Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

17. Alex Smith (San Francisco 49ers) vs. St. Louis

When a quarterback with a low ceiling meets and elite-level pass defense, the result is typically something along the lines of 140 yards and an interception. Such was the case with Alex Smith against the Ravens on Thanksgiving night, and while it was a crummy line, it couldn’t have been more predictable. On the surface, a date with the Rams would appear to be a favorable matchup for Smith, but St. Louis hasn’t allowed multiple touchdowns or even 270 passing yards in any of their last five games. Smith has topped 270 yards just once all season, and he’s only thrown multiple touchdowns one time in his last six outings. There’s simply nothing to get excited about here.
Point Projection: 12 points

18. Andy Dalton (Cincinnati Bengals) @ Pittsburgh

Andy Dalton has maneuvered his way through the treacherous stretch of his outstanding rookie campaign without so much as a hiccup. In the past four weeks against the Titans (No. 11), Steelers (No. 3), Ravens (No. 2) and Browns (No. 1), Dalton has totaled seven touchdowns, five interceptions, and he’s averaged 258 passing yards and 15 rushing yards. In the teams’ Week 10 meeting in Cincinnati, Dalton threw for 170 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions against Pittsburgh. While he’s certainly shown the ability to improve on those numbers, this is an ominous road matchup.
Point Projection: 12 points

19. Joe Flacco (Baltimore Ravens) @ Cleveland

Joe Flacco’s attempts, and subsequently, yardage, have been all over the board this season. The one constant has been the touchdowns. Or lack thereof.  Flacco’s managed multiple touchdown passes just once in his last eight games, and things won’t get any easier this week against Cleveland’s top-tier pass defense. The Browns have only allowed multiple touchdown passes once all season, and Andy Dalton’s 270 yards in Week 12 marked the highest output of any opposing quarterback. Moreover, Cleveland’s run defense is extremely charitable, so expect the Ravens to force-feed Ray Rice all day.
Point Projection: 11 points

20. Christian Ponder (Minnesota Vikings) vs. Denver

Although Christian Ponder’s fantasy production has been erratic, he’s shown flashes of nice upside. He’s averaging 208 passing yards per start, he’s thrown multiple touchdowns twice, and he’s displayed speed and athleticism with 31-yard and 71-yard rushing efforts. The rookie mistakes are part of the Ponder package, and while he’s been a solid option in two-quarterback leagues, you may want to look elsewhere this week. Denver’s surging defense has allowed just two touchdown passes in their last three games, and in Week 12 they held Philip Rivers and his cast of talented pass-catchers to 188 yards.
Point Projection: 11 points

21. Matt Hasselbeck (Tennessee Titans) @ Buffalo

Matt Hasselbeck is running out of gas, and rookie Jake Locker is nipping at his heels. Hasselbeck’s thrown multiple touchdowns just once and has in his past seven games, and has failed to reach 275 yards in that same seven-game span. Last week he completed just 19-of-34 passes for 160 yards, one touchdowns and two interceptions against Tampa Bay. Buffalo is a bottom-tier fantasy pass defense, but that hope is negated by Hasselbeck’s recent struggles and the risk of a mid-game switch to Locker.
Point Projection: 11 points

22. Carson Palmer (Oakland Raiders) @ Miami

Carson Palmer flashed 332-yard, three-touchdown upside back in Week 9, and he’s continued to put up respectable numbers ever since. In the Raiders’ last three games, Palmer’s completed 52-of-80 passes (65%), averaged 255 passing yards, and totaled four touchdowns and two interceptions. Miami’s secondary has played very well of late, collecting two interceptions in each of their last three games. Moreover, they’ve held four straight quarterbacks under 255 yards. Palmer’s a matchup play, and this isn’t the right matchup.
Point Projection: 11 points

23. Kevin Kolb / John Skelton (Arizona Cardinals) vs. Dallas

After missing the Cardinals’ last four games, it looks like Kevin Kolb (foot) could finally return to the lineup this week against the Cowboys. The move couldn’t come soon enough for Arizona. After a strong start, the book is out on John Skelton—he’s totaled 206 passing yards, zero touchdowns and five interceptions in the past two weeks. Prior to the injury, Kolb was nothing more than a low-end fantasy QB2, so he should remain benched against Dallas’ improving secondary.
Point Projection: 11 points with Kolb | 7 points with Skelton

24. Caleb Hanie (Chicago Bears) vs. Kansas City

Caleb Hanie’s first career start was nothing if not erratic. He completed 18-of-36 passes (50%) for 254 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions. He also added five carries for 50 rushing yards in the loss to Oakland. Kansas City’s improving secondary has played very well the past two weeks, holding Tom Brady and Ben Roethlisberger to three combined touchdowns and a 214-yard average. Hanie shouldn’t be trusted in any format.
Point Projection: 10 points

25. Tarvaris Jackson (Seattle Seahawks) vs. Philadelphia

Tarvaris Jackson has bounced between waiver wire fodder and low-end fantasy QB2 status all season. That’s not the kind of guy you want to bank on in crunch time. Jackson’s failed to reach 150 passing yards in his past two games, totaling three touchdowns and three interceptions. Shockingly, Philadelphia has slipped into the bottom ten in the fantasy pass defense rankings. Still, Jackson’s own shortcomings render him a Hail Mary in two-quarterback leagues.
b>Point Projection: 10 points

26. Sam Bradford (St. Louis Rams) @ San Francisco

Sam Bradford’s last multiple-touchdown effort came on November 28th. Of 2010. He’s only topped 260 passing yards three times in that same 14-game span, so considering his anemic upside, we’re talking about one of the worst fantasy options on the planet. San Francisco’s fantasy pass defense ranks in the top third of the league, and they’re coming off a strong effort against Joe Flacco. He’s a name brand, but Sam Bradford can’t be trusted for anything more than mediocrity.
Point Projection: 10 points

27. Rex Grossman (Washington Redskins) vs. New York Jets

Rex Grossman has been a competent fantasy quarterback in his second go-round as the Washington starter. In his last two games, he’s completed 70 percent of his passes, averaged 302 passing yards, and totaled five touchdowns and three interceptions. While that production is encouraging, and the Jets’ top-tier pass defense is reeling, we still can’t in good conscience recommend Grossman. New York has surrendered three touchdown passes to both Tom Brady and Ryan Fitzpatrick in the last three weeks, but you’re on your own with Rex.
Point Projection: 9 points

28. Kyle Orton / Tyler Palko (Kansas City Chiefs) @ Chicago

Todd Haley is playing games with the media regarding his Week 13 staring quarterback, but nobody cares in Fantasyland. Between Tyler Palko’s inadequacy and newly-signed Kyle Orton’s rust, this situation should obviously be avoided in all formats, particularly in a cold-weather road matchup with the Bears’ smash-mouth defense.
b>Point Projection: 9 points with Orton, 5 points with Palko

29. Colt McCoy (Cleveland Browns) vs. Baltimore

Last week in Cincinnati, Colt McCoy notched multiple touchdowns for the first time in his last six games. He’s topped 200 yards just once in his last four contests, so his ceiling appears to be shrinking as the season progresses. Baltimore ranks No. 2 against opposing fantasy quarterbacks, and the seven passing touchdowns they’ve surrendered are the league-low by a wide margin (Cleveland ranks second with 10). There’s zero upside for McCoy this week.
Point Projection: 9 points

30. Curtis Painter (Indianapolis Colts) @ New England

In his past five games, Curtis Painter has topped 100 passing yards twice, and totaled one touchdown and eight interceptions. I challenge you to find a worse five-game stretch of quarterbacking at the NFL level.
Point Projection: 7 points

31. T.J. Yates (Houston Texans) vs. Atlanta

Houston rookie T.J. Yates will fill in for Matt Leinart, who was filling in for Matt Schaub. He completed eight-of-15 passes for 70 yards in relief duty, and the athletic rookie will spend this Sunday handing off to Arian Foster and Ben Tate. He has a fun name, but shouldn’t be owned in any format.
Point Projection: 6 points

32. Blaine Gabbert (Jacksonville Jaguars) vs. San Diego

When you’re getting pulled for Luke McCown, you know you’re in trouble. Blaine Gabbert has shown no signs of improvement despite extensive action in his rookie season. He’s thrown three touchdown passes and four interceptions in his last six games, and his passing totals read like this: 109, 93, 97, 118, 210 and 136 yards. It’s not too soon to label Gabbert a bust, and the Jaguars will likely consider another first round quarterback come April.
Point Projection: 6 points

 
Week 13 Rankings:  QB  |  RB |  WR |  TE |  K | DEF   (click to read)

Week 13 Start & Sit:  START ‘EM |  SIT ‘EM   (click to read)

Week 13 Waiver Wire:  PICK THEM UP  |  CUT THEM LOOSE  (click to read)

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