Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

17. Brandon Jacobs (New York Giants) @ New Orleans

Brandon Jacobs had a pretty mediocre Week 5 against the Oakland Raiders as he was held to 67 rushing yards on 21 attempts with no visit to the end zone. Not exactly the type of numbers one would expect from him, especially after going off about how if he does not improve his stats he will retire at season’s end. I am not giving up on him though as he faces the New Orleans Saints this week; a team that the New York Giants will want to keep off of the field - a fierce rushing attack coupled with a solid offense is what the doctor will order this week. Expect Jacobs to do well enough to be your RB2 in deeper leagues.
Point Projection: 14 points

18. Brian Westbrook (Philadelphia Eagles) @ Oakland

In a pathetic rushing game by all members of the Philadelphia Eagles against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers , Brian Westbrook was the most formidable. Weighing in with a whopping 35 total yards and a touchdown, Westbrook earned 9 fantasy points. He does face the Oakland Raiders this week, so that is some good news. Look for Westbrook and LeSean McCoy to get a pretty even split in touches as long as the Eagles have the game in check. So, another flirt of double-digit points is probable, but don’t expect him to put up the numbers of old.
Point Projection: 14 points

19. Pierre Thomas (New Orleans Saints) vs. New York Giants

If there was any concern about Pierre Thomas’ injury, there shouldn’t be anymore. Prior to the Saints’ bye, he had back-to-back highly successful weeks, including 132 all-purpose yards and a touchdown against what is billed as a successful New York Jets defense. This week he faces the New York Giants; an even bigger task as the Giants are one of the best in the game against the run. Despite the tough match up, Thomas should be in your lineup as a RB2 option in deeper leagues.
Point Projection: 14 points

20. Willis McGahee (Baltimore Ravens) @ Minnesota

The emergence of Ray Rice as the playmaker back has made Willis McGahee as a do or die running back for fantasy purposes. Knowing how the Baltimore Ravens run their offense, there will be weeks where he gets his touches and there will be weeks in which he is just the red-zone back. This week should be a mixture of both as the Ravens will look to keep the high powered Minnesota Vikings offense off of the field. Look for McGahee to get fed the rock enough times to get a handful of yardage as well as an opportunity to add to his 7 touchdowns on the year. He really has become a all or nothing player, though, so if you have a similar option sitting on the bench you may want to go the safer route.
Point Projection: 12 points

21. Carnell Williams (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) vs. Carolina

If not for the fact that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are facing the Carolina Panthers and their 30th ranked rush defense this week, Carnell Williams would be rated as more of a flex-option in deeper leagues, but as it is he gets to face one of the weakest rush defenses in the league. Look for an improvement over last week’s 8 yards on 10 rushing attempts. But for those that were fooled into believing that he was a top rusher from earlier season performances you have to realize now that he isn’t. Williams is no more than a low-end RB2 option in deeper leagues for the week.
Point Projection: 12 points

22.  LaDainian Tomlinson (San Diego Chargers) vs. Denver

I wish LaDainian Tomlinson was producing like his old self as his last match up against the Denver Broncos resulted in 96 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns. Unfortunately, he isn’t and that is why he is ranked as a low-end RB2 in deeper leagues this week. On the year, Tomlinson has been on the sideline due to injury more than anything. 70 yards and a touchdown in two games is far from Tomlinson-esque. Expect nothing more than solid, but far from fantastic numbers as the Denver defense has been very solid this season.
Point Projection: 11 points

23.  Ahmad Bradshaw (New York Giants) @ New Orleans

Ahmad Bradshaw enjoyed a solid performance last week as he went for 165 total yards and 2 touchdowns. While this is not to be expected every week, it does open some eyes to the fact that the New York Giants will be looking to rush a lot with Eli Manning hurting. With Bradshaw’s 11 carries and Brandon Jacobs 21 rushing attempts, it looks as if there are two Giants running backs that deserve to be in your lineup in week 6 against the average New Orleans Saints defense.
Point Projection: 11 points

24.  Tim Hightower (Arizona Cardinals) @ Seattle

Both of the Arizona Cardinals’ running backs struggled against the weaker Houston Texans rush defense, but the better of the two was Tim Hightower with 47 all-purpose yards and a touchdown; good enough for 10 fantasy points. This week the Cardinals face a slightly below average rush defense in the Seattle Seahawks, who rank 17th out of 32 teams against the run. The prognosis for a successful week by Hightower is good. Play him as a RB2 in deeper leagues.
Point Projection: 11 points

25.  Jonathan Stewart (Carolina Panthers) @ Tampa Bay

What a nice surprise Jonathan Stewart was last week against the Washington Redskins. He was not even expected to play as he was a game-time decision, and then, he touched the ball 11 times for 46 yards and a touchdown. Good for double-digit fantasy points. This week he faces the weak Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense, a team that he has enjoyed solid success against, averaging 12 fantasy points per contest in his short career. As long as the leg is not bothering him, Stewart will make for a nice flex option in deeper leagues this week.
Point Projection: 9 points

26. Julius Jones (Seattle Seahawks) vs. Arizona

After having enjoyed much success in two of the first three weeks of the season, Julius Jones is sputtering once again. It looks as if he is no more than a situational running back right now to be used only in the more favorable of match-ups. This is not one of them as the Arizona Cardinals rank as the second best rush defense while allowing only 2 rush touchdowns on the season. Jones is no more than a flex-option in deeper leagues.
Point Projection: 9 points

27. Jamal Lewis (Cleveland Browns) @ Pittsburgh

For all of the talk that Jamal Lewis was going to be replaced by Jerome Harrison prior to week 5, things didn’t exactly go as many planned. Lewis touched the ball more than 75% of the time for the Cleveland Browns last week as he rushed for 117 yards on 31 carries. For those that think the loss of Braylon Edwards from Cleveland won’t be much of a blow, that is foolish. This week the Pittsburgh Steelers will force the Browns to win the game through the air, focusing all of their efforts against the running game. Look for Lewis to struggle this week, making him no more than a flex-option in deeper leagues.
Point Projection: 8 points

28. LeSean McCoy (Philadelphia Eagles) @ Oakland

While LeSean McCoy struggled against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week, totaling only 29 yards, it is to be noted that he did split the workload with Brian Westbrook. This week, he most likely continue in that role and possibly even a bit more as the Philadelphia Eagles face the Oakland Raiders. If the game gets out of hand, expect the Eagles to sit Westbrook, giving McCoy some solid garbage minutes. With that being the case, McCoy is a solid option as a flex-play in deeper leagues.
Point Projection: 8 points

29.  Larry Johnson (Kansas City Chiefs) @ Washington

While Larry Johnson is rated as a solid flex-option, you have to realize that his inconsistencies such as last week’s 21 carries for 37 yards just won’t cut it. In fact, until he starts producing half-way decent numbers I wouldn’t even plug him into your lineup. That is how pathetic the Kansas City Chiefs running game is at this point; just avoid the stagnation all together. The Washington Redskins are solid enough to where Johnson should struggle, but with the amount of carries that he gets on a weekly basis he will continue to be rated as a flex-option in deeper leagues. If you are frustrated by his performance, imagine what the Chiefs organization is feeling.
Point Projection: 7 points

30.  Willie Parker (Pittsburgh Steelers) vs. Cleveland **CHECK INJURY STATUS**

Turf toe is a very hard injury for running backs to play through, just ask LaDainian Tomlinson. As his career goes on, it looks as if Parker’s pain tolerance is not at a very high level making him a candidate to lose his starting job with the Pittsburgh Steelers; at least to the point to where Rashard Mendenhall sees equal playing time and all of the goal-line looks. If you are a Parker owner, you must be disappointed, and rightfully so. As in this week and the remainder of the season, it is very possible to see Parker rated no higher than a RB3/flex-option. Keep him on your bench even if he suits up despite the great match up against the Cleveland Browns.
Point Projection: 7 points

31.  Marshawn Lynch (Buffalo Bills) @ New York Jets

For the second straight week, Marshawn Lynch got the better amount of touches, but not so much so to where he is the clear favorite for the Buffalo Bills. In fact, Lynch had 23 touches to Fred Jackson’s 15. The difference though in production was outstanding as Lynch went for 125 total yards and Jackson went for 47. This week, though, neither back will produce much as the New York Jets pose a much tougher rush defense than the Cleveland Browns. Look for the New York Jets to ground both of the Bills backs this week, making neither of them a solid play as both are no more than low-end flex options in deeper leagues.
Point Projection: 7 points

32. Fred Jackson (Buffalo Bills) @ New York Jets

See Marshawn Lynch .
Point Projection: 6 points