Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

16. LeSean McCoy (Philadelphia Eagles) @ Atlanta

Rookie LeSean McCoy had 17 carries for 76 yards and added four catches for 25 yards in the Eagles Week 12 victory over the Washington Redskins. He has gained 175 rushing yards over the last two weeks and has scored double digit fantasy points in four of his last five games. He has played very well filling in for an injured Brian Westbrook, who should once again be out for Week 13. Consider McCoy a RB2 this week against an Atlanta defense that is giving up more then 121 rushing yards per game and has allowed nine rushing touchdowns through 11 games.
Point Projection: 15 points

17. Jamaal Charles (Kansas City Chiefs) vs. Denver

With the play of Jamaal Charles over the last three weeks it is becoming clearer why the Chiefs were willing to part with disgruntled running back Larry Johnson. Charles rushed for 93 yards on 14 carries with a touchdown and added three catches for 54 yards in a Week 12 loss to the San Diego Chargers. He has scored a touchdown in three straight games and has totaled more then 100 yards in two of the three games. Charles did lose one fumble in the game, but he should be used as a No. 2 fantasy running back this week against a Denver Broncos defense that is allowing 110 rushing yards per game. The Broncos have allowed only six rushing touchdowns on the season but even if Charles doesn’t hit pay dirt his versatility should be enough to put him over 100 total yards.
Point Projection: 14 points

18. Marion Barber (Dallas Cowboys) @ New York Giants

With 102 total yards on Thanksgiving Day against the Oakland Raiders, Marion Barber had his most productive fantasy performance since scoring 11 fantasy points in Week 8 against the Seattle Seahawks. He has scored just one touchdown over his last seven games and his lack of touchdown production is becoming a huge concern for fantasy owners, as he has found the end zone just four times all season. This week the Cowboys will face a New York Giants team that Barber had his best outing of the season against. In a Week 2 match-up against New York he had 18 carries for a season-high 124 yards with a touchdown. Despite the recent struggles and lack of red zone opportunity you can use Barber as a RB2 this week against the Giants who have allowed 15 rushing touchdowns on the season.
Point Projection: 14 points

19. Knowshon Moreno (Denver Broncos) @ Kansas City

Rookie Knowshon Moreno scored his third rushing touchdown of the season in a Thanksgiving Night victory over the New York Giants. He had 19 carries for 88 yards in the game and it was his third straight game with 80 or more yards. He continues to split carries with backup Correll Buckhalter, but he also continues to outperform him. Buckhalter managed just 51yards on 20 carries against the Giants. With 161 carries for 688 yards and four total touchdowns, Moreno is the No. 1 rushing option in Denver and should be used as a No. 2 fantasy running back this week against the Kansas City Chiefs. 
Point Projection: 14 points

20. Pierre Thomas (New Orleans Saints) @ Washington

In New Orleans’ Week 12 victory over the New England Patriots, Pierre Thomas had 11 carries for 64 yards and added three receptions for 23 yards with a touchdown. It was the second straight game that backup Mike Bell received two more carries, but Thomas totaled more rushing yards. They seem to be getting a pretty even split of carries of late, but Thomas is proving to be the more consistent fantasy option. He has 783 total yards and seven total touchdowns through 10 games played. Continue to use Thomas as a low-end RB2 this week against the Washington Redskins. 
Point Projection: 12 points

21. Michael Turner (Atlanta Falcons) vs. Philadelphia  **CHECK INJURY STATUS**

Returning from a high-ankle sprain that caused him to miss just one-week of action, Michael Turner had 12 carries for 33 yards in a Week 12 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He did leave the game early after apparently injuring his ankle and his status for Week 13 is still up in the air, but head coach Mike Smith said, “He has not been ruled out for the game.” Keep an eye on this situation throughout the week, when healthy Turner is one of the best running backs in the NFL and an elite fantasy option. If he plays this week he is a bit of an injury risk against a good Philadelphia Eagles rush defense and should be used as a RB2 in standard scoring formats.
Point Projection: 13 points

22. Ryan Grant (Green Bay Packers) vs. Baltimore

Ryan Grant is one of the few running backs in the NFL that does not have anyone behind him stealing touches. He has carried the ball at least 19 times in six of his last seven games and he has rushed for 60 or more yards in each of the six games in which he has 19+ touches. This week he faces a Baltimore Ravens defense that is ranked in the top-five against the rush, but is not as formidable as they have been in recent years. Based on opportunity alone, use Grant as a low-end No. 2 fantasy running back in Week 13, as he has scored double digit fantasy football points eight times this season. 
Point Projection: 12 points

23. Brandon Jacobs (New York Giants) vs. Dallas  **CHECK INJURY STATUS**

In what was his worst rushing performance of the season, Brandon Jacobs had 11 carries for 27 yards against the Denver Broncos in a game that was supposed to be a breakout performance. He added three catches for 30 yards in the Turkey Day match-up. He has struggled of late rushing the ball, as he has just 66 rushing yards in his last two games and has not gained over 100 yards in any game this season. This week he will face a Dallas Cowboys defense that is allowing 102.7 rushing yards per game and has yielded just four rushing touchdowns. Jacobs gained 58 yards on 16 carries in a meeting between the teams in Week 2 and he should be used as a low-end RB2 or Flex option this week. Though if he doesn’t score a touchdown it could be another mediocre yardage afternoon for the struggling running back.
Point Projection: 12 points

24. Jonathan Stewart (Carolina Panthers) vs. Tampa Bay

Jonathan Stewart managed just nine carries for 35 yards in a Week 12 loss to the New York Jets. Since posting 11 carries for 82 yards with two touchdowns in Week 10, he has totaled just 78 rushing yards in his last two games and has not been able to get into the end zone. He has been slowed in practice by an Achilles’ tendon injury that has been bothering him all season, but has not really affected him in the games. Consider Stewart a bit of a sleeper start this week as a low-end No. 2 fantasy running back when he faces a Tampa Bay Buccaneers team that he gained 110 rushing yards and a touchdown against in Week 6. 
Point Projection: 12 points

25. Steve Slaton (Houston Texans) @ Jacksonville

In a Week 12 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, Steve Slaton has 10 carries for 57 yards and added seven receptions for 49 yards. For the second straight week he started the game, but split carries with Chris Brown who amassed 76 total yards with a touchdown. Slaton has been one of the more frustrating running backs to fantasy owners this season, as his 857 total yards and seven total touchdowns are below the expectations which were set when he was drafted in the first two rounds of drafts this past summer. He should once again be used as a high end RB3 or Flex option this week against a Jacksonville Jaguars defense he had 113 total yards against in Week 3. 
Point Projection: 11 points

26. Kevin Smith (Detroit Lions) @ Cincinnati

Kevin Smith had just 43 yards rushing on 18 carries in a Thanksgiving Day loss to the Green Bay Packers, but he did add four catches for an additional 46 yards. He has 180 carries for 603 yards with three touchdowns this season, but the Lions were expecting more than the 3.4 yards per carry they are getting from their primary running back. He has been very good catching the ball this season with 36 receptions for 361 yards and a score. Smith should be used as a RB3 or Flex option this week against a very good Cincinnati Bengals rush defense.
Point Projection: 10 points

27. Tim Hightower (Arizona Cardinals) vs. Minnesota

Tim Hightower led the Cardinals in carries and yards in Week 12 when he rushed 11 times for 55 yards and a short yardage touchdown, while adding three catches for 23 yards in the loss to the Tennessee Titans. He has 851 total yards with six touchdowns this season and he continues to be Arizona’s starting running back, but has been splitting carries with rookie Beanie Wells. Hightower has 165 total rushing yards over the past two weeks, but he has his work cut out for him against a Minnesota Vikings defense that is ranked No. 3 against the rush. Still, Hightower’s ability to beat you on the ground or through the air combined with the fact that he gets the ball at the goal-line makes him a tempting play regardless of the matchup.
Point Projection: 10 points

28. Cadillac Williams (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) @ Carolina

During the Buccaneers Week 12 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, Cadillac Williams had 10 carries for 30 yards. His yardage totals were not going to keep him in anyone’s starting lineup, but he did manage one catch for an eight-yard touchdown that salvaged a nine point fantasy effort for owners who were forced to use him as an injury replacement. Williams should be counted on as a RB3 or Flex option this week, even though he did manage 16 carries for 77 yards with a touchdown in a Week 6 meeting with the Carolina Panthers. Carolina’s rush defense is allowing 131.5 yards per game and has given up 12 rushing touchdowns this season. 
Point Projection: 10 points

29. Felix Jones (Dallas Cowboys) @ New York Giants

In the Cowboys Thanksgiving Day victory over the Oakland Raiders, Felix Jones showed the explosion that has been missing most of the season. He had seven carries for 68 yards, which included a 46-yard run and he added a touchdown. After dealing with nagging injuries most of the season he finally appears to be healthy again. He has rushed for 117 yards over the past two weeks and this week he faces off against a New York Giants defense that he gained 96 yards on seven carries with a touchdown in Week 2. After last week’s strong outing Jones should be considered a No. 3 fantasy running back or flex option this week against a New York defense that has allowed 15 rushing touchdowns on the season.
Point Projection: 9 points

30. Justin Forsett (Seattle Seahawks) vs. San Francisco  **CHECK STATUS OF J.JONES**

Julius Jones missed his second straight game for the Seahawks in a Week 12 victory over the St. Louis Rams and his backup Justin Forsett was a huge factor in the victory. Forsett had 22 carries for 130 yards with two touchdowns in the game. He has scored four touchdowns over his past three games filling in for the injured Jones. With Jones being a late addition to the inactive list last week; it appears there is a chance that he could play this week. Forsett’s value this week greatly depends on whether or not Jones is able to play. He could be used as a low-end RB2 against a good San Francisco 49ers rush defense, but if Jones starts Forsett shouldn’t be considered anything more then a low-end RB3 or flex option. 
Point Projection: 8 points