FANTASY FOOTBALL WEEKLY FEATURES

DAL (6-9) vs NYG (5-10)

Game Prediction: DAL 17, NYG 14

This is a rematch of the week five game when the Giants won 26-10. This is the last game of the regular season on Sunday night.

Update: Jeremy Shockey and Amani Toomer have both been downgraded to doubtful this week and neither are expected to play.

Pre-Game Notes - DAL

The Cowboys ended their two game losing streak with a final scoring bomb to beat the Redskins last week. A win here just drops the team farther back in the NFL draft that they need to use for some more talent.

Quarterback: Vinny Testaverde threw the winning score last week but he is greeted with boos when he hits the field at Texas Stadium. He was back down to only one interception last week but it was in the endzone to kill a scoring drive.

The anticipated showing of Tony Romo never happened in the close game last week but could show up here if the game gets out of hand either way. The Cowboys need to see something from Romo now that they have a better handle on Drew Henson because Testaverde is talking about possibly retiring.

Running Backs: Julius Jones had 22 carries last week but only gained 57 yards against a tough Washington defense. He'll find the going easier this week and should post much better numbers. The Cowboys know they cannot run him 30 times a game every week and will likely get some help in the offseason, but for the finale, it should be mostly Jones running. Eddie George was active for the first time in three games last week but only had three meaningless carries. He's definitely gone after this week.

Wide Receivers: Keyshawn Johnson had 84 yards on nine catches last week and fills the role he was acquired to maintain - just possession catches and keeping the ball moving. Problem is that few others have stepped up to their expectations. Johnson only has six scores on the season though that is slightly higher than he typically has.

Patrick Crayton caught the winning touchdown last week but only saw action late in the game when the Redskins had lost both starting cornerbacks to injury. Quincy Morgan only had one catch for 7 yards. Not exactly the greatest trade in the history of the NFL when Antonio Bryant left.

Tight Ends: Jason Witten is winding down one of the best seasons ever by a Dallas tight end in franchise history. He has 79 catches for 903 yards and five scores going into this week.

Match Against the Defense: The Giants rush defense has actually gotten worse as the season progresses and last time these teams played there was no Julius Jones. Expect a good game from Jones against a defense that has allowed ten rushing scores in the last seven games.

The passing game as always should only prove moderate and could see Romo getting some time. Witten should have some average numbers here against the team that held him to 35 yards in the last meeting while Johnson scored the lone passing touchdown in the last meeting and is most likely to repeat.

Pre-Game Notes - NYG

The Giants have lost their last eight games though the last two losses were by three points or less. This is their final home game and the last chance to take any positives from the season.

Running Backs: Tiki Barber is winding up a career year and has a chance to break 1500 rushing yards this season with a 77+ yard performance this week. Barber had 122 yards rushing and one touchdown with 76 more yards receiving against the Cowboys back in week two.

Wide Receivers: Sad really. Amani Toomer had not topped 60 yards in any of the last six games though he had 66 yards against Dallas in week five when Warner was still playing. Ike Hilliard has not topped 60 yards in any game this entire season. The wideouts are not only worthless on this team (for fantasy purposes), it goes beyond merely Manning learning the ropes. The offensive scheme simply does not use them.

Tight Ends: Jeremy Shockey has six touchdowns on the year - a career best. He's also the only consistent target in the passing game but that usually stalls out around 50 yards each week.

Match Against the Defense: The Giants already beat the Cowboys earlier this season and will use much the same formula this time - heavy running by Barber with some good success. The Giants have no reliable players outside of Barber and Shockey though Manning should have a little better time this week if the New York winds don't get in the way.