Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

31. Julius Jones (Seattle Seahawks) vs. Detroit

Julius Jones had one of his better games of the season last week when he had 15 carries for 56 yards, while adding two catches for 32 yards. He has a good match-up in Week 9 when the Detroit Lions head to Seattle to face the Seahawks. The Lions are coming off a game in which they allowed St. Louis Rams’ running back Steven Jackson to rush for 149 yards and one touchdown. Do not expect Jones to rush for 150 yards against the Lions, but he should be considered a RB3 or flex option this week against a Detroit defense that has allowed 824 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns through seven games.
Point Projection: 7 points

32. Darren Sproles (San Diego Chargers) @ New York Giants

After scoring 15 fantasy points in Week 7 against the Kansas City Chiefs, Darren Sproles had just five carries for 38 yards with a fumble last week against the Oakland Raiders. He has the potential to make a big play every time he touches the ball, but his production has been very inconsistent this season. Sproles should make a nice flex option this week against a New York Giants team that has been susceptible to long runs this season.
Point Projection: 6 points

33. Cadillac Williams (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) vs. Green Bay

When the Buccaneers traveled to London in Week 7 to take on the New England Patriots, Cadillac Williams had 11 carries for 29 yards and added two receptions for 28 yards in the loss. He had two less carries then backup Derrick Ward, but he had more total yards. Look for Williams to continue being the starting running back for Tampa Bay, but he and Ward should continue to split the carries. Williams should be used as a RB3 this week against a Packers team that is allowing less than 100 rushing yards per game and has given up just three rushing touchdowns on the year.
Point Projection: 6 points

34. Mike Bell (New Orleans Saints) vs. Carolina

Mike Bell had 17 carries for 49 yards in Week 8 against the Atlanta Falcons. He had three more carries then starter Pierre Thomas, but Thomas was able to score twice in the game and has seemed to re-emerge as the Saints’ No. 1 running back. Even with Thomas being the starter, Bell has been getting a pretty good split of the carries on a weekly basis and has fantasy value as a low-end RB3 or flex option.
Point Projection: 6 points

35. Reggie Bush (New Orleans Saints) vs. Carolina

In the Saints’ Week 8 victory over the Atlanta Falcons, Reggie Bush had two carries for three yards with a touchdown and added two receptions for 11 yards. He has not been the dynamic player we have been used to seeing in previous years. He has just 47 carries for 178 yards with four touchdowns this season and has added just 20 receptions for 155 yards. Fantasy owners were expecting much better numbers from Bush this year, especially when you consider that he has posted 50 or more receptions in each of his first three seasons. He is no longer a must-start fantasy option and should be used as a low-end starter in deeper leagues only.
Point Projection: 5 points

36. Ryan Moats (Houston Texans) @ Indianapolis

Ryan Moats replaced Steve Slaton in the first quarter of the Texans’ Week 8 game against the Buffalo Bills, because Slaton had just lost a fumble for the third time in three games and fifth time this season. All Moats did in the game was carry the ball 23 times for 126 yards with three touchdowns. One game does not make a fantasy star, but with the big game Moats definitely earned some playing time in Houston and should earn a roster spot on some fantasy football teams. Pick him up this week if he is available, but don’t expect another 32 fantasy points from him this week. If you are desperate use him as a low-end No. 3 running back.
Point Projection: 5 points

37. Donald Brown (Indianapolis Colts) vs. Houston **CHECK INJURY STATUS**

Donald Brown has been having a successful rookie season as the backup running back in Indianapolis. In six games played, he has 46 carries for 212 yards with two touchdowns and has added seven receptions for 138 yards. He is questionable though for this week’s game against Houston with a shoulder injury that kept him out of the Colts’ Week 8 victory over San Francisco. Check Browns’ status before inserting him into your lineup this week, but even if he plays, consider him to be no more than a low-end option due to his injury status.
Point Projection: 5 points

38. LenDale White (Tennessee Titans) @ San Francisco

In the Titans first win of the season over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 8, LenDale White had a season high 13 carries for 47 yards. His role with Tennessee has been limited this season compared to last. In 2008, he had 15 rushing touchdowns and through seven games this season, he only has one. With Chris Johnson leading the league in rushing, expect White to remain nothing more then bench fodder this season.
Point Projection: 5 points

39. Derrick Ward (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) vs. Green Bay

In the Buccaneers last outing against the New England Patriots in Week 7, Derrick Ward had a team-high 13 carries for 48 yards. It was the most carries he has had in a game this season, and it could be a sign that he is ready to assume a bigger role in the Buccaneers offense. Even with a season-high in rushing attempts, Ward still has limited fantasy value at this point. He will continue to compete for carries with Cadillac Williams while playing for a Tampa Bay offense that is set to start its third different quarterback of the season. In his last game against the Green Bay Packers, Ward carried the ball 15 times for 90 yards, but that was as a member of the New York Giants. Continue to look at Ward as a low-end fantasy option.
Point Projection: 4 points

40. Maurice Morris (Detroit Lions) @ Seattle

With Kevin Smith injuring his shoulder early in the Lions Week 8 loss, head coach Jim Schwartz turned to Morris to carry the workload. The veteran made the most of his opportunity as Morris touched the ball 15 times for 82 total yards and also was on the receiving end of a two point conversion. Morris proved to the Lions that if Smith was to miss any action he can be a serviceable replacement and even if Smith plays in Week 9, expect Morris to receive some touches against his old team. 
Point Projection: 4 points

41. Correll Buckhalter (Denver Broncos) vs. Pittsburgh

In the Broncos’ Week 8 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, Correll Buckhalter had just eight carries for 16 yards, but he did add a team high six receptions for 30 yards. With rookie Knowshon Moreno taking over the lead running back role, Buckhalter’s touches have been limited. With a limited amount of touches per game, he should remain as a reserve in your fantasy lineup.
Point Projection: 4 points

42. Willie Parker (Pittsburgh Steelers) @ Denver

Since losing his starting role to Rashard Mendenhall after missing two games with an injury, Willie Parker’s role in the Steelers’ offense has been extremely limited. He has only managed eight carries for 28 yards with a fumble in the team’s last two games. With Mendenhall solidified as Pittsburgh’s starting running back, Parker should be kept reserved this week when the team travels to Denver to take on the Broncos.
Point Projection: 3 points

43. Willis McGahee (Baltimore Ravens) @ Cincinnati

After the Ravens first three games this season, it appeared that Willis McGahee would push Ray Rice for the team’s No. 1 running back spot. Through three games, he had 190 yards rushing with five touchdowns, but over the teams’ last three games, he has totaled zero fantasy points. With the emergence of Rice as Baltimore’s top running back, McGahee has very little fantasy value if any.
Point Projection: 2 points

44. Tashard Choice (Dallas Cowboys) @ Philadelphia

Tashard Choice had some fantasy value earlier this season when Marion Barber and Felix Jones were suffering from injuries, but with Barber and Jones both healthy Choice’s fantasy value has diminished. He has just five total touches over the Cowboys’ last two games, and he should remain reserved this week against the Eagles. His fantasy value is limited to being a handcuff for one of Dallas’ top two running backs.
Point Projection: 2 points

45. Sammy Morris (New England Patriots) vs. Miami    **CHECK INJURY STATUS**

Sammy Morris is questionable for this week’s match-up with the Miami Dolphins with a knee injury. He missed the Patriots’ last game in Week 7 against Tampa Bay and with the team’s bye last week, he has had two weeks to rest his sore knee. Keep an eye on his injury status, but even if he plays he has a tough match-up against the Dolphins and is not a recommended fantasy option this week.
Point Projection: 2 points

46. Justin Forsett (Seattle Seahawks) vs. Detroit

With the Seahawks releasing Edgerrin James, it makes Forsett the true backup to Julius Jones in Seattle. Over the past two weeks Forsett has touched the ball just five times but he made the most of it gaining 40 total yards. Expect him to see a gradual increase in touches but the Seahawks are a pass first team. Even with the 1-6 Detroit Lions coming to town, Forsett has very little fantasy value and should not be in your starting lineup in any format.
Point Projection: 2 points

47. Glen Coffee (San Francisco) vs. Tennessee

After posting 27 fantasy points in three games while Frank Gore sat out with injury, rookie Glen Coffee has just three carries for 11 yards in the two games since Gore’s return. As long as Gore is healthy and in the starting lineup, Coffee’s role in the offense, along with his fantasy value will be minimal. He should remain on your bench and is best served as a handcuff for Gore owners.
Point Projection: 2 points

48. Ladell Betts (Washington Redskins) @ Atlanta

As the No. 2 running back in Washington, Ladell Betts has been most effective catching balls out of the backfield. He has 15 receptions for 150 yards to go with 11 carries for 21 yards, and he has not scored a touchdown this season. Betts is averaging just two fantasy points per game this year and is not a recommended option against the Falcons.
Point Projection: 2 points

49. Larry Johnson (Kansas City) @ Jacksonville  **SUSPENDED**

Larry Johnson has no fantasy value this week as he is serving what amounts to a one-game suspension this week for conduct detrimental to the team. Even before the suspension, Johnson has been frustrating fantasy owners with his lack of production. He is still a talented running back, but you should keep your expectations limited for him for the rest of the season. No one knows what Johnson’s role will be in the offense when he returns from suspension.
Point Projection: 0 points

WEEK 9 BYE WEEK RUNNING BACKS

Adrian Peterson (Minnesota Vikings) - With 790 rushing yards, 189 receiving yards, and 9 total TDs, Peterson hasn’t disappointed as the No. 1 pick in fantasy drafts this off-season. In fact, if we owned him, we’d be tempted to start him even during his bye week. He’s that good!

Steven Jackson (St. Louis Rams) - A yardage monster throughout this 2009 season, SJax finally reached pay dirt for the first time in week 8, helping the Rams to their first win of the season. It’s ridiculous to think what Jackson could do with any semblance of talent around him.

Marshawn Lynch (Buffalo Bills) - Since returning from suspension, Lynch has reclaimed his role as the Buffalo Bill’s main back. However, those owners, who thought they were being clever and nabbing a RB1 in round 4 this off-season, have been disappointed as Lynch has been more of a high-end flex option.

Thomas Jones (New York Jets) - With 433 rushing yards and 2 scores in his last three games, Jones is beginning to look very similar to the 2008 version that ended up fourth in fantasy points among all running backs.

Justin Fargas (Oakland Raiders) - With Darren McFadden hurt, Fargas has emerged as the Raiders’ No. 1 running back. If JaMarcus Russell could learn to throw the ball at all, that might mean something, but opposing defenses have been able to stack the box against Oakland, hurting their running back’s value.

Jamal Lewis (Cleveland Browns) - Playing for the abysmal Browns’ offense, Lewis has just one double digit fantasy outing this season. If his poor play continues and the Browns continue to free fall, don’t be surprised to see some more of Jerome Harrison.

Chester Taylor (Minnesota Vikings) - As Adrian Peterson’s star continues to grow, Taylor becomes less and less fantasy relevant. In reality, Taylor should only be on your roster as a hand cuff to Peterson.

Michael Bush (Oakland Raiders) - If the Raiders’ weren’t on a bye week, Bush may not even appear in this article. The Raiders’ No. 2 runner has just 34 fantasy points in 8 games played.

Fred Jackson (Buffalo Bills) - A stellar fill in while Marshawn Lynch was suspended, Jackson has faded into mediocrity at best.

Jerome Harrison (Cleveland Browns) - Harrison had some big games while filling in for an injured Jamal Lewis earlier in the season, and he could be seeing an increase in his role with the team if the Browns continue to struggle. Keep an eye on Harrison moving forward.

Week 9 Rankings:  QB  |  RB  |  WR  |  TE  |  K  | DEF    (click to read)

Week 9 Start & Sit:  START ‘EM  | SIT ‘EM    (click to read)

Week 9 Waiver Wire Advice:  PICK THEM UP  |  CUT THEM LOOSE    (click to read)

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