Week 16 is here.  If you were lucky enough to survive last week’s unusual fantasy outcomes, congratulations!  There’s a good chance you owe it to Drew Brees or Tony Romo and their awesome performances.  This week a lot of focus will be on Dallas, as the New Orleans Saints go on the road to take on the Cowboys. 

This game is significant for both teams, but for different reasons.  After losing three games in a row, New Orleans and Brees made a statement last week with their 41-0 beat down of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and are determined to finish the season on a three game winning streak.  Dallas, on the other hand, is playing for their playoff hopes and the NFC East Division. 

All Romo and company have to do is win their last two games and they’re in.  You know what’s coming next so let’s do this. 

Brees had an amazing game last week against the Buccaneers, throwing for 307 yards and four touchdowns; good for 29 fantasy points.  Even if it was against the 32nd ranked pass defense, it was the bounce-back game Brees and the Saints needed.  He’ll have a tougher go at things this week against Dallas, though.  While their defense doesn’t stand out in any one category, they’re ranked in the top 15 in every major defensive category except touchdowns allowed (tied for 20th with 37 allowed this season). 

After their nail-biting defeat against the Washington Redskins on Thanksgiving, the Cowboys have rattled off three straight wins, and Romo has played phenomenally with 912 passing yards, six touchdowns and only one interception.  Last week against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Romo tallied 21 fantasy points in the Cowboys’ overtime victory.  He’s averaging 305 passing yards per game this season and will surely look to take advantage of the leagues’ second worst pass defense – much like Brees did with Tampa Bay last week. 

Despite picking New Orleans to win this game earlier this week (that’s what you get for rushing your picks in under a deadline) Romo and The Cowboys will take full advantage of New Orleans’ dreadful defense and with their playoff chances potentially on the line, will come out on top. 

Projections: Romo 20 points, Brees 17 points.