Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

17. David Garrard (Jacksonville Jaguars) @ Cleveland

The Jacksonville Jaguars needed a win last week to remain in the hunt for the playoffs and instead they were routed by the Patriots. Jacksonville quarterback David Garrard played a big part in that loss as he threw for 185 yards with no touchdowns, one fumble and two interceptions. Against the Cleveland Browns this week we would expect some improvement from Garrard, but the Cleveland defense has been playing some surprisingly inspired defense recently, which has helped the Browns win three straight games. Thus, you shouldn’t expect too much from Garrard this week.
Point Projection: 11 Points

18. Matt Moore (Carolina Panthers) vs. New Orleans

Over the last three weeks, Carolina quarterback Matt Moore has thrown seven touchdowns and no interceptions. Is this guy for real? That remains to be seen, but this week he should make it four straight games with double-digit fantasy points against a New Orleans Saints defense that will be resting their starters. Even with star wide out Steve Smith being placed on the IR look for Moore to spread the football around and find plenty of open receivers as the Saints try and bottle up running back Jonathan Stewart.
Point Projection: 11 Points

19. Matt Leinart (Arizona Cardinals) vs. Green Bay **CHECK ON PROJECTED PLAYING TIME**

While there is an outside shot that the Cardinals could be playing for the No. 2 seed in the NFC on Sunday, that shot, as mentioned above, could evaporate prior to kick off. If it does, expect to see a whole lot of Matt Leinart against the Packers. Even with all the weapons the Cardinals have, Leinart does not inspire confidence as he has no touchdowns and one interception in 58 passes on the year. At best fantasy owners can look for Leinart to just creep into the double digit range with 10 fantasy points.
Point Projection: 10 points

20. Derek Anderson (Cleveland Browns) vs. Jacksonville

With Brady Quinn on injured reserve, Derek Anderson gets what is perhaps his final shot at the starting quarterback job for the Browns. The Browns have won three straight games, and though it’s tough to project Anderson for a double-digit game this week, that’s exactly what we’re going to do. Bear with us for a second. The Jaguars have given up an average of 35 points a game over the last two weeks, and they are 27th in passing yards allowed and 22nd in points allowed. That should inspire enough confidence in 10 points, and nothing more, from Anderson this week.
Point Projection: 9 Points

21. Peyton Manning (Indianapolis Colts) @ Buffalo **CHECK ON PROJECTED PLAYING TIME**

We all saw what happened last week when the Indianapolis Colts lost to the Jets. Quarterback Peyton Manning, along with some other starters, were benched in the third quarter and were not happy about it. Manning pouted on the sideline and the fallout after was that the players and fans all wanted the starters to remain in the game as the Colts attempted to attain a perfect regular season record. Curtis Painter replaced Manning and did very poorly. Against the Buffalo Bills, Manning should come out fired up and get about 10 points before heading to the bench.
Point Projection: 9 Points

22. Carson Palmer (Cincinnati Bengals) @ New York Jets **CHECK ON PROJECTED PLAYING TIME**

It’s now been two straight games with a pair of touchdown passes in each of them for Cincinnati quarterback Carson Palmer. So Palmer’s now had two double-digit games, but will he get a third this week on the road against one of the league’s top defenses? We think so, because the Bengals will need to win this week to improve their playoff standing. Teams are focusing on the run when playing against the Bengals now, which should be enough for Palmer to find the end zone once.
Point Projection: 9 Points

23. Jason Campbell (Washington Redskins) @ San Diego

An awful season for the Redskins is coming to an end this week though their fans probably wish it had come sooner. Though it hasn’t been for a lack of effort, Campbell has not been that good this season either thanks to less than stellar receivers, poor offensive line play and all the injuries the team has dealt with. As such, it is hard to blame him for his poor play. This week playing at San Diego we wouldn’t expect too much from Campbell. The Chargers defense isn’t an elite unit, but they rank 10th in the league in pass defense, which is good enough to keep Campbell down for another week.
Point Projection: 9 Points

24. Billy Volek (San Diego Chargers) vs. Washington

Volek has thrown just one pass all season long, but it was a completion for 15 yards. Still, with the lack of playing time he’s had over the last three seasons, it’s tough to rely on him on Sunday, even if the 5th ranked pass defense of the Washington Redskins will be without their starting safeties. Look for Volek to play the majority of the game in the Chargers season finale but that doesn’t mean it translates into fantasy success.
Point Projection: 9 points

25. Matt Hasselbeck (Seattle Seahawks) vs. Tennessee

Even we didn’t see this coming. Seattle quarterback Matt Haseelbeck, a former All-Pro who was once a stable of consistency, has now thrown eight interceptions and just two touchdowns in the last two weeks. This week’s match-up against the Titans doesn’t offer any reprieve, but we’ll go out on a limb and say that Hasselbeck won’t be quite as bad this week as he has been the last two. That still doesn’t mean he’s worth considering for a starting position.
Point Projection: 8 Points

26. Josh Freeman (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) vs. Atlanta

As expected Tampa Bay quarterback Josh Freeman struggled last week against the Saints defense, though he did help lead the Buccaneers to a surprising win. The Falcons defense isn’t nearly as good as the one in New Orleans, but in the last two weeks, they’ve given up just a combined 10 points. Freeman won’t play as poorly as he did last week, but he won’t do much better.
Point Projection: 8 Points

27. Ryan Fitzpatrick (Buffalo Bills) vs. Indianapolis

It appears Ryan Fitzpatrick will be healthy enough to play this week against the Colts. If he is not able to go, then Brian Brohm will get his second consecutive start. Fitzpatrick, though not a good quarterback, has enough experience where he should be able to generate some points. Brohm, however is very green as he threw for 146 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions last week in a loss to the Falcons.
Point Projection: 8 Points

28. Mark Brunell (New Orleans Saints) @ Carolina **CHECK ON PROJECTED PLAYING TIME**

On Friday Saints’ head coach Sean Payton told Sport Illustrated writer Peter King that Drew Brees will be the third string quarterback on Sunday. Payton all week was confident that his starters would play the full game but had second thoughts throughout the week and ultimately felt it wasn’t best to risk a Brees injury. Veteran signal caller Mark Brunell will start in his place against the Carolina Panthers fourth ranked pass defense. Brunell will likely be playing with back-ups the majority of the game and makes a risky play in Week 17.
Point Projection: 8 Points

29. Matt Cassel (Kansas City Chiefs) @ Denver

And the struggles with consistency continue for Kansas City quarterback Matt Cassel. After a huge game two weeks ago against the Browns, Cassel threw for 180 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions last week in a loss to the Bengals. Things won’t get any easier this week against the Broncos, who are second in pass defense, especially considering the game is in Denver. The last time these two teams played, Cassel was held to just 84 yards with no touchdowns, one fumble and two interceptions. He won’t be as bad this week, but you still shouldn’t expect much.
Point Projection: 7 Points

30. Mark Sanchez (New York Jets) vs. Cincinnati

The Bengals may have already clinched a playoff spot, but the Jets have not and they’ll need a win this week for any hope of reaching the postseason. Still, that doesn’t mean you should expect anything out of quarterback Mark Sanchez, who hasn’t posted a double-digit fantasy football performance since week eight. After all, the Jets best chance to win is to keep the ball out of Sanchez’s hands by running, running, and running some more with Thomas Jones and Shonn Greene.
Point Projection: 7 Points

31. Charlie Frye (Oakland Raiders) vs. Baltimore

The good? Last week, Oakland quarterback Charlie Frye threw for 333 yards. The bad? Last week, Frye threw three interceptions and no touchdowns against the Browns. The ugly? This week, Frye will be facing a much tougher defense in the Ravens, a team that’s going to be hungry as they’re playing for a playoff spot. Thus, don’t expect much from Frye this week.
Point Projection: 7 Points

32. Philip Rivers (San Diego Chargers) vs. Washington **CHECK ON PROJECTED PLAYING TIME**

Of course Philip Rivers and the San Diego Chargers have been playing incredibly well recently, but the last two weeks have been especially impressive. Against a good Cincinnati Bengals defense two weeks ago and the Tennessee Titans last week, Rivers combined to throw for 572 yards with five touchdowns and just two interceptions. That’s why, even though he’s going against a good Washington Redskins pass defense this week and will likely see a good deal of time off due, we’re still confident Rivers will have a middle of the road type fantasy outing.
Point Projection: 6 Points

33. Curtis Painter (Indianapolis Colts) @ Buffalo

Painter is no Peyton Manning. Heck, he’s not even Jim Sorgi, which was evident last week when he completed just 4-of-11 passes for 44 yards with an interception and a fumble. The Colts’ back-up QB will see more time than Manning on the field this week against the Buffalo Bills, but Manning and many other QBs around the league will still outperform him. Stay away!
Point Projection: 6 points

34. Daunte Culpepper/Drew Stanton (Detroit Lions) vs. Chicago

Drew Stanton started last week but after playing poorly was replaced by Daunte Culpepper. Neither quarterback played well last week, nor will either of them play well this week. It appears Stanton will get the start but don’t be surprised to see both of them play against the Bears. Both of them are very bad starts this week.
Point Projection: Culpepper — 6 Points; Stanton — 4 Points

35. Matt Flynn (Green Bay Packers) @ Arizona

With the Packers playing for nothing and the beating Aaron Rodgers has taken over the course of the year, it’s safe to say we’ll see plenty of Matt Flynn on Sunday. Flynn looked strong in the limited playing time he got in week 16, completing 4-of-6 passes for 36 yards, but we wouldn’t go plugging him into your line-ups based on that limited sample.
Point Projection: 5 points

36. Keith Null (St. Louis Rams) vs. San Francisco

St. Louis decided to give quarterback Keith Null the start last week and he rewarded the coaching staff by throwing for 171 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions. As poorly as the Rams’ season has gone, the coaching staff will probably give Null another start in week 17 to see what he’s got because Boller is likely not in the long term plans for St. Louis. Having said that, against a stingy San Francisco defense, Null will have a very bad game this week and should in no way be considered a fantasy option this week.
Point Projection: 5 Points

Week 17 Rankings:  QB  |  RB  |  WR  |  TE  |  K  | DEF    (click to read)

Week 17 Start & Sit:  START ‘EM  |  SIT ‘EM    (click to read)

Week 17 Waiver Wire Advice:  PICK THEM UP  |  CUT THEM LOOSE    (click to read)

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