Talk about a big game. The Washington Redskins, winners of two in a row, can pull to within one game of the NFC East leading New York Giants with a win tonight at home. New York, on the other hand, can open up a three-game lead over Washington, who would then fall to third place behind the Dallas Cowboys (6-6).
You just cannot script a better Monday Night Football matchup in early-December.
Fantasy implications are aplenty as well. Needless to say, a lot of you out there have either Eli Manning or Robert Griffin III going in this one. A great performance from either quarterback could actually clinch a fantasy playoff spot for many out there. Outside of the quarterback position, there really isn't a whole heck of a lot to look at.
Either way, that's what I plan to do here.
Eli Manning, Quarterback, New York Giants
Prior to his 23-point performance against the Green Bay Packers last week, Manning had tallied a total of 11 points in his previous three games combined. That really isn't going to get it done. Overall, Manning is the 21st ranked fantasy quarterback. The fact that he is right ahead of Christian Ponder and Brandon Weeden and behind Philip Rivers should tell you enough.
It's kinda like driving a Ford Pinto with BMW tires. While Manning has the Giants in first place in the NFC East and is coming off a Super Bowl Championship, the body of his work as a fantasy performer just isn't there.
He is, however, going up against a Washington Redskins pass defense that ranks 31st in the NFL and has given up 23 touchdowns in 11 games to opposing quarterbacks. Expect Manning to pick up where he left off last week against Green Bay. You can mark him down for 19 points tonight.
Robert Griffin III, Quarterback Washington Redskins
We go from an unreliable fantasy performer in Manning to the No. 1 overall fantasy player in the form of RGIII. Despite having played one less game than his counterparts, this rookie quarterback still leads the entire NFL in fantasy points. He looks to add to that minimal lead over the likes of Drew Brees and Tom Brady when Washington hosts the Giants tonight.
RGIII has tallied over 600 yards and eight scores in his last two games, coming out with an average of over 30 fantasy points per outing. His last performance on Thanksgiving Day against the Dallas Cowboys had to come as a bit of a surprise considering that Dallas ranks No. 10 overall against the pass.
He now goes up against a Giants' pass defense that bends, but doesn't break. They do rank 24th against the pass, but have intercepted 18 passes in 11 games. It's strength against strength here as RGIII has a total of four interceptions in 304 pass attempts this season. I'm not about to be against him here. Expect 25 fantasy points and three scores from the Baylor product.
Ahmad Bradshaw, Running Back, New York Giants
I was in utter disbelief when other "experts" had Bradshaw pegged as a RB1 option heading into the season. I just didn't see him possess the necessary consistency to be considered a solid top tier fantasy option. Through the first 12 weeks of the NFL season Bradshaw ranks 19th in fantasy points, which indicate that he is nothing more than a bottom feeder RB2 option.
He did come through big time against the Green Bay Packers in the form of 119 yards and a touchdown, representing his best fantasy output of the season. While the season-ending injury to Andre Brown may lead some to expect more production from Bradshaw because of an increased workload, I would warn against that. Tom Coughlin and company always find another back to share carries with Bradshaw because of his injury history. This isn't going to change moving forward in 2012. Expect no more than 10 fantasy points from him tonight.
David Wilson, Running Back, New York Giants
While this rookie has clearly been in Tom Coughlin's doghouse for quite some time now, he is going to have to play a larger role moving forward due to the injury to the aforementioned Brown. Wilson is averaging less than a half of fantasy point in his last five outings. Expect an increased workload, but not necessarily stellar numbers against a Redskins' rush defense that ranks third in the NFL.
Alfred Morris, Running Back, Washington Redskins
Morris was coming off three consecutive disappointing performances that saw him rack up a total of 200 yards and 22 fantasy points. Then he went up against the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving and absolutely feasted on the home team. The rookie tallied 113 yards and a score against a rush defense that had been ranked in the top 10 at the time.
Expect Morris to get an ample amount of touches against New York tonight as the Redskins attempt to find even more balance on the offensive side of the ball. While the Giants do rank 13th against the run, they have given up 10 plays of over 10 yards on the ground thus far this season. I am expecting Morris to tally 100 total yards and a score. That should be good enough for about 18 fantasy points from the running back position.
Martellus Bennett, Tight End, New York Giants
Definitely a forgotten cog in te Giants' passing game, I am expecting Manning to look in Bennet's direction more tonight than we have seen in previous weeks. The talented but enigmatic tight end started the season by putting up double digit fantasy points in his first three games then tailed off a great deal. In fact, he is averaging just four points in his last five games.
As I mentioned before, Washington does rank 31st against the pass. The primary thing here is that opposing tight ends are averaging nearly 71 yards per game against this unit in 2012. That leads me to believe Bennett will have a surprisingly good game.
Logan Paulsen, Tight End, Washington Redskins
Not much to see here. While Paulsen did jump on to the scene following a season-ending injury to Fred Davis, he has plummeted back to Earth recently. He has just 28 combined receiving yards in the last two games after putting up nearly 180 yards in the three previous games. Don't expect much more than five points out of him tonight.
Victor Cruz, Wide Receiver, New York Giants
For the love of everything that is right. If I hear ESPN playing salsa music tonight I am literally going to take a long walk to Bristol and go all ICP on on them. This isn't saying that I am not rooting for or against Cruz, I just cannot fathom another NFL broadcast butchering the music like we have seen so much this season.
On that note, Cruz will probably get into the end zone once or twice tonight. He is going up against a weak Redskins' pass defense that has yielded an average of over 100 receiving yards to opposing No. 1 wide receivers. Look for 120-plus yards and at least one score. That will give Cruz a minimum of 18 fantasy points.
Hakeem Nicks, Wide Receiver, New York Giants
Finally, Nicks appears to be back at full-health. This couldn't be better timing for those of you who own him, especially considering that he is lining up against Washington tonight. While it would be foolish to expect WR1 production from the talented player, he should be able to provide you at least FLEX production tonight. Nicks will line up as the No. 2 wide receiver opposite Josh Wilson, who has given up an average of 80 receiving yards and five completions per game this season. Expect that trend to continue.
Santana Moss, Wide Receiver, Washington Redskins
Now that Garcon is healthy, Moss is going to take on a lesser role in Washington's passing game. While he is still its No. 1 wide receiver and has averaged 11 fantasy points in the last two games, I don't see Moss duplicating that feat tonight. Instead, I am looking at him gaining no more than 50 yards and zero scores tonight.
Pierre Garcon, Wide Receiver, Washington Redskins
Huge bonus for those of you who decided to keep Garcon on your roster after his injury-plagued season. He could be a will boon for you moving forward. He might be averaging just seven fantasy points in five games this season, but that number is way off in terms of what he has done when healthy. In the two games that Garcon has actually been near 100 percent he is averaging over 16 fantasy points.
His big-play ability is obvious as well. Garcon is averaging over 20 yards per reception in those two outings and has quickly become RGIII's favorite down field threat. I am expecting one or two longer pass plays today and a score. Look for Garcon to put up a minimum of 15 fantasy points against the Giants.