Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

- Written by Cory Steger
- Edited by Marc Caviglia
- Predictions are based on Staff Consensus

WEEK 14 RANKINGS  QB  |  RB  |  WR  |  TE  |  K  |  DEF

There’s nothing like watching a rookie quarterback grow up on the job, and we got to see some prime examples of that happening last week. The most obvious example was Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck, who put together an impressive comeback win over the Detroit Lions, including a game-winning touchdown pass as time expired. Equally impressive was Russell Wilson leading the Seattle Seahawks to an overtime win over the Chicago Bears in Soldier Field, but let’s not forget about Cleveland Browns rookie Brandon Weeden. Though he had just one touchdown with two interceptions, he threw for 364 yards in leading the Browns to their first road win of the year.

While Luck finds himself near the top of the Week 14 Quarterback Rankings, not all rookie quarterbacks were as lucky. Keep reading below to see where the other rookies, and the other quarterbacks, fall this week.

::RANKINGS UPDATED AS OF DECEMBER 5, 2012::

1. Drew Brees (New Orleans Saints) @ New York Giants

Let’s all agree to simply forget that last week happened for New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees. Let’s forget the five interceptions and the 56.0 completion percentage. We can forget because Brees will. Brees is the type of player that can get past a bad game regardless of how bad it was, and given his past performances you should have no hesitation putting Brees back into the starting lineup this week. Don’t think Brees will have much trouble passing against the New York Giants’ 24-ranked pass defense.
Point Projection: 23 points

2. Peyton Manning (Denver Broncos) @ Oakland

In his last three games Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning has thrown for at least 240 yards, at least two touchdowns and only one touchdown in each game. Not only is his production great but it’s consistent as well. This week Manning’s got another great matchup against the Oakland Raiders. When these two teams met in Week 4 Manning threw for 338 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. It’s not easy to predict a similar performance for a quarterback the second time he faces a defense, but it’s pretty safe to say Manning will make a good exception.
Point Projection: 22 points

3. Andrew Luck (Indianapolis Colts) vs. Tennessee

What else can you say about Luck? In last week’s win over the Lions he threw for 391 yards with four touchdowns. If there is one thing we can nitpick about Luck it’s his interceptions. He had three last week, giving him 16 for the season. Nonetheless, it’s hard to complain about production and Luck’s got it. He’s averaging nearly 17 fantasy points per game this season, and he’s got a terrific matchup with the Tennessee Titans this week. The Titans are giving up an average of 17 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks, and have given up less than 15 fantasy points to a quarterback just once.
Point Projection: 20 points

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

In each of his last two games Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has had just one touchdown pass. Time to panic? The sky is falling? Hardly. Rodgers has been less than spectacular the last two weeks but by no means should you bail on him for this week’s matchup with the Lions. In Week 11 against the Lions Rodgers threw for 236 yards with two touchdowns and one interception, and he had an off day as well. Expect more from Rodgers this week, especially with the Packers playing at home.
Point Projection: 20 points

5. Robert Griffin (Washington Redskins) vs. Baltimore

How much better can he get? We’re not saying that as if Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin has reached his potential, but rather we’re saying he continues to impress and will only get better from here on out. Griffin has a matchup this week against the Baltimore Ravens that will put him to the test. The Ravens have only given up four touchdown passes in their last five games. That’s going to prove a lot more difficult for Griffin than the weak Giants’ pass defense was last week. Expect a good game from Griffin, just not a great one.
Point Projection: 19 points

6. Tom Brady (New England Patriots) vs. Houston

Even the best quarterbacks had mediocre games every once in awhile, and that’s just what happened to New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady in last week’s win over the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins came to play, Brady was off his game a bit and ended up with 238 yards, one touchdown and one interception. So why project Brady for 19 points against the Houston Texans defense? Brady’s best games this season have come against good defenses, including torching the New York Jets twice and other good games against the Seahawks and Baltimore Ravens. Expect Brady to be at his best again this week.
Point Projection: 19 points

7. Matthew Stafford (Detroit Lions) @ Green Bay

Despite the fact the Lions just can’t catch a break quarterback Matthew Stafford continues to put up good fantasy numbers. Not much surprise there. In the two games since he flopped against the Packers, Stafford’s thrown four touchdowns with just one turnover. The problem this week is that he is playing against the Packers, and it’s in Lambeau. Stafford was hurt by his three turnovers last time he faced the Packers but we’re going to stay optimistic and say he protects the ball better this week. Nonetheless, Stafford is a bit of a risky play against Green Bay.
Point Projection: 19 points

8. Eli Manning (New York Giants) vs. New Orleans

By no means did he have a bad game against the Washington Redskins, but, simply put, we expected more from Giants quarterback Eli Manning last week. This week Manning has a great matchup with the Saints, who give up the most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. Yet, Manning has been inconsistent over the last few weeks so even though he’s presented with a great matchup like this, the projection is a modest one.
Point Projection: 18 points

9. Matt Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) vs. @ Carolina

As poorly as Brees played last week against the Falcons, his counterpart, Matt Ryan, didn’t do much better. Ryan ended up with just 165 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions. Of course the Falcons didn’t need Ryan to do much but nonetheless it was a good matchup wasted. Well, Ryan has a good matchup this week and he won’t waste this one. The Carolina Panthers have been playing better recently mostly due to a Cam Newton resurgence. With Newton playing better the Falcons will need Ryan to throw more, and in Week 4 against the Panthers Ryan threw for 369 yards with three touchdowns and one interception.
Point Projection: 18 points

10. Cam Newton (Carolina Panthers) vs. Atlanta

Don’t look now, but Carolina quarterback Cam Newton is playing some pretty good football. In his last three games Newton’s got six touchdown passes, two touchdown runs, and, perhaps the most impressive part, no turnovers. Serious, he has not turned the ball over in three consecutive games. Newton did well against Atlanta earlier this season but the Falcons are giving up under 12 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks, and they’re coming off a game in which they picked off Brees five times. Still, Newton is a tough task for the Falcons and should be in your Week 14 lineup.
Point Projection: 18 points

11. Josh Freeman (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) vs. Philadelphia

One week after a forgettable game Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman bounced back last week in a loss to the Broncos. Freeman threw for 242 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. It wasn’t a ton of fantasy points, but getting two touchdowns one week after having none was a good sign for Freeman. The good news is that he’s got a good matchup this week with the Philadelphia Eagles. Philadelphia’s giving up over 18 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks, that’s right around where you can expect Freeman this week.
Point Projection: 18 points

12. Colin Kaepernick (San Francisco 49ers) vs. Miami

In just his second start at quarterback last week Colin Kaepernick of the San Francisco 49ers struggled against the St. Louis Rams. Kaepernick ended up with 208 yards, no touchdowns and one interception. His 84 rushing yards saved him from being a complete disaster. As poorly as he played we can also chalk that up to the Rams simply being good against the 49ers, the second time they’ve played them tough this season. Miami is giving up 16 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks this season so look for Kaepernick to do a little better this week.
Point Projection: 17 points

13. Andy Dalton (Cincinnati Bengals) vs. Dallas

Although it was a bit ugly at times last week Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton found a way to get the job done and lead the team to a comeback win on the road. His rushing touchdown helped offset two interceptions. This week Dalton is at home against the Dallas Cowboys, a team that has given up nine touchdown passes in its last four games. The Cowboys also struggled to shut down rookie Nick Foles last week, and if they struggled against him and Brandon Weeden, imagine what Dalton can do.
Point Projection: 16 points

14. Ben Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) vs. San Diego

Despite the Steelers feigning optimism about quarterback Ben Roethlisberger playing last week it was pretty clear Charlie Batch was going to get the start. He did, and he helped lead the Steelers to a win over the Ravens. Now Big Ben returns after missing three weeks because of a rib injury, and he gets to play at home against the Chargers. San Diego is giving up just under 16 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks, which is just where to expect Roethlisberger this week. The Steelers will want to play it safe with him a bit so expect a lot of protection and running plays.
Point Projection: 16 points

15. Tony Romo (Dallas Cowboys) @ Cincinnati

If Dallas quarterback Tony Romo could play every week like he has the last two weeks, we would be happy. Over the last two weeks Romo has 744 passing yards, six touchdowns and just two interceptions. Ah, if only he could do that every week. Sadly, we know Romo consistency is not his strong suit. This week he faces a Bengals defense that’s giving up around 13 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks, and they’ve forced 39 sacks this season. Expect some regression from Romo this week.
Point Projection: 15 points

16. Joe Flacco (Baltimore Ravens) @ Washington

It wasn’t much surprise to see Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco struggle against the Pittsburgh Steelers last week. It happened in Week 11 as well, as it has in previous seasons as well. Now Flacco is matched up with the Redskins this week, going from one of the toughest defenses to the one weaker ones. Washington gives up 18 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks, and though Flacco is capable of that, expect to see a lot of the Ray Rice show as well, thus limiting Flacco’s potential this week.
Point Projection: 15 points