Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

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

WEEK 4 RANKINGS  QB  |  RB  |  WR |  TE |  K |  DEF

One way to really know that the NFL season is in full swing is when bye weeks starts, and with three weeks in the books two teams get their bye weeks out of the way. It’s now time to start looking deeper and making sure your roster has depth for bye week fill-ins and also for the numerous injuries that have started to hit. There was a lot of movement last week as top runners C.J. Spiller and Reggie Bush went down, Mikel Leshoure emerged as a fantasy stud, and a few backfield roles were adjusted as well.

To help you get through all the madness, check out our Fantasy Football Week 4 Running Back Rankings.

::RANKINGS UPDATED AS OF SEPTEMBER 26, 2012::

1. Ray Rice (Baltimore Ravens) vs. Cleveland

Rice continued his strong season with 101 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries and 49 yards on five catches. Rice is third amongst running backs in standard fantasy scoring and is third in receptions and second in total yards. He’s one of the surest bets in fantasy football, and will continue to build on his big season in Week 4 against the Cleveland Browns. He tore up the Browns for just under 350 total yards and two touchdowns in two games last season and will look to do the same in Week 4. He’s running well and is against a defense giving up 4.5 yards per carry (YPC). He continues to be a plug-and-play option.
Point Projection: 24 points

2. Arian Foster (Houston Texans) vs. Tennessee

Foster gained 105 yards on 25 carries (4.2 YPC) but didn’t find the end zone and had only three yards one catch. Owners can’t complain about a 100-yard game, though, and he remains one of the best RB1 options in fantasy football. Last year against the Tennessee Titans, Foster ran for 115 yards and two touchdowns along with 119 yards and a touchdown on five catches. It was his biggest game of the year, and with the Titans already giving up 150.3 yards per game (YPG) this season, Foster is set to go off.
Point Projection: 23 points

3. Maurice Jones-Drew (Jacksonville Jaguars) vs. Cincinnati

MJD ran all over Indy in Week 3 with 177 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries (6.3 YPC). He added 16 yards on two catches and owners can erase any lingering concerns over his extended holdout now. He is 100 percent, looking great, and ready to take advantage of a Cincinnati Bengals run defense allowing a league-worst 5.8 YPC and six touchdowns. They are giving up 155 YPG on the ground, and it wouldn’t be a shock if Jones-Drew matched or exceeded that total himself. Enjoy another big game from Pocket Hercules this week.
Point Projection: 21 points

**2012 BRUNO BOYS FANDUEL WEEK 4 CHAMPIONSHIP —$5 TO PLAY (111 ENTRIES MAX)—$8,000 IN PRIZE MONEY** 

We’ve partnered with FanDuel.com to provide our fans an opportunity to play WEEKLY salary cap fantasy football against the Bruno Boys Staff.  In Week 4, we are offering a $500 worth of cash prizes and a the winner gets a seat in our Week 11 Bruno Boys Championship Make sure to sign-up now for a chance to win $8,000 in prize money and take on the Bruno Boys… IT’S JUST $5!!

Please use this link to enter for JUST $5 in Week 4:  $500 IN PAYOUTS/ SEAT IN BBFC  (click to register)

4. LeSean McCoy (Philadelphia Eagles) vs. New York Giants

McCoy gained 70 yards on only 13 carries (5.4 YPC) and eight yards on three catches. The touches are disappointing, but it was a product of the Eagles falling behind big and having to throw deep the rest of the game. He has scored only once as the Eagles offense has struggled overall. They would probably be better served giving the ball to McCoy more and more as he is their biggest threat at the moment. Look for him to take care of the rock against the New York Giants Sunday night. In 2011, McCoy torched the Giants for 241 yards and a touchdown in two games, and he should once again have a productive game against a Giants run defense allowing 4.1 YPC.
Point Projection: 19 points

5. Adrian Peterson (Minnesota Vikings) @ Detroit

Peterson worked his butt off Sunday against San Francisco to lead the Vikes to a big upset with 86 yards on 25 carries (3.4 YPC) and 21 yards on two catches. He was sat down late in the game because the coaches did not want to give him any more work, and Toby Gerhart closed out the game. It would have been nice to see him get in the end zone, but 10 fantasy points for a running back against the Niners is pretty good. His matchup this week is a bit better as the Vikings head to Detroit to take on a Lions run defense that is allowing 3.9 YPC and 94.7 YPG on the ground so far. Keep AD in your lineup and expect a much bigger day this week.
Point Projection: 18 points

6. Marshawn Lynch (Seattle Seahawks) @ St. Louis

Lynch eclipsed the 300-yard mark in his third game of the year with 98 yards on 25 carries. He didn’t score but it was yet another productive game for the veteran leading the charge in the Seahawks backfield. He is the only back getting carries in a pretty productive offense, and will get a chance to take advantage of a St. Louis Rams defense allowing over 120 YPG on the ground. In two games against the Rams last year, Lynch had 203 rushing yards and two touchdowns and he should have no problem continuing his success in St. Louis.
Point Projection: 17 points

7. Darren McFadden (Oakland Raiders) @ Denver

Run DMC finally broke out of his two-week slump with 113 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries. The two catches for two yards is a disappointment, but it’s a big relief to see McFadden not only get his first 100-yard game of the year, but also find the end zone. Owners can breathe a little easier now and keep their top runner in the lineup. The Denver Broncos are allowing 3.3 YPC and 98 YPG on the ground, so the matchup isn’t great. Nonetheless, owners have to hope he can build off the big game and overcome the tough matchup.
Point Projection: 16 points

8. Doug Martin (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) vs. Washington

Martin struggled against Dallas Sunday, gaining only 53 yards on 19 carries (2.8 YPC) to go along with 21 yards on two catches. He was held out of the end zone, and it was an overall bad day for Martin and his fantasy owners. He’ll look to turn it around in Week 4 against the Washington Redskins. The ‘Skins have allowed only 92 YPG but are giving up 4.2 YPC so they can be beat. Martin had 19 of the Bucs 25 runs, so there is no reason to panic.
Point Projection: 14 points

9. Jamaal Charles (Kansas City Chiefs) vs. San Diego

Charles finally exploded in Week 3, stomping on a dreadful New Orleans run defense for 233 yards and a touchdown on 33 carries and another 55 yards on six catches. He looks completely healthy and seems poised to take over the full workload from Peyton Hillis (who is also suffering from a leg injury) very soon. Charles is the KC runner to won, and will look to build on his breakout on Sunday against San Diego. The Chargers, however, present a tougher test for Charles. The run defense is allowing only 3.6 YPC and 67.3 YPG so far this season. While you can’t expect him to run roughshod again like last week, he looks to be a very good RB2 option with RB1 potential moving forward.
Point Projection: 14 points

10. Ryan Mathews (San Diego Chargers) @ Kansas City

Mathews made his 2012 debut and ran well with 44 yards on 10 carries and 32 yards on five catches. His workload was limited because the Chargers fell behind early, but it’s great to see him run effectively in his first week back. No other runner had more than three carries and he is ready to lead the Chargers backfield this week against Kansas City. The Chiefs have given up 4.7 YPC and 122.7 YPG on the ground this year, and Mathews will look to take advantage of the weak defense. As long as the Chargers don’t fall behind early, look for Mathews to have a very nice weak. He has RB1 potential this season if he can stay healthy.
Point Projection: 14 points

11. BenJarvus Green-Ellis (Cincinnati Bengals) @ Jacksonville

For the first time in his NFL career, the Law Firm fumbled. It wasn’t just his first fumble lost…it was the first time he has ever fumbled, period. It was a long day overall for BJGE, who gained only 38 yards on 17 carries (2.2 YPC). He was, however, able to scrounge up some fantasy points for his owners with a touchdown. The Jacksonville Jaguars are allowing 154.3 YOG on the ground this year and have already given up five rushing touchdowns. The Law Firm is a safe best at RB2 this week.
Point Projection: 14 points

12. Trent Richardson (Cleveland Browns) @ Baltimore

Richardson was more effective through the air than on the ground in Week 3. He helped his PPR owners with six catches for 24 yards, and also added a touchdown on the ground despite running for just 27 yards on 12 carries (2.3 YPC). Richardson is a clear-cut stud who is one of the few backs in the league that gets basically all of his team’s carries, which is the most exciting thing about a rookie on a bad offense. The Baltimore Ravens have not been themselves against the run this year, allowing 111.7 YPG so far. Though they have held opposing runners to 3.3 YPC so they aren’t exactly a good matchup just yet. Start Richardson and hope for RB2 numbers this week.
Point Projection: 13 points

**2012 BRUNO BOYS FANDUEL WEEK 4 CHAMPIONSHIP —$5 TO PLAY (111 ENTRIES MAX)—$8,000 IN PRIZE MONEY** 

We’ve partnered with FanDuel.com to provide our fans an opportunity to play WEEKLY salary cap fantasy football against the Bruno Boys Staff.  In Week 4, we are offering a $500 worth of cash prizes and a the winner gets a seat in our Week 11 Bruno Boys Championship Make sure to sign-up now for a chance to win $8,000 in prize money and take on the Bruno Boys… IT’S JUST $5!!

Please use this link to enter for JUST $5 in Week 4:  $500 IN PAYOUTS/ SEAT IN BBFC  (click to register)

13. Frank Gore (San Francisco 49ers) @ New York Jets

Gore again ran well with 63 yards on only 12 carries as his team was surprisingly put in a hole early by Minnesota. Gore continues to be a non-factor in the pass game with just one catch for nine yards, but he is carrying the load and running like the Gore of old, which are both good signs. This week he will face a Jets defense that has been unable to stop the run with consistency this year and are allowing 4.6 YPC and 148.7 YPG so far. Keep Gore in your RB2 slot.
Point Projection: 13 points

14. Michael Turner (Atlanta Falcons) vs. Carolina

Turner bounced back from a DUI arrest last Monday to run for 80 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries. This was by far the best he looked this year, and he could be getting hot at the right time as the Carolina Panthers come to town this week. The Panthers are giving up 4.5 YPC and 139.3 YPG this year. In two games against the Panthers last year, Turner had 215 yards and two touchdowns. Keep Turner in your lineup off the big game against the weak defense.
Point Projection: 13 points

15. Cedric Benson (Green Bay Packers) vs. New Orleans

Benson broke the plane for the first time this season, finishing with 45 yards on 17 carries. For the second straight week, Benson was a factor through the air as he recorded four catches for 19 yards. While he was never a receiving threat in his career, that looks to have changed in the Packers offense. Benson couldn’t ask for a better matchup this week in the New Orleans Saints. The Saints are giving up a league-worst 215 YPG and six touchdowns. If you own Benson, this is the week to plug him in as a high-end RB2/low-end RB1 and reap the rewards.
Point Projection: 13 points

16. Alfred Morris (Washington Redskins) @ Tampa Bay

Morris ran for 78 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries in Week 3 and continues to rack up fantasy points while running the backfield in Washington. With Evan Royster and Roy Helu both hurting, the ‘Skins are set to sign veteran Ryan Grant for depth, but he won’t be a threat to Morris right off the bat, if at all. The rookie has been great with 263 yards and three scores in the first three games for the ‘Skins. He gets a tough matchup with an improved Tampa Bay run defense in Week 4. After having the worst ranked run defense in the NFL last season, the Bucs sit atop of the rankings in the early going and are allowing only 2.3 YPC and 47.3 YPG so far. Morris should still be considered a good flex play as he is the go-to-guy for sure in Washington right now, restoring some sanity to a usually crazy backfield rotation.
Point Projection: 12 points

17. DeMarco Murray (Dallas Cowboys) vs. Chicago  

Murray gained just 38 yards on 18 carries against a much-improved Tampa Bay run defense. Fortunately, one of those carries went into the end zone. He also added 17 yards on three catches and again was the only runner to see more than one carry. There is no question that he is the workhorse of this offense, and owners shouldn’t get too discouraged after a disappointing yardage total against a tough defense. He doesn’t get a much easier matchup on Monday Night when the Chicago Bears come to town. The Bears are allowing just 76 YPG on the ground through three games, so Murray is again limited to RB2 status this week.
Point Projection: 12 points

18. Mikel Leshoure (Detroit Lions) vs. Minnesota

Leshoure returned from suspension and the Lions wasted no time handing him the keys. In his NFL debut, the troubled young runner gained 100 yards on 26 carries and recorded his first career touchdown. Only one other back received carries (Joique Bell with five), and Leshoure immediately catapults to RB2 status as he will be the workhorse back in Detroit. The Minnesota Vikings have a much better run defense than Tennessee so this will be his first test. Nonetheless, given the amount of carries he looks to be receiving in an explosive offense, keep him in your lineups this week.
Point Projection: 12 points

19. Darren Sproles (New Orleans Saints) @ Green Bay

After not receiving one carry in the Saints’ first two games, Sproles led the team in carries with seven and he took them for an impressive 62 yards (8.9 YPC).  The down side to that was he didn’t record one reception on three targets, hurting his PPR owners. He did most of his damage on a big 47-yard dash, so owners have to hope he goes back to getting more targets in the passing game with a few carries mixed in here and there. The Packers have struggled almost as much as the Saints this season and can’t stop anyone on defense right now, so keep Sproles in your flex spot in standard leagues and RB2 slot in PPR leagues.
Point Projection: 10 points

20. Pierre Thomas (New Orleans Saints) @ Green Bay

Thomas continues to be a consistent PPR threat as he added 55 yards on four catches despite gaining just 11 yards on six carries Sunday. He led the three running backs in touches and continues to see a nice mix of carries and catches early in the season. The Packers run defense has allowed 4.8 YPC and 135.7 YPG this year, so stick Thomas in your flex this week if you need to.
Point Projection: 10 points