Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

- Written by Rich Arleo
- Edited by Marc Caviglia
- Predictions are based on Staff Consensus

::RANKINGS UPDATED AS OF JANUARY 11 2011::

The season is winding down but there’s one more solid slate of four games this weekend for your enjoyment. The pickings are slim at this point, but there are still a few stud runners left and some other mid-level backs with decent matchups. Find the best options for you in our Divisional Round Running Back Rankings.

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

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Please use this link to enter:  Divisional Round $350 Contest  (click to register)

1. Ray Rice (Baltimore Ravens) vs. Houston   

Rice made his fantasy owners happy this season with 2,068 total yards and 15 total touchdowns. It was a great year for the young back and he will look to keep it up in the Ravens matchup with the Houston Texans Sunday. The Texans have a stout run defense and gave up just 96.0 yards per game (YPG) this year, but Rice already showed he could beat them back in Week 6. In that game, Rice ran for 101 yards on 23 carries and gained another 60 yards on five catches. We all know what Rice is capable of and he is far and away the Ravens best offensive threat. He will see the ball a ton and likely get the job done once again.
Point Projection: 20 points

2. Arian Foster (Houston Texans) @ Baltimore

Foster didn’t skip a beat in his first ever playoff game as he ran all over Cincinnati; finishing with 153 yards and two touchdowns on the ground with another 29 yards on three receptions. The Baltimore Ravens gave up just 3.5 yards per carry (YPC) and 92.6 YPG to opposing runners this season, so it’s going to be a battle this weekend. Foster ran for only 49 yards on 15 carries against them in the regular season, but he did manage six receptions for 52 yards in that game. Foster is arguably the best runner going in these playoffs, and no matter the matchup he can always go off. He is fun to watch, and it’s going to be interesting to see what he can do against one of the toughest matchups out there.
Point Projection: 19 points

3. Willis McGahee (Denver Broncos) @ New England

McGahee struggled against Pittsburgh last week with just 61 yards on 19 carries and two fumbles (one lost).  The matchup was not good and McGahee was unable to get the job done despite his team’s surprising win. He gets another shot against a much softer run defense this week as the Broncos head to New England to face the AFC’s top-seeded New England Patriots. The Pats won 13 games during the regular season, but that was mostly due to their impressive offense. Their run defense allowed 4.6 YPC and 117.1 YPG during the regular season to go along with 13 touchdowns. In a regular season matchup against New England McGahee had 70 yards on just seven carries before leaving the game with an injury. He was on his way to a big day before getting hurt, so if he can stay healthy for this game he could really do some damage. The veteran is a wise start this week.
Point Projection: 16 points

4. Frank Gore (San Francisco 49ers) vs. New Orleans

It was a very inconsistent year for Gore but he managed to put together nice numbers in the end, finishing with 1,211 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground. One major difference this year was that Gore was a non-factor in the passing game as he finished with a career-low 114 receiving yards, which was the first time he had less than 370 yards through the air since his rookie year.  He had some bad games this year and was very streaky, but he did manage to score three times in the last four games. He has had some health issues but will be plenty rested for the team’s big divisional round game against New Orleans. The Saints gave up 5.0 YPC on the ground this year but had a respectable 108.6 YPG against. Gore should be fresh and if he can break off a few big runs he’ll have a nice game. Start him and hope for the best.
Point Projection: 15 points

5. Ahmad Bradshaw (New York Giants) @ Green Bay

Bradshaw split the workload evenly with Brandon Jacobs in his team’s wild card win over the Atlanta Falcons. He ran for 63 yards while Jacobs had 92, but Bradshaw added five receptions for 22 yards. Neither back scored, but it was a bit of a surprise to see the workload split so evenly after Bradshaw carried the load near the end of the season. It looks like the Giants will split carries evenly from here on out, which hurts Bradshaw’s value a bit. He is still a better option than Jacobs because of his pass-catching ability, and at this point it’s anyone’s guess who will get the scores. He was held out of practice Wednesday but did the same last week as the Giants want to give his aching foot as much rest as possible. The Green Bay Packers run defense was so-so this season but had one of the worst YPC averages against (4.7). In Week 13 he had just 38 yards on 11 carries against the Pack, but there should be running lanes and the man formerly known as Wind will see plenty of work. Keep him in your lineup.
Point Projection: 13 points

6. Darren Sproles (New Orleans Saints) @ San Francisco

All season long Sproles has had a nose for the end zone, and that was no different Saturday against Detroit as he ran for 51 yards and two scores on 10 carries. He added 34 yards on four catches and has been a very good fantasy option at running back all year long. The San Francisco 49ers had the No.1 run defense in football this year, but Sproles’ versatility and scoring opportunities make him a good start despite the matchup.
Point Projection: 12 points

7. Brandon Jacobs (New York Giants) @ Green Bay

Jacobs was very effective Sunday against Atlanta, running for 92 yards on 14 carries (6.6 YPC). He had two receptions for eight yards but more importantly split the workload evenly with Ahmad Bradshaw, which bodes well for him moving forward. Jacobs has been very inconsistent this season, at times showing signs of brilliance and other times, looking like a tired old runner. Last time out against Green Bay Jacobs had 59 yards and a touchdown on just eight carries. If he can repeat that performance owners would have to be happy. It’s tough to predict what Jacobs will do from week to week, but given the lack of options at this point he’s a solid start.
Point Projection:  10 points

8. BenJarvus Green-Ellis (New England Patriots) vs. Denver

The Law Firm had an odd regular season. He managed to run for just 667 yards and the Patriots starting running back, but was also able to score 11 times. He was a very risky play all year considering his varying workloads. Green-Ellis had over 20 carries just twice this season and had eight or less in seven games. In Week 15 against Denver he ran for only 17 yards on 10 carries but once again scored a touchdown. It’s really a toss up as to how effective he will be fantasy-wise. If he gets his scoring chances he’ll be great but if he doesn’t, the yardage may not be there. Start him and cross your fingers.
Point Projection: 9 points

9. Ryan Grant (Green Bay Packers) vs. New York Giants

Grant looked like a shell of his former self for much of this season before showing some life in the final four weeks. It could be that it took him this long to fully recover from last season’s knee injury. His late-season breakout was aided by James Starks’ ankle injury. While Starks is expected to be ready to go this week, it’s reasonable to expect an even workload split between the two. Grant couldn’t get it going against the New York Giants earlier in the year with just 29 yards on 13 carrie but overall, the Giants struggled against the run this year, allowing 121.2 YPG and 15 touchdowns. Grant could see some open lanes at times and while he’s not an amazing play, he’ll put up decent numbers if he can continue his resurgence and break off a big run or two
Point Projection: 8 points

10. James Starks (Green Bay Packers) vs. New York Giants

The Packers success this year afforded them a chance to rest Starks and his balky ankle often late in the regular season, including the first round bye. He practiced early this week and is reportedly good to go for Sunday’s divisional round matchup against the New York Giants. Starks had some decent games here and there but scored just once and was slowed by the ankle injury late in the year. He made his name in the playoffs last year, and while there’s always a chance he breaks out again, the Packers pass-first offense held him back all year and that shouldn’t change this week. Even if he’s healthy and gets a full workload, he still won’t see much more than 10 carries and the scoring opportunities will be very limited. Couple those factors with the recent breakout of Ryan Grant and Starks is only a borderline starting option.
Point Projection: 7 points

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11. Chris Ivory (New Orleans Saints) @ San Francisco

Ivory led the Saints with 13 carries in their wild card win, but was able to gain just 47 yards. It was the Saints other two running backs that found the end zone and were also more effective as runners. Ivory will continue to get a good amount of carries, but considering his lack of touchdowns and matchup against what was the best run defense in the NFL during the regular season, there isn’t a lot of upside with Ivory this week.
Point Projection: 6 points

12. Pierre Thomas (New Orleans Saints) @ San Francisco

Thomas made the most out of every touch last week. He ran for 66 yards and a touchdown on eight carries and also caught six balls for 55 yards. The 14 touches was actually more than the PT Cruiser usually sees and he didn’t disappoint. It will be interesting to see if he continues to get that kind of work again this week, but even if he does the matchup is going to be a challenge. The San Francisco 49ers run defense had a league-best 77.2 YPG and three touchdowns (all in the final two games). Against any other team he would be a solid start but if he’s going to find success this week it will likely be through the air.
Point Projection: 6 points

13. Kendall Hunter (San Francisco 49ers) vs. New Orleans

Hunter ran reasonably well as Frank Gore’s backup this year with 473 yards and two touchdowns along with 195 yards on 16 catches. He’s more of a receiving threat than Gore and will see some carries here and there but if Gore can get it going Hunter will be limited. Only start him if you must.
Point Projection: 6 points

14. Stevan Ridley (New England Patriots) vs. Denver

It was impossible to trust any Patriots running back this season, and the rookie Ridley probably had no idea himself what his status would be each game. Early in the year he saw a lot of work and was effective but then all of a sudden was relegated to the bench…until the last three games when he ran 39 times. In his limited work he averaged 5.1 YPC so he was effective, but it’s hard to say if he will continue to see double digit carries in the playoffs. He ran for 65 yards on 1 carries in Week 15 against Denver, and the Broncos can be beat on the ground. He has upside but is also very risky.
Point Projection: 6 points

15. Ben Tate (Houston Texans) @ Baltimore

Tate ran for 37 yards on nine carries; a solid day with a 4.1 YPC but a game hindered as always by the presence of Arian Foster. As long as Foster stays healthy, Tate just won’t be much of a factor. There’s certainly a good chance the Texans struggle to run the ball against the Baltimore Ravens, the No.2 rank run defense during the regular season, so Tate may be limited even more. There just won’t be enough work for Tate in this one.
Point Projection: 5 points

16. Lance Ball (Denver Broncos) @ New England

Ball ran for 11 yards on only four carries against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Broncos couldn’t really get much of a running game going, aside from Tim Tebow, against the tough Steelers run defense. Ball wasn’t much of a factor, and his workload is always in question. He should see some more touches this week against a softer New England defense, but this is still Willis McGahee’s job so it’s tough to start Ball.
Point Projection: 5 points

17. Ricky Williams (Baltimore Ravens) vs. Houston  

Williams finished the regular season with 444 yards and two touchdowns on 108 carries and 83 yards on 13 catches as Ray Rice’s backup. He did a solid job in his role and had some big games, but those came mostly in blowouts. This is the playoffs and if the Ravens want to win, they should be giving the ball to their stud Rice over and over…and over again. Don’t expect Williams to see more than a few looks to give Rice some rest.
Point Projection: 4 points

18. Danny Woodhead (New England Patriots) vs. Denver

Woodhead sees work here and there but only had double-digit touches twice all year long and scored just once. He had his best fantasy day of the season in Week 15 against Denver, running for 40 yards and a touchdown on seven carries. That, however, isn’t enough to make a case for starting him on your fantasy team this week.
Point Projection: 3 points

19. DJ Ware (New York Giants) @ Green Bay

Ware had a 13-yard reception and a four-yard carry last week. With Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs sharing the workload, Ware is an afterthought at this point. He won’t see more than a handful of touches.
Point Projection:  2 points

20. John Kuhn (Green Bay Packers) vs. New York Giants 

The Packers fullback doesn’t touch the ball much, but he certainly knows how to find the end zone. While he had just 45 touches this year he scored six times, and he can be considered the team’s primary goal line back. Other than the sporadic touchdowns, though, Kuhn doesn’t gain enough yardage to be considered.
Point Projection: 2 points

**BEAT THE BRUNO BOYS $350 DIVISIONAL ROUND FREE CONTEST -  TOP 20 PAID**

We’ve partnered with DraftStreet.com to provide our fans an opportunity to play WEEKLY salary cap fantasy football against the Bruno Boys Staff.  Through the first 18 weeks of the NFL season we have given away over $7,200 in cash prizes. This week, we are offering a $350 free roll in which the TOP 20 win prize money. Make sure to sign-up now for a chance to win money and take on the Bruno Boys… IT’S FREE!!

Please use this link to enter:  Divisional Round $350 Contest  (click to register)

21. Anthony Dixon (San Francisco 49ers) vs. New Orleans

Dixon didn’t do much this year but did manage to score twice. He saw a season-high eight carries in Week 17 with Frank Gore resting and ran for 21 yards and a touchdown. Gore won’t be resting this week though and Dixon should still be considered the No.3 back on this team behind Kendall Hunter. He should not be started.
Point Projection: 1 point

22. Brandon Saine (Green Bay Packers) vs. New York Giants  

The Packers rookie runner saw some work late in the season and showed some flashes here and there but in this playoff game it would be a surprise to see him touch the ball more than two or three times.
Point Projection: 1 point