Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

- Written by Ryan Czopek
- Edited by Marc Caviglia
- Predictions are based on Staff Consensus

::RANKINGS UPDATED AS OF JANUARY 18, 2012::

It was an exciting Division Championship weekend and we are now down to the final four. There is no more Aaron Rodgers or Drew Brees, but Tom Brady and Eli Manning are still standing. The games haven’t been played yet and already several possible scenarios and questions come to mind. Will Tom Brady avenge his Super Bowl loss to the New York Giants? How many times will NBC show Jack and Jackie Harbaugh and how popular will the drinking game be? Can the San Francisco 49ers defense slow down the New England Patriots’ offense? Will the Network suits at NBC do a spit take once they realize the New York Giants and Baltimore Ravens are in the Super Bowl again? Whatever the results maybe, it should be another exciting weekend for football fans nonetheless.

Standard Scoring

Pass TD: 4 points |  All Other TDs: 6 points
25 Passing Yards: 1 point |  All Turnovers: -2 points
10 Rushing Yards: 1 point |  10 Receiving Yards: 1 point

1. Hakeem Nicks (New York Giants) @ San Francisco

Is there any hotter receiver in the playoffs than Nicks? The answer is emphatically no. Over the New York Giants last two-playoff games Nicks has an outstanding 13 catches for 280 yards and has scored four touchdowns. After facing the soft secondaries of the Atlanta Falcons and Green Bay Packers, The San Francisco 49ers ball hawking secondary presents a challenge for Nicks. However, He is averaging 5.7 receptions and 98.3 yards per game since Week 12 of the regular season including the playoffs. The New York Giants offense continues to gain confidence and momentum every week scoring 61 points over their previous two playoffs games. Even with all the attention that’s likely to be focused on him, expect Nicks to be a big factor this week.
Point Projection: 17 points

2. Anquan Boldin (Baltimore Ravens) @ New England

Despite missing the last two games of the 2011 regular season after having knee surgery, Boldin showed no ill effects or rust, hauling in four receptions for 73 yards and scoring a touchdown against the Houston Texans in the Division Championship round of the playoffs. The Houston Texans elected to put their best cover corner, Jonathan Joseph on Torrey Smith, so Boldin had his way with the combination of Kareem Jackson and Jason Allen. The New England Patriots allowed the second most receiving yards per game (311.1) and also surrendered the most fantasy points per game to the wide receiver position (28.5) during the regular season. Boldin, who had a nice game against the New England Patriots in Week 6 of the 2010 regular season (four receptions for 63 yards and a touchdown), has ample opportunity for a big game this week.
Point Projection: 15 points

3. Wes Welker (New England) vs. Baltimore

Contributing to a 45-10 route of the Denver Broncos in the Division Championship round of the playoffs, Welker had six catches for 55 yards and scored a touchdown.  He received seven targets trailing only Rob Gronkowski for the team lead (12). Welker had a solid game against the Baltimore Ravens during the 2010 regular season, but he was by no means spectacular (seven receptions for 53 yards). However, it’s difficult to go against the New England Patriots’ high octane offense at this point in the season, especially with Tom Brady playing like he has a huge chip on his shoulder. With the Baltimore Ravens’ defensive backs likely keying on stopping Rob Gronkowski, look for Welker to do damage against the Baltimore Ravens defense this week.
Point Projection: 14 points

4. Victor Cruz (New York Giants) @ San Francisco

A terrific regular season doesn’t necessarily carry over into the playoffs. The Cruz missile has failed to make much of an impact in the New York Giants past two playoff games, hauling in only seven receptions for 102 yards. Cruz suffered a minor knee injury against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, but is fully expected to play this week. The San Francisco 49ers surrendered six receptions for 84 yards to Cruz in Week 10 of the regular season, so they seem likely to focus on stopping him this week. However, the San Francisco 49ers No. 1 priority will likely be stopping the red hot Hakeem Nicks, which should give Cruz some room to operate. Cruz has had terrific stat lines against some solid pass defenses this season (New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, etc…) and he’s more than capable of dropping another big line this week.
Point Projection: 14 points

5. Mario Manningham (New York Giants) @ San Francisco

Super Mario isn’t putting up otherworldly numbers in the playoffs, but he is taking advantage of his opportunities. Manningham had three receptions for 31 yards and scored a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers in the Division Championship round of the NFL playoffs. It was Manningham’s second touchdown of the post season. The last time Manningham played against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 10 of the regular season he had six receptions for 77 yards and scored a touchdown, which is a good sign that he maybe able to garner his third score of the postseason this week. However, Manningham will still likely be behind Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz for targets, so he is going to have to cash in on the few opportunities he does receive. There is some risk when starting Manningham, but he isn’t a bad option considering his recent string of solid production.
Point Projection: 12 points

6. Torrey Smith (Baltimore Ravens) @ New England

In his first playoff game as a professional, Smith failed to show up against the Houston Texans in the Division Championship round of the playoffs, catching only one pass for nine yards. Smith was blanketed by outstanding; Houston Texans corner Jonathan Joseph and was only targeted four times. A bounce back performance seems likely for Smith this week, going against a lousy New England Patriots defense that has allowed the most 20 plus yard receptions in the NFL this season (79). Smith who has torched poor pass defenses this season (San Diego, Cincinnati, St. Louis, etc…) has a solid chance to make an impact this week. 
Point Projection: 9 points

7. Michael Crabtree (San Francisco) vs. New York Giants

It was the Vernon Davis and Frank Gore show during the Division Championship round of the playoffs, but Crabtree found a way to make an impact, catching four passes for 25 yards and scoring a touchdown. It wasn’t a spectacular game yardage wise for Crabtree, but he was tied for the team lead in targets with Vernon Davis (10). The last time Crabtree faced the New York Giants in Week 10 of the regular season he had only one reception for 21 yards. However, Crabtree has been solid since that week averaging 5.6 receptions and 55.5 yards per game, including the playoffs. The New York Giants pass defense has been strong over the past two weeks thanks in part to a terrific pass rush. If Alex Smith is under siege most of the day, a great week for Crabtree doesn’t seem likely. Expect Crabtree to bounce back yardage wise this week, but an outstanding game seems unlikely.
Point Projection: 7 points

8. Deion Branch (New England) vs. Baltimore

Branch ended up having a nice game against the Denver Broncos in the Division Championship round of the playoffs, hauling in three passes for 85 yards and scoring a touchdown. In the midst of the New England Patriots scoring spree against the Denver Broncos on Saturday night, Branch hauled in a 61-yard bomb for a touchdown. It was Branch’s most impressive outing yardage wise since Week 12 of the regular season. The last time Branch faced the Baltimore Ravens, which was Week 6 of the 2010 regular season, he had a great game, catching nine passes for 98 yards and scoring a touchdown. However, Branch isn’t likely to have such a lofty stat line this week, considering he is often behind Wes Welker, Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez for targets. Branch could haul in another big play this week, but duplicating last week’s performance seems far-fetched.
Point Projection: 6 points

9. Lee Evans (Baltimore Ravens) @ New England

We’ve only been waiting all season Lee. Evans only had one reception against the Houston Texans in the Division Championship round of the playoffs, but it was a spectacular one-handed 30-yard grab.  Even though Evans’ catch was highlight reel worthy, he was only targeted one time. Evans will be a boom or bust play against a poor New England Patriots defense. It’s possible Evans could haul in another big play, but it’s a real risky proposition considering he has only had three receptions (including the playoffs) since returning from an ankle injury in Week 11 of the regular season.
Point Projection: 4 points

10. Kyle Williams (San Francisco) vs. New York Giants

Even though he was targeted six times in the Division Championship round of the NFL playoffs, Williams had only two receptions for 12 yards against the New Orleans Saints. Including the regular season and playoffs, Williams has only surpassed 50 yards receiving twice. He will be a risky play against an inspired New York Giants’ team this week.
Point Projection: 3 points

11. Ted Ginn (San Francisco) vs. New York Giants

Ginn’s status is up in the air for the NFC Championship game because of an ailing right knee. Given the significance of upcoming game against the New York Giants, Ginn will likely do whatever it takes to play this week. However, if Ginn is able to play this week, he seems unlikely to produce much with a bad knee. Ginn also hasn’t been much involved in San Francisco’s passing offense of late, only producing one reception for 11 yards against the New Orleans Saints in the Division Championship round of the playoffs. It’s probably best that Ginn is off your radar this week.
Point Projection: 2 points