Cowboys vs. Redskins
Cowboys
Trade Alert: The Dallas Cowboys completed a trade with the Oakland Raiders Monday afternoon, trading their 2019 1st Round pick for WR Amari Cooper. Be sure to read our Going Deep on Amari Cooper right here.
It was an old-school knock-down drag-out NFC East battle Sunday afternoon as the Dallas Cowboys suffered a heart-breaking 20-17 loss to division rival Washington Redskins. The Cowboys missed a late field goal attempt that would have sent the game to overtime after a controversial call moved Dallas back 5-yards on a penalty. Dallas couldn’t get anything going on the ground but the passing game is showing signs of life and QB Dak Prescott is finding ways to add value to fantasy owners.
Prescott may have turned a corner after a sluggish start to the season
Dak Prescott had his most productive game as a passer Sunday, finishing 22-for-35 and 273 yards and TD. While it isn’t the explosive passing game owners expect from a traditional passer, Dak adds value with his legs and today was classic Dak. Prescott added 6 carries for 33 yards and one rushing touchdown. This is the Dak we are used to and the Cowboys have simplified his options in the formation, no longer shuffling receivers in and out of the lineup. It may not be pretty but if Prescott can continue to add value with his legs he will be the low-end QB1 we were hoping for.
Zeke Elliott had a very disappointing game Sunday
Cowboys star RB Ezekiel Elliott let down fantasy owners across the country against the Redskins. Zeke finished with just 33 yards on 15 carries, with a long of just 6. He added just two catches for seven yards. Zeke was repeatedly met in the backfield all day, as the Redskins keyed on the most important player for the Cowboys offense. Once the strength of the team, this Cowboys offensive line is a shadow of its 2016 self. Until this week Zeke has been able to overcome the woes of the offense and he is still an RB1 moving forward. The Cowboys are on bye week so owners can only hope they can get the offense back on track.
Without a primary receiver, the Cowboys finally moved the ball in the air
We’ve talked about it more and more over the past few weeks but Dallas seems to have settled on a group of primary pass catchers, which will only help to calm Prescott. This week rookie WR Michael Gallup paced the team with three catches for 81 yards and added his first NFL touchdown. Gallup has earned the LWR role on this team and looks to be the starter from here on out. Keep an eye on Gallup, he’s worth an add to see what they may have in the second half of the season.
WR Allen Hurns had his best game of the season with five catches for 74 yards but he also had a big drop that could have kept a critical drive going. It’s still unclear the role Hurns has with this team, Dak seems to only look his way when the first read is Hurns and they don’t have chemistry in the scramble drill. Hurns is not an option for fantasy owners and we can only hope he can come up with a few touchdowns for his QB.
“80 Stings” WR Cole Beasley continues to be the goto guy for Dak Prescott. He leads the team in targets, receptions, and yards adding seven catches for 56 yards on Sunday. Beasley is a boom or bust player but his booms are really only WR3 worthy. If you are desperate look at Beasley but don’t expect me to give a solid recommendation weekly.
TE Geoff Swaim was quiet on Sunday, with just three receptions on 25 yards. This Cowboys offense just isn’t productive enough to warrant picking up Swaim unless you’re in the deepest of leagues. One interesting note, second TE, rookie Dalton Shultz played in more snaps than he has all season and was targeted three times. Maybe it’s time the Cowboys see what they have in the backup tight end.
-Marc Salazar
Redskins
Facing a tough Cowboys team temporarily with only ⅓ of their starting wideouts and ½ of their starting backfield, the Redskins pulled out a crucial W on Sunday. How, then, did the various offensive players for the ‘Skins fare in fantasyland? Let’s find out…
No Turnovers! Exciting!
Yep, that’s about the most exciting thing about Alex Smith’s performance from Sunday afternoon. He wasn’t fantasy relevant prior to this game, and he STILL isn’t. NEXT!
A Valiant Effort
Although the ‘Skins pass catchers were ALL outpaced by Chris Thompson “replacement” Kapri Bibbs, each turned in a solid, if not uninspiring, effort in this one. Josh Doctson managed 42 yards on three receptions with a modest six targets, while Jordan Reed came up big for the ‘Skins at several junctions despite posting only one yard more than Doctson on one fewer reception. Even warm body Maurice Harris chipped in three receptions in this one! Anyway, I’d stay away from pretty much everyone involved in the passing game in Washington for the time being unless you can get them for a song, or have space to stash in the case of Doctson and Reed.
All Day Baby
Do my eyes deceive me?! I don’t believe they do! With a terrific 99 yard output on 24 carries in this one, against a TOUGH Dallas defensive front to boot, Adrian Peterson jumped into the top 10 in rushing in the league. Hell yea AP is back. Meanwhile, Kapri Bibbs did his best Chris Thompson impression with the latter missing this one with a lingering chest injury, posting four receptions, for 43 yards and a score. Oddly enough, I think we can expect about 70% of CT’s output in any given game he misses from Bibbs going forward.
Dialed UP Defense
After being obliterated at the hands of the New Orleans Saints, the ‘Skins D has gone out and held the Panthers and Cowboys to 17 points a pop while generating five sacks, one pick, and four (!) forced fumbles. Now this same defense gets a Giants squad that could only muster 20 points against a Falcons defense absolutely riddled with injuries. DEAL ME IN!
-Alex Silverman