck on. Brady has just barely made it to the top 12 consensus quarterback throughout this season but faces an average at best defensive squad that has no superstars in Dallas. Brady will look across the whole field and attempt to right the ship with the arrival of N’Keal Harry and the swiss army knife play of fresh to chowder face that is Mohammed Sanu. As per usual, the Patriots cruise control when needed, but as the season winds down and the bye week has passed, look for them to start trying out some more trick plays and build upon the maturing relationship of the rookie phenom and the new king route runner in Sanu, as the usual suspects continue to thrive alongside.
Running Backs:
- Sony Michel (Sit)
- James White (Start/Flex)
- Rex Burkhead (Sit)
With what strong plans we had for Sony Michel, he has done nothing but outright fall on his face, saving what little fantasy value he has with goal-line touchdowns in the wake of Rex Burkhead injuries, and lack of want to run down James White for fear of losing an offensive offering in the passing game. After finishing the season just shy of five yards per carry, Michel is now barely above three yards per carry on the season, and from someone who watches this team week in and week out, he profiles currently as a JAG (JUST A GUY). He has zero vision on where to seek out or attempt to get to a second or third level in the defense, has a little offering in terms of making defenders miss, and doesn’t seem to have the motivation to do much more, even. He hits the defenders at the line on almost every handoff and cannot brush defenders off or away. I’d almost worry at some point, this team will look to spell him with players like Burkhead or even Brandon Bolden if they continue to see him be an uninspired rusher. On the other side of the coin, White finds himself as a low-end flex for sheer lack of receiving looks, as Brady has found a yearly target hound in James “Sweet Feet” White. Not one to take often more than ten carries, you’ll likely find White as a receiver from the backfield who will usually catch somewhere north of five receptions, more often than not peppering in a touchdown. If anyone in this rushing game you need to bet on, make it White. Burkhead is a dark horse.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
- Julian Edelman (Start/Low-End WR1)
- Mohammed Sanu (Sit)
- Jakobi Meyers (Sit)
- Phillip Dorsett (Sit)
- N’Keal Harry (Sit)
What was once a premier offense is looking to have seen a huge downturn in production on a weekly basis, showcasing not much more than wily offensive play-calling from Billy B and the boys (Flea Flickers, anyone?) I don’t think there’s a way to really feel good about starting almost anyone in this wide receiving crew, and if anyone was a strong starter, it would be Julian Edelman on PPR gains alone. Averaging ten targets per game, and a little over ten yards per reception, this is the only surefire option you can find in this receiving crew, and even then it’s worrisome on what could happen if the team finds itself in a shoot out and looking to just stretch the field, as Phillip Dorsett found himself in the concussion protocol as recently as the beginning of the week. Jakobi Meyers could sneak again into the forefront, as he’s shown a knack for running a sleek route and having a killer set of hands, but even he is edging in on a tight dinner plate that N’Keal Harry is also breathing over. It’s going to be a crowded Thanksgiving dinner and only Julian will get seconds.
-Matt Bevins (@MattQBList)
Featured Image by Nathan Mills (@NathanMillsPL)
The defense has allowed 74 combined points over the last three weeks, so there could be some rust building upon this hot rod of a defense ????????
Ravens did all the damage, Dak is not Lamar.