Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

Written by: Jimbo Jones
Staff Contributor: Marc Caviglia
Edited by: Allie Fontana

Welcome to the Week 17 edition of the 2011 Fantasy Football Roundtable, our two-part weekly article offering fantasy insights and predictions. Bruno Boys writer Jimbo “Waiver Wire” Jones is joined each week by another member of the team to discuss burning questions and hot topics on the minds of fantasy football owners, offer opinions on the players who flashed or crashed the previous week and make predictions about which players will deliver for their fantasy owners and which ones won’t. Bruno Boys Marc Caviglia mixes it up with Jimbo Jones in Week 17. 

 

Opening Round: Three Questions Heading into Week 17

1.  There is a lot of talk that WR Andre Johnson (Houston Texans) and RB Darren McFadden (Oakland Raiders) will play in Week 17. If you were playing for a fantasy championship and owned either player, would you put him in your lineup this week ?

Bruno Boys Jimbo Jones—No. After the early week discussion that Darren McFadden could be available in Week 17, it appears that he won’t give it a go after all. He wouldn’t be in my lineup even if he were active. As far as Andre Johnson goes, the answer is “it depends.” If I have a solid corps of receivers, then I’m not taking a chance on Johnson. He will most likely play for 20-25 snaps, so if your options are limited, then I’d play him over somebody like Eric Decker.

Bruno Boys Marc Caviglia—No. Andre Johnson and Darren McFadden are elite talents at their respective positions, however I can’t buy into using them with my season on the line. Johnson is likely to play 20-25 snaps, yet there is no guarantee that he gets targeted during those plays. It’s also possible that Texans head coach Gary Kubiak could use him as a decoy to get him into game shape. As for McFadden, he didn’t practice this week and with the emergence of Michael Bush, the Raiders don’t
really need to force him into action at this point.  While both players are tempting, it’s a “what have you done for me lately world?” and the answer is nothing!

2 . It’s generally agreed that the Green Bay Packers and the Houston Texans will rest key players in Week 17. Aside from the stars on those teams, which fantasy-relevant player or players do you think are potentially at risk for reduced playing time during the final week of the regular season?

Bruno Boys Jimbo Jones— I would sit Reggie Bush and Vincent Jackson. These are guys who may sit because of injuries, not playoff implications. Neither the Miami Dolphins nor the San Diego Chargers have anything to play for, so it would be stupid for either team to play Bush or Jackson and risk them sustaining a more serious injury. Regardless of what Miami or San Diego does, I wouldn’t have either guy in my lineup this week.

Bruno Boys Marc Caviglia—This is always one of the trickiest things to predict at the end of every season. With a lot of games kicking off at different times on Sunday, there could be a few scenarios in which teams watch the scoreboard and decide to rest their stars based on the outcome of other games. However I feel confident about starting all skill players from the Detroit Lions, New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons and San Francisco 49ers despite what happens. The only two teams in which I am hesitant to play any skill player from are the Green Bay Packers and Houston Texans.  It’s not that I don’t think Aaron Rodgers, Jordy Nelson and Jermichael Finley will play, it’s just a matter of how much.  The same goes for Texans star running back Arian Foster.

 

3.  How confident would you be starting QB Tony Romo (Dallas Cowboys) this week against the New York Giants?

Bruno Boys Jimbo Jones— Very confident. Don’t let the limitations in practice fool you, Tony Romo will play, and he should post solid numbers in Week 17. The Cowboys-Giants games always produce great fantasy numbers. Romo will bounce back from his Week 16 injury and go out with 300 yards and two touchdowns.

Bruno Boys Marc Caviglia— I would start Tony Romo with 100 percent confidence in Week 17.  The last time he took on the New York Giants he torched them for over 300 passing yards and four touchdowns. Romo will bring his “A” game even with the hand injury. The winner of this contest takes home the NFC East title and the No. 4 seed in the playoffs, so you better believe that Romo and New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning will be sharp on Sunday night. Consider Romo a five-star play this week.

 

Real Deal or Week 16 Wonder?

QB Josh McCown (Chicago Bears)

Bruno Boys Jimbo Jones— Week 16 Wonder. Even if Jay Cutler was under center for the Chicago Bears this week, the only guy on the team that I’d play is Matt Forte and he’s not at option. I don’t trust Josh McCown or anybody else on the Bears versus Minnesota this week. There are better quarterbacks out there if you need a plug-and-play option in your final fantasy matchup of the season.

Bruno Boys Marc Caviglia—Real Deal. Despite throwing two interceptions, Josh McCown put up 14 fantasy points in a blowout loss to the Green Bay Packers on Monday night. He showed me enough to believe that he can get it done in the final week of the season.  The Minnesota Vikings are the most forgiving team in the NFL at defending fantasy signal callers and if you are in a two quarterback league and need a plug-and-play pickup, take a look at McCown.

 

RB Kahlil Bell (Chicago Bears)

Bruno Boys Jimbo Jones—Week 16 Wonder. While Kahlil Bell ran well against the Green Bay Packers last week, I can’t contradict my previous statement. I don’t trust any Chicago Bears player this week. The Bears finish the season on the road, and I expect the Vikings to dominate the time of possession on Sunday. I’d avoid Bell if at all possible.

Bruno Boys Marc Caviglia—Real Deal. I don’t think Bell can ride his late season success into the 2012 season, however I can almost guarantee you that he’ll see enough touches to put together a solid Week 17 showing for his fantasy owners. His ability to be a dual threat out of the backfield should lead to over 100 total yards and despite fumbling at the goal line last week, don’t be surprised if he gets another crack or two at scoring a touchdown. If you own Bell, then plug him into your championship lineup.

 

RB Evan Royster (Washington Redskins)

Bruno Boys Jimbo Jones— Week 16 Wonder. The Washington Redskins were up to their usual running back shenanigans last week with Roy Helu injured and laid out on the trainer’s table. While the matchup looks good on paper for Royster, I don’t think fantasy owners should let Washington fool them with what they do with their backfield. Evan Royster remains an unproven talent in the league. Don’t start him.

Bruno Boys Marc Caviglia—Week 16 Wonder. I know that Evan Royster went for 132 rushing yards on 19 carries in a loss against the Minnesota Vikings last week, however I can’t buy into starting him against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 17. The Washington Redskins offense is all over the place, Mike Shanahan hates fantasy football owners and there is still a possibility that Roy Helu plays in this game. Plus the Eagles run defense has been solid over the last three weeks and hasn’t allowed a rushing touchdown to a running back since Week 13.

 

WR Denarius Moore (Oakland Raiders)

Bruno Boys Jimbo Jones—Real Deal. The Oakland Raiders are suddenly right back in the playoff picture, and it shouldn’t be too difficult for them to defeat a San Diego Chargers team with nothing to play for. Darren McFadden won’t play this week and Michael Bush hasn’t been as productive on the ground that he was when he first took over as the team’s primary back. That means Carson Palmer will have to throw a lot in order for the Raiders to win this game. There’s a good chance Denarius Moore could be on the receiving end of a very big catch.

Bruno Boys Marc Caviglia—Real Deal. I can’t call Moore the “Real Deal” with 100 percent confidence, however I get the feeling that the Oakland Raiders will come out throwing against the San Diego Chargers on Sunday. Moore could benefit from a stepped up pass attack. His four receptions for 94 yards and a score performance in Week 16 was encouraging for fantasy owners. Moreover, his ability to get the ball downfield is exactly what Carson Palmer looks for in his receivers. Expect Palmer to target Moore deep on a few different occasions this week—all fantasy owners have to do is hope that at least one of them goes for a score.

 

WR Brandon LaFell (Carolina Panthers)

Bruno Boys Jimbo Jones—Week 16 Wonder. It’s hard to ever feel truly confident about using any player who gets the vast majority of his fantasy points on one play. Brandon LaFell had a great touchdown catch last week, but that was just one play. Unless your name is Victor Cruz, that usually spells one-week wonder.

Bruno Boys Marc Caviglia—Week 16 Wonder. The Carolina Panthers will have to throw to keep up with the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, however that doesn’t necessarily benefit LaFell. His 103 yards and a touchdown performance last week was largely the result of a fluke reception that turned into a 91-yard score. Unless that happens again, I don’t see him making an impact this week.  Expect LaFell to be his typical self and hover in the 30-50 receiving yard range.

 

Fantasy True or False?

The severity of RB Adrian Peterson’s (Minnesota Vikings) most recent injury will drop him from an early first-round fantasy draft pick to the third round or later next season.

Bruno Boys Jimbo Jones— False. He’ll be a second-round pick next season. While it wouldn’t be wise to use your first pick on Adrian Peterson given risk, he is still the best running back in football after Arian Foster. If you have a late second-round pick, snagging him would be a wise choice. Most drafters will do just that.

Bruno Boys Marc Caviglia—True. I remember when Wes Welker tore his ACL in Week 17 of the 2009 season and fantasy football owners avoided him like the plague in 2010 drafts. The same thing can be expected to happen with Adrian Peterson, especially if reports indicate that he is behind schedule in his recovery. Monitor this situation closely over the offseason and into training camp. That said, if it’s Round 3 or Round 4 in your draft and Peterson is still on the board, then you have to seriously consider adding him to your backfield. If you do, then make sure to get yourself another solid running back to offset the time that he spends on your bench while he completes his recovery.

 

Fantasy owners should start QB Tim Tebow (Denver Broncos) with confidence this week against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Bruno Boys Jimbo Jones— True. Tim Tebow is always a wise choice for your fantasy team. I’ve been a major defender of Tebow all season, and I’m not going to stop now after last week’s hiccup. The Kansas City Chiefs defense is not as bad their record shows, however Tebow should be able to attack them on the ground. Expect Tebow’s fantasy production in the season finale should be in line with his results prior to Week 16.

Bruno Boys Marc Caviglia—True. I’ll use the word confidence loosely here, because nothing with Tebow is easy. That said, the guy continues to make plays and if you take away his four interceptions in Week 16 against the Buffalo Bills, it would have been another 20 point fantasy day for Tebow. In the Broncos previous victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, Tebow attempted just eight passes and ran the ball 55 times. Don’t expect that to happen again this week. Look for Chiefs coach Romeo Crennel to make Tebow beat them with his arm and for the second-year signal caller to put together a solid rushing and throwing day and help propel his fantasy football owners to a title!

 

QB Drew Brees (New Orleans Saints) just broke Dan Marino’s 27-year-old single-season passing yards record on Monday Night Football versus the Atlanta Falcons. QB Tom Brady (New England Patriots) currently has 4,897 passing yards in 2011 and he’s just 190 yards shy of Brees’ current yardage total. Both Brees and Brady are expected to play in Week 17. New England coach Bill Belichick will keep Brady in the game long enough for him to surpass Brees in the record books.

Bruno Boys Jimbo Jones—True or False. This is typical Bill Belichick. He loves sticking it to everybody in the league. While the New England Patriots don’t need to win as much as many other teams do this week, that has never stopped them from not only winning, but running up the score. If Tom Brady has a chance to break records, Belichick will let him do it.

Bruno Boys Marc Caviglia—True. The New England Patriots want to win this game to clinch home field advantage throughout the playoffs. You had better believe that Brady will be on the field for the majority of the game. The only time that I could see him making an early exit would be if the game gets out of reach and the Patriots have already clinched their seed. If that is the case, then it likely means that Brady has done enough statistically to surpass Marino in the record books and secure the No. 2 spot all-time behind Brees, who should throw for enough yards this week to hold off Brady.