Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

16. Marion Barber (Dallas Cowboys) @ Washington

Marion Barber has been widely thought of as a disappointment in the fantasy football world this season. At worst, he was selected to be a RB2 by many owners this summer, because if nothing else they knew that he would find the end zone. After all, he had scored 42 total touchdowns in his four year career, but heading into Week 15, Barber had scored just four touchdowns in 12 games played. The good news though that in the Cowboys’ upset victory over the previously undefeated New Orleans Saints last week, Barber broke a six-game scoreless drought by scoring two rushing touchdowns. He had 16 carries in the game for 62 yards and added one catch for 11 yards. The 19 fantasy points were his highest output since Week 2 and fantasy owners hope this is the start of a trend. Barber had 20 carries for 99 yards in a Week 11 meeting with the Washington Redskins, making him a solid starting option this week.
Point Projection: 13 points

17. Joseph Addai (Indianapolis Colts) vs. New York Jets

One of the biggest questions heading into Week 16 for fantasy owners will be whether or not the Indianapolis Colts will start resting their starters as they have clinched home field advantage throughout the playoffs. In a Week 15 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars, they did not rest anyone, including Joseph Addai who carried the full load at running back. He had 16 carries for 59 yards in the game, but was held without a touchdown for the second straight week. This week the Colts will look to keep their perfect season alive when the New York Jets come to town. Continue to use Addai as a RB2 in this match-up as it appears that he should once again get the bulk of the carries against a better than average Jets rush defense. 
Point Projection: 13 points

18. LaDainian Tomlinson (San Diego Chargers) @ Tennessee

The Tennessee Titans’ defense has been very solid against the run this season, allowing just 100.4 yards per game, but they have allowed 12 rushing touchdowns in 14 games; including one to the Miami Dolphins’ Ricky Williams in Week 15. LaDainian Tomlinson, who has definitely lost a step over the last couple of seasons, has yet to rush for 100 yards in a game this year, but he has scored 10 rushing touchdowns. It will be a tough match-up for Tomlinson on Christmas Night, but he is still a solid starting fantasy option. Expect about 70 total yards and a touchdown as a present from LT this week, hopefully it will be enough to lead you to fantasy glory. 
Point Projection: 13 points

19. Rashard Mendenhall (Pittsburgh Steelers) vs. Baltimore

After scoring at least one touchdown in each of his first three starts, Rashard Mendenhall scored a touchdown for just the second time in his last eight games against the Green Bay Packers last week. In addition to the TD, he had 11 carries for 38 yards in the loss to Green Bay, but he added six catches for 73 yards. It was a very respectable stat line against a very good Packers defense. This week he will face another very good run defense when the division rival Baltimore Ravens come to town. In a Week 12 meeting with the Ravens, Mendenhall had 24 carries for 95 yards. As such, continue to use him as a No. 2 fantasy running back in this match-up. 
Point Projection: 13 points

20. Jerome Harrison (Cleveland Browns) vs. Oakland

Christmas came a week early for anyone who was fortunate enough to start Jerome Harrison last week against the Kansas City Chiefs as he followed up a seven carry nine yard performance in Week 14 with a 34 carry 286 yard three touchdown outing in a Week 15 victory over the Chiefs. It was the third highest rushing total in NFL history behind Adrian Peterson’s 296 and Jamal Lewis’ 295. He also surpassed Jim Brown’s club record of 237 yards set in 1957 and 1961. Chances are pretty slim that Harrison will once again achieve such high rushing totals this week, but he has earned the starting nod in Cleveland and has an excellent match-up against the Oakland Raiders who rank No. 28 against the run, making Harrison a very good starting option this week.
Point Projection: 13 points

21. Knowshon Moreno (Denver Broncos) @ Philadelphia

The Philadelphia Eagles allowed 107 rushing yards to San Francisco’s Frank Gore in Week 15, but they should pose a tough test this week for Denver rookie Knowshon Moreno. In what was supposed to be a huge day for Moreno last week against the Oakland Raiders, he managed just 42 yards on 19 carries, while adding three receptions for 39 yards. However, in his first NFL season, he has been solid with 879 rushing yards and six total touchdowns on the year. Use Moreno as a RB2 this week against an Eagles’ defense that is ranked in the top-ten against the rush.   
Point Projection: 13 points

22. Jason Snelling (Atlanta Falcons) vs. Buffalo  **CHECK INJURY STATUS OF M.TURNER**

Much to the dismay of Jason Snelling owners, the Falcons refuse to just shut down Michael Turner this season, even though he has missed three of the last five games with a high ankle sprain and has not played a complete game since Week 9. Turner had just one carry for seven yards in Week 15, before he left the game after aggravating his ankle injury. Snelling once again had the bulk of the carries in Turner’s absence and finished the game with 16 carries for 59 yards. This week, Atlanta faces the Buffalo Bills, who rank dead last against the rush allowing 165.6 yards per game, while giving up 16 rushing touchdowns on the year. Even though there is a chance Turner will play in the game, you have to believe Snelling will once again get a bulk of the carries. Keep an eye on Turner’s status throughout the week, and if he is out or limited, Snelling makes for a nice starting option this week.
Point Projection: 12 points

23. Brandon Jacobs (New York Giants) vs. Carolina

Even though he continues to receive more than half of the carries for the Giants, Brandon Jacobs has not rushed for more than 60-yards in his last five games. He had 16 carries for 52 yards in a Week 15 route of the Washington Redskins. And, he was held without a touchdown after scoring three is his two previous games. Jacobs continues to lose carries to Ahmad Bradshaw who had nine carries and two touchdowns against the Redskins. However, continue to use Jacobs as a No. 2 fantasy running back this week against the Carolina Panthers who rank No. 26 against the rush this season. 
Point Projection: 12 points

24. Quinton Ganther (Washington Redskins) vs. Dallas

The New York Giants got out to a very big lead in the first half against Washington last week, which caused the Redskins to turn away from the run and focus on passing the ball to try and get back in the game. As a result, Quinton Ganther had just 10 carries for 21 yards with a touchdown and added two receptions for 19 yards in the game. Despite the low rushing totals, Ganther will remain the No. 1 rushing option for the Redskins. He might share carries with Rock Cartwright and Marcus Mason, but Ganther will continue to receive the bulk of the workload. Ganther should be used as low-end No. 2 fantasy running back or flex option this week.
Point Projection: 12 points

25. Ahmad Bradshaw (New York Giants) vs. Carolina

The Carolina Panthers’ have allowed 14 rushing touchdowns in 14 games this season and that should bode well for Ahmad Bradshaw who has scored three rushing touchdowns over his last two games. He appears to be fully healthy after dealing with nagging injuries earlier this season. While Bradshaw continues to get less carries than Brandon Jacobs, he has made the most of his opportunities this season as he is averaging 4.9 yards per carry while adding seven touchdowns. Even as he continues to share carries with Jacobs, Bradshaw should be used as a low-end RB2 or flex option this week against the Panthers. 
Point Projection: 11 points

26. Fred Jackson (Buffalo Bills) @ Atlanta

It has been an extremely up and down season for Fred Jackson this year. With Marshawn Lynch suspended the first three games of the season, Jackson looked like a potential Pro-Bowl running back, then he disappeared during the middle of the season upon Lynch’s return, before reappearing again over the last few weeks thanks to interim head coach Perry Fewell, who favors Jackson over Lynch. Over his last two games, Jackson has led the Bills in rushing with 35 carries for 179 yards. He once again appears to be the No. 1 rushing option in Buffalo, and this week, he will face an Atlanta defense that ranks No. 20 against the rush. Use Jackson as a low-end RB2 or flex option in this match-up.
Point Projection: 11 points

27. Maurice Morris (Detroit Lions) @ San Francisco

With the San Francisco 49ers allowing just 96.5 rushing yards per game, you shouldn’t expect Maurice Morris to post the 21 fantasy points like he did last week against the Arizona Cardinals. Along with Safety Louis Delmas, Morris was one of the few bright spots in the Lions’ loss to the Cardinals in Week 15 as he had 17 carries for 126 yards with a 64-yard touchdown run. If you are looking for running back help this week, consider using Morris as a No. 3 fantasy running back or flex option.
Point Projection: 9 points

28. Derrick Ward (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) @ New Orleans **CHECK INJURY STATUS OF C.WILLIAMS**

The Saints, Ward’s week 16 opponent, despite their improved defensive play do have issues against opposing RBs, as they’re allowing 18.4 points to the position each week. Ward did receive 19 carries in week 15, his highest total of the season and seven more than teammate Cadillac Williams. If he gets the majority of carries again this weekend, he should be able to post a solid fantasy day in the 7 to 9 point range, making him a solid fantasy flex option.
Point Projection: 9 points

29. Michael Bush (Oakland Raiders) @ Cleveland **CHECK INJURY STATUS OF J.FARGAS**

While sharing the backfield with the likes of Justin Fargas and Darren McFadden this season, Bush has not had the opportunities to really let his talent shine through; however, with Fargas suffering a knee injury in week 15, Bush got his opportunity and took full advantage, carrying the ball 18 times for 133 yards and a TD against the Denver Broncos. The match-up in week 16 is a nice one for Bush, as he’ll be taking on a Cleveland Browns’ defense that ranks 29th in the league against the run. Still, the inconsistent opportunities he’s dealt with all season make him a gamble. If Fargas is out, use Bush as a nice flex option. If Fargas plays, you may want to look elsewhere.
Point Projection: 8 points

30. Cadillac Williams (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) @ New Orleans

For just the second time in eight games, Cadillac Williams had more than 60 yards rushing when he had 12 carries for 66 yards against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 15. He actually had less carries than Derrick Ward who had 19 carries for 67 yards, but both of these running backs did add a receiving touchdown in the game. It was Williams’ sixth total touchdown this season, and it was the eighth game in which he had nine or more fantasy points. Williams will not ever make you sit back and say wow, but he can be an effective low-end fantasy option this week against a New Orleans rush defense that has given up 17 rushing touchdowns this season.
Point Projection: 8 points

31. Mike Bell (New Orleans Saints) vs. Tampa Bay

In six of his last seven games, Mike Bell has been held to six fantasy points or less. The one game he scored more than six was in Week 11 when he had 75 rushing yards and two touchdowns against this week’s opponent the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He could see an increased role this week as Reggie Bush is dealing with a hamstring injury. If Bush is out or limited, Bell could be a decent flex option in a good match-up against a Tampa Bay defense he had his best fantasy outing of the season against. 
Point Projection: 8 points

32. DeAngelo Williams (Carolina Panthers) @ New York Giants  **CHECK INJURY STATUS**

It’s safe to say that DeAngelo Williams was drafted in the first or second round of every fantasy draft that took place this summer. Owners selected him with the hopes of him leading them to a fantasy football championship, but with the playoff on the line in Week 15, the worst possible thing happened; he left the game in the first quarter with an injured ankle and he did not return. He finished the Panthers victory over the Minnesota Vikings with six carries for 13 yards and one catch for three yards. Williams’ status for this week against the New York Giants is still in question, but the fact that he didn’t return to the game leads us to believe that even if he is able to play in Week 15, he would have to be considered an injury risk and the No. 2 option in Carolina behind Jonathan Stewart.
Point Projection: 7 points

33. Tim Hightower (Arizona Cardinals) vs. St. Louis

After losing fumbles in each of his two previous games, Hightower had just six carries for four yards in a Week 15 victory over the Detroit Lions. He did manage a touchdown and added six receptions for 34 yards in the game, but he took a secondary role to rookie Beanie Wells in the rushing game as Wells led the team in carries and rushing yards against the Lions. A Week 16 meeting with the St. Louis Rams is an excellent match-up, but in his new role as the No. 2 rushing option for the Cardinals, Hightower shouldn’t be used as anything more then a RB3 or flex option.
Point Projection: 7 points

34. LeSean McCoy (Philadelphia Eagles) vs. Denver

LeSean McCoy had his best game in a few weeks with nine carries for 48 yards and a touchdown against the 49ers, but his fantasy value might take a huge hit this week. Eagles’ head coach Andy Reid stated Monday that he expects Brian Westbrook to return to the lineup after missing seven of his last eight games with a concussion. Westbrook will likely be limited, but when you add him to a mix that already includes McCoy and Leonard Weaver, you are looking at a running back by committee situation that will leave all three players limited from a fantasy standpoint. McCoy should be considered a low-end flex option in this situation.
Point Projection: 7 points

35. Felix Jones (Dallas Cowboys) @ Washington

The speedy Felix Jones is a nice change of pace back for the Dallas Cowboys and a solid compliment to the power running game of Marion Barber, but with limited rushing totals and just two touchdowns this season, he has limited fantasy value. With 14 carries for 58 yards against New Orleans last week, Jones has now rushed for more than 45 yards in four of his last five games. Those are not exactly numbers you would want from a starting fantasy running back at this time of the season, but Jones’ explosiveness does warrant him some consideration as a flex type option.
Point Projection: 7 points