Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

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

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

Happy turkey week everyone! We are on the verge of the fantasy playoffs and it couldn’t come at a better time for Andre Johnson owners. Johnson, who hasn’t played since Week 4, returns this week and he could be a big factor in the upcoming fantasy playoffs. The bye weeks are over, so many fantasy owners can now put their best lineup out there. Hopefully our wide receiver rankings will be an accurate barometer for this crucial week.

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. Calvin Johnson (Detroit Lions) vs. Green Bay    **THANKSGIVING DAY FOOTBALL**

No touchdowns over the last two weeks Cal? Are you sick or something? Johnson was basically the only Detroit Lions receiver who didn’t score a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers in Week 11, but he had a respectable game, catching five passes for 89 yards. The Green Bay Packers have allowed the third most fantasy points to the wide receiver position this season (24.7) and have allowed the second most receptions (46) of 20 plus yards this season. Look for Megatron to start a new touchdown streak this week.
Point Projection: 17 points

2. Mike Wallace (Pittsburgh Steelers) @ Kansas City

The Pittsburgh Steelers No. 1 receiver is on pace to have his best season as a professional. Wallace ranks ninth in receptions (53), fourth in receiving yards (922) and has scored six touchdowns this season. The Kansas City Chiefs have allowed two touchdowns to the wide receiver position over their last three games and have surrendered the third most receptions of 20 plus yards this season (42). Count on a big performance for Wallace coming off the Pittsburgh Steelers’ bye week.
Point Projection: 16 points

3. Steve Smith (Carolina Panthers) @ Indianapolis

It wasn’t Smith’s most impressive performance in Week 11, but he once again found a way to be productive, catching five passes for 41 yards and a touchdown. Smith has been contained by defenses the past two weeks, but a matchup against the Indianapolis Colts will likely leave that negative trend in the dust. The Indianapolis Colts have surrendered the second most fantasy points to the wide receiver position this season (25.5) and have allowed the most points in league this season (30.0). Expect Smith to breakout of his recent funk this week and have a shot at a monster game.
Point Projection: 16 points

4. Greg Jennings (Green Bay Packers) @ Detroit  **THANKSGIVING DAY FOOTBALL**

What a downer. Jennings had his worst game of the season against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 11, catching only two passes for six yards. He suffered a shin bruise and didn’t play much in the second half. Green Bay Packers Coach, Mike McCarthy has confirmed that Jennings will play this week against the Detroit Lions even though he was limited in Tuesday’s practice. Jennings wasn’t terrific against the Detroit Lions last season (six receptions, 77 yards and a touchdown in two games). However, he is playing in one of the best offenses in the league and has played at a high level virtually all season. Jennings is a rock solid WR1 this week.
Point Projection: 15 points

5. Roddy White (Atlanta Falcons) vs. Minnesota

Now that’s the Roddy White we remember! White caught seven passes for 147 yards against the Tennessee Titans in Week 11. He was targeted 14 times and made spectacular plays all over the field. The Minnesota Vikings have allowed the fourth most fantasy points to the wide receiver position this season (24.7) and have surrendered the fourth most receiving yards in the league this season (281.4). If Julio Jones is out again this week, an encore performance for White isn’t out of the question.
Point Projection: 16 points

6. Vincent Jackson (San Diego Chargers) vs. Denver

So will the good Vince or the bad Vince show up this week? After a terrible performance against the Oakland Raiders in Week 10, Jackson scorched the Chicago Bears in Week 11, catching seven passes for 165 yards and scoring a touchdown. He continues to be boom or bust, but when he booms he could single handedly win the week for his fantasy owners in head to head leagues. Jackson was shutdown by Champ Bailey earlier in the season (three receptions for 34 yards). However, the Denver Broncos have surrendered the fourth most fantasy points to the wide receiver position this season (23.4). The Denver Broncos have also allowed the most 40 plus yard receptions this season (9). Expect a better game for Jackson against the Denver Broncos this time around.
Point Projection: 15 points

7. Larry Fitzgerald (Arizona Cardinals) @ St. Louis

Even though he caught only three passes for 41 yards, Fitzgerald didn’t disappoint his owners, scoring his fifth touchdown of the season against the San Francisco 49ers. He has now scored four touchdowns over the Arizona Cardinals last three games with John Skelton as his quarterback. Fitzgerald had some success against the St. Louis Rams earlier in the season (four receptions, 43 yards and a touchdown). The St. Louis Rams have also allowed 23.9 fantasy points to wide receivers this season. The moons are aligned for Fitzgerald to have a big game this week.
Point Projection: 15 points

8. Wes Welker (New England Patriots) @ Philadelphia

Welker was held to two catches for 22 yards against the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday night. The New England Patriots tight ends, Rob Gronkowksi and Aaron Hernandez were targeted a combined 14 times to Welker’s three. Welker hasn’t been nearly as effective in the games following the New England Patriots bye week than he was earlier in the season. However, the Philadelphia Eagles have allowed an average of 28.6 fantasy points per game to the wide receiver position over their last three games. A nice bounce back performance from the slot machine this week isn’t much of a stretch.
Point Projection: 14 points

9. Andre Johnson (Houston Texans) @ Jacksonville

He’s back (barring a setback)! The Houston Texans offense will receive a boost this week with the return of Andre the Giant, who hasn’t played since Week 4. Johnson, who was averaging seven receptions and 105.3 yards per games in three games before the injury, is one of the best receivers in the league and will find ways to be productive regardless of who his quarterback is. The Jacksonville Jaguars have had a pretty solid pass defense this season, but Andre was dominant against them last season (nine receptions, 146 yards and a touchdown). Count on a stellar return game from Johnson this week.
Point Projection: 14 points

10. Hakeem Nicks (New York Giants) @ New Orleans

Appearing healthy and fast, Nicks caught three passes for 69 yards against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 11. Averaging 3.6 receptions and 59 yards receiving over his last three games, Nicks has a solid chance to make and impact this week against a New Orleans Saints team’ that has allowed 20.8 fantasy points per game to the wide receiver position this season. There’s a decent chance Nicks could break out this week.
Point Projection: 13 points

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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. Jordy Nelson (Green Bay Packers) @ Detroit    **THANKSGIVING DAY FOOTBALL**

Continuing his run of spectacular play, Nelson was a monster against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 11, hauling in six passes for 123 yards and scoring two touchdowns. Nelson has been impressive, averaging 5.3 catches, 97 yards and has scored five touchdowns over the Green Bay Packers previous three games. He didn’t contribute much at all against the Detroit Lions last season (two receptions for 26 yards in two games.). However, Nelson is playing a much bigger role in the Green Bay Packers offense this year and has been producing at a high level of late. No reason to bench Nelson, who continues to produce impact plays on a regular basis.
Point Projection: 13 points

12. Marques Colston (New Orleans Saints) vs. New York Giants

Colston had one of his best games of the season before the New Orleans Saints bye against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 10, catching eight passes for 113 yards. Colston has a decent chance of parlaying that success against a New York Giants’ team that has allowed 21.6 fantasy points to the wide receiver position this season. Expect a well-rested Colston to have a productive game in a possible shootout this week.
Point Projection: 13 points

13. Brandon Lloyd (St. Louis Rams) vs. Arizona

Sam Bradford’s new favorite weapon had five receptions for 67 yards and scored his third touchdown in a St. Louis Rams’ uniform in Week 12 against the Seattle Seahawks. Scoring at least eight fantasy points in every game since Week 4, Lloyd has a nice matchup against an Arizona Cardinals team’ he had five receptions for 80 yards against in Week 9.  The Arizona Cardinals have also allowed an average of 22.2 fantasy points per game to the wide receiver position this season.  Expect Lloyd, who has been one of the most heavily targeted receivers in the NFL over the last five games, has a chance for one of his best games of the season this week.
Point Projection: 12 points

14. Victor Cruz (New York Giants) @ New Orleans

No reason to get off Cruz control now. Cruz dominated the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 11, catching six passes for 128 yards and scored his fifth touchdown of the season. Averaging 4.6 receptions and 80 yards this season, Cruz figures to contribute to a bunch of fantasy championships this season. The New Orleans Saints have allowed the third most 40 plus yard receptions this season (7) this season. Look for Cruz, who has scored at least eight fantasy points in each of the New York Giants’ previous four games, to continue to keep on sailing.
Point Projection: 12 points

15. Dez Bryant (Dallas Cowboys) vs. Miami    **THANKSGIVING DAY FOOTBALL**

Bryant caught three passes for 68 yards and scored his fifth touchdown of the season against the Miami Dolphins in Week 11. It was Bryant’s third straight game where he has scored at least seven fantasy points and he now has touchdowns in consecutive games. The Miami Dolphins have struggled against the wide receiver position this season allowing an average of 20.7 fantasy points per game. Look for Bryant to continue his streak of solid production.
Point Projection: 12 points

16. Anquan Boldin (Baltimore Ravens) vs. San Francisco    **THANKSGIVING DAY FOOTBALL**

Boldin only caught one pass against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 11, but at least it was for a 35-yard touchdown. Boldin has struggled the last two weeks and he has another difficult matchup this week against a solid San Francisco 49ers pass defense. However, the San Francisco 49ers have allowed four touchdowns to the wide receiver position over their last four games, so the situation for Boldin isn’t looking so grim. Boldin is a low-end wide receiver 2 this week.
Point Projection: 12 points

17. Percy Harvin (Minnesota Vikings) @ Atlanta  **QUESTIONABLE - STATUS UNCERTAIN FOR SUNDAY**

Harvin had one of his best games of the season against the Oakland Raiders in Week 11 catching five passes for 73 yards and scoring a touchdown. He also had five carries for 21 yards. That kind of production might just be the tip of the iceberg for Harvin, who seems likely to receive even more offensive opportunites, while Adrian Peterson is out. The Atlanta Falcons have allowed an average of 21.7 fantasy points to the wide receiver position this season. Harvin is looking like a pretty solid WR2 this week.
Point Projection: 11 points

18. Brandon Marshall (Miami Dolphins) @ Dallas    **THANKSGIVING DAY FOOTBALL**

Even though the Miami Dolphins routed the Buffalo Bills in Week 11, Marshall was only able to catch one pass for five yards. Matt Moore played well, but he didn’t look Marshall’s way very often, only targeting him three times. Expect Marshall to bounce back this week against a Dallas Cowboys’ team that allowed 131 receiving yards and two touchdowns to a lackluster Washington Redskins’ receiving core in Week 10.
Point Projection: 11 points

19. Santonio Holmes (New York Jets) vs. Buffalo

In a horrendous offensive game, Holmes only managed four receptions for 39 yards against the Denver Broncos in Week 11. A combination of Marc Sanchez being constantly under siege and Holmes being blanketed by future Hall of Famer Champ Bailey were the primary reasons for Holmes’ poor performance. Holmes has a chance to bounce back against a Buffalo Bills’ team he scored a touchdown against in Week 9. The Buffalo Bills have also surrendered 363 receiving yards and five touchdowns to the wide receiver position over their last three games. However, a discombobulated New York Jets’ offense makes Holmes only a WR3 at best this week.
Point Projection: 11 points

20. Laurent Robinson (Dallas Cowboys) vs. Miami

**THANKSGIVING DAY FOOTBALL**

Maybe the Atlanta Falcons or especially the St. Louis Rams should have held onto you. Robinson caught four passes for 34 yards and scored a touchdown against the Washington Redskins in Week 11. Robinson led the team in targets (11) and now has scored five touchdowns over the Dallas Cowboys’ last four games. Robinson has a solid chance to expand his touchdown streak further against a Miami Dolphins’ team that has surrendered 10 touchdowns to the wide receiver position this season. Look for Robinson to have a nice game this week.
Point Projection: 11 points

21. Antonio Brown (Pittsburgh Steelers) @ Kansas City

Averaging 6.3 receptions and 91 yards per game over his last four games, Brown has claimed the Pittsburgh Steelers No. 2 wide receiver position. The Kansas City Chiefs have been tough against wide receivers of late, but Brown has played at such a high level of late, that he can be productive against just about anyone. It also doesn’t hurt that the Kansas City Chiefs aren’t exactly playing their best football now. Count on another stellar game from Brown this week.
Point Projection: 10 points

22. Dwayne Bowe (Kansas City Chiefs) vs. Pittsburgh

In a losing effort, Bowe caught seven passes for 87 yards against the New England Patriots in Week 11. Considering how terrible Tyler Palko was fantasy owners were lucky to receive eight fantasy points from Bowe last week. The Pittsburgh Steelers have an outstanding pass defense, but they have surrendered six touchdowns to the wide receiver position over their last six games. However, with the quarterback situation the way it is in Kansas City, It’s probably a good idea to keep expectations low for Bowe this week. 
Point Projection: 10 points

23. Mario Manningham (New York Giants) @ New Orleans

Super Mario wasn’t so super against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 10, catching just one pass for four yards. He was only targeted two times after being targeted 10 times in Week 10. Manningham has a decent chance to bounce back against the New Orleans Saints, who have allowed nine touchdowns to the wide receiver position this season. Even though Manningham seems to be the third wide receiver for the G-Men at this point in the season, he has a solid chance at a productive game this week.
Point Projection: 10 points

24. Mike Williams (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) @ Tennessee

Have you woken up Tampa Bay Mike? Williams had his best game of the season against the Green Bay Packers in Week 11, hauling in seven receptions for 83 yards and a touchdown. It was an impressive performance for Williams, who received 11 targets in the loss. The Tennessee Titans have had a pretty stellar pass defense, allowing an average of only 16.2 fantasy points to wide receivers and six touchdown to the position this season. Expect Williams to be productive this week, but an outstanding game is probably a bit of a stretch.
Point Projection: 9 points

25. Julio Jones (Atlanta Falcons) vs. Minnesota

After missing the last two weeks, and four of the last five weeks, with a hamstring injury, Jones is expected to be ready to play in Week 12 against the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings have allowed 150 fantasy points (standard scoring) to the wide receiver position over the last five games and if fully healthy, Jones could post some solid totals.
Point Projection: 9 points