Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

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

::RANKINGS UPDATED AS OF JANUARY 18 2011::

What many call the most exciting weekend in football, the Divisional Round, is now in the books and we saw Arian Foster’s great season come to an end, albeit with a bang. We also saw Ray Rice struggle and tight end Aaron Hernandez lead New England’s rushing attack. There are only four teams left standing and just a handful of backs left to choose from. Take a close look at our Fantasy Football Championship Round Running Back Rankings to find the right backs for you this weekend.

Standard Scoring

Pass TD: 4 points |  All Other TDs: 6 points
25 Passing Yards: 1 point |  All Turnovers: -2 points
10 Rushing Yards: 1 point |  10 Receiving Yards: 1 point

1. Ray Rice (Baltimore Ravens) @ New England

Rice struggled against the Houston Texans, gaining 60 yards on 21 carries with 20 yards on four catches. Arian Foster outperformed him by capping a great season with 154 total yards and a touchdown, but it was the Ravens who came out on top so Rice gets another chance. This matchup against the New England Patriots is much more favorable for Rice as the Pats allowed 4.6 yards per carry (YPC) and 117.1 yards per game (YPG) during the regular season. Rice didn’t face the Pats this year, but you can bet he will see upwards of 25 touches once again in this one and odds are he bounces back against the softer defense with some nice numbers. He’s the top running back option this weekend.
Point Projection: 22 points

2. Frank Gore (San Francisco 49ers) vs. New York Giants

Gore had a nice game in the 49ers victory over the New Orleans Saints. He ran for a very effective 89 yards on 13 carries (6.8 YPC) and added seven receptions for 38 yards. He didn’t score, but he was a key factor in the win and the seven catches was four more than his game-high of three during the regular season. Gore looked healthy, which is always a huge key for him. He will get a chance to take on a red hot New York Giants squad at home in the NFC Championship Game.  In Week 10 against the Giants, Gore had no yards on six carries before leaving the game with a knee injury. The Giants struggled against the run during the regular season and after stuffing the Atlanta Falcons in the Wild Card round, gave up 147 rushing yards to the Green Bay Packers Sunday. If Gore performs like he did last week, the Giants could have their hands full.
Point Projection: 16 points

3. Ahmad Bradshaw (New York Giants) @ San Francisco

Bradshaw was effective in the Giants upset over the defending champion Green Bay Packers Sunday. He gained 63 yards on only 12 carries (5.3 YPC) and added 21 yards on three catches. He lost a touchdown to Brandon Jacobs, but had three more carries than him and was clearly the more effective runner. They have been giving the two backs basically equal work, but with the way Bradshaw looked Sunday it wouldn’t be shocking to see him get some more carries this time around against San Francisco. Bradshaw was hurt the last time the Giants played the Niners, so this will be his first crack at the No.1 run defense in the NFL. They held the New Orleans Saints to a measly 37 yards on 14 carries in their last win and will be a very tough test for the Bradshaw and the Giants. Don’t be surprised if he is held in check this weekend…but he’s still one of the better options left in this small crop of runners. 
Point Projection: 10 points

4. BenJarvus Green-Ellis (New England Patriots) vs. Baltimore

All you really need to know about the unpredictable Patriots running game is that tight end Aaron Hernandez was the team’s leading rusher against Denver. Hernandez ran for 61 yards on five carries, 33 more yards than the Law Firm’s 28 on 13 carries. The five carries Hernandez had is also one more than both Danny Woodhead and Stevan Ridley had. This team is all about the pass and all about catching teams off guard. Green-Ellis was extremely inefficient once again with his touches and when he doesn’t score he has little fantasy value. Up against the Baltimore Ravens, the only way he will provide any fantasy points is if he can punch one in from the goal line.
Point Projection: 6 points

5. Brandon Jacobs (New York Giants) @ San Francisco

Jacobs was held to just 22 yards on nine carries Sunday but made fantasy owners happy with a touchdown. He had three less carries than Ahmad Bradshaw and was brutally outperformed by the younger back. He’ll continue to get his fair share of carries, especially around the goal line, but he is going to struggle against the San Francisco 49ers this week.  In Week 10 against the Niners, Jacobs got the start with Bradshaw hurt and was held to 55 yards on 18 carries. He’s not going to get nearly that much work this weekend and we all know by now what the best run defense in the NFL is capable of. It’s going to be a long day for Jacobs.
Point Projection:  5 points

6. Ricky Williams (Baltimore Ravens) @ New England  

Williams was the more effect back for the Ravens this weekend as he ran for 27 yards on six carries (4.5 YPC).  Nonetheless, he had six touches to Ray Rice’s 25 and if the Ravens want to beat the New England Patriots this week, they will have to keep that ratio similar. Sure he could surprise and break off a big run, but the opportunities will be few and far between.
Point Projection: 4 points

7. Kendall Hunter (San Francisco 49ers) vs. New York Giants

Hunter ran for 23 yards on six carries and added a 13-yard reception. He got just under half the carries Frank Gore had so while he is the clear backup ahead of Anthony Dixon, he isn’t looking like more than a change-of-pack back who can catch a pass or two. As long as Gore stays healthy for this one, Hunter won’t get many chances.
Point Projection: 4 points

8. Stevan Ridley (New England Patriots) vs. Baltimore

Ridley ran for 21 yards on four carries, and with three backs and tight end Aaron Hernandez splitting work in the backfield, Ridley will likely be limited moving forward. Sure the Pats could surprise everyone and decide Ridley is the best matchup against Baltimore, but he could also see three carries and be done with. There is a lot of risk here, but with just a handful of runners to choose from this week, maybe Ridley is worth a shot.
Point Projection: 4 points

9. Danny Woodhead (New England Patriots) vs. Baltimore

Woodhead had 25 yards on four carries and didn’t catch a pass Saturday night. He and Stevan Ridley both had four carries and will likely continue to split backup duties. He doesn’t get much work and up against the Baltimore Ravens, the odds of him breaking off a big run are slim.
Point Projection: 3 points

10. D.J. Ware (New York Giants) @ San Francisco

Ware had zero yards on two carries and didn’t catch a pass against Green Bay. Barring an injury, Ware doesn’t see more than two or three touches per game.
Point Projection:  1 point

11. Anthony Dixon (San Francisco 49ers) vs. New York Giants

Dixon had just one carry in the Divisional Round and is the clear No.3 back…rendering him useless in fantasy circles.
Point Projection: 1 point