Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

What would Week 17 be without another curve ball? After all, NFL teams often times use Week 17 to rest their studs in preparation for the playoffs, so we felt it would be only fitting to have another change in author for our Carrots or Karats? - Identifying Fantasy Value article. This week, Bruno Boys Cavigs will be taking you “beyond the box score,” filling everyone in on some of the more alarming fantasy happenings that surfaced throughout the NFL in Week 16. 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 16.

Many fantasy football owners felt that Jerome Harrison’s 34 carry, 286 rushing yard and three touchdown Week 15 performance was a fluke. This led to fantasy owners’ keeping Harrison on their bench in Week 16 despite an ideal match-up against a soft Oakland Raiders run defense. Those brave enough to start him were rewarded with quite the encore. The fourth year running back out of Washington State acted as a true RB1 while pounding the ground 39 times for 148 rushing yards and a touchdown. His big afternoon helped propel fantasy owners’ to claim their leagues’ title and has earned Harrison a chance for Harrison to play a significant role int he Cleveland backfield next season. Karats for those brave enough to start Harrison. Carrots for those who left his big day on the bench.

Despite finishing with just 59 yards on 16 carries, San Diego Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson put together quite the Christmas Night performance. Tomlinson scored on a one-yard touchdown scamper in the first quarter and he’d later hit pay dirt on another one-yard run in the third quarter. Six of his 16 carries came from within the Tennessee Titans 15-yard line and if it weren’t for a blowout victory Tomlinson could have had more. With the game out of reach, Tomlinson hit the showers early and his back-up, Darren Sproles scored twice from inside the 10-yard line, which is normally known as LT territory. Karats for Tomlinson and Sproles. Carrots for fantasy owners who could have used the additional LT touchdowns.

In the New England Patriots blowout victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars it was Wes Welker doing all the work while Randy Moss played the role of “touchdown vulture.” Welker hauled in a 13 receptions for 138 yards but he was held without a touchdown. His teammate, Randy Moss, had just four catches on the afternoon but three of them went for TDs. On Moss’ first touchdown reception it was Welker who took a Tom Brady pass down to the Jaguars’ two yards line only to see the next play be a touchdown pass to Brady. Eight of Welker’s 13 catches came on drives in which Moss finished off with a TD. Karats for Moss. Carrots for Welker. 

After receiving just 32 carries in a three game stretch (Week 11-13), San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore has been a workhorse of late. His latest effort was 32 touch, 152 yard and a touchdown performance against the Detroit Lions He has 69 carries over his last three games and 53 fantasy points to show for it. This is a lot better than the 24 fantasy points he scored when seeing limited opportunity. Karats to the 49ers’ coaching staff for getting Gore more involved in the offense and to his fantasy owners’ for reaping the benefits of his playoff success. Carrots for none.

We guess miracles do happen after all. When Cadillac Williams takes the field in Week 17 it will mark the first time in his five year NFL career that the running back has played in all 16 games. His previous high was 14 games in 2005 and 2006 but he entered 2009 having played in just 10 games over the past two seasons. In Week 16, Williams had a season high 24 carries for 129 yards and a 23-yard touchdown run. Despite being in unfamiliar water, in terms of games played, Williams seems to be going strong. Karats to Williams and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers franchise for sticking with him.

WEEK 16 HOT READS

Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart has had at least 25 carries, 100 rushing yards and a touchdown in three of his last four games.

Tennessee Titans kicker Rob Bironas has had double-digit fantasy points in seven of his last nine games. That’s what we like to call consistency from the kicker position.

Rashard Mendenhall has been held to less than 40 rushing yards in two straight games but he has bailed out his fantasy owners’ with a short yardage touchdown in both of those games.

No kickers have been as good as David Akers and Lawrence Tynes this season. They are the only two players in the NFL to make at least one field goal in all 15 games.

Even after his four touchdown passes on Monday Night Football in Week 16, Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler has still thrown more interceptions than touchdown passes on the season.

Jamaal Charles is averaging 5.5 yards per touch on the season and has over 1,000 total yards. What’s remarkable about this feat is that he didn’t take over the starting running back position in Kansas City until Week 10.

Donovan McNabb is putting together one of his finest seasons in the NFL. The veteran has thrown a touchdown pass in 10 straight games and has eclipsed the 200 passing yard mark in nine straight.

Despite many thinking the wheels would fall off, Thomas Jones has been a superstar in 2009. He enters Week 17 as the fifth ranked fantasy running back and has scored double digit fantasy points in 11 of 12 games.

After holding Peyton Manning in check last week the New York Jets defense has given up just one touchdown pass over their last five games. They’ve intercepted opposing quarterbacks nine times during that span.

The Seattle Seahawks have allowed opposing quarterbacks to throw for at least 200 yards and a touchdown in 10 straight games. Smart fantasy owners’ have made a living loading up on players against this secondary.

When Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan torched the Buffalo Bills for 250 passing yards and three touchdowns it marked the first time since Week 2 the Bills’ passing defense surrendered multiple touchdown passes in a game.

With 308 fantasy points in standard leagues, Aaron Rodgers has secured his spot as the top fantasy football quarterback in 2009. Rodgers rewarded his owners’ with just one game under 10 fantasy points and nine games of 20 or more fantasy points.

In case you haven’t heard…Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson is just 128 rushing yards away from 2,000 on the season. With nothing to play for in Tennessee expect the Titans to feed their workhorse the football until he reaches the milestone.

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)

————————

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.