Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

- Written by Ryan Czopek
- Edited by Marc Caviglia
- Predictions are based on Staff Consensus

::RANKINGS UPDATED AS OF DECEMBER 14, 2011::

The first round of the fantasy playoffs for many has come and gone and there weren’t too many letdowns from the wide receiver position. The biggest wide receiver news of the week occurred when Greg Jennings sprained his knee against the Oakland Raiders. Jennings is expected to miss the next two to three weeks with the injury, which mean James Jones will be a hot waiver claim this week. What can be expected of James Jones this week and other receivers of his ilk? Read our Fantasy Football Week 15 Wide Receiver Rankings to find out, who should be in your lineup this week.

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

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1. Calvin Johnson (Detroit Lions) @ Oakland 
Only four targets… Really? Johnson caught only three passes for 29 yards in a favorable matchup against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 14. He now has scored only one touchdown over the Detroit Lions’ last five games and hasn’t had a 100 plus yard receiving outing since Week 8. It’s highly unlikely Johnson won’t see more than four targets this week against a Oakland Raiders’ team that has surrendered 21.3 fantasy points to the wide receiver position this season. Expect a nice bounce back game from Megatron this week.
Point Projection: 18 points

2. Wes Welker (New England Patriots) @ Denver
What’s an unfavorable matchup if you’re Wes Welker? Welker had seven receptions for 86 yards and scored a touchdown against the Washington Redskins in Week 14. Averaging 103.6 yards per game over the New England Patriots last three games, Welker is primed for another productive game against a Denver Broncos’ squad that has allowed the eighth most fantasy points to the wide receiver position this season (22.1). The slot machine has a great chance of paying off again this week.
Point Projection: 16 points

3. Hakeem Nicks (New York Giants) vs. Washington
Nicks had a monster game against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 14, catching seven passes for 154 yards. Nicks couldn’t be contained and over came bracket coverage to have a huge game. The Washington Redskins pass defense was burned by the New England Patriots last week, and have allowed five touchdowns to the wide receiver position over their past three games. Nicks, who had one of his best games of the season against the Washington Redskins in Week 1 (seven receptions for 122 yards), is a rock solid WR1 this week.
Point Projection: 16 points

4. A.J. Green (Cincinnati Bengals) @ St. Louis
Green disappointed his fantasy owners, but still had a productive game, catching five passes for 59 yards against the Houston Texans in Week 14. Credit the terrific pass defense of the Houston Texans for holding Green to his worst fantasy performance since Week 3. Green has a chance to redeem himself this week against a St. Louis Rams’ team that has surrendered the fifth most fantasy points to the wide receiver position this season (23.2). The St. Louis Rams have also given up nine receiving play of 40 plus yards this season. Except for last weeks let down, Green is usually money in the bank and needs to be in fantasy lineups this week.
Point Projection: 15 points

5. Roddy White (Atlanta Falcons) vs. Jacksonville
What a time to go on a tear! White had seven receptions for 84 yards and scored his sixth touchdown of the season in Week 14 against the Carolina Panthers. White has now scored 11 fantasy points or more in each of the Atlanta Falcon’s last three games. The Jacksonville Jaguars have had a pretty solid pass defense this season, but the Atlanta Falcons’ offense is red hot right now and White is in the midst of his best productive stretch of the season. No reason to bench White now.
Point Projection: 15 points

6. Victor Cruz (New York Giants) vs. Washington
The Cruz Missile had a respectable seven receptions for 83 yards against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 14. There has been no stopping Cruz, who has scored eight fantasy points or more in each of the New York Giants last seven games. Cruz wasn’t involved in the New York Giants offense much when he faced the Washington Redskins in Week 1 (zero receptions and two targets), but now he receives double digit targets nearly every week and has a good shot of doing his salsa dance in the end zone this week as long as Eli Manning continues to play at a high level. Cruz is a decent WR1 this week.
Point Projection: 15 points

7. Mike Wallace (Pittsburgh Steelers) @ San Francisco
Wallace caught four passes for 57 yards against the Cleveland Browns in Week 14. He nearly scored a touchdown, but he was ruled down right before the goal line after a review. Ben Roethlisberger missing significant time in the game with an ankle injury hurt Wallace. It’s unknown whether Ben Roethlisberger will play this week, which could hurt Wallace’s chances to make a solid fantasy contribution this week. However, if Roethlisberger does play Wallace needs to be in fantasy owners lineups because of how frequently he hauls in big plays.
Point Projection: 15 points

8. Jordy Nelson (Green Bay Packers) @ Kansas City 
Nelson caught three passes for 81 yards and a touchdown against the Oakland Raiders in Week 14. He has been fantastic since the Green Bay Packers’ bye week, averaging 4.8 receptions, 82.2 yards per game and scoring six touchdowns. Since Greg Jennings is missing this week with a leg injury, Nelson may see some more targets as a result. The Kansas City Chiefs got rocked by the New England Patriots high scoring offense last week and the now have to deal with another one of the leagues elite offenses. Expect another impressive game from Nelson this week.
Point Projection: 14 points

9. Marques Colston (New Orleans Saints) @ Minnesota
Another case of racking up fantasy points when it really counts for owners. Colston caught seven passes for 105 yards and scored two touchdowns against the Tennessee Titans in Week 14. It was Colston’s best performance of the season and an encore performance may occur this week. The Minnesota Vikings have allowed 494 yards and five touchdowns to the wide receiver position over their past three games. Expect Drew Brees to consistently be picking the Minnesota Vikings apart this week with Colston’s help.
Point Projection: 14 points

10. Percy Harvin (Minnesota Vikings) vs. New Orleans
Okay, we forgive you for the headaches earlier in the season. Harving caught 10 passes for 69 yards and a touchdown and also rushed for 40 yards against the Detroit Lions in Week 14. He continues to be a fantasy stud scoring five touchdowns over the Minnesota Vikings last four games. Harvin has a solid chance of continuing his recent stellar production against the New Orleans Saints, who have allowed the seventh most fantasy points to the wide receiver position (23.1). Expect Harvin to continue to pile on the all purpose yards and make his fantasy owners happy.
Point Projection: 14 points

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We’ve partnered with DraftStreet.com to provide our fans an opportunity to play WEEKLY salary cap fantasy football against the Bruno Boys Staff.  Through the first 14 weeks of the NFL season we have given away over $5,900 in cash prizes. This week, we are offering a $350 free roll in which the TOP 20 win prize money. Make sure to sign-up now for a chance to win money and take on the Bruno Boys… IT’S FREE!!

Please use this link to enter:  Week 15 $350 Contest  (click to register)

11. Larry Fitzgerald (Arizona Cardinals) vs. Cleveland
Following a couple middling games, Fitzgerald broke out against the San Francisco 49ers, catching seven passes for 149 yards and a touchdown. He continues to thrive with John Skelton as quarterback, scoring his fifth touchdown of the season with Skelton as his signal caller. The Cleveland Browns have allowed the second least fantasy points to the wide receiver position this season (13.5), so a repeat monster game seems unlikely. However, a productive game is very possible.
Point Projection: 14 points

12. Steve Smith (Carolina Panthers) @ Houston
How nice of you to show up.  Smith caught six passes for 125 yards against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 14. After being contained for several weeks, Smith finally came through with his sixth 100 plus yard receiving performance. Smith might have some trouble this week considering he’s likely to be shadowed by shutdown corner Jonathan Joseph. He has been productive in some unfavorable matchups this season, but a monster fantasy point total this week seems unlikely.
Point Projection: 13 points

13. Vincent Jackson (San Diego Chargers) vs. Baltimore
Jackson had five receptions for 55 yards against the Buffalo Bills in Week 14. Like clock work, Jackson seems to be letting his fantasy owners down every other week this season, which means this week he’s due for another big game. The Baltimore Ravens have been keeping receivers in check allowing an average of 16.2 fantasy points to the position. However, The San Diego Chargers’ offense has been humming along the past two weeks and Jackson has the talent to punish even the best pass defenses.
Point Projection: 13 points

14. Miles Austin (Dallas Cowboys) @ Tampa Bay
In his first game back after missing the Dallas Cowboys’ last four games with a hamstring injury, Austin had four receptions for 63 yards and a touchdown against the New York Giants in Week 14. He could have had an even bigger game if Tony Romo didn’t overthrow him considering how wide open he was. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are struggling badly on both sides of the ball right now and have allowed 446 yards and four touchdowns to the wide receiver position over their last three games. A repeat performance from Austin this week seems like a likely scenario.

Point Projection: 13 points

15. Antonio Brown (Pittsburgh Steelers) @ San Francisco
What a performance! Brown caught five passes for 151 yards and scored a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns in Week 14. Brown keeps getting better as the season goes on, but his production this week strongly depends on whether Ben Roethlisberger can play. The San Francisco 49ers allowed the Arizona Cardinals mediocre offense to rack up the receiving yards against them, so Brown has a chance to feast upon their secondary like he has to numerous others this season. Assuming Roethlisberger, who is tougher than a two-dollar steak, plays expect Brown to keep coming through for his fantasy owners.
Point Projection: 12 points

16. Julio Jones (Atlanta Falcons) vs. Jacksonville
Quintorris Lopez Jones (yeah, that’s his real name) had a monster game against the Carolina Panthers in Week 14, hauling in three receptions for 104 yards and scoring two touchdowns. It was Jones’ fourth game this season of 100 plus receiving yards. The Jacksonville Jaguars have been good against the pass this season, but they struggled with the high power offense of the San Diego Chargers in Week 13 and the Atlanta Falcons have been on a roll offensively of late. Jones is a solid WR2 this week.
Point Projection: 12 points

17. Steve Johnson (Buffalo Bills) vs. Miami
Johnson caught four passes for 116 yards against the San Diego Chargers in Week 14. He has been great over the Buffalo Bills’ last three games scoring at least 11 fantasy points in each game. The last time Johnson played the Miami Dolphins he had only two receptions for 16 yards, but Johnson has been on a roll of late and the Miami Dolphins have been struggling allowing 417 receiving yards and five touchdowns to the receiver position over their past three games. Johnson is a viable WR2 this week.
Point Projection: 11 points

18. Brandon Lloyd (St. Louis Rams) vs. Cincinnati
Following a poor Week 13 where he was targeted only twice, Lloyd received 12 targets in Week 14 and hauled in five passes for 82 yards. Lloyd has caught four passes or more in seven out of the last eight St. Louis Rams’ games. Since Leon Hall’s injury, the Cincinnati Bengals’ secondary has been hemorrhaging fantasy points to the wide receiver position. They have allowed 390 receiving yards and five touchdowns to the wide receiver position over the past three games. Sam Bradford’s injured ankle stands in the way of Lloyd possibly having one of his better games of the season this week, but he still found a way to be productive with an ailing Bradford under center last week. Expect a productive game from Lloyd, but a big game seems unlikely considering Sam Bradford’s injury issues.
Point Projection: 11 points

19. Dez Bryant (Dallas Cowboys) @ Tampa Bay
Bryant had one catch against the New York Giants in Week 14, but it was for 50 yards and he scored a touchdown. Laurent Robinson and Miles Austin had a combined 12 targets to Bryant’s two. It’s possible Bryant could have a big game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who have allowed an average of 20.8 fantasy points to the wide receiver position this season, but it’s possible he could be left out in the cold again considering how many solid offensive weapons Tony Romo has at his disposal now. Even with the risk involved, Bryant is still a solid WR2 this week.
Point Projection: 11 points

20. Santana Moss (Washington Redskins) @ New York Giants
Some wide receivers get better with age apparently. Moss had three receptions for 81 yards and scored a touchdown against the New England Patriots in Week 14. He led the team with nine targets and will likely see a similar number against a lackluster New York Giants secondary. The New York Giants have allowed the fourth most fantasy points to the wide receiver position this season (23.8) and were recently burned by the Dallas Cowboys’ receivers in Week 14. Moss, who had a solid game against the New York Giants in Week 1 (six receptions for 76 yards), is a solid WR3 this week.
Point Projection: 11 points

**BEAT THE BRUNO BOYS $350 WEEK 15 FREE CONTEST -  TOP 20 PAID**

We’ve partnered with DraftStreet.com to provide our fans an opportunity to play WEEKLY salary cap fantasy football against the Bruno Boys Staff.  Through the first 14 weeks of the NFL season we have given away over $5,900 in cash prizes. This week, we are offering a $350 free roll in which the TOP 20 win prize money. Make sure to sign-up now for a chance to win money and take on the Bruno Boys… IT’S FREE!!

Please use this link to enter:  Week 15 $350 Contest  (click to register)

21. Demaryious Thomas (Denver Broncos) vs. New England
Following his monster Week 13 performance, Thomas had another nice game, this time against the Chicago Bears in Week 14, hauling in seven passes for 78 yards and scoring a touchdown. He led the Denver Broncos receivers in targets once again and figures to be a target monster once again this week against a New England Patriots’ team that has allowed 826 yards and six touchdowns to the wider receiver position over their past three games. Thomas is a nice start in all formats this week.
Point Projection: 10 points

22. Laurent Robinson (Dallas Cowboys) @ Tampa Bay
Even in Miles Austin’s return Robinson still found a way to be effective, catching four passes for 137 yards and scoring a touchdown against the New York Giants in Week 14. He appeared not affected by his injured shoulder and made big plays all over the field. Robinson is a terrific start this week against a Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ team that has allowed the sixth most receiving plays of 40 plus yards this season. No reason to keep Robinson out of your lineup this week.
Point Projection: 10 points

23. Santonio Holmes (New York Jets) @ Philadelphia
Holmes had two receptions for 12 yards and a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 14. The New York Jets ran all over the Kansas City Chiefs and Mark Sanchez only completed 13 passes, so Holmes’ services weren’t really needed much. It seems likely that the New York Jets will try and run heavily against a Philadelphia Eagles’ team that has allowed the ninth most fantasy points to the running back position (18.9), which means Marc Sanchez may attempt a similar amount of passes again this week. Holmes may have to rely on a touchdown for the majority of his fantasy points again this week, but that touchdown won’t come easy be shadowed by Nnamdi Asomugha.
Point Projection: 11 points

24. Anquan Boldin (Baltimore Ravens) @ San Diego 
Boldin caught five passes for 57 yards against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 14. The Baltimore Ravens used their running game effectively and their wasn’t much need for Boldin, who was targeted six times. He has a chance to be productive against a San Diego Chargers’ team that has allowed 12 touchdowns over their last seven games to the wide receiver position. Boldin is a risky play, but he could payoff this week.
Point Projection: 8 points

25. Brandon Marshall (Miami Dolphins) @ Buffalo
Marshall caught four passes for 27 yards and a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 14. He wasn’t given much room to operate with Nnamdi Asomugha draped all over him and Matt Moore didn’t exactly have a terrific performance either. Marshall had only one catch for five yards against the Buffalo Bills in Week 11, but he should perform better this time around and definitely receive more than the three targets he had against them last time. Expect a productive game from Marshall this week.
Point Projection: 9 points