Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

WIDE RECEIVERS – START ‘EM

Brandon Marshall (Denver Broncos) vs. Kansas City  **CHECK INJURY STATUS**

Kind of risky putting a guy that tweaked his hamstring at Wednesday’s practice on the Start ‘Em list, but you can’t overlook Marshall’s matchup. Marshall regularly puts the kibosh on the Kansas City Chiefs, and this game should be no different. He had seven receptions for 94 yards and one touchdown against them in Week 13 this season, but his high level of production against them goes even deeper. Since 2007, Marshall has averaged 8.2 catches, 92.4 yards and 1.2 touchdowns in five games against Kansas City.

Santonio Holmes (Pittsburgh Steelers) @ Miami

Holmes has been as reliable as they come in the second half of this season. In his last eight games, he’s had at least six receptions in six of those contests, at least 85 yards in six of those games, and at least 74 yards every time he’s gone out there. There’s no reason to think the Miami Dolphins below-average pass defense will bottle him up. The Dolphins have allowed 17 receptions, 318 receiving yards and five touchdowns to opposing wide receivers over the last two games and at the rate that Holmes is going he should be able to eclipse the 100-yard mark in this contest. Despite likely being used as a WR2 on your roster, Holmes should produce as a low-end WR1.

Michael Crabtree (San Francisco 49ers) @ St. Louis

The St. Louis Rams are 24th in the league in pass defense, but they would be much worse if teams weren’t constantly running the ball down their throats; which means that their personnel in the secondary isn’t exactly formidable, and that should lead to Crabtree’s best day as a pro. He doesn’t even have a 90-yard game to his credit this season, but that figures to change soon – like this week. Over the past two weeks, St. Louis has allowed an amazing 41 receptions, 581 receiving yards and five touchdowns to the Houston Texans and Arizona Cardinals. Look for San Francisco to exploit their secondary and establish career highs in every major receiving category. 

TIGHT ENDS – START ‘EM

Jason Witten (Dallas Cowboys) vs. Philadelphia

Witten has gained at least 100 receiving yards three times in his last five games, and those are his only 100-yard games so far this season. The Philadelphia Eagles don’t offer much in the way of pass defense against opposing tight ends considering that no team in the NFL has allowed more yards or catches to players at that position. Witten could only muster 43-yards in a Week 9 meeting with Philly but he did have seven receptions in that game and Tony Romo have been getting him the ball in space lately. Look for Witten to put together a good showing with the NFC East title on the line.

Visanthe Shiancoe (Minnesota Vikings) vs. NY Giants

Shiancoe has become one of Brett Favre’s favorite red zone targets, which should be clear considering that Shiancoe has 10 touchdown receptions despite just 49 total catches on the season. But most of all, this comes down to match-up; the New York Giants have given up the second-most total catches and touchdown catches in the league to opposing tight ends, and the third-most receiving yards. With the role of many top tight ends being unclear due to their teams having wrapped up a playoff spot starting Shiancoe could pay dividends to your fantasy team.

Kellen Winslow (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) vs. Atlanta

Winslow is playing some of his best football as the season winds down, and he has at least 69 receiving yards in four of his last five outings. The Atlanta Falcons sport one of the worst pass defenses in the league, and it doesn’t matter if it’s a wideout or tight end that faces off against them. The Falcons allow 247 passing yards per contest and close to 60 of those yards come to the tight end position. Winslow beat the Falcons for seven catches and 81 yards back in Week 12 and look for him to do the same in the season finale.

KICKERS – START ‘EM

Jeff Reed (Pittsburgh Steelers) @ Miami

Reed is tied for ninth in the NFL in field goals made this season with 24, and he should add plenty to that total if history holds up. The Miami Dolphins are tied with one other team for most field goals allowed in the league this season, including a whopping 15 from beyond 40 yards. Pittsburgh is likely to move the ball at will against a defeated Dolphins defense and Reed should reward his fantasy owners’ with plenty of kicking chances.

DEFENSES – START ‘EM

San Francisco 49ers D/ST @ St. Louis

The St. Louis Rams score the fewest points per game in the entire NFL, for starters. Their best wideout, Laurent Robinson, went down early in the season, their starting quarterback, Marc Bulger, went down a month or so ago, and their best overall player, Steven Jackson, missed last week’s contest against the Arizona Cardinals because he has a herniated disk and may not play this week, either. Still not sold? The 49ers shutout the Rams in a Week 4 meeting and their defensive unit scores not one, not two, but three defensive touchdowns. Really, this is a no-brainer.

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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