Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

16. Marshawn Lynch (Buffalo Bills) vs. Houston

For the first time all season Lynch finally scored a touchdown in Week 7 as the third year player out of Cal Berkeley scored on a seven yard touchdown scamper. However, in that game Lynch averaged just 2.4 yards per carry against a Carolina Panthers that ranks towards the bottom in the NFL against the rush. Despite his yard per carry average not being up to par his fantasy owners’ should be encouraged by his 68 touches over the last three games and the fact that in Week 8 he takes on a Houston Texans’ defense that has allowed 10 rushing touchdowns (only two allowed over last four games) in seven games.
Point Projection: 14 points

17. Brandon Jacobs (New York Giants) @ Philadelphia

Jacobs’ fantasy owners are hoping that the running backs 13 fantasy points amassed on 76 rushing yards and a TD weren’t an aberration and that the running back they drafted in the second or third round is back. What better way to find out then with a test against the 11th ranked rush defense of the Philadelphia Eagles? In three games last season against Philly, Jacobs averaged 90 rushing yards per contest and added 2 scores for good measure.
Point Projection: 14 points

18. Joseph Addai (Indianapolis Colts) @ San Francisco

Consistency is the key to success in fantasy football and that is what Joseph Addai owners have been getting from the dynamic running back on a weekly basis. Through six games played Addai has at least 11 fantasy points in all but one game and a large part of his success has to do with his versatility. Addai is third at the running back position with 27 receptions and this plays right into the San Francisco 49ers weakness. The 49ers have allowed 46 receptions, 305 receiving yards and two touchdowns to opposing running backs, so even if Addai struggles to get it going on the ground the odds are in his favor to have a solid game through the air.
Point Projection: 13 points

19. Thomas Jones (New York Jets) vs. Miami

Don’t look now, but Jones is running like the running back that finished fourth among fantasy running backs last season. With 10, 16, 28, and 18 fantasy points over the last four weeks, Jones is definitely a hot hand that needs to be in your fantasy line-up, even in a tough match-up against a Miami Dolphins’ team that ranks 4th in the NFL against the run. After all, the 16 points mentioned prior were scored against the same Dolphins team.
Point Projection: 13 points

20. Ryan Grant (Green Bay Packers) vs. Minnesota

Behind an improved offensive line, Grant rushed 27 times for 148 yards and a touchdown in the Packers blowout victory over the Cleveland Browns. The touchdown marked the first time Grant found paydirt since Week 2 and gave his owners starting to doubt him hope for the future. However, his Week 8 opponent, the Minnesota Vikings, have allowed only two rushing touchdowns through the first seven games so Grant has his work cut out for him if he wants to make it two straight weeks with a TD. Still, Grant went for 101 total yards in a Week 4 loss to Minnesota and has averaged 5.3 yards per carry in his career against the Vikings.
Point Projection: 12 points

21. Marion Barber (Dallas Cowboys) vs. Seattle

Despite Jerry Jones’ comments suggesting that Tashard Choice would see a greater amount of work even upon Barber and Felix Jones’ return, it was the same ol’ story this past Sunday as Barber and Jones carried the workload, while Choice was left without a carry. Barber is indeed the Cowboys’ No. 1 option in the running game, which puts him in a nice spot against a Seattle Seahawks’ defense that is giving up 16.5 fantasy points to opposing RBs.
Point Projection: 12 points

22. Justin Fargas (Oakland Raiders) @ San Diego

Ranking a running back on the Oakland Raiders’ this high is risky, but Fargas has been solid over the last two weeks against tough rushing defenses and he should enjoy his best game of the season in Week 8. The San Diego Chargers rank 29th in the NFL against the rush and are allowing opposing running backs to score over 21 fantasy points per game in standard scoring leagues. The veteran out of USC is averaging 5.3 yards per touch over the last two weeks and Oakland can keep the game close it should allow Fargas to see enough touches to reach double-digit fantasy points for the first time in 2009. If Darren McFadden returns from injury make sure to downsize Fargas out of your lineup, unless in dire need.
Point Projection: 12 points

23. Brian Westbrook (Philadelphia Eagles) vs. New York Giants  **CHECK INJURY STATUS**

Westbrook suffered a concussion in Monday Night’s affair with the Washington Redskins, killing many fantasy owners’ hope for a Monday Night come from behind win. Andy Reid is optimistic that Westbrook can go in this important NFC East battle, but be sure to monitor his status throughout the week. However, if he goes, 60 total yards and a TD is a safe prediction.
Point Projection: 12 points

24. Chris Wells (Arizona Cardinals) vs. Carolina

Wells has been given 12 and 14 carries over the past two weeks, respectively, and if he’s in that range again this coming week, which we expect he will be, that will translate into a solid fantasy outing. Wells and the Cardinals get set to face the Panthers a team that hasn’t been very successful in stopping the run. In fact, opposing runners are averaging a healthy 4.4 yards per carry against Carolina this season.
Point Projection: 11 points

25. Knowshon Moreno (Denver Broncos) @ Baltimore 

No doubt about it Moreno will have his work cut out for him when he takes on the 7th ranked Baltimore Ravens’ rush defense, but the rookie has been productive to date and should be able to see enough touches to have a solid afternoon. Moreno has averaged a shade over 20 touches over the Broncos’ last four games and he has scored in two of those contests. Don’t expect a breakout game but be confident to use him as a low-end RB2 or Flex play this week.
Point Projection: 10 points

26. Tim Hightower (Arizona Cardinals) vs. Carolina

As mentioned in our opening paragraph the poor play of Tim Hightower has opened the door for Chris Wells to play a bigger role in the offense. Despite being ranked the 23rd overall running back in standard scoring leagues and scoring a touchdown in three straight games the second year running back is averaging just 3.0 yards per carry and has only 125 total yards since Week 4. Hightower’s Week 8 ranking is based on him scoring a touchdown but make sure you continue to track his production closely because if Wells continues to produce we could see Hightower officially relegated to goal line duties.
Point Projection: 10 points

27. Jamal Lewis (Cleveland Browns) @ Chicago

Lewis has been held in check since his 31 carry 117 yard performance in week 5. In his defense, though, he has faced two tough rush defenses in the Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers, both of whom rank in the top-12 in the league against the run. Things get a little easier in Week 8 as Lewis will be running against the 18th ranked rush defense of the Bears, making him a low-end RB2 in deeper leagues and a high-end flex play in others.
Point Projection: 9 points

28. Jonathan Stewart (Carolina Panthers) @ Arizona

Just when fantasy football owners thought they could rely on Jonathan Stewart he decides to throw up another dud. Facing the 32nd ranked Buffalo Bills rush defense in Week 7 Stewart could only muster 25 rushing yards on seven carries and he was never a true threat in the struggling Carolina Panthers offense. Things won’t be easy this week as the Arizona Cardinals rush defense ranks 1st in the NFL but with Stewart still seeing touches in the red zone it only takes one TD scamper to have a decent fantasy afternoon. This ranking is based on Stewart scoring a touchdown so adjust accordingly based on your leagues scoring system.
Point Projection: 9 points

29. Mike Bell (New Orleans Saints) vs. Atlanta

It appears that come the end of the 2009 football season, Pierre Thomas’ owners will be cursing the name of Mike Bell, who just doesn’t seem to want to go away. Bell stole a TD from Thomas in week 6 and had a team-high 12 carries in week 7, which he used to go for 80-yards. Against the Falcons, who rank 23rd against the run, look for Bell to be a fantasy factor yet again.
Point Projection: 9 points

30. Ahmad Bradshaw (New York Giants) @ Philadelphia

After Bradshaw went on a two week stretch in which he scored 38 fantasy football points and found the end zone on three different occasions many fantasy owners’ thought they had themselves a lineup staple. However, Bradshaw’s production dropped back down to reality in Week 8, as he managed just 32 rushing yards and lost a fumble. Facing a Philadelphia Eagles rushing defense that allows just 96 yards per game will be no easy task but you can expect his production this week to be somewhere in between his 10 point effort in Week 6 and his one point effort in Week 7. Use Bradshaw solely as a Flex play this week.
Point Projection: 7 points