Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

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

::RANKINGS UPDATED AS OF DECEMBER 28, 2011::

This is it. We had some laughs and shared plenty of tears. The 2011 fantasy season is coming to a close this week. Many leagues have already decided their champions, but there are still some that have yet to be decided. Week 17 is a difficult week to access when it comes to the wide receiver position, because it’s unknown how much players such as Calvin Johnson and Marques Colston will play this week. Our rankings hopefully will help fantasy owners navigate those obstacles this week and give them their best shot to win a title. It’s been a wonderful regular season with still one week left to savor.

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

 
1. Wes Welker (New England Patriots) vs. Buffalo

Tom Brady’s security blanket had 12 receptions for 138 yards against the Miami Dolphins in Week 16. It was amazingly Welker eighth 100 plus yard receiving game of the season. The New England Patriots need a win to clinch a first round bye in the playoffs, so Welker has a solid chance of playing a full compliment of snaps this week. Welker is looking like a terrific play going against a Buffalo Bills’ team that he had his best game of the season against in Week 3 (16 receptions for 217 yards and two touchdowns). Expect Welker to be one of the best wide receivers this week.
Point Projection: 16 points

2. Roddy White (Atlanta Falcons) vs. Tampa Bay

Rowdy Roddy just keeps piling it on. White caught 11 passes for 127 yards against the New Orleans Saints in Week 16. He continues to be dominant with four 100 plus yard receiving games in the last six Atlanta Falcons’ games. White, who had nine receptions for 140 yards against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 3, is a nice looking play this week.
Point Projection: 16 points

3. Calvin Johnson (Detroit Lions) @ Green Bay   

Okay, all is right with the world, Megatron is back! Following a terrific Week 15, Johnson had four receptions for 102 yards and scored a touchdown against the San Diego Chargers in Week 16. Since the Detroit Lions are already in the playoffs and the North division is out of reach it seems likely that Megaton wont play every snap this week making his fantasy expectations this week low. Still if Johnson is playing it’s difficult not to start him. Even in a game where he wont receive a full series of snaps, Johnson is still dangerous.
Point Projection: 16 points

4. Steve Smith (Carolina Panthers) @ New Orleans

Come on Steve! Smith only had one reception for nine yards and had 23 yards rushing against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 16. He has struggled against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this year only catching three passes for 41 yards. Smith has a solid chance to bounce back this week against a New Orleans Saints’ team that has allowed 21.6 fantasy points to the wide receiver position this season. Smith, who had three receptions for 79 yards and a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints in Week 5, is a nice play this week.
Point Projection: 15 points

5. Victor Cruz (New York Giants) vs. Dallas

Cruz was impressive catching three passes for 164 yards and scoring a touchdown against the New York Jets in Week 16. He broke Amani Toomer’s franchise record 1,343 receiving yards with his performance. The Dallas Cowboys have surrendered 563 yards receiving and three touchdowns to the wide receiver position over their past three games. Cruz was also solid against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 14, catching six passes for 74 yards. There is no reason not to deploy Cruz this week.
Point Projection: 15 points

6. A.J. Green (Cincinnati Bengals) vs. Baltimore

Why? Green had two receptions for 25 yards against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 16. It was a terribly crushing outing for many of Green’s fantasy owners. The Baltimore Ravens have allowed only 16.7 fantasy points per game to the wide receiver position this season, so Green could have a tough time this week. However, Green has been one of the most consistent wide receivers this season and has overcome tough matchups before. He belongs in fantasy owners lineups no matter what the circumstance.
Point Projection: 15 points

7. Larry Fitzgerald (Arizona Cardinals) vs. Seattle

Fitzgerald had six receptions for 105 yards and scored a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 16. He was targeted 11 times and now has two one hundred yard plus receiving games over the Arizona Cardinals’ last three games. Even though John Skelton has been less than stellar as the Arizona Cardinals’ quarterback he keeps finding ways to get Larry Fitzgerald the ball, unlike Kevin Kolb. The last time Fitz played against Seattle Seahawks in Week 3, he was productive catching five passes for 64 yards and scoring a touchdown. Fitzgerald is a solid play this week.
Point Projection: 14 points

8. Hakeem Nicks (New York Giants) vs. Dallas

Nicks had only one reception for 20 yards against the New York Jets in Week 16. Darrelle Revis was able to hold down Nicks, while Victor Cruz was able to achieve a career day. Nicks has a terrific shot at bouncing back against a Dallas Cowboys’ team that gave up eight receptions for 163 yards against him in Week 14. The Dallas Cowboys have also allowed 12 touchdowns to the wide receiver position this season. Nicks is looking like a rock solid WR1 this week.
Point Projection: 14 points

9. Julio Jones (Atlanta Falcons) vs. Tampa Bay

Continuing his recent run of success, Jones had eight receptions for 128 yards and scored a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints in Week 16. Averaging four receptions and 85.6 yards per game over the Atlanta Falcon’s last three games, Jones has been a solid WR2. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers haven’t been great against the wide receiver position of late allowing 339 yards and four touchdowns over their last three games. Keep starting Jones and keep being rewarded.
Point Projection: 14 points

10. Percy Harvin (Minnesota Vikings) vs. Chicago

You are going to have to be the man of the house son. Harvin had five receptions for 65 yards, scored a touchdown and also added 39 rushing yards against the Washington Redskins in Week 16. The last time Harvin faced the Chicago Bears he was solid catching seven passes for 78 yards. With Adrian Peterson out after tearing his MCL and ACl, Harvin, should be the Minnesota Vikings’ best offensive weapon this week. Look for Harvin to have another strong game
Point Projection: 14 points

11. Miles Austin (Dallas Cowboys) @ New York Giants

Austin had four receptions for 40 yards and scored a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 16. He has now scored three touchdowns over the Dallas Cowboy’s last three games, including one against the New York Giants in Week 16. Austin has a solid shot of having a nice game this week against a New York Giants’ team that has allowed the third most fantasy points to the wide receiver position this season (24.9).
Point Projection: 14 points

12. Brandon Marshall (Miami Dolphins) vs. New York Jets

Continuing his domination of the New England Patriots this season, Marshall had seven receptions for 156 yards and scored a touchdown in Week 16. It was a terrific performance for Marshall and it’s possible an encore performance could be in the works against the New York Jets. Marshall had six receptions for 109 yards in Week 6 against the New York Jets. He is solid start this week considering he has scored four touchdowns over the last five games.
Point Projection: 12 points

13. Demaryious Thomas (Denver Broncos) vs. Kansas City

This going is going to need a nickname eventually. Thomas had four receptions for 76 yards in Week 16.  Averaging 5.5 receptions and 103.5 yards per game over the Denver Broncos’ last four games. Thomas is clearly the Denver Broncos No.1 receiver. The Kansas City Chiefs may have a tough pass defense, but its tough to debate Thomas’ recent run of success. He’s a solid WR2 this week.
Point Projection: 12 points

14. Steve Johnson (Buffalo Bills) @ New England

Johnson caught four passes for 92 yards against Denver Broncos in Week 16. He has been playing at a high level the last three weeks averaging 4.3 receptions and 96.6 yards per game. He couldn’t ask for a better matchup this week against a New England Patriots’ team that has allowed the most fantasy points to the wide receiver position 28.1 this season. Johnson, who had eight receptions for 94 yards and a touchdown against the New England Patriots in Week 3, is a WR2 bordering on a WR1 this week.
Point Projection: 11 points

15. Antonio Brown (Pittsburgh Steelers) @ Cleveland     **RANKED AS IF BIG BEN PLAYS ON SUNDAY**

Brown had three receptions for 34 yards against the St. Louis Rams in Week 16. The Pittsburgh Steelers elected to rush heavily against the St. Louis Rams, so Brown only received six targets. The last time Brown played the Cleveland Browns he shredded them, hauling in five receptions for 151 yards and a touchdown. Even if Roethlisberger is unable to go again this week, Brown has been one of the most consistent wide receivers in the league this season and should be given the benefit of the doubt by fantasy owners.
Point Projection: 13 points

16. Jeremy Maclin (Philadelphia Eagles) vs. Washington

Maclin had five receptions for 72 yards and scored a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 16. It was a nice game for Maclin, who has steadily been improving since returning from injury in Week 14. The Washington Redskins have been tough against the wide receiver position. However Maclin had five receptions for 101 yards against them in Week 6. Expect Michael Vick’s favorite target to have a nice game this week.
Point Projection: 12 points

17. Mike Wallace (Pittsburgh Steelers) @ Cleveland  **RANKED AS IF BIG BEN PLAYS ON SUNDAY**

Wallace had four receptions for 82 yards against the St. Louis Rams in Week 16. It was a nice game for Wallace, who was clearly on the same page as Charlie Batch. Wallace seems likely to be covered by Cleveland Browns stellar cornerback Joe Haden this week, so a terrific game doesn’t seem likely. Wallace has the skills to burn any defensive back, but he had only four receptions for 57 yards against the Cleveland Browns in Week 14. Don’t expect big numbers from Wallace this week.
Point Projection: 12 points

18. Dez Bryant (Dallas Cowboys) @ New York Giants

Bryant had six receptions for 62 yards against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 16. It was a decent performance from Bryant considering Stephen McGee wasn’t particularly great. Bryant had one reception for 50 yards and scored a touchdown against the New York Giants in Week 14, so he has had some success against them this season. Look for Bryant to be a factor this week against a New York Giants’ team that has given up 18 touchdowns to the wide receiver position this season.
Point Projection: 12 points

19. Malcom Floyd (San Diego Chargers) @ Oakland

Floyd had five receptions for 107 yards against the Detroit Lions in Week 16. He has had three 90 plus yard games over the San Diego Chargers last four games. Floyd is looking like a nice WR3 this week going against an Oakland Raiders’ team that has allowed 847 yards and six touchdowns to the wide receiver position. As long as Phillip Rivers continues to seek Floyd out and Vincent Jackson continues to be hobbled Floyd is a solid start in fantasy leagues this week.
Point Projection: 12 points

20. Marques Colston (New Orleans Saints) vs. Carolina

Colston had seven receptions for 81 yards and scored a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 16. Averaging 7.3 receptions and 92.3 receiving yards over the New Orleans Saints last three games; Colston has been regularly coming through for his fantasy owners during the fantasy playoffs. Since the New Orleans Saints don’t have anything to play for, Colston seems likely to rested this week, making him a risky fantasy option. Don’t expect a huge point total for Colston this week.
Point Projection: 12 points

21. Dwayne Bowe (Kansas City Chiefs) @ Denver

Bowe had six receptions for 80 yards and scored a touchdown against the Oakland Raiders in Week 16. He showed nice chemistry with Kyle Orton receiving 11 targets and averaging 13.3 yards per catch. Bowe wasn’t great against the Denver Broncos in Week 10, catching only two passes for 17 yards, but if Kyle Orton continues to heavily target him for big play’s he has a chance at a solid game. Expect a nice game from Bowe going against a Denver Broncos’ team that has allowed an average of 21.5 fantasy points to the wide receiver position this season.
Point Projection: 12 points

22. Santonio Holmes (New York Jets) @ Miami

Santonio Holmes had four receptions for 50 yards against the New York Giants in Week 16. It was a disappointing showing for Holmes in a crucial game for the New York Jets. Holmes is a decent play against a Miami Dolphins’ team he had three receptions for 63 yards and a touchdown against in Week 6, but it wouldn’t be much of a surprise if disappoints once again. Disappointment is the theme of the New York Jets season this year.
Point Projection: 11 points

23. James Jones (Green Bay Packers) vs. Detroit   

Jones caught two passes for 50 yards and scored two touchdowns against the Chicago Bears in Week 16. It was a nice game for Jones, who was pretty much invisible in the previous two Green Bay Packers’ games. Jones has solid upside as a WR3 this week, going against a Detroit Lions’ team he had three receptions for 94 yards and a touchdown against in Week 12. Since the Green Bay Packers maybe resting Jordy Nelson and Greg Jennings seems highly unlikely to play, Jones may receive the start this week. Expect Jones to continue to make noise. 
Point Projection: 11 points

24. Laurent Robinson (Dallas Cowboys) @ New York Giants

What terrible luck! Robinson had only one reception for five yards against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 16. Tony Romo leaving the game early with a hand contusion certainly affected Robinson, who only received two targets. It appears Tony Romo will play this week in a must win game against the New York Giants, so Robinson has solid potential this week. Expect Robinson, who had one of his best games of the season against the New York Giants in Week 14 (four receptions for 137 yards and a touchdown), to have a productive game this week against a weak New York Giants’ secondary.
Point Projection: 10 points

25. Jordy Nelson (Green Bay Packers) vs. Detroit

Nelson had a monster game against the Chicago Bears catching six passes for 115 yards and scoring two touchdowns. He avenged a meager three-reception outing against the Chicago Bears in Week 3 in a big way. Nelson struggled against the Detroit Lions in Week 12 (four receptions for 26 yards), but he is always a dangerous deep play threat and has been very consistent this season. It’s unknown how much Nelson will play this week, but he is still a recommended option because of his big play ability and efficiency. 
Point Projection: 10 points