FANTASY FOOTBALL WEEKLY FEATURES

DAL (1-1) vs WAS (1-1)

Game Prediction: DAL 17, WAS 14

This should be interesting. Parcells vs. Gibbs. I guess if you wait long enough, everything really does happens again.

Pre-Game Notes - DAL

Dallas comes off a much needed win that made the defense feel better about itself after the MIN debacle. Not so much can be said for the offense.

One factor that may come into play - PK John Hall has two injured hamstrings though he is expected to play.

Running Backs: Eddie George looked a bit better at home against the Browns, he gained 62 yards on 18 carries and scored once. This is a good thing since Julius Jones has broken his shoulder and will miss two months if in fact he doesn't end up on IR to free up a roster space. Undrafted ReShard Lee now figures in but Richie Anderson should return this week and will once again be a maddening addition - not enough to warrant starting him on your team but enough to drain away the value of George.

Update: Anderson is returning and will help provide a much needed passing outlet for Testaverde. The Redskins are also missing LB Lavar Arrington now which should provide Eddie George with more running room. I have bumped up both George's rushing numbers and a slight bump in passing numbers with Anderson there.

Wide Receivers: Last week 322 passing yards still did not produce a 100 yard receiver and none caught the lone touchdown pass. Facing a better defense with the lead meant more passing to the tight end and the best wideout was Terry Glenn's 90 yards. He had the least yardage of the three last week though he has the only wideout touchdown this season. Keyshawn Johnson went down from 9-111 the previous week to only 2-57 last Sunday. It'll likely remain that way this season with the best receiver for the Cowboys trading off between Glenn, Johnson and Bryant.

Tight Ends: Jason Witten played a big role last week, catching six passes for 82 yards and then allowing Jeff Robinson to catch the score on his lone reception in the game. In the controlled passing game preferred by Parcells and company, Witten should continue to be a big factor unless the Cowboys fall too far behind on the scoreboard.

Match Against the Defense: The Redskins defense has been sound so far and only the offense falling apart caused the loss last week. After two weeks, the Redskins have only given up 92 rushing yards on 43 carries. The Cowboys are not bringing the most potent rushing offense to the game either. Pencil George in for a lower afternoon.

The passing game with Vinny will have to save the day again this week and yet at home, the Skins shut down TB. Warner had luck in NY last week but only threw one score and 232 yards. This should be an interesting game to watch since it will expose the Redskins secondary to the best receivers they have faced so far.

You have to like Antonio Bryant's chance to score the best, matched up on a rookie safety the same way that Tim Carter scored last week.

Pre-Game Notes - WAS

The Giants loss showed some weaknesses cloaked in the win over the Buccaneers. Neither Mark Brunell or Patrick Ramsey are very good quarterbacks. Once the defense can tee off on them, there were a total of seven turnovers last week and four sacks.

Running Backs: After a big week one, Clinton Portis only managed 69 yards on 20 carries since he had no trademark long run to boost his numbers. He still caught a touchdown pass to make sure his fantasy value stayed high.

Wide Receivers: Lavernues Coles had his first 100 yard game of the year against the Giants last week though he had no score during the nine receptions. Just like the prior week, only Coles and Rod Gardner (3-66) had any passes for the wideouts. This is not a spread offense.

Tight Ends: While the passing is low to the position, rookie Chris Cooley had his first touchdown last week. He's one to keep an eye on given the preference tight ends usually get in Gibb's offenses.

Match Against the Defense: So far the biggest weakness of Dallas has been the cornerbacks - mainly just Pete Hunter who will be on Rod Gardner this week. But it wasn't a problem last week and with Ramsey now back in the saddle, the passing game is less likely to take off.

Portis faces a defense that so far has not allowed more than 76 yards to a running back and no rushing scores yet this season. Dallas will be preparing for him primarily given the change at quarterback but at home you still have to like the chance that Portis can pop at least one long gainer.