Chase Stuart
Footballguy
On Sunday night, the Cowboys travel to face the Jets at the New Meadowlands. Should be an interesting game from a fantasy perspective.
Who does Revis cover? My hunch says Miles Austin. Austin had somewhat of a down year last season, and it wouldn't surprise anyone to see Bryant emerge as the WR1 by season's end. But for now I think Austin is still the main guy, and more importantly, I think Austin is more likely to torch Cromartie than Bryant. Cromartie does better against more athletic receivers (i.e., Moss) and I think Austin is probably more likely to burn him. So if I'm the Jets, I'd have Revis on Austin and Cromartie on Bryant, with safety help on Bryant.
That said, Witten is going to torch the Jets. The middle of the Jets defense is better than it was during the disaster season of '08, but it still has been susceptible the past couple of years to the seam route. Witten's a must start every week, but fantasy owners should be licking their chops -- just like when Dallas plays Philly, Romo should be looking to his TE all day.
Felix Jones is likely in for a tough game. The Jets run D is one of the best in the league, and the DL adds a ton of beef this year (Muhammad Wilkerson, Ropati Pitoitua and Kenrick Ellis) while only losing Ellis. The linebackers remain unchanged. The Jets don't necessarily have the fastest of linebackers, so it's possible that Jones breaks off a big run or two. But I think most of his carries will be unsuccessful.
Romo is a must start just about every week. Especially if the Dal run game isn't working, I'd expect Romo to have to air it out a bunch. He probably won't have the most efficient game, and he'll likely avoid Revis. But if Romo chucks it 40 times, you have to put him in your lineup and pray for some TDs.
So...
Austin -- bench, if Revis is on him; otherwise start
Bryant -- start but I wouldn't expect much; if Revis is on him, bench
Witten -- big game
Romo -- average
Jones -- bench depending on your league requirements (in a start-2/0 flex, bench; in a start-3/flex, he's obviously going to start).
Projections:
Romo: 25/40, 250 yards, 1.5 TDs, 1 INT
Jones: 14/50, 0.4 TDs; 3/25, 0.1 TDs
Witten: 8/95, 0.6 TDs
Austin: 3/40, 0.2 TDs
Bryant: 4/60, 0.4 TDs
Thoughts?
Who does Revis cover? My hunch says Miles Austin. Austin had somewhat of a down year last season, and it wouldn't surprise anyone to see Bryant emerge as the WR1 by season's end. But for now I think Austin is still the main guy, and more importantly, I think Austin is more likely to torch Cromartie than Bryant. Cromartie does better against more athletic receivers (i.e., Moss) and I think Austin is probably more likely to burn him. So if I'm the Jets, I'd have Revis on Austin and Cromartie on Bryant, with safety help on Bryant.
That said, Witten is going to torch the Jets. The middle of the Jets defense is better than it was during the disaster season of '08, but it still has been susceptible the past couple of years to the seam route. Witten's a must start every week, but fantasy owners should be licking their chops -- just like when Dallas plays Philly, Romo should be looking to his TE all day.
Felix Jones is likely in for a tough game. The Jets run D is one of the best in the league, and the DL adds a ton of beef this year (Muhammad Wilkerson, Ropati Pitoitua and Kenrick Ellis) while only losing Ellis. The linebackers remain unchanged. The Jets don't necessarily have the fastest of linebackers, so it's possible that Jones breaks off a big run or two. But I think most of his carries will be unsuccessful.
Romo is a must start just about every week. Especially if the Dal run game isn't working, I'd expect Romo to have to air it out a bunch. He probably won't have the most efficient game, and he'll likely avoid Revis. But if Romo chucks it 40 times, you have to put him in your lineup and pray for some TDs.
So...
Austin -- bench, if Revis is on him; otherwise start
Bryant -- start but I wouldn't expect much; if Revis is on him, bench
Witten -- big game
Romo -- average
Jones -- bench depending on your league requirements (in a start-2/0 flex, bench; in a start-3/flex, he's obviously going to start).
Projections:
Romo: 25/40, 250 yards, 1.5 TDs, 1 INT
Jones: 14/50, 0.4 TDs; 3/25, 0.1 TDs
Witten: 8/95, 0.6 TDs
Austin: 3/40, 0.2 TDs
Bryant: 4/60, 0.4 TDs
Thoughts?
Witten is definitely the only safe play here, especially considering how bad the Jets have been at defending TEs. If all the reports from camp are true and Revis is back in 09 form, then I expect the Jets to go back to the "Revis Island" style of defense from 09, when Revis would just follow a receiver around the field. If that's the case, I think you have to sit Austin. But, I wouldn't be surprised if Bryant has a big game and a TD. With Cromartie's noted distaste for tackling, it only takes one blitz and one missed tackle for Bryant to turn a shorter pass into a score.
