Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

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

::RANKINGS UPDATED AS OF JANUARY 11, 2012::

The Wild Card Round of the NFL playoffs has come and gone and Tim Tebow is the story. The Denver Broncos shocked football fans around the globe upsetting the Pittsburgh Steelers in an overtime thriller. Can Tebow and the Broncos upset the New England Patriots this week? Only time will tell. Which wide receiver will drive their team closer to a Super Bowl title? Could it be Demaryious Thomas for the second time in two weeks? He certainly has one of the most attractive matchups this week, so it is a possibility. We hope our wide receiver rankings will provide a glimpse into the future AFC and NFC Conference matchups as well as provide you with the tools to make clearer decisions when choosing wide receivers.

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

**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)

1. Hakeem Nicks (New York Giants) @ Green Bay
Surprisingly, it wasn’t Victor Cruz who was the dominant New York Giants wide receiver during the Wild Card Round of the NFL playoffs. It was Nicks. Nicks had six receptions for 115 yards and scored two touchdowns against a demoralized Atlanta Falcons’ team. The last time Nicks faced the Green Bay Packers in Week 13, he was dominant, catching seven passes for 88 yards and scored two touchdowns. The Green Bay Packers also allowed the fourth most fantasy points (24.5) to the wide receiver position during the 2011 regular season. It’s possible Nicks maybe the highest scoring wide receiver this week.
Point Projection: 17 points

2. Jordy Nelson (Green Bay) vs. New York Giants
Deemed a sleeper candidate at the beginning of the season, Nelson not only quickly fulfilled that label; he became a star in his own right. Nelson was a big play machine for the Green Bay Packers, catching 68 passes for 1,263 yards and scored 15 touchdowns during the 2011 season. Nelson’s propensity for hauling in big plays may come in handy this week going against a New York Giants’ team that has allowed the fourth most plays (60) of 20 plus yards this season and surrendered 20 touchdowns to the wide receiver position during the regular season. Expect Nelson, who had four receptions for 94 yards against the New York Giants in Week 13, to be one of most productive wide receivers this week.
Point Projection: 16 points

3. Victor Cruz (New York Giants) @ Green Bay
There was no salsa dancing for Cruz in the Wild Card Round of the 2012 NFL playoffs, not even a shoulder shimmy. Cruz had two receptions for 28 yards against the Atlanta Falcons. It was a quiet day for Cruz, who was behind Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham for targets. Cruz is a strong bounce back candidate this week going against a Green Bay Packers’ team that allowed Cruz to dominate them. Cruz had seven receptions for 119 yards against the Green Bay Packers in Week 13. The Green Bay Packers also allowed the 19 touchdowns to the wide receiver position during the 2011 regular season. Look for Cruz to be salsa dancing again this week.
Point Projection: 16 points

4. Greg Jennings (Green Bay) vs. New York Giants
Jennings is expected to play this week after missing the last three Green Bay Packers games because of an MCL sprain. The last time Jennings played the New York Giants in Week 13, he had seven receptions for 94 yards and scored a touchdown, so he is looking like a strong play this week with fresh legs under him. The New York Giants also allowed the fifth most fantasy points to the wide receiver position (24.2) during the 2011 regular season. Expect Jennings to have a memorable return performance.
Point Projection: 15 points

5. Marques Colston (New Orleans) @ San Francisco
Colston wasn’t the top scoring wide receiver in the Wild Card Round of the NFL playoffs, but he still had a nice game. He had seven receptions for 120 yards in a terrific win over the Detroit Lions. Expect Drew Brees’ favorite target to have another productive game against a San Francisco 49ers’ team that allowed 485 receiving yards and two touchdowns to the wide receiver position over the last three games of the 2011 regular season. As long as the New Orleans Saints’ offense remains hot, Colston has a chance at being the most productive wide receiver on any given week.
Point Projection: 14 points

6. Demaryius Thomas (Denver Broncos) @ New England
This kid is dangerous! Thomas had a monster game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Division Round of the 2012 NFL playoffs. He caught four passes for 204 yards and scored the game winning touchdown. Thomas impressively burned Ike Taylor in the first play of overtime and went 80 yards for the game winning score. With Eric Decker likely out this week, Thomas has a nice chance to be one of the best wide receivers going against a New England Patriots’ team that surrendered the most fantasy points (28.5) to the wide receiver position during the 2011 regular season. Look for Thomas, Who had seven receptions for 116 yards against the New England Patriots in Week 15, to have another nice performance this week.
Point Projection: 14 points

7. Wes Welker (New England) vs. Denver Broncos
Proving that he was fully recovered from an ACL/MCL tear that ended his 2010 season, Welker was on his way to setting receiving records in receptions and receiving yards. He didn’t end up breaking any records, but he had a terrific season, catching 122 passes for 1,569 yards and scored nine touchdowns. The last time Welker faced the Denver Broncos they held him to four receptions for 41 yards. However, Welker is at home this time and even a Denver Broncos’ defense that’s playing well right now will have trouble stopping Welker for a second straight time. Look for Welker to take advantage of a Denver Broncos’ team that allowed an average of 21.3 fantasy points per game to the wide receiver position during the 2011 regular season.
Point Projection: 14 points

8. Michael Crabtree (San Francisco) vs. New Orleans
After appearing like he would never live up to his potential and be another middling NFL receiver, Crabtree took a big step forward in his third NFL season. Playing in a conservative, run first offense Crabtree finished with a solid 73 receptions for 880 receiving yards and scored four touchdowns. After finishing the 2011 regular season strong (13 receptions for 171 yards and scoring two touchdowns over the San Francisco 49ers’ last two games), Crabtree seems poised for a strong playoff round, especially against a New Orleans Saints’ team that surrendered the ninth most fantasy points to the wide receiver position (21.9) during the 2011 regular season. The San Francisco 49ers will likely try to run their offense through Frank Gore this week, considering how successful they were employing that strategy during the regular season, but Crabtree will likely still receive the heavy targets necessary to have a respectable game this week.
Point Projection: 10 points

9. Andre Johnson (Houston Texans) @ Baltimore
The extra rest Johnson received to begin the playoffs apparently paid off as he had five receptions for 90 yards and scored a touchdown in the 2012 Wild Card Round of the NFL playoffs. Johnson burned Pac Man Jones for a 40 yard score, showing no ill effects from his tender hamstring. The last time the Houston Texans played the Baltimore Ravens, Johnson missed the game with a hamstring injury, but he has a good shot of making an impact this week considering the Baltimore Ravens secondary is not especially talented. The Houston Texans will likely once again employ a conservative offense that will feature a heavy dose of the running game, but it’s definitely possible for Johnson to break away for a big play. Johnson is a solid start this week.
Point Projection: 10 points

10. Mario Manningham (New York Giants) @ Green Bay
Despite a dismal end to the regular season, Manningham bounced back in the Wild Card Round of the 2012 playoffs, hauling in four passes for 68 yards and scoring a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons. Manningham surprisingly received more targets than Victor Cruz, who had and off game in the blowout. The last time the New York Giants played the Green Bay Packers in Week 13, Manningham was unable to compete due to injury, but the way the New York Giants offense has been playing lately he could be a lethal weapon against the Green Bay Packers. The Green Bay Packers were regularly burned for big plays during the regular season allowing the second most receptions of 20 plus yards. It’s entirely possible that Manningham may have an encore performance this week against the Green Bay Packers, especially with the New York Giants passing offense playing as well as it is right now.
Point Projection: 8 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)

11. Robert Meachem (New Orleans) @ San Francisco
Taking advantage of a dismal Detroit Lions’ secondary, Meachem caught four passes for 111 yards and scored a touchdown in the Wild Card Round of the 2012 NFL playoffs. If not for a couple of bad drops Meachem could have had an even bigger game. The San Francisco 49ers’ finished the regular season allowing 267 yards receiving and two touchdowns to the poor receiving cores of the St. Louis Rams and Seattle Seahawks during the last two games of the regular season. The New Orleans Saints have one of the best receiving cores in the NFL and Meachem figures to once again play a large role in the offense this week with Lance Moore limited or missing the game entirely. Don’t be surprised if Meachem has another nice performance this week.
Point Projection: 8 points

12. Anquan Boldin (Baltimore Ravens) vs. Houston
Boldin is expected to play this week after recovering from late season knee surgery. Even though Boldin only had a handful of big games during the regular season, one of his biggest games came against the Houston Texans. Boldin had eight receptions for 132 yards against the Houston Texans in Week 6. It’s possible Boldin could have another nice game against the Houston Texans this week, but he’s likely to be rusty after a long layoff from playing.
Point Projection: 8 points

13. James Jones (Green Bay) vs. New York Giants
A solid No.2 receiver on a good team, Jones was probably the best fourth wide receiver in the NFL during the 2011 regular season. Jones had 38 receptions for 635 yards and scored seven touchdowns during the 2011 regular season. In Greg Jennings absence, Jones put up some respectable numbers, averaging three receptions for 50 yards and scoring two touchdowns. The New York Giants pass defense played well against the Atlanta Falcons last week, but to close out the regular season they gave up 431 yards and three touchdowns to the wide receiver position over their last three regular season games. The return of Greg Jennings will likely lessen Jones’ impact this week, but he is certainly capable of committing a big play in any game, especially against a mediocre New York Giants secondary.
Point Projection: 7 points

14. Torrey Smith (Baltimore Ravens) vs. Houston
As inconsistent as the Baltimore Ravens passing game was during the 2011 regular season, Smith ended up being one of its most fruitful surprises. As the deep threat for the Baltimore Ravens, Smith had a surprising rookie season, catching 50 passes for 841 yards and scoring seven touchdowns. The last time Smith faced the Houston Texans in Week 6, he caught three passes for 84 yards, so he definitely has a chance to have an impactful role this week. Since Anquan Boldin will likely play this week, Smith may have some room to run, which could be dangerous for the Houston Texans’ defense. However, Smith only had six games where he had above 50 yards receiving during the 2011 regular season, so he still is a risky play this week.
Point Projection: 7 points

15. Deion Branch (New England) vs. Denver Broncos
The combination of another season with Tom Brady as his signal caller and a clean bill of health translated to a solid 2011 regular season for Branch. Branch caught 51 passes for 702 yards and scored five touchdowns. During the 2011 regular season Branch was buy and large a boom or bust play that relied on touchdowns to salvage poor receiving games. The Denver Broncos allowed 14 touchdowns to the wide receiver position during the 2011 regular season, which is a good omen for Branches production prospects this week. However, Tom Brady likes to spread the ball around to Wes Welker, his tight ends and Wes Welker, so Branch is a risky play.
Point Projection: 6 points

16. Eddie Royal (Denver Broncos) @ New England
He did what? Royal was an important contributing piece in the Denver Broncos victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, catching three passes for 49 yards and scoring a touchdown. It was Royal’s first touchdown since Week 9. It seems likely that Royal will be more involved in the Denver Broncos’ offense again this week with Eric Decker either being limited or not playing at all thanks to an MCL tear. However, Royal still isn’t a terrific option this week considering Demaryius Thomas is Tim Tebow’s clear cut No. 1 target in the Denver Broncos passing game and because Tim Tebow completes so few passes in any given game. Royal has upside this week against one the worst pass defenses in the league, but he is a risky play nonetheless.
Point Projection: 6 points

17. Devery Henderson (New Orleans) @ San Francisco
At least he comes through when it counts. Henderson caught two big receptions for 64 yards and scored a touchdown against the Detroit Lions in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs. He only received two targets, despite Lance Moore being sidelined, but certainly made the most of both of them. Lance Moore’s status is in question once again this week, so Henderson will be a gamble against a San Francisco 49ers’ team that were tied for surrendering the third most receiving plays of 40 plus yards (12) this season. Henderson has proven that he is a viable deep threat and is looking like decent play this week considering how high a level Drew Brees is playing at right now.
Point Projection: 6 points

18. Lance Moore (New Orleans) @ San Francisco
Moore’s chances to play against the San Francisco 49ers in the Division Championship Round of the NFL playoffs seem slim this week. Moore’s hamstring is still bothering him and even if he’s able to play this week against the San Francisco 49ers he will likely play limited snaps and not be very effective. It’s best to leave Moore out of your starting lineup unless his there is significant progress with his hamstring injury.
Point Projection: 4 points

19. Kevin Walter (Houston Texans) @ Baltimore
So far, Walter is still off the list of playoff contributors. Walter managed only one reception for 11 yards against the Cincinnati Bengals in the first round of the playoffs. He was targeted only twice and now has been targeted a total of ten times in the Houston Texans’ last four games. Walter had a solid game against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 6 (six receptions for 52 yards), but that is one of the few reasons to make a case for starting Walter this week. Don’t expect an impressive game from Walter this week.
Point Projection: 4 points

20. Randall Cobb (Green Bay) vs. New York Giants
For being the fifth best option in a loaded offense, Cobb’s rookie year was respectable. Cobb finished the 2011 season with 25 receptions for 375 yards and one receiving touchdown. Cobb, who only received one target against the New York Giants in Week 13, doesn’t seem likely to be much of a factor this week with Greg Jennings returning to the lineup and because he had only two games during the regular season where he three receptions or more. It’s best to avoid starting the talented rookie this week.
Point Projection: 4 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. Lee Evans (Baltimore Ravens) vs. Houston
Entering the 2011 season as a strong sleeper after being traded to the Baltimore Ravens, Evans had one of his worst seasons as a professional, catching only four receptions for 74 yards. A serious ankle injury cost Evans seven regular season games and hampered him in nine. It’s unlikely that Evans will be a big factor this week, but it’s he has seen nine targets over the Baltimore Ravens last three games, which is only a slightly bit encouraging, but encouraging nonetheless. It’s possible that Evans could catch a deep pass this week, but he’s a bad gamble against a confident Houston Texans’ defense.
Point Projection: 4 points

19. Eric Decker (Denver Broncos) @ New England
Decker suffered an MCL sprain against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs and his status is up in the air for the Division Championship Round against the New England Patriots on Saturday. Even if Decker is able to play he would be a bad gamble this week considering the New England Patriots, who have one of the worst pass defenses in the league, held him to only one reception for 22 yards in Week 13. Decker isn’t a wise option this week.
Point Projection: 3 points

20. Adrian Arrington (New Orleans) @ San Francisco
Lance Moore’s absence didn’t help Arrington in the Wild Card Round of the NFL playoffs as he produced only one catch for 17 yards against the Detroit Lions. He was only targeted once. Arrington isn’t looking like a great play even if Lance Moore is unable to play this week, going against a solid San Francisco 49ers pass defense. Also being the fifth best receiving option on the team doesn’t help Arrington’s chances to see much action this week. It’s probably best to avoid using Arrington this week.
Point Projection: 2 points

21. Ted Ginn (San Francisco) vs. New Orleans
Ginn, who missed the San Francisco 49ers last two games with an ankle sprain has been cleared to practice this week. He was a great kick returner during the season, but hardly proved to be an effective wide receiver even when Braylon Edwards was placed on IR near the end of the season. Ginn finished the 2011 regular season with only 19 catches for 220 yards. Don’t expect Ginn, who only had more than 50 receiving yards once during the regular season, isn’t a consistent enough producer to warrant starting this week.
Point Projection: 2 points

22. Kyle Williams (San Francisco) vs. New Orleans
Williams, who missed the San Francisco 49ers Week 17 game against the St. Louis Rams, has been cleared to play in the playoffs. Ted Ginn and Williams figure to divide snaps amongst each other this week, so it seems unlikely Williams will make much of an impact this week. It’s probably best to leave Williams out of your lineup this week.
Point Projection: 2 points

23. Jacoby Jones (Houston Texans) @ Baltimore
Jones was held without a catch against the Cincinnati Bengals in the Wild Card Round of the 2012 playoffs. The poor performance wasn’t a good sign for Jones prospects this week considering how that he didn’t exactly close out the 2011 regular season with a bang (five receptions for 62 yards over the Houston Texans last three regular season games). It would be wise to leave Jones on the waivers because he simply isn’t involved enough in the Houston Texans passing game to be worth the risk this week.
Point Projection: 2 points