Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

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

WEEK 7 RANKINGS  QB  |  RB  |  WR |  TE |  K |  DEF

Another week, another star running back goes down with injury as Maurice Jones-Drew is expected to miss several weeks. Owners again will have to fend off injuries and byes that have top runners Arian Foster and Ray Rice resting this week.

To gain a significant edge on your competition, check out our Fantasy Football Week 8 Running Back Rankings.

::RANKINGS UPDATED AS OF OCTOBER 24, 2012::

1. LeSean McCoy (Philadelphia Eagles) vs. Atlanta

Shady returns from a bye week looking to bounce back after totaling just 48 yards his last time out; though he did score. He’s done a decent job overall this season and has a touchdown in two straight games, so he’ll try to keep that streak alive this week against Atlanta. The Falcons have struggled mightily against the run and are allowing 5.2 YPC and 143.8 YPG on the season, so the Eagles would be wise to feature McCoy and let him run wild. Look for him to have a big game this week.
Point Projection: 19 points

2. Ryan Mathews (San Diego Chargers) @ Cleveland

With news that head coach Norv Turner is going to a more conservative offense, Mathews should now be in for a heavier workload. Turner has been criticized for not using Mathews, arguably the team’s best playmaker, enough so this is his chance. It comes at a great time as well as Cleveland has been torched on the ground for 133.7 YPG. He should see plenty of work and be able to go to town against a weak defense on Sunday.
Point Projection:  18 points

**2012 BRUNO BOYS FANDUEL WEEK 8 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 8, 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 8:  $500 IN PAYOUTS/ SEAT IN BBFC  (click to register)

3. Chris Johnson (Tennessee Titans) vs. Indianapolis

Is CJ2K back or did he just take advantage of a terrible run defense? That’s the question Titans fans and fantasy owners are asking after he ran wild in Buffalo with 195 yards and two touchdowns. He has now ran well in three of his last four games after a pathetic start to the season, and while there are still plenty of questions about his consistency in this offense, he is shaping up to be a very nice RB2 in most formats. He gets another very tasty matchup this week against an Indianapolis run defense allowing 4.8 YPC and 141.7 YPG so far this season. Keep riding Johnson.
Point Projection: 17 points

4. Adrian Peterson (Minnesota Vikings) vs. Tampa Bay

In case there were any doubters left, let’s be clear…’All Day’ Adrian is back. Sore ankle or not, Peterson ran all over Arizona Sunday with 153 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries (6.7 YPC). He is now third in the league in rushing yards and finally found the end zone for the first time since Week 1. As long as that ankle holds up like it’s expected to, he should keep rolling in Week 8. Tampa Bay has done surprisingly well against the run and are leading the league in opponents’ YPC average at 3.1., but they have allowed five rushing touchdowns and Peterson is at his best right now. It may not be a monster game, but AD should be productive yet again.
Point Projection: 17 points

5. Matt Forte (Chicago Bears) vs. Carolina

It’s been an up and down season for Forte but when healthy it’s tough to find a better fantasy option. He ran for 96 yards on 22 carries and added three catches for four yards. He’s averaging 4.6 YPC on the season and while he does get touchdowns stolen from him, he’s now fully healthy and it seems as though he’s ready to break out. In Week 8 he faces a Carolina run defense allowing 120 YPG on the year so he should be in for a nice week.
Point Projection: 16 points

6. Frank Gore (San Francisco 49ers) @ Arizona

In case anyone else was still skeptical about Gore’s resurgence, he proved those last remaining critics wrong with a huge performance against a top-ranked Seattle run defense. The veteran totaled 182 yards on 21 touches and was both the team’s leading rusher and receiver in the Thursday night victory. Gore still isn’t receiving much more than 15 carries a game but continues to make the most of it, and he is now getting back to catching the ball with eight receptions his last two games after recording seven in his previous five. While it may be a little earlier to give him a boost in PPR leagues, he has become a must-start in most formats because of his production. In Week 20 he gets an Arizona run defense that has cooled off after a fast start and is now giving up 4.7 YPC to opposing runners.
Point Projection: 16 points

7. Jamaal Charles (Kansas City Chiefs) vs. Oakland

He was the hottest running back in the league before Tampa threw some water on him and held him to 40 rushing yards. Even after a bad game and a bye he is still in the top 10 in yardage and fantasy scoring among running backs. Oakland is OK against the run but not nearly as good as Tampa right now, so look for Charles to get back on track.
Point Projection: 16 points

8. Reggie Bush (Miami Dolphins) @ New York Jets

Ever since a knee injury a few weeks ago, Bush has slowed down a bit after a hot start. He had another week to heal up and will now be out for revenge against the Jets, who he called out for going after him and even mocking his injury. He will obviously have revenge on his mind, and the Jets have had issues stopping the run this season allowing 147.7 YPG. All signs are there for some big points from Bush.
Point Projection: 16 points

9. Willis McGahee (Denver Broncos) vs. New Orleans

The veteran is coming off an effective game against a top-ranked San Diego run defense, and now gets to face a New Orleans run defense allowing 4.9 YPC and 160.3 YPG. The Saints have also allowed eight rushing scores this year so don’t be surprised at a return trip to the end zone after two weeks of not scoring. He’s considered an old man by NFL terms, but he is averaging 4.3 YPC and in the past three games has become a big part of the passing attack. He’s a must-start.
Point Projection: 15 points

10. Ahmad Bradshaw (New York Giants) @ Dallas

Despite concerns over his ever-so fragile feet, Bradshaw scored for the third straight game with 75 total yards on 16 touches. The Giants took it easy with him, but another week should certainly bring him back to 100 percent. In Week 1 against Dallas he put up 14 fantasy points (standard scoring), and owners should expect a similar output on Sunday as long as everything goes well with his foot issues.
Point Projection: 14 points

11. Marshawn Lynch (Seattle Seahawks) @ Detroit

Beast Mode is really all you need to know to describe Lynch’s season. Up against a notoriously tough San Francisco run defense, it took the veteran only 19 carries to rack up 103 yards. While he unfortunately didn’t score for the third straight game, he continues to be the model of consistency with at least 95 total yards in all but one game this season. No matter the matchup, Lynch is a guy you want in your lineup, and a middling Detroit run defense is going to have its work cut out this Sunday.
Point Projection: 13 points

**2012 BRUNO BOYS FANDUEL WEEK 8 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 8, 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 8:  $500 IN PAYOUTS/ SEAT IN BBFC  (click to register)

12. Alfred Morris (Washington Redskins) @ Pittsburgh
You know the old saying…it’s Alfred Morris’ world and we’re all just living in it! From relative obscurity during training camp to starting running back, Morris’ dream season has not slowed down, only picked up. The sixth-round pick out of Florida Atlanta racked up his third 100-yard performance of the season Sunday against the New York Giants and is now second only to Arian Foster is rushing yardage…yes, that’s correct…SECOND ONLY TO ARIAN FOSTER. While still a formidable run defense, the Steel Curtain isn’t quite what it used to be and certainly isn’t enough to force Morris to your fantasy benches.
Point Projection: 13 points

13. Darren McFadden (Oakland Raiders) @ Kansas City

The consensus on McFadden this year was that, as long as he stayed healthy he couldn’t miss. Well, everyone was wrong. Run DMC has stayed on the field all year but just hasn’t produced, evidenced by 53 yards on 19 carries Sunday night to bring his total to 324 yards on 103 carries (3.1 YPC) this season. He’ll catch a few balls here and there and had four catches for 28 yards this week, but without the big plays and touchdowns, it’s tough to trust him at this point. The Kansas City Chiefs are allowing 4.7 YPC and 125 YPG on the ground this year so all signs should point to a big game for McFadden. Unfortunately, he has yet to show it all season. All you can do is stick him in your lineup and cross your fingers…unless you are stacked at running back.
Point Projection: 13 points

13. Michael Turner (Atlanta Falcons) @ Philadelphia

After a few big games, Turner has only 100 yards on 29 carries his past two games, and for a guy that doesn’t catch more than one pass a game that’s pretty underwhelming. He does have a touchdown in that span, however, yet it’s tough to gauge what to expect from the Burner each week. Philadelphia’s run defense hasn’t done much to impress, so hope Turner can break through with the 15 or-so carries he has been seeing per game.
Point Projection: 13 points

14. Doug Martin (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) @ Minnesota

After a bit of a slump, the rookie now has over 100 total yards in two straight games and found the end zone for the first time in three games as well. He is solidifying himself as the clear-cut lead back in Tampa Bay as LeGarrette Blount continues to struggle. Minnesota has a decent run defense but can be beat, and Martin is hot right now so keep him in there.
Point Projection: 12 points

15. Rashad Jennings (Jacksonville Jaguars) @ Green Bay
An already interesting season for Jennings just got even more interesting with an injury to Maurice Jones-Drew that will sideline him for a few games. Drafted by many this season during an MJD holdout, Jennings was hurt early and was a non-factor the past few games which led to him being dropped in most fantasy leagues. Now, with the injury to MJD, Jennings will step into the starters role as owners scramble to the waiver wire to grab him. He is a talented young back who is now healthy at the right time and will be given every chance to shine.  If you’re lucky enough to own Jennings, plug him into your lineup this week against a middling Green Bay Packers run defense allowing 109.5 YPG so far this season.
Point Projection: 11 points

16. Shonn Greene (New York Jets) vs. Miami

After an awful start to the season, Greene put together his second straight solid game for fantasy owners with 54 yards and a score on the ground to go along with a season-high six catches for 34 yards. He is still averaging just 3.5 YPC on the year but now has five touchdowns and over 200 yards his last two games. This week he sees another top-ten run defense in the Miami Dolphins, who are giving up just 3.3 YPC and 78.2 YPG to opposing runners. In Week 3, the ‘Fins held the former Iowa Hawkeye to 40 yards on 19 carries. Greene has improved since then, but it will still be a tough matchup. He’s safer as a flex option than anything. 
Point Projection:  11 points

17. Stevan Ridley (New England Patriots) @ St. Louis

It looks like Ridley’s biggest obstacle in producing may be his head coach. Ridley was used sparingly early in the game in favor of Shane Vereen before finishing with 17 carries for 65 yards. While he continues to lead the team in carries each week, coach Bill Belichick isn’t afraid to take him off the field and mix things up with a combination of two or three other backs each week. This was his second straight underwhelming performance, and owners have to be concerned as Ridley gets set to take on a surprising St. Louis run defense that has allowed just 98.9 YPG (tied with San Francisco for No. 10 in the NFL). The Pats are also hinting at giving more work to Vereen, so there is no telling where there is headed. The Rams have given up six rushing touchdowns this year, and if Ridley can find the end zone all this worrying will be for naught.
Point Projection: 10 points

18. Trent Richardson (Cleveland Browns) vs. San Diego

Maybe activating the rookie despite his rib issues was a mistake, eh Cleveland? He was clearly hampered by the injury Sunday and finished with eight yards on eight carries with 11 yards on two catches. His status is certainly going to be up in the air this week, and despite leaving him off our injury report this week, we can’t recommend starting the ailing rookie against the top-ranked run defense in the NFL. Try to avoid if possible.
Point Projection: 10 points

19. Vick Ballard (Indianapolis Colts) @ Tennessee

The rookie took advantage of a great matchup to gain over 100 total yards for the first time in his career. He was effective on the ground (4.2 YPC) and will probably get at least one more chance to start with Donald Brown expected to miss another game. Tennessee’s run defense is ranked near the bottom of the barrel and is allowing 141.7 YPG so Ballard is a pretty solid flex option this week.
Point Projection: 10 points

20. Alex Green (Green Bay Packers) vs. Jacksonville

20 carries is a beautiful sight for fantasy owners. Unfortunately 35 yards and a 1.8 YPC average is not. There were some upsides to Green’s day, however, as he did add 29 yards on four catches and James Starks did not see a single touch, which shows the job is clearly is for the time being. Jacksonville has struggled in stopping the run, allowing 147.3 YPG, so if Green sees 20 carries again he should be able to do some damage. If he doesn’t, the Packers may have to reevaluate their backfield.
Point Projection: 10 points