Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

—Written by Cory Steger
—Edited by: Allie Fontana

Bruno Boys senior staff writer Cory Steger takes a look at five players who delivered fantasy results substantially below their projected rankings and point totals in The Fantasy 5: Week 3 Flops.  To be considered a candidate for the “Flops” list, a player has to fall short of his weekly point projection total by seven or more fantasy points. Sorry to say that the number of flops extends beyond the five players that we singled out above all others this week. Check out our Fantasy Flops Week 3 Roundup for more players who failed to come through for their teams and fantasy owners.

We saw five quarterbacks throw for more than 370 yards and 11 for 300-plus yards in Week 3. However the flip side to the fantasy Phenoms is the fantasy Flops, and there were a host of big name players who failed miserably on the field in Week 3. Carolina Panthers’ Cam Newton posted numbers (158 passing yards, 27 rushing, one touchdown) that seemed pedestrian compared to his production over the first two games of the season. Meanwhile, veteran signal caller Philip Rivers of the San Diego Chargers should have destroyed the lowly Kansas City Chiefs, but instead he threw for just 266 yards, zero touchdowns, two interceptions and a fumble. Not the kind of outing that Rivers’ fantasy owners were hoping for. Rivers wasn’t alone. Other big names expected to help carry fantasy teams to victory in Week 3 either played poorly, left prematurely due to an injury or simply weren’t factors in their team’s weekly matchup. Let’s take a look at which players deserve to strut their stuff on the Fantasy Walk of Shame in Week 3.—Allie Fontana

 

1. Philip Rivers, QB (San Diego Chargers)
Bruno Boys Week 3 Projection—Rank: No. 5; Points: 20
Week 3 Actual: Rank: No. 30; Points: 6

Quarterback Philip Rivers matchup with the injury-riddled Kansas City Chiefsshould have given him a real opportunity to shine. The San Diego Chargers pass happy offense were heavily favored over the struggling Chiefs, and it was never a question of Rivers playing well, only how well he’d play. The Chiefs didn’t put up too much of a fight, and the Chargers won the game 20-17. Rivers failed to throw a touchdown pass despite throwing for more than 260 yards and also continued to struggle with turnovers, tossing two interceptions and losing a fumble. While teammate Ryan Mathews picked up the slack to ensure a victory for San Diego, Rivers’ six fantasy points was a massive disappointment to fantasy owners who put their faith in his hands. Six is not enough.

2. Michael Turner, RB (Atlanta Falcons)
Bruno Boys Week 3 Projection—Rank: No. 7; Points: 16
Week 3 Actual: Rank: No. 45; Points: 2

The table had been set for Atlanta Falcons running back Michael Turner to post his third consecutive 100-yard plus game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers No. 31 ranked run defense in Week 3. After all, Turned had faced off with two stronger defenses—Chicago Bears and Philadelphia Eagles—and still delivered excellent results for his fantasy owners. Surprise, surprise. The Buccaneers shut down the Falcons run game to the point where it was non-existent,  and Turner finished the day with just 20 yards on 11 carries. He also failed to reach the end zone. While not many Falcons played well during the 16-13 loss, Turner’s two fantasy points were a big letdown to fantasy owners everywhere.

3. Frank Gore, RB (San Francisco 49ers)
Bruno Boys Week 3 Projection—Rank: No. 14; Points: 13
Week 3 Actual: Rank: No. 46; Points: 2

Fantasy owners breathed a sigh of relief when San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore received a contract extension after holding out briefly during the preseason. Three games into the 2011 season and Gore’s performances have done little to demonstrate that he deserved the new contract. In fact, Gore failed to find any running room in Week 3’s matchup versus the Cincinnati Bengals. He rushed 17 times for 42 yards—a paltry 2.5 yards per carry. Yes, yes, San Francisco’s offensive line played poorly, however that didn’t stop backup Kendall Hunter from finding the end zone in the second half for his first career rushing touchdown. The oft-injured Gore tweaked his ankle at some point during the game. With his status heading into Week 4 up in the air, Gore’s fantasy owners might seriously consider picking up Hunter as insurance. The rookie could see additional playing time sooner rather than later. 

 

4. Santonio Holmes, WR (New York Jets)
Bruno Boys Week 3 Projection—Rank: No. N/A; Points: N/A
Week 3 Actual: Rank: No. 78; Points: 1

There was disappointment all around for New York Jets fans following the team’s 34-24 loss to the Oakland Raiders in Week 3. While the Jets are still clinging to the notion that they’re a run-first team, quarterback Mark Sanchez completed 27-of-42 passes for 369 yards and two touchdowns. Sanchez spread the ball around to his receivers, targeting the majority five or more times, while sending just two targets in the direction of his WR1 (not to mention best pass catcher) Santonio Holmes. Fantasy owners who were counting on double-digit production from Holmes were surely disappointed in his one point fantasy performance. Postgame, Holmes made it known that he wasn’t too happy with his limited role in the offense. Look for him to become increasingly more vocal if more passes don’t come his way.

 

5. DeSean Jackson, WR (Philadelphia Eagles)
Bruno Boys Week 3 Projection—Rank: No. 10; Points: 15
Week 3 Actual: Rank: No. 58; Points: 3

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson kicked off his 2011 season with a huge performance, catching six passes for 102 yards and a touchdown in Week 1. Fast forward to Week 3 and Jackson has been nowhere near as productive for his fantasy owners. During Sunday’s 29-16 loss to the New York Giants, Jackson caught just two passes for 30 yards. Obviously he plays much better when his quarterback Michael Vick is healthy and on the field,  therefore between Vick’s concussion in Week 2 and the hand injury last week, it’s not surprising that Jackson’s struggling to produce. While there’s no denying that Jackson is a game changing pass-catcher who can give cornerbacks who line up across from him fits, his stats fall short of those put up by other No. 1 wide receivers in the league. Some say he hasn’t been the same since Dunta Robinson of the Atlanta Falcons put a hit on him last October that resulted in a second concussion in less than one year. Jackson’s fantasy owners are hoping that he finds his stride in Week 4 against the San Francisco 49ers pass defense that Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo and receiver Jesse Holley torched in Week 2. 

 

Fantasy Flops Week 3 Roundup: Cedric Benson (Cincinnati Bengals), Kenny Britt (Tennessee Titans), Deion Branch (New England Patriots), BenJarvus Green-Ellis (New England Patriots), Chris Johnson (Tennessee Titans), Brandon Marshall (Miami Dolphins), Rashard Mendenhall (Pittsburgh Steelers), Cam Newton (Carolina Panthers),  Hakeem Nicks (New York Giants), Steve Smith (Carolina Panthers), Michael Vick (Philadelphia Eagles), DeAngelo Williams (Carolina Panthers), Mike Williams (Tampa Bay Buccaneers).