Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

5. New England Patriots RBs (NE) vs. Houston Texans RBs (Hou)

Bruno Boys Whooley: PATRIOTS RBs. While both of these squads are known for their passing games, the Patriots at least have had some semblance of production from their running game this season, ranking 11th in rush offense, while the Texans come in at 31st in the league.

Bruno Boys Cavigs: PATRIOTS RBs. New England has more depth and talent at the running back position; however, it will mean very little in this game. There is no guarantee that the Patriots skill players will get a full workload on Sunday and with that being the case it makes things interesting. Still, expect both teams to share carries with neither coach stating before game-time who their lead back would be.

6. Ben Roethlisberger (Pit) vs. Chad Henne (Mia)

Bruno Boys Cavigs: BIG BEN. Henne’s been solid of late but there is no going against Big Ben in a “must-win” game. The Steelers quarterback is setting career highs in every major statistical category and is rewarded with a contest against a Miami Dolphins secondary that has allowed 522 yards and five passing touchdowns over their last two games.

Bruno Boys Whooley: BIG BEN. Henne has responded well to his extra responsibility of late with double digits in each of his last four games, but Big Ben has thrived his whole career in games when the Steelers have needed him most. With a playoff spot on the line, he’ll come up big once again in Week 17.

7. Steve Smith (NYG) vs. Sidney Rice (Min)

Bruno Boys Whooley: RICE. The Vikings may have ended up losing last Monday Night’s game to the Bears in overtime, but the fact that they even took it to overtime is something that fantasy owners need to take note of. Brett Favre and the offense got things rolling last week while mounting their comeback against Chicago, and they should carry that momentum into this weekend’s contest with a Giants’ team that just gave up 41 points to the Carolina Panthers.

Bruno Boys Cavigs: RICE. Brett Favre’s touchdown pass to Sidney Rice late in the 4th quarter not only helped send the game into overtime but it was also the deciding factor between a win or a loss for many fantasy owners. With the Vikings having everything to play for you can expect Favre to pick apart a New York Giants defense that has allowed 98 points over their last three games.

8. Jason Snelling (Atl) vs. Jerious Norwood (Atl)

Bruno Boys Cavigs: SNELLING. Tampa Bay has nothing to play for and has allowed 117 or more rushing yards in four straight games. Despite being in a timeshare in Atlanta, Snelling has received the most reps and has been getting the looks around the goal line. Look for Snelling to get anywhere between 15-20 touches and to do enough damage to be a solid RB2 or flex option in Week 17.

Bruno Boys Whooley: SNELLING. Neither back has really shined in Michael Turner’s absence, but it’s Snelling that continues to get the bulk of the carries. That should be the case again this weekend against a Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ team that ranks 30th against the run. As such, Snelling can be viewed as a low-end RB2 option this weekend.

9. Donovan McNabb (Phi) & DeSean Jackson (Phi) vs. Tony Romo (Dal) & Miles Austin (Dal)

Bruno Boys Cavigs: MCNABB & JACKSON. Really, you can make a strong case for both options and I debated on who to take but ultimately went with the combination from the “City of Brotherly Love.” It seems that at least once per game Jackson gets open deep and McNabb has done a great job of getting his play-maker the football. Expect the same thing to happen again with the division on the line. Keep in mind, Jackson and Austin combined for just three receptions in an earlier meeting this year between the Cowboys and Eagles.

Bruno Boys Whooley: ROMO & AUSTIN. This one was a tough call to make as both duos have been showing excellent chemistry of late. I went with Romo and Austin, though, for two reasons. First and foremost, the duo got the better of McNabb and Jackson in their first meeting this year, outscoring them 26 to 11. Secondly, the Eagles’ lost their starting center, Jamaal Jackson, in week 16 for the year, which could lead to a little added pressure on McNabb.

10. T.J. Houshmandzadeh (Sea) vs. Kenny Britt (Ten) vs. Nate Washington (Ten)

Bruno Boys Whooley: BRITT. With the Seattle Seahawks mailing it in, this one comes down to the two Tennessee Titans’ wide receivers. Call it a gut call, but I think Vince Young and Tennessee draws up some plays for their rookie wide out to reward him for a season well done, giving him the edge over Washington.

Bruno Boys Cavigs: HOUSHMANDZADEH. All three options should only be considered as WR3 options but it’s Houshmandzadeh that has the most upside in the season finale. An injury to Nate Burleson has led to Houshmandzadeh seeing an increase of targets and a rise in production. He has 11 receptions for 124 receiving yards and he has the match-up to gain solid yardage and find pay dirt in Week 17.

11. Steven Jackson (StL) vs. Frank Gore (SF)

Bruno Boys Cavigs: GORE.  The 49ers veteran running back has 69 carries over his last three games and should have no problem running all over a St. Louis Rams defense that has given up 100 or more rushing yards in nine of their last ten games. Plus, with Steven Jackson being a late scratch last week and there being no guarantee he plays this week you shouldn’t risk plugging him into your lineup.

Bruno Boys Whooley: GORE. The San Francisco 49ers are out of playoff contention, but Sunday’s game still holds meaning for the team as a win will allow them to end a streak of six consecutive losing seasons. Gore wants to ensure that happens, so I look for the RB to continue his strong play of late, making him one of the top RB options in week 17.

12. Drew Brees (NO) vs. Carolina Panthers Defense (Car)

Bruno Boys Whooley: BREES. The Panthers’ pass defense may be the third best in the league when it comes to limiting opposing QBs fantasy points; however, one of the few QBs to have success against them this season was Drew Brees as he threw for 330 yards and a score against them in their first meeting, an outing that led to 13 fantasy points despite three turnovers.

Bruno Boys Cavigs: PANTHERS DEFENSE. Carolina has been solid against the pass and hasn’t allowed an opposing quarterback to score double digit fantasy points in five games. Plus, they haven;t allowed multiple touchdown passes in a game since Week 8. On top of that there is no guarantee that Drew Brees plays 60 minutes, despite head coach Sean Payton claiming they are playing to win the game.

Week 17 Rankings:  QB  |  RB  |  WR  |  TE  |  K  | DEF    (click to read)

Week 17 Start & Sit:  START ‘EM  |  SIT ‘EM    (click to read)

Week 17 Waiver Wire Advice:  PICK THEM UP  |  CUT THEM LOOSE    (click to read)

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