Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

With only two more regular season games left until most fantasy football leagues start their playoffs it’s as crucial as ever to maximize your lineup in terms of fantasy points. With Week 12 determining your playoff fate in some cases we want to make sure you enter Sunday knowing what players we feel you should play with caution. Obviously it’s your team and your gut so you are the final decision makers but if these guys fail to get the job done for your fantasy squad this week don’t say the Bruno Boys didn’t tell you so.  With that being said the Bruno Boys present the Fantasy Football Week 12 Sit Ems.

QUARTERBACKS – SIT ‘EM

Donovan McNabb (Philadelphia Eagles) vs. Washington

Washington’s defense has been able to corral most QBs as they have only allowed 10 TDs through 10 games this season. Washington’s woes have definitely not been on the defensive side of the ball this season. In McNabb’s last game against Washington (Week 7) he had 156 yards and 1 TD. Philadelphia’s up and down play in 2009 will most definitely result in a win against the Redskins, but it won’t be due to McNabb dominating the Washington secondary.

Joe Flacco (Baltimore Ravens) vs. Pittsburgh

In Flacco’s last 4 games, he has averaged under 200 passing yards, and thrown 1 TD to 3 INTs; not exactly a reliable starter for your fantasy football quarterback. He wasn’t able to do much of anything against the Pittsburgh Steelers defense in 2008, and even with the Pittsburgh giving up a decent amount of passing yards, Flacco has done nothing of late for us to think that streak won’t continue in 2009. The Steelers defense has only allowed 11 TDs through the first 10 games, making most fantasy owners look other places for a their starting QB in Week 12.

RUNNING BACKS – SIT ‘EM

Jamal Lewis (Cleveland Browns) @ Cincinnati

The Bengals have been impressive against the run in 2009, allowing an NFL low 2 rushing TDs to opposing RBs. Jamal Lewis may see the bulk of the carries, however it doesn’t mean much is to be desired from those touches. His 24 carries for 75 yards against the lowly Lions defense shows that there isn’t much left in the tank for the 30 year old who has yet to record a TD this season. Comfortably place him along with all other Browns for this match-up against a Bengals team that lost to the Raiders last week and will be looking for revenge.

Rashard Mendenhall (Pittsburgh Steelers) @ Baltimore

Mendenhall has more than replaced Willie Parker as the starting RB in the Steel City. In fact, most fantasy owners who had Parker gladly upgraded to the likes of Rashard Mendenhall. He’s been consistent, finds the end zone, and is a capable although under utilized receiver out of the backfield. Mendenhall’s last bad game against another top 5 rush defense in the Bengals, so going up against a Baltimore team only allowing 14 points per game to opposing RBs should make people assume he won’t fare much better. Mendenhall could be looking at around 70 total yards but may not be able to punch it in in week 12.

Potential Bust Pick of the Week

Frank Gore (San Francisco 49ers) vs. Jacksonville

As poor as the overall Jacksonville defense has been, their rush defense in regards to fantasy has been top-10. Allowing a meager 14.5 points per game and only 6 total TDs to RBs, San Francisco 49ers RB Frank Gore could be in for a tough day. With the Niners expected to open up the playbook and spread out the offense this weekend, it could mean less inside runs and more check downs for Frank Gore. So while his carries could decrease, he could still see a decent amount of touches. Temper expectations of Gore moving forward this weekend.