Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

In a pinch for a skill player that will produce at a high level for you this week, but not sure what route to go? Well, no need to fret the small stuff because the Bruno Boys will help make your lineup decision easier. From Quarterbacks to Defenses we have you covered on who you should feel comfortable about plugging into your Week 14 lineup. Now, it’s time to cut to the chase and read our Fantasy Football Week 14 Start Ems advice.

QUARTERBACKS – START ‘EM

Joe Flacco (Baltimore Ravens) vs. Detroit

After a sloppy performance in Green Bay, in which he threw two costly interceptions, Flacco is in need of a good performance in the worst way possible. Fortunately, he is playing a Detroit Lions’ team that allows the most fantasy points to opposing QBs per game at 18.6. Having allowed 28 TDs (1 rushing) to opposing QBs on the year, the Lions have had a difficult time stopping anyone this season. Heck, even Brady Quinn posted his best game as a professional (304 yards and 4 TDs) versus Detroit. With the Ravens needing a win big time in order to move to 7-6, you can bet the Ravens and Flacco show up with their A-game.

Ben Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) @ Cleveland

Playing against the Cleveland Browns is always a blessing especially during the fantasy playoffs. As such, with Thursday Night Football just hours away, make sure Big Ben is plugged into your line-ups as Roethlisberger should be a viable option for you against Cleveland. On a per game average, Roethlisberger has been the 5th best standard fantasy QB (tied with Brett Favre with 18.5 points per game), so he doesn’t lack reliability. Even when average as he was in week 13 against the Oakland Raiders, he posted 278 yards and 2 TDs compared to 1 INT.  RB Rashard Mendenhall should have a field day against the Browns, which will open things up for Roethlisberger, who should be a reliable 18-20 point contributor as long as the wind cooperates some.

Matt Schaub (Houston Texans) vs. Seattle

Matt Schaub has averaged 287 yards and 1.8 TDs per game this season, which is impressive, but not nearly as impressive as his ability to finally stay healthy (The Texans’ QB even returned to the field of play after suffering a shoulder injury early in week 13’s games). Averaging 18.4 fantasy points per game, he has been reliable, even without a reliable rushing attack keeping team’s honest. However, while still riding a streak of four straight games with double digit fantasy points, Schaub has been a bit turnover prone in those games with 5 INTs and 1 fumble lost, which has led to just average QB play from your fantasy stud. He should get back on track in week 14 versus a Seattle Seahawks’ team that allowed Alex Smith to throw for 310 yards and 2 TDs in week 13.

RUNNING BACKS – START ‘EM

Jamaal Charles (Kansas City Chiefs) vs. Buffalo

The Bills have not let fantasy owners down for those who have been starting opposing RBs against them. Just last week, New York Jets’ RB Thomas Jones recorded 109 yards against them, while the Jets totaled a convincing 249 rushing yards on them as a team. Without many other options than Charles, the Chiefs figure to steadily move the ball against the Bills by relying on their ground game. Even against a tough Broncos’ defense in week 13, Charles put up 59 total yards and a TD (though he did also fumble the ball away) reaffirming that he has value for fantasy owner’s playoff runs. The Bills allow almost 26 points per game to fantasy RBs, so make sure to start Charles this weekend.

Laurence Maroney (New England Patriots) vs. Carolina

Crunch time has come for potential playoff teams, and New England is one of them. After struggling the past two weeks, expect the Patriots to come out firing against the Panthers this weekend. That means that Tom Brady should fare well as well as the running game which has been successful in weeks past. Even though Maroney’s ypc average (3.9) has been less than spectacular, he should get things going in this one. The Panthers have allowed 16 TDs (5 receiving) to opposing RBs, and we believe Maroney is poised to have a solid 12+ point day in Foxboro.

Thomas Jones (New York Jets) @ Tampa Bay

Thomas Jones has been a reliable source of fantasy points from week 1 through week 13. In fact, he hasn’t had less than 10 fantasy points since a week 3 match-up with the Tennessee Titans. In week 14, he faces a Buccaneers team that is 1-11 and is allowing 20.8 fantasy points per game to opposing RBs, including18 fantasy points to RB Jonathan Stewart in week 13. Thomas Jones should be in for a solid week 14 performance, helping to keep your hopes for a fantasy championship alive one more week.

FREE AGENT PICK-UP OF THE WEEK - Quinton Ganther (Washington Redskins) @ Oakland

Coming off a heartbreaking loss to the New Orleans Saints, the Redskins are facing the Oakland Raiders in week 14. The Raiders allowed 16 fantasy points to Rashard MendenhallQuinton Ganther now being named the starter, we’re recommending him as a guy to keep an eye on in a great match-up versus Oakland. Even in splitting time with Rock Cartwright, it would not be surprising to see Ganther accumulate 8-10 fantasy points this weekend, making him a nice flex start for many fantasy owners.