Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

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

::RANKINGS UPDATED AS OF NOVEMBER 26, 2011::

Matthew Stafford  was the Lion King in Week 11, dropping five touchdowns on the Panthers in the battle of the jungle cats. Aaron Rodgers continued his assault on the record books, but not nearly as predictable were guys like Matt Moore and Rex Grossman vastly out-producing big-name quarterbacks such as Matt Ryan and Eli Manning. Around the league, non-traditional signal callers Cam Newton, Tim Tebow and Vince Young showed us that fantasy points don’t have to be pretty. Finally, we got our first look at another high-profile rookie, and perhaps our last look at Jay Cutler. 

We’re within sniffing distance of the Turkey Day triple-header, and the nooner is shaping up as a fantasy football feast between Rodgers and Stafford. While they’ll surely make multiple trips through the buffet line, there should be plenty left over for Tony Romo and Moore in Game 2. However, Alex Smith and Joe Flacco will likely be stuck with the table scraps in the nightcap. 

It’s crunch time for teams with playoff aspirations, so let’s get down to business with our Fantasy Football Week 12 Quarterback 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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1. Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay Packers) @ Detroit    **THANKSGIVING DAY FOOTBALL**

Aaron Rodgers’ legend continues to grow with each flawless performance. He’s thrown for multiple touchdowns in every game this season, and he’s only dipped below three scores twice. He’s now thrown 31 touchdowns against just four interceptions, and he’s made it look easy. In fact, he’s undoubtedly left several more touchdowns on the field as the Packers have nursed massive second half leads. Rodgers may get a rare opportunity to keep the pedal to the metal for a full four quarters on Thanksgiving against Matthew Stafford’s high-scoring Lions. The fact that Detroit has played solid pass defense this season is irrelevant when Rodgers and his immensely talented group of pass catchers are playing at such historic levels.
Point Projection: 26 points

2. Matthew Stafford (Detroit Lions) vs. Green Bay    **THANKSGIVING DAY FOOTBALL**

Matthew Stafford entered Sunday’s game with the Panthers coming off a four-interception debacle, nursing a fractured index finger on his throwing hand and donning a glove for the second straight game. Clearly, he put all those distractions behind him. Stafford completed 28-of-36 passes for 335 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions, and he’s primed for another big game on Thursday. Green Bay’s No. 31 pass defense has been giving up points in bunches all season, and Stafford will clearly have to air it out to keep pace with Aaron Rodgers. Expect Thanksgiving fireworks at Ford Field.
Point Projection: 23 points

3. Cam Newton (Carolina Panthers) @ Indianapolis

Coming off his worst game as a pro, Cam Newton restored the confidence of his fantasy owners with a four-interception performance. Wait…what? It’s always unconventional, but the freakishly talented rookie continues to find ways to deliver monster fantasy production. In addition to his four interceptions in Detroit, Newton added 280 passing yards, 37 rushing yards, a passing score, two rushing scores and a two-point conversion. In our scoring system, that’s 24 points despite the four turnovers! Newton now has nine rushing scores in 10 games, and he’s an elite-level play this week against Indianapolis’ No. 24 fantasy pass defense.
Point Projection: 23 points

4. Drew Brees (New Orleans Saints) vs. New York Giants

After attempting a league-high 422 passes through his first ten games, Drew Brees finally got a week off to ice the wing. He comes out of the bye this week on pace for 5,322 yards, 37 touchdowns and 18 interceptions. The Giants are a slightly above average pass defense, and they bring a relentless pass rush. Still, Brees has always done a good job of avoiding sacks by finding his hot read, and there’s no way you’re considering benching him in a home game with playoff implications on the line.
Point Projection: 21 points

5. Tom Brady (New England Patriots) @ Philadelphia

After throwing for 319 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions against the Jets’ top-tier fantasy pass defense in Week 10, it looked like Tom Brady was primed for another Brady-esque run of dominance. Not the case. Against a very beatable Kansas City pass defense, Brady underwhelmed, completing just 15-of-27 passes for 234 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. It was a good fantasy outing, but we’ve come to expect greatness from Brady, especially in prime time against a vulnerable foe. He’ll look to “rebound” this week against Philadelphia’s badly overrated secondary. The Eagles rank No. 15 against opposing fantasy signal callers, so there’s nothing to be afraid of here.
Point Projection: 21 points

6. Tony Romo (Dallas Cowboys) vs. Miami    **THANKSGIVING DAY FOOTBALL**

Tony Romo hasn’t missed a beat without Miles Austin. In his last three games, Romo has averaged 280 passing yards, and totaled eight touchdowns and no interceptions. By the time you’re done with your post-turkey nap, he’ll likely have extended his fine stretch of play to four consecutive games. Miami’s secondary has played much better in recent weeks, but that’s due in large part to a lousy slate of opposing signal callers. Romo-level quarterbacks have had their way with the Dolphins this season, so you’re sticking with the red-hot Dallas field general.
Point Projection: 20 points

7. Matt Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) vs. Minnesota

While Matt Ryan’s 316 yards and one touchdown against the Titans didn’t exactly jump off the page, the performance continued a string of encouraging play. Over the past three weeks, Ryan’s averaged 314 yards and totaled six touchdowns and two interceptions. He should continue to trend in the right direction this week against the Vikings. The Vikings were a bottom-five fantasy pass defense even before they lost Antoine Winfield for the season, and opposing quarterbacks have accounted for at least three touchdowns in each of the Vikings’ last four games. Ryan shapes up as a foolproof play this week.
Point Projection: 18 points

8. Ben Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) @ Kansas City

In the Steelers’ last six games, Ben Roethlisberger has averaged 288 yards, and he’s totaled 13 touchdowns against just three interceptions. He’s thrown for at least 330 in three of his last four contests, so he went into Pittsburgh’s bye as one of the hotter quarterbacks in the league, and a low-end fantasy QB1 with elite-level upside. Kansas City’s middling pass defense has allowed multiple touchdowns to seven-of-nine opposing quarterbacks, so Roethlisberger should do very well here.
Point Projection: 18 points

9. Eli Manning (New York Giants) @ New Orleans

Eli Manning has been one of the most pleasant surprises of the season at the quarterback position, so he’s earned a free pass for his subpar performance against the Eagles Sunday night. While he completed just 18-of-35 passes for one touchdown and one interception, his pass-catchers (particularly Jake Ballard) did him no favors with numerous drops. Manning is not without blame, of course. His costly fourth quarter fumble played a huge role in the Giants’ disappointing loss. New Orleans is a neutral matchup, so Manning should get back on track in a game where he’ll be forced to put a lot points on the board.
Point Projection: 18 points

10. Philip Rivers (San Diego Chargers) vs. Denver

Philip Rivers has been picked off 10 times in his last five games, but he hasn’t let the mistakes completely obliterate fantasy value. There’s no denying that he’s been a bust this season, but he’s going down swinging, averaging 327 passing yards in his last four games and totaling eight touchdowns in his last three. On paper, Denver has been a horrific pass defense, but they’ve played much better with a healthy Champ Bailey. Consider this a neutral matchup, and expect Rivers to keep chucking until he gets his numbers.
Point Projection: 17 points

**BEAT THE BRUNO BOYS $350 WEEK 12 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 nine weeks of the NFL season we have given away over $4,300 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:  Week 12 $350 Contest  (click to register)

11. Tim Tebow (Denver Broncos) @ San Diego

With Tim Tebow under center, Broncos games are like a regular season NBA games… don’t bother tuning in until the final two minutes. By now you know the bit—Tebow’s a fantasy RB2, and anything you get from his arm is a bonus. Tebow’s totaled just 173 passing yards and one touchdown in his last two games, but despite his dreadful 44.8 percent completion rate, he’s been intercepted just once in five starts. On the ground, Tebow’s averaging 10 carries for 70 yards per start, and he’s scored in his last two. San Diego is a very average defense all around, and in limited Week 3 action, Tebow scored against the Chargers on both on the ground and through the air. Believe.
Point Projection: 16 points

12. Andy Dalton (Cincinnati Bengals) vs. Cleveland

Andy Dalton had a career day in more ways than one against the Ravens. Although he was without top wideout A.J. Green, he posted career highs of 45 pass attempts, 373 passing yards and 32 rushing yards. Conversely, he managed just one touchdown pass against a career-high three interceptions. If Green returns as expected, he’ll draw emerging star Joe Haden, so Dalton will likely have to spread the rock against Cleveland’s No. 1 fantasy pass defense. Dalton’s put together a very solid rookie campaign, and he’s defied the odds against top-tier competition, so he’s a viable option for owners dealing with injuries. 
Point Projection: 15 points

13. Josh Freeman (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) @ Tennessee

Prior to last week, Josh Freeman had completed four touchdown passes and seven interceptions in Tampa Bay’s previous three games, and he’d only topped 300 yards once all season. However, Freeman made the most of his green and golden opportunity against the Packers’ charitable fantasy pass defense, completing 28-of-38 passes for 342 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Freeman has proven that he needs a plum matchup to be a fantasy factor, and unfortunately, this isn’t one of them. Tennessee is an above-average pass defense that’s surrendered just four touchdown passes in their last four games, so Freeman remains a fantasy QB2 this week.
Point Projection: 14 points

14. Mark Sanchez (New York Jets) vs. Buffalo

Mark Sanchez has become a guy who you’re happy with as a QB2, and very concerned with as a QB1. He’s accounted for multiple touchdowns in seven-of-10 games, but he’s also been prone to inexplicable clunkers. Moreover, he’s trending the wrong way fast. In his last three games against the vulnerable pass defenses of the Bills, Patriots and Broncos, Sanchez has totaled three touchdowns and four interceptions. He’ll get another crack at the Bills’ bottom-five fantasy pass defense this week. Matt Moore just lit the lamp for a hat trick against Buffalo, so on paper, Sanchez looks like a strong start. Still, we’ve been saying the same thing for a month now, so proceed with caution.
Point Projection: 14 points

15. Vince Young (Philadelphia Eagles) vs. New England  **RANKED AS IF STARTER ON SUNDAY**

As of Saturday morning, it appears that Vince Young is the favorite to be under center for the Eagles on Sunday against New England’s bottom-tier fantasy pass defense, as Michael Vick is still dealing with broken ribs and hasn’t practiced all week. Young got his first start of the season last week, and while he showed rust for most of the game, he finished strong and led the Eagles to an improbable victory. Young completed 23-of-36 passes for 258 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions, and while he didn’t do much on the ground, we know the potential is there. The soft matchup warrants consideration in two-quarterback leagues.
Point Projection: 13 points if Young |  18 points if Vick

16. Rex Grossman (Washington Redskins) @ Seattle

We saw more of “Good Rex” than “Bad Rex” Sunday, as he took the Cowboys into overtime before reality set in for the Redskins. Grossman completed 25-of-38 passes for 289 yards, two passing touchdowns, one rushing touchdown, one interception and one fumble. Unafraid to take chances, the gunslinger is the anti-John Beck, which means that on any given week Grossman could win or lose you a game (as opposed to Beck, who’s the equivalent of a forfeit). Seattle’s been a middle-of-the-road pass defense, so Rex is worth consideration for desperate owners in two-quarterback leagues.
Point Projection: 13 points