The playoffs are either upon us or one week away in the majority of fantasy football leagues. With this in mind, Fantasy FanHouse is examining what you can expect from the fantasy relevant players on each team. Dallas Cowboys
The opposing defenses: at PIT (1st against pass, 1st against run), vs. NYG (10th against pass, 5th against run), vs. BAL (2nd against pass, 3rd against run)
The skinny: Ouch. This is quite the tall order for a team with lots of fantasy weapons -- when healthy. The 'Boys have revved up that offense in the past two weeks, but it was against lesser defenses. Statistically, the Giants are the worst defense the Cowboys will face this fantasy playoff season. That just sounds bad, doesn't it? You still probably have to stick with the studs, but after that it's a huge fall-off.
The must-starts: None
The likely starts: Tony Romo, Terrell Owens, Jason Witten, Nick Folk
The spot-start: Marion Barber (only because he's injured -- if he's totally healthy he's a must-start)
The no-starts: Roy Williams, Tashard Choice, Martellus Bennett, Miles Austin, Patrick Crayton
The D/ST: The status partially hinges upon the health of DeMarcus Ware, but this group can get to the quarterback with the best of 'em, and they have big play ability in the secondary. They are a low-end starter at this point.
New York Giants
The opposing defenses: vs. PHI (9th against pass, 8th against run), at DAL (11th against pass, 10th against run), vs. CAR (12th against pass, 18th against run)
The skinny: I'm losing some confidence in my boy, Brandon Jacobs, because the Giants need him healthy for the playoffs and can gain home field advantage throughout the playoffs without heavy doses of him. He did still manage a solid day this past weekend, though. As for the entire team, these matchups aren't overly daunting, but they aren't cake-walks either. I wouldn't count on Harris Smith coming back anytime soon, so upgrade the other Giants receivers. Most of these guys are going to be considered based upon your alternative options, because this is a much better real team than fantasy team.
The must-start: None
The likely starts: Brandon Jacobs, John Carney
The spot-starts: Eli Manning, Domenik Hixon, Amani Toomer, Kevin Boss, Steve Smith, Derrick Ward
The no-starts: Ahmad Bradshaw (barring injury to Jacobs or Ward), Sinorice Moss
The D/ST: I love them against Philly and the Panthers at home, especially what they can do to Jake Delhomme when the Panthers realize they can't run. The visit to Dallas poses an interesting battle, but I wouldn't ever sit this Giants unit. Play them throughout your playoffs and enjoy.
Philadelphia Eagles
The opposing defenses: at NYG (10th against pass, 5th against run), vs. CLE (t17th against pass, 26th against run), at WAS (7th against pass, 7th against run)
The skinny: Was a huge offensive outburst at home against the Arizona "We Suck in the East" Cardinals enough to excite you? Not me. You can expect a similar outburst at home against the hapless Browns, though. In the other two contests I expect the offense of futility to rear its ugly head and prompt boos across Philadelphia sports bars.
The must-start: Brian Westbrook -- he's just too explosive to ever sit.
The likely start: None
The spot-starts: Donovan McNabb, DeSean Jackson, Kevin Curtis, David Akers
The no-starts: L.J. Smith, Reggie Brown, Hank Baskett, Brent Celek
The D/ST: They've been relatively consistent this season. I'm not sure I love them against the Giants and their superior offensive line. The next two matchups, however, are very enticing to me, especially with the Redskins' pass offense reeling and Clinton Portis being banged up. In the game against Ken Dorsey's Browns, well, the Eagles just might be the top scoring defense that week.
Washington Redskins
The opposing defenses: at BAL (2nd against pass, 3rd against run), at CIN (20th against pass, 24th against run), vs. PHI (9th against pass, 8th against run)
The skinny: If only someone had told you to trade Clinton Portis a few weeks ago? Since -- judging from the comments on Sean's article -- no one listened, you get Portis against two really stout defenses in the playoffs. He's also hobbled, to boot. I'm sticking with him against the Bengals and probably the Eagles (we'll see how it goes until then), but against the Ravens? I'm sitting him. It's tough to count on the passing game at this point, unless they play an awful opponent. Even then, there are no guarantees. Jason Campbell put up good, but far from elite, stats against the Seahawks' awful pass defense.
The must-start: None
The likely starts: Clinton Portis, Chris Cooley
The spot-starts: Jason Campbell, Santana Moss, Shaun Suisham
The no-starts: Antwaan Randle-El, Devin Thomas, Ladell Betts
The D/ST: First of all, you know you are playing them against the Bengals. You don't need me to tell you that, otherwise you wouldn't be in the fantasy playoffs. Honestly, I like their chances against the other two opponents as well. This could be a nice fantasy playoff sleeper, if you are sitting on someone who scares you -- like the Packers, Falcons, or Jags.
