Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

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

::RANKINGS UPDATED AS OF DECEMBER 24 2011::

Week 15 brought out the very best in fantasy’s hottest quarterback, Drew Brees, who went 32-of-40 for 412 yards and five touchdowns in Minnesota. Welcome to your Week 16 fantasy championships, Brees owners. Late heroics by Matthew Stafford accounted for the next biggest box score, and Tony Romo’s timing has been impeccable with back-to-back four touchdown efforts. On Thursday night, Matt Ryan posted a touchdown trifecta despite playing less than three full quarters, and Sunday in Denver Tom Brady and Tim Tebow both delivered ample production in their first head-to-head meeting.

In a week marked by superstars stepping up to the plate when fantasy owners needed them most, a couple of big names came up short. Aaron Rodgers looked shockingly human for the second consecutive week. Not bad, just human. While Rodgers may have underwhelmed, it was the Nightmare Before Christmas for Eli Manning, whose three interceptions paved the way for his worst fantasy outing of the season.

It’s Fantasy Football Super Bowl week for the vast majority of leagues, so let’s pump it up in our Week 16 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

**BEAT THE BRUNO BOYS $350 WEEK 16 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 15 weeks of the NFL season we have given away over $6,200 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:  Week 16 $350 Contest  (click to register)

1. Drew Brees (New Orleans Saints) vs. Atlanta

In his past five games, Drew Brees has thrown for yardage totals of 322, 363, 342, 337 and 412 yards. He’s totaled 17 touchdowns and zero interceptions over that same five-game span, carrying fantasy teams into, and through, the playoffs. Atlanta is a middling fantasy pass defense, and while they could get top cornerback Brent Grimes (knee) back, New Orleans has far too many weapons for the Falcons to contend with. Brees threw for 322 yards and two touchdowns in this same meeting back in Week 10, and that should be considered his fantasy floor in Week 16.
Point Projection: 23 points

2. Cam Newton (Carolina Panthers) vs. Tampa Bay

The Houston Texans’ top-rated defense was likely the toughest unit Cam Newton has ever faced, and he made it look easy. The rookie completed 13-of-23 passes for 149 yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions, and he added another 55 yards on the ground. While his NFL-record 13 rushing scores have received plenty of attention, Newton has now thrown multiple touchdown passes in back-to-back games for the first time in his career. Tampa Bay’s bottom-tier fantasy pass defense just gave up four first-half scores to Tony Romo, just one week after giving up a pair of touchdown passes to Blaine Gabbert. The matchup-proof Newton is an elite-level start in Week 16.
Point Projection: 23 points

3. Tom Brady (New England Patriots) vs. Miami

In his last four games, Tom Brady has totaled 11 total touchdowns (2.75 touchdowns per game) and one interception. He’s also averaged a whopping 333 passing yards over that span, and this week he gets the same middle-of-the-road Miami defense that he lit up for a mind-blowing 517 yards and four touchdowns in the season opener. There’s no reason to go on, but if you fancy one more Brady fun fact, he’s totaled 10 touchdowns in his last three Week 16 outings.
Point Projection: 22 points

4. Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay Packers) vs. Chicago

Aaron Rodgers completed 71 percent of his passes through Week 13, and had been a safe bet for at least three touchdowns regardless of opponent. However, in his last two games against the beatable secondaries of the Raiders and Chiefs, Rodgers has completed just 34-of-65 passes (52 percent), averaged a mundane 258 passing yards, and accounted for only two touchdowns in each contest. Clearly, a bad day for Rodgers is still a good day for most others, but the fact remains—he’s slowed down at the absolute worst time for fantasy owners. The loss of Greg Jennings had a noticeable effect Sunday, and per usual, the division rival Bears will give Rodgers their best effort. Chicago is an ordinary pass defense that Rodgers torched for 297 yards and three scores back in Week 3, but a repeat performance is no guarantee.
Point Projection: 21 points

5. Tim Tebow (Denver Broncos) @ Buffalo

Last week against New England, Tim Tebow completed 11-of-22 passes for a scoreless 194 yards against the league’s worst pass defense. Fortunately, he made up for it on the ground, rushing for 93 yards and a pair of scores. He also lost a fumble, and all in all, it was an interesting way to accumulate 26 fantasy points. Tebow gets another fantastic matchup this week against a Buffalo defense that ranks in the bottom ten against opposing quarterbacks and the bottom five against opposing running backs. Matt Moore just threw for 217 yards and a pair of scores against the Bills, and Reggie Bush ran for a career-high 203 yards and a touchdown, so there are plenty of points to be had for the multi-faceted Tebow.
Point Projection: 21 points

6. Tony Romo (Dallas Cowboys) vs. Philadelphia

In his last two weeks, Tony Romo has completed 44-of-61 passes (72 percent) for 570 yards, eight touchdowns and zero interceptions. He finally has his full compliment of weapons, and needless to say, they’re clicking on all cylinders. Philadelphia’s fantasy pass defense has been all over the board this season, but at the end of the day they rate out as an average unit. While Romo mustered just 203 yards, one touchdown and one interception in the teams’ first meeting back in Week 8, there may not a defense in the league that can handle this Dallas arsenal. Moreover, he’s been on fire for over a month, and the Eagles’ pass defense has looked increasingly beatable, so start Romo with confidence in Week 16.
Point Projection: 21 points

7. Matt Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) @ New Orleans

The red-hot Matt Ryan cracked the top five in our Week 15 quarterback rankings, and he obliged us with 224 yards and three scores in Atlanta’s blowout win over Jacksonville. He posted these numbers in less than three quarters of action (Chris Redman entered late in the third quarter), just one week after throwing for 320 yards and four scores against Carolina, so he’s primed for another big performance on Monday night in New Orleans. The Saints are a bottom-ten fantasy pass defense that, much like Green Bay and New England, gives up copious quarterback production while playing soft defense with big leads. Ryan threw for 351 yards, two touchdowns and one interception back in Week 10, and he could very well improve on that 20-point performance this week.
Point Projection: 20 points

8. Philip Rivers (San Diego Chargers) @ Detroit

As expected, Philip Rivers’ two-game hot streak was halted by Baltimore’s elite pass defense, but his performance was still very encouraging. Rivers completed an efficient 17-of-23 passes for 270 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. After throwing 17 interceptions through his first 10 games, he’s now gone four consecutive games without a pick, and he’s completed 75 percent of his passes in his last three contests. The Lions rank in the bottom third of fantasy pass defenses, and they looked atrocious in allowing Carson Palmer to complete 32-of-40 passes for 367 yards and one touchdown. Everything is in place for a big Week 16 performance.
Point Projection: 20 points

9. Michael Vick (Philadelphia Eagles) @ Dallas

Michael Vick’s last three months had been marked by injury and lousy play, so his solid showing Sunday against the Jets’ formidable defense was unexpected to say the least. Vick completed 15-of-22 passes for 274 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He also ran for 32 yards and added his first rushing score of the season. Dallas is a middling fantasy pass defense, and when these teams met in Week 8 Vick threw for 279 yards and two scores, and added another 50 yards on the ground. Seemingly dialed in, a repeat performance is certainly not out of the question in the divisional showdown.
Point Projection: 19 points

10. Matthew Stafford (Detroit Lions) vs. San Diego

It was better late than never for Matthew Stafford owners, as two of his four touchdown passes came in the last five minutes of Detroit’s comeback victory in Oakland. He also threw for 391 yards, and his best two passing efforts have come in the last three weeks (he threw for a season-high 408 yards in Week 13). San Diego is a below average fantasy pass defense that has given up multiple touchdown passes to the likes of Joe Flacco, Blaine Gabbert and Carson Palmer in recent weeks. Stafford is peaking at the perfect time for fantasy owners, and he figures to stay hot with a favorable Week 16 matchup.
Point Projection: 19 points

**BEAT THE BRUNO BOYS $350 WEEK 16 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 15 weeks of the NFL season we have given away over $6,200 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:  Week 16 $350 Contest  (click to register)

11. Rex Grossman (Washington Redskins) vs. Minnesota

The mercurial Rex Grossman was unable to take advantage of the Giants’ free-falling secondary last week, completing just 14-of-24 passes for 185 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. It was his worst fantasy outing in his last five games, but he’ll have a golden opportunity to bounce back strong this week against the Vikings. Drew Brees just went for 412 yards and five touchdowns against Minnesota’s ailing, talent-poor secondary. In fact, in their last five games the Vikings have ceded 25 total touchdowns to opposing quarterbacks (that’s over 3.0 per game). If you’re in a pinch, don’t hesitate to utilize Rex against the most user-friendly pass defense in the league.
Point Projection: 16 points

12. Eli Manning (New York Giants) @ New York Jets

In his previous two games, Eli Manning had totaled five touchdown passes and averaged 377 passing yards, so Sunday’s debacle was a devastating blow to fantasy owners who had every right to trust him. Manning completed 23-of-40 passes for 257 yards and three horrifying interceptions, so if you’re reading this, you’re likely playing for third place in Week 16. However, it’s important to note that crucial drops and mistakes by Hakeem Nicks weighed heavily into Eli’s rough day. Although they’ve shown some cracks in recent weeks, the Jets are still an outstanding pass defense. While it’s important not to overreact to one bad game, Eli’s tough matchup should prompt you to at least consider other options.
Point Projection: 15 points

13. Mark Sanchez (New York Jets) vs. New York Giants

In his last four games Mark Sanchez has totaled an impressive 11 touchdowns (2.75 per game), yet his high-water mark is just 180 passing yards. He turned the ball over three times against the Eagles Sunday (two
interceptions, one fumble), and combined with his paltry passing totals, the touchdowns simply haven’t tipped the scales enough for his fantasy owners. After being shell-shocked by Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers and Tony Romo in consecutive weeks, the Giants played much better against Rex Grossman Sunday, holding him to 185 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. From a fantasy perspective, Sanchez is much closer to Grossman than any member of the first group, so temper your expectations as usual.
Point Projection: 14 points

14. Matt Moore (Miami Dolphins) @ New England

Matt Moore shook off the cobwebs to throw for 217 yards and a pair of scores in Miami’s 30-23 victory over the Bills Sunday. While he’s yet to top 300 yards in any of his 10 starts, he’s now averaged 2.0 touchdowns in his last four games, so he’s been a fairly reliable fantasy QB2. He’ll have a chance to be even more this week, as he travels to Foxboro to face New England’s No. 32 pass defense. In the Patriots’ last four games, Vince Young totaled 440 yards and a score, Dan Orlovsky passed for 353 and two scores, and Rex Grossman and Tim Tebow each topped 250 total yards and two scores. Former Miami starter Chad Henne went for 475 total yards and three scores against the Patriots in the opener, so this is as good as it will ever get for Moore.
Point Projection: 15 points

15. Josh Freeman (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) @ Carolina

Last week we went out of our way to advise against Josh Freeman against the Cowboys, and he responded with 148 passing yards and one touchdown. He added 37 yards rushing, and he offset a two-point conversion with a lost fumble. Although he hasn’t reached 200 yards in any of his last three games, Freeman gets a beatable matchup this week against Carolina’s below-average fantasy pass defense. In Week 13, Freeman’s backup, Josh Johnson, threw for 229 yards, one touchdown, one interception, and added 45 yards on the ground. If those kind of numbers can help you, similar production should be attainable for Freeman.
Point Projection: 14 points

16. Ryan Fitzpatrick (Buffalo Bills) vs. Denver

Ryan Fitzpatrick racked up the vast majority of his 316 yards while playing catch-up against Miami’s prevent defense Sunday. He added two touchdowns and three interceptions, and he’s now been picked off 15 times in his last nine games. Denver’s bottom-ten fantasy pass defense has been highly erratic this season. Case in point—they held Philip Rivers to 188 yards and one touchdown in Week 12, only to give up 381 yards and three scores to rookie Christian Ponder the following week. Still, while there figures to be some opportunities for Fitzpatrick, he simply hasn’t been good enough down the stretch to deserve your trust in Week 16. 
Point Projection: 13 points