Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

We have decided to throw you all a curve ball this week in our Carrots or Karats? - Identifying Fantasy Value article. Regular scheduled Carrots or Karats? writer Bruno Boys Bunney is usually the one who takes you “beyond the box score” but this week I, Bruno Boys Cavigs, will be filling everyone in on some of the more alarming fantasy happenings that surfaced throughout the NFL in Week 14. And as a quick refresher, a “Carrot” means the fantasy situation DID NOT benefit the player, while a “Karat” means the fantasy situation DID benefit the player. With that covered, let’s dive into the review of Week 14.

When Chris Jennings scored a rushing touchdown with 41 seconds left in the first half for the Cleveland Browns it marked the first time on the season that a Browns running back scored a rushing TD. In case you were counting it was 270 rushing attempts before a Cleveland running back found pay dirt. Karat for Jennings. Carrots for Jamal Lewis, Jerome Harrison and James Davis. 

In a 48-10 triumph of the Detroit Lions, the Baltimore Ravens offense compiled 308 rushing yards and five touchdowns on the ground. As a unit they averaged 7.7 yards per carry. 308 rushing yards in a single game is impressive and it would take teams like the Chicago Bears, San Diego Chargers, Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans almost four games at their yard per game average to hit that total. Karats for Ray Rice, Willis McGahee and Leron McClain. Carrots to the Detroit Lions defense.

Tony Romo has silenced all the critics who have talked about him struggling when the calendar reads December. Despite the Dallas Cowboys being 0-2 in the month Romo has played at a high level. The signal caller has 641 passing yards, five touchdown passes and no turnovers in the month of December. You can’t blame Romo for his teams struggles as the holidays approach. Karats for Romo and those fantasy owners brave enough to use him in December,

New Orleans Saints wide out Robert Meachem didn’t score a touchdown for the first time in five games but he was inches away from making it six in a row. In the second quarter Drew Brees hit Meachem in stride for what looked to be a sure touchdown but the speedy wide receiver was caught from behind and tackled by his shoestrings at the Atlanta Falcons 11-yard line. Three plays later… a Reggie Bush six yard touchdown catch. Karats for Bush and Brees. Carrots for Meachem.

On the first play of the game Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub hooked up with wide receiver Andre Johnson for a 64-yard touchdown reception. That’s 12 quick points for Johnson owners and six quick points for Schaub owners. It didn’t end there. On the first drive of the second quarter Schaub connected with Johnson on a 23-yard pass and on the next play hit him for a 17-yard TD. When it was all said and done Johnson had 193 yards and two touchdowns while Schaub passed for 365 yards and two scores. Karats for Schaub and Johnson owners. Carrots for the horrible display of defense by the Seattle Seahawks.

Peyton Manning is having an MVP type season but he’s been a lot like Jay Cutler and Jake Delhomme of late in terms of throwing the ball to the wrong team. Manning was picked off three times on Sunday by the Denver Broncos defense and that now marks the fifth time in six game that Manning has thrown an interception. In four of those six games Manning has thrown two or more picks. During that span Manning has averaged 16.5 fantasy points but it should be known that he’s lost 20 points by way of INTs. Carrots for those in leagues that take away points for INTs. Karats for those in leagues that don’t.

WEEK 14 HOT READS

Philadelphia Eagles play-maker DeSean Jackson has eight touchdowns of 50 or more yards this year.

The last time Ryan Longwell missed a field goal was in a Week 3 victory over the San Francisco 49ers.

Chris Johnson has gained at least 120 total yards in eight straight games. Can you say carrying your fantasy team?

Michael Vick has ran for a touchdown in two straight games and has 80 passing yards (and a TD) over that stretch.

Carson Palmer has scored single-digit fantasy points in three straight games and hasn’t thrown multiple touchdown passes in a game since Week 7.

Rob Bironas has scored 10+ fantasy points in six of the Tennessee Titans last seven games. He’s converted on 16 field goals since Week 7.

Leading up to his zero touchdown and two interceptions showing in Week 14, Kurt Warner had thrown 12 touchdown passes and zero interceptions over a four game span.

The St. Louis Rams defense has allowed 110 or more rushing yards in eight straight games and a touchdown to opposing running backs in all but three games this season.

Josh Freeman tossed three more interceptions on Sunday. That makes eight picks and zero touchdown passes over his last two games and a remarkable 77 passes attempted.

JaMarcus Russell replaced injured Burce Gradkowski in the second half and was sacked six times despite the Oakland Raiders running just 30 second half plays.

The Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers Week 14 match-up featured a combined 16 punts as neither offense could find it’s groove. Talk about a boring game to watch.

Despite playing just a little over a quarter Vince Young still managed to score 10+ fantasy points. His 13 points effort marked the seventh straight week Young has rewarded his fantasy football owners with double-digits points.

With a 24 points effort in standard scoring leagues the San Francisco 49ers D/ST trails only the New Orleans Saints and Philadelphia Eagles in fantasy points. However, 63 of their 128 fantasy points have came in two combined games.

Since allowing over 500 rushing yards and seven touchdowns in their first three games the Houston Texans defense has found it’s groove. Over their last 10 games the Texans have allowed just five rushing TDs and two teams to gain over 100 rushing yards against them.

Week 15 Rankings:  QB  |  RB  |  WR  |  TE  |  K  | DEF    (click to read)

Week 15 Start & Sit:  START ‘EM  |  SIT ‘EM    (click to read)

Week 15 Waiver Wire Advice:  PICK THEM UP  |  CUT THEM LOOSE    (click to read)

————————

Don’t forget to head over to our Fantasy Football Message Board and sign-up for a FREE FORUM account. By doing so you will be able to talk fantasy football all season long.