Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

- Written by Rich Arleo
- Edited by Marc Caviglia
- Predictions are based on Staff Consensus

::RANKINGS UPDATED AS OF DECEMBER 24, 2011::

IHere we are folks, Week 16. Many of you are in your fantasy football championship games while some of you are still in the semis or hoping to find consolation in a third place game.
If you’re still playing meaningful fantasy games then congratulations, you’ve found success this year, but now it’s time to cap it off and earn the trophy.

There were fortunately no new serious injuries after last week but some backs have bumps and bruises that will require monitoring throughout the week as we look forward to Christmas Eve football. Our Fantasy Football Week 16 Running Back Rankings look to give you the edge over your opponent and clinch that title you’ve had your sights set on the whole year.
Remember, we update our rankings throughout the week and finalize them on Saturday night before kickoff. Now it’s time to dive into our Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings for Week 16.

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. Arian Foster (Houston Texans) @ Indianapolis

As expected, Foster put together a nice performance against a weak Carolina Panthers defense. He gained 109 yards and a touchdown on the ground and led the Texans air attack with 58 yards on five catches. Those Foster owners in championship games can rejoice as he gets yet another great matchup against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 16. The Colts, coming off their first win of the season, are allowing 138.7 yards per game (YPG) and have given up 18 rushing scores, second only to Tampa Bay’s 20. Foster missed the Texans Week 1 matchup with the Colts and watched Ben Tate run for 116 yards and a touchdown against them. Foster is going to win a lot of championships for his owners this week, and those facing him are likely going to have to make up a deficit after Thursday night.
Point Projection: 23 points

2. Ray Rice (Baltimore Ravens) vs. Cleveland    

With his team getting embarrassed by San Diego Sunday night, Rice still made the most of his limited work. He gained 57 yards on just 10 carries and had a team-high nine catches for 55 yards. He didn’t find the end zone, but he shouldn’t have a problem doing that against the Cleveland Browns this week. In Week 13 Rice had a touchdown and a season-high 204 yards on 29 carries against the Browns, who are allowing 145.4 YPG on the ground this year, the second most in the NFL. Rice’s fantasy owners are in for a very merry Christmas Eve.
Point Projection: 22 points

3. Maurice Jones-Drew (Jacksonville Jaguars) @ Tennessee

MJD continued to run wild with 112 yards on 17 carries. Unfortunately, after scoring four touchdowns in the previous game he was held out of the end zone on this night as the Jags were annihilated by the Atlanta Falcons. The veteran runner is on fire and the only thing holding him back is his four-win team. He did miss Tuesday’s practice with an ankle issue but there seems to be no concern at all from MJD or the Jags that he won’t be able to go this week. The Jags head to Tennessee to take on a Titans team that just gave up 161 yards rushing to Donald Brown, who is nowhere near as talented as MJD. On the season, the Titans are giving up 127.7 YPG. Pocket Hercules will keep it going and produce big numbers once again in Week 16.
Point Projection: 21 points

4. LeSean McCoy (Philadelphia Eagles) @ Dallas

McCoy tore apart the Jets, running for 102 yards and three more touchdowns on 18 carries. Shady has scored in all but one game this season and now has a whopping 20 trips to the end zone on the year. He is the top back in fantasy football and will head into Dallas with his team’s playoff hopes somehow still alive. The 6-8 Eagles will be playing hard, and McCoy has already had a huge game against them this year. Back in Week 8, McCoy ran for a season-high 185 yards on 30 carries with two touchdowns against the Cowboys. On the year, the Cowboys have solid numbers against the run, ranked No. 7 in the NFL with 98.1 YPG allowed. Unfortunately for the Boys, McCoy has been unstoppable all year and knows how to beat them. Start him and expect yet another great fantasy day.
Point Projection: 19 points

5. Adrian Peterson (Minnesota Vikings) @ Washington

Peterson returned in Week 15 but was given just 10 carries in his first game back. He made the most of them with 60 yards, but he didn’t score and didn’t catch a pass so it was an overall disappointing performance. The good news is, Peterson got 10 carries while Toby Gerhart only got two. The bad news is Gerhart had four catches and two touchdowns. Peterson has obviously retaken his starting job and he now has another week to recover so he’ll be 100 percent. The Washington Redskins are OK against the run, allowing 112 YPG, but as long as Peterson sees upwards of 20 touches he’ll have no problem doing damage.
Point Projection: 18 points

6. Reggie Bush (Miami Dolphins) @ New England

Bush joined the Miami Dolphins this year because he wanted to prove he could be an every down back in the NFL. After a slow start to the season, he has officially accomplished his goal. Bush had his first career 200-yard rushing game against Buffalo, running for 203 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries. He only had one six-yard reception but it didn’t matter much. Daniel Thomas was decent with 42 yards on 11 carries but Bush is getting 20-plus carries every game now and making the most of it. He has 406 rushing yards in the last three games and can still get it done as a receiver, though his focus has been as a runner lately. In Week 1, Bush ran for 38 yards and caught nine passes for 56 yards and a touchdown. He’s caught more than four passes in a game just once since that week, but his running has vastly improved. The Patriots are nothing special against the run and have given up 12 touchdowns, allowing 117.6 YPG. Bush is a must-start.
Point Projection: 16 points

7. Ryan Mathews (San Diego Chargers) @ Detroit

Mathews had another good fantasy day with 90 yards and two touchdowns on a season-high 26 carries. He added 19 yards on two catches and with Mathews and the Chargers finally running on all cylinders, the sophomore is a very good play in Week 16 against the Detroit Lions. He is the unquestioned starter right now and is up against a Lions run defense giving up 5.2 yards per carry (YPC) and 135.8 YPG. After an injury slowed him down midseason, Mathews has at least 100 total yards in four straight games and is seeing the majority of carries. Start Mathews with confidence.
Point Projection: 15 points

8. Michael Bush (Oakland Raiders) @ Kansas City  **QUESTIONABLE - EXPECT TO PLAY ON SATURDAY**

Bush had 77 yards on 18 carries and 62 yards on seven catches in Week 15. It was yet another good game for Bush, who still doesn’t have to worry about a Darren McFadden return anytime soon. In Week 7 he had 99 yards on 17 carries and two catches for 12 yards against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs run defense has given up 130.4 YPG and 14 rushing touchdowns this season but has played better of late and, under new head coach Romeo Crennel, did something no defense had done all year and shut down Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers. Nonetheless, Bush remains a solid RB2 in Week 16.
Point Projection: 14 points

9. Shonn Greene (New York Jets) vs. New York Giants

Greene ran for 73 yards on 18 carries (4.1 YPC) and was on his way to a nice game before the Jets fell behind early and had to abandon the run. Greene and the Jets have a “home” game against the New York Giants this week, so while more Jets season ticket holders will receive tickets, the crowd will mostly be split. It’s going to be a crazy atmosphere in MetLife Stadium with both team’s playoff hopes on the line and a city on the brink. The Giants run defense has allowed 14 rushing touchdowns and are giving up an average of 127.6 YPG this season, so if the Jets don’t fall into a shootout with Eli Manning and can stick to their ground-and-pound game plan, Greene could be in for a big game. He has really come on in the second half of the season, so look for that to continue in Week 16.
Point Projection:  14 points

10. Willis McGahee (Denver Broncos) @ Buffalo

McGahee missed the second quarter Sunday with a hamstring injury and was limited in his second-half return, but still managed 70 yards on just seven carries. He is practicing and should be good to go this week, but minor injuries have popped up on occasion for the veteran this season. He has a lot of miles on his legs, and while he’s having a great season, there’s a risk he can go down at any minute. With that being said, a healthy McGahee has tons of upside against the Buffalo Bills this week. Four of McGahee’s six 100-yard rushing games have come on the road this season and the Bills have allowed 4.8 YPC and 139.5 YPG on the year. As long as he gets through practice without any setbacks he’s a high-end RB2 option
Point Projection: 14 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 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. Michael Turner (Atlanta Falcons) @ New Orleans

Turner gained just 61 yards on 19 carries (3.2 YPC) but managed to score a touchdown. He has been struggling to gain yardage lately but the score in a blowout helped salvage an otherwise boring fantasy performance. The Falcons air attack is red hot so they have not had to lean on Turner the past few games. The New Orleans Saints are pretty solid against the run, allowing just 109.9 YPG. They do, however, allow 4.9 YPC and have given up 10 rushing scores. This game will likely be a shootout, so while Turner may not get a ton of work or gain a bunch of yards there’s a good chance he can find the end zone…which he’ll have to do in order to produce solid fantasy numbers. Keep him in your lineup and hope for the best.
Point Projection: 13 points

12. CJ Spiller (Buffalo Bills) vs. Denver

Spiller shined against Miami with 91 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries and 76 yards and a score on nine receptions, a season high. Spiller is a solid PPR play as he has caught at least three passes in four straight games and his running has been solid enough to produce some points. He’s only gotten 12 carries for two straight games but he’s making the most of them. The Bills aren’t going to be a run-first offense with Spiller, but he may see an uptick in carries after his impressive Week 15 performance. The Denver Broncos are giving up 125.4 YPG on the ground, so Spiller is once again a decent flex play this week.
Point Projection:  12 points

13. Beanie Wells (Arizona Cardinals) @ Cincinnati  **QUESTIONABLE - STATUS UNCERTAIN FOR SATURDAY**

Wells ran for just 51 yards on 15 carries but managed to find the end zone against the Cleveland Browns. It’s obvious he’s not 100 percent, and coach Ken Whisenhunt confirmed that Tuesday, saying his knee injury limits “his explosiveness.” With that being said, Wells needs just six yards for his first career 1,000-yards rushing season and has been able to find the end zone 10 times. He would be a safer option if he was fully healthy, but he is still the starting back in this offense and has a nose for the end zone. The Cincinnati Bengals are holding opposing runners to just 3.7 YPC and 99.6 YPG but have given up 12 rushing touchdowns. It’s the perfect recipe for a repeat performance. He’s a high-end flex option.
Point Projection: 12 points

14. Frank Gore (San Francisco 49ers) @ Seattle

Gore ran for 65 yards and a score on 18 carries Monday night against a good Pittsburgh Steelers defense. There were reports that Gore isn’t at 100 percent, but he was healthy enough to carry the ball 18 times against a stout run defense so fantasy owners were happy. The Seattle Seahawks are also solid against the run, allowing just 3.7 YPC to opposing runners this season.  In Week 1, the Hawks held Gore to just 59 yards on 22 carries. He is also no longer the receiving threat he once was as he hasn’t caught a pass in three games and has just four in the last eight games. It looks as though Gore can run upwards of 20 times and if he does that, he can give you solid, high-end flex production.
Point Projection: 12 points

15. Rashard Mendenhall (Pittsburgh Steelers) vs. St. Louis

Mendenhall ran for 64 yards on 15 carries (4.3 YPC) Monday against the San Francisco 49ers. The Niners are so good against the run that it was actually a solid performance, and he also added 25 yards on three catches. Mendy goes from the top run defense in the league to the worst in Week 16 against the St. Louis Rams. With a YPG average of 153.4 and 4.8 YPC, the Rams have given up some big games to opposing runners this season. Mendy has scored double digit fantasy points just five times all year though, and has even struggled against some of the lesser run defenses in the league such as Indianapolis and Cleveland. He has run more than 18 times in a game just twice all year and just isn’t a huge part of this offense. With all that being said, the Rams are so bad that he can be considered a high-end flex play with upside.
Point Projection: 12 points

16. Roy Helu (Washington Redskins) vs. Minnesota     **QUESTIONABLE - EXPECT TO PLAY ON SATURDAY**

Helu ran 23 times but managed just 53 yards (2.3 YPC) with 16 yards on three catches. It was his worst performance since being named the starter and Evan Royster also saw 10 carries. Helu deserves another crack and by all means should once again see 20-plus carries in Week 16 against the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikes have given up 10 rushing scores but are allowing just 105.6 YPG on the ground. Unless for some reason Mike Shanahan comes out and says Helu has been demoted, he should remain in your starting lineup as a high-end flex option. Cross your fingers and hope for a rebound from the rookie.
Point Projection: 12 points

17. Kevin Smith (Detroit Lions) vs. San Diego

Smith returned from injury and ran for 43 yards on 15 carries. It wasn’t a great game, but he was the only running back to run the ball more than once, so it’s safe to say that when healthy he is the starter. Smith draws a San Diego Chargers run defense that has allowed 126.1 YPG this season and he can certainly do some damage as both a runner and receiver if he’s 100 percent. He didn’t catch a pass last week but that doesn’t change the fact that he can. As long as he comes out of the practice week healthy, he is a high-end flex option with upside.
Point Projection: 12 points

18. Cedric Benson (Cincinnati Bengals) vs. Arizona

Benson ran for 76 yards and a score on 22 carries with an 11-yard reception against the St. Louis Rams. It wasn’t amazing but it was effective as he somewhat took advantage of a great matchup. Of note were three fumbles by Benson, all of which were recovered by the Bengals. He was also stuffed a few times in short-yardage situations and lost a touchdown to Bernard Scott. Benson is never going to dazzle, but he gets a ton of carries and can usually take advantage of good matchups. The Arizona Cardinals are allowing 117.4 YPG on the ground so Benson will once again have a chance to get it done. Owners will have to watch closely and hope he can hold on to the ball and move the chains because if he struggles again, we could see more of Scott than usual.
Point Projection: 11 points

19. Ahmad Bradshaw (New York Giants) @ New York Jets

Bradshaw led the Giants with 58 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries with 21 yards on three catches. Brandon Jacobs had two less carries and Bradshaw was in on the majority of snaps, so it looks as though he’s healthy and out of the doghouse. He’s the most talented runner on this team so the Giants will need him against the New York Jets this week. The Jets have been so-so against the run, allowing 112.9 YPG but giving up 15 rushing scores. As long as he can overcome the foot issues again, he’ll be a solid play this week.
Point Projection:11 points

20. Chris Johnson (Tennessee Titans) vs. Jacksonville    **QUESTIONABLE - STATUS UNCERTAIN FOR SATURDAY**

Johnson didn’t find the end zone but did manage 55 yards on 15 carries and 54 yards on eight catches Sunday. He was targeted 11 times in the game so the Titans knew they had to work him in even when they were trailing to Indianapolis. It wasn’t a spectacular performance by any means but PPR owners certainly reaped the benefits. He came out of the game with an ankle injury and while he said he will play, it looks like he’ll be limited in practice all week. Owners will have to monitor the situation and likely wait until Sunday to see if he’s ready to go.
Point Projection: 10 points