Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

Once again taking on the task of identifying those over achievers and under performers from the previous week of fantasy football is Ryan Hallam, creator of Fighting Chance Fantasy. So, join Ryan as he takes us through the Week 17 Studs and check back tomorrow as he takes a look at the Week 17 Duds. And if you have any questions for him, email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) for playoff fantasy football advice.

Note: All point projections read in this recap are from standard scoring leagues (non-PPR) and are projections made by the Bruno Boys staff

QUARTERBACK - STUDS

Jay Cutler (Chicago Bears) – In what can be viewed somewhat as a resurgence, Jay Cutler had his second straight strong performance from a fantasy perspective. Cutler was 22 of 36 for 276 yards and thre four touchdowns for the second week in a row. The Bears’ quarterback was projected for just 14 points based on the fact that his interceptions would hurt him, but without any turnovers, he scored 27. 

Hallam’s Take: Cutler has certainly taken his share of blame for the state of the Bears season, but let’s be honest, would Kyle Orton have thrown 27 touchdowns? No way, especially not with this group of rag tag receivers and the horrible running game manned by Matt Forte. Cutler may have thrown a ton of interceptions, but he was trying to make plays and make something happen, and I don’t think that he should be chastised for that. He is a low end QB1 in 2010, and if the Bears are able to get him a reliable weapon and their offensive line improves, he could be even better than that.

Brett Favre (Minnesota Vikings) – Favre had been struggling of late, but he came up big when his team needed him most in a big game with the No. 2 spot in the NFC on the line. Incredibly accurate, he was 25 of 31 for 316 yards, while also throwing four touchdowns. Favre was projected to score 17 fantasy points on the day, but was one of the higher scorers of the week with the 28 that he put on the board.

Hallam’s Take: Oh yeah, another Brett Favre season is over. Let’s all fawn over how great this guy is. Can we do that? Can we please? Sure, his 33 touchdown passes look great, but how many of them occurred when the smart play was a hand off to Adrian Peterson instead of a wide receiver screen to Percy Harvin or a cheap one yard dump to Visanthe Shiancoe? If Favre comes back next season, a story that is sure to drag on forever, he is still a low end QB1 to me, I just don’t see him having another season like this one.

Ryan Fitzpatrick (Buffalo Bills) – It was a bright end to a dismal season for Fitzpatrick and the Bills as they were able to have one of their better offensive days while playing in a snowstorm against the second stringers of the Indianapolis Colts. Fitzpatrick was 16 of 25 for just 155 yards, but he did throw touchdowns to Terrell Owens, Lee Evans, and Fred Jackson. Fitzpatrick was supposed to score just nine fantasy points, but was able to double that with 18. 

Hallam’s Take: Fitzpatrick is what he is, and that is a lousy fantasy quarterback. The chance of him being the starter in Buffalo next year seems ultra slim to me, and if they do give him the job, the chances of him being successful are close to zero. Just forget about Fitzpatrick on draft day 2010, unless you are in a very deep two quarterback league, and even then, he should still be on your bench. 

RUNNING BACK – STUDS

Jamaal Charles (Kansas City Chiefs) – It was just another day at the office in the new career of Jamaal Charles, as he again proved that he can be the workhorse that the Chiefs have been looking for since the failed Larry Johnson experiment this past season. Charles had 25 rushes for an amazing 259 yards and two touchdowns this past Sunday against the Broncos. He didn’t have any catches this week, but does it really matter? Even with a solid prediction of 16 points, Charles still more than doubled it as he scored 37. 

Hallam’s Take: Charles certainly showed that the Chiefs fans had nothing to sweat when they dumped Larry Johnson. In fact, Charles has been a monumental improvement. He can run, he can catch, he can make people miss, and he can carry the ball a lot. Charles broke the 1,000 yard mark despite not even starting half the season, but still should be no more than a solid RB2 in 2010. My guess is someone will reach for him too soon; just don’t be that someone. 

Fred Jackson (Buffalo Bills) – When given the opportunity to be a featured back against something other than a dominating defense, Jackson is able to put up some good fantasy numbers.  Unfortunately for him, his opportunities have been limited due to the ineptitude of the team’s passing game. But, with 33 carries this past Sunday, that wasn’t the case. Jackson turned those 33 carries into 212 rush yards, while adding two catches for 15 yards and a score. Projected to put up 13 fantasy points, Jackson came through big for those who gambled on the Bills’ back with 28 fantasy points against the Colts.

Hallam’s Take:  Like Charles, Jackson can be a very dynamic player as he is solid both as a runner and as a receiver. Unfortunately for Jackson, he is not necessarily the number one man on his team, and that will be even more uncertain with an entire overhaul of the coaching staff, which is expected to happen this off-season. If the guy who takes the Bills’ coaching job likes Jackson, he certainly could perform very well, but Marshawn Lynch is there, which could limit how often Jackson gets the ball in his hands. 

Arian Foster (Houston Texans) – After being removed from the game on the first drive a couple of weeks ago for fumbling, Foster has certainly improved over the last two games, as he finished 2009 with a major statement. Foster carried the ball 20 times for 119 yards and two rushing touchdowns on Sunday against the New England Patriots. He also had three catches for an additional 26 yards. Foster was expected to score just seven points, but playing a large role in the Texans’ offensive game plan, he scored 25 on the day. 

Hallam’s Take: Has Foster done enough to get a chance to be the starter next season in Houston? That is far too hard to say at this point in time, but I can guarantee that he has done enough to muddle up the situation for the Texans making the Texans’ backfield a nightmare for fantasy players come Draft Day 2010. I still think that Steve Slaton will begin the season as the starter, but if you draft Slaton you better pick Foster before too long to go with him.