Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

It is time again to take a look at the guys who went above and beyond in fantasy football for Week 15. Join Ryan Hallam, staff writer at Fantasy Alarm, as he chronicles the guys who gave their owners more than they hoped for and likely led them to victory. Also, check back later tonight as he dives into the Week 15 Duds. And if you have any questions for him, email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) for Week 16 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

Vincent Jackson, WR, San Diego Chargers –From the first drive of the game until the final gun, Jackson wrecked the 49ers secondary on his way to a huge game to finish up the 2010 season.  Jackson had five catches for 112 yards and three touchdowns.  He was only supposed to score nine fantasy points, but absolutely blew that out of the water as he scored a huge 29 on the evening. 

Hallam’s Take: It has been an interesting season for Jackson and if you read my rankings or listen to the Fantasy Alarm Show you know that I have had no faith in Jackson this season.  I know that he had this huge game on Thursday, but I am not sure that I am overly excited about him in the last two weeks of the season.  However, the Chargers face the Bengals and Broncos so Jackson won’t see a competent defense for the rest of the year.  He is at least worth a flex position spot.

Michael Vick, QB, Philadelphia Eagles – He has cemented himself as an MVP candidate as Vick led the Eagles back from a 21 point deficit to beat the Giants in a huge divisional matchup.  He was 21/35 throwing the ball for 242 yards and three scores with just one interception.  Vick also ran the ball ten times for another 130 yards and a rushing touchdown as well.  He was the highest ranked quarterback, looked upon to score 22 points, but never looked back as he scored a tremendous 38 fantasy points. 

Hallam’s Take: Vick looked like the dynamic player who is up for the NFL MVP in the fourth quarter against the Giants after being just average for most of the rest of the game.  He is an incredible athlete who can make things happen with his legs or his arm and he should be able to put up huge fantasy points for the rest of the year and going forward.  He has been the number one pickup on the waiver wire in 2010 and should lead your team to a fantasy championship. 

Rex Grossman, QB, Washington Redskins –Raise your hand if you saw this coming!  In a week of total turmoil in the nation’s capital, Grossman was named the starter for the ‘Skins and no one expected him to pay this kind of dividends.  He was 25/43 for 322 yards and four touchdowns.  He was turnover prone as he had two interceptions and also fumbled the ball away, but from a fantasy perspective he was money.  Grossman was a late addition to the starting lineup and projected to score just seven points, but he blasted that call as he managed to score an impressive 22 on the afternoon.

Hallam’s Take: Raise your hand if you saw this coming.  We all thought that Mike Shanahan was out of his mind when he installed Sexy Rexy as his starter.  This was a great game for Grossman but I have absolutely no faith that he can do this again in the last two weeks of the year.  He does face the Cardinals next week which is a good matchup, but if you are starting Grossman you likely aren’t still alive in the playoffs anyway. 

Cedric Benson, RB, Cincinnati Bengals –It has been a season of disappointment for Benson and the Bengals this season as he hasn’t crossed the century mark many times this season.  But against the Browns he definitely looked like the Benson from 2009.  On the afternoon he ran the ball 31 times for 150 yards and a rushing touchdown.  He was only expected to score 11 points in Week 15 but was able to nearly double that as he posted a great 21 for the game. 

Hallam’s Take: Where in the world was this all season Mr. Benson?  After being one of the big breakout players in 2009, Benson has done nothing but disappoint his owner for most, if not all, of 2010.  The Bengals have been a disaster, the offensive line has been nowhere near as good, and Benson has looked average at best.  Even with this good game, you need to evaluate your roster to see if he is someone you should be starting in Week 16 as you very well could have better options. 

Ray Rice, RB, Baltimore Ravens –Rice ran all over the Saints on Sunday on his way to his best game of the 2010 season.  He carried the ball 31 times for 153 yards and a rushing touchdown and also had five catches for an additional 80 yards and a receiving touchdown.  He had a healthy 15 point expectation but was one of the highest scorers of the week when he put up a huge 35 on the day. 

Hallam’s Take: Rice was a top five pick coming into the season, and while he has been good, I have to say that he hasn’t quite lived up to his lofty draft status. However, Rice is ultra-talented and is also a great receiver out of the backfield and should always bring you good value.  Baltimore faces divisional doormats Cleveland and Cincinnati to finish the season and Rice should end the season in a huge fashion. 

Donald Brown, RB, Indianapolis Colts – The problem with the Colts according to many experts has been their inability to run the ball.  While he wasn’t exactly impressive if you watched the game, Donald Brown finally had stats that the Colts hoped for when they drafted him out of college.  He had 14 carries for 129 yards and a score against the Jaguars.  Not much was expected of Brown as he was looked upon to score just five fantasy points, but for once he lived up to his expectations and was able to muster 18. 

Hallam’s Take: Since Joseph Addai went down to injury, the Colts have been among the worst teams at running the ball, and Brown’s ineffectiveness is a huge reason why.  He isn’t fast, he doesn’t have great moves, and the offensive line in front of him has been a disappointment.  Brown did break one huge touchdown run, but was pretty effective the entire game.  I don’t trust Brown as far as I can throw him and I would not be starting him in the last two weeks of the season. 

Jason Witten, TE, Dallas Cowboys –It has been a whole different story for the Dallas since the firing of Wade Phillips, and Witten again has come out and been one of the elite tight ends in the NFL.  That continued in Week 15 as he had 10 catches for 140 yards and a score.  Witten had an aggressive projection of 13 points, but he even bested that as he tallied 20 on the afternoon. 

Hallam’s Take: What a season it has been for Witten.  He started out the season as a humongous disappointment but over the last six weeks has definitely turned the corner.  If you are still alive there is no doubt that Witten should be your tight end in the last two weeks of the season, regardless of whoever the Cowboys are playing. Witten should again be one of the top five tight ends taken in 2011 fantasy drafts. 

Mario Manningham, WR, New York Giants – His availability was questionable coming into the weekend, but Manningham not only played in the game but was very successful.  He was eight catches for 113 yards and two scores.  The only dull spot on his day was a fumble lost but still Manningham helped those who started him in a big way.  He was looked upon to score six fantasy points but more than tripled that with a 21 point game. 

Hallam’s Take: With Steve Smith out for the rest of the season, Manningham will be a starting receiver for the pass-happy Giants going forward.  He isn’t a burner by any stretch but still is a reliable receiver.  If you need help in the last two weeks of the season and are in the market for a wide receiver, Manningham could certainly be your guy. 

Tim Tebow, QB, Denver Broncos –It was the NFL debut for one of the best college football players of all time, and despite everyone saying that he would be unable to play the position in the pros, he didn’t do too bad.  Tebow was battered and knocked around by the Raiders, but still was 8/16 for 138 yards and a passing touchdown, but like at the University of Florida he brought more value running the ball.  Tebow took off eight times for 78 yards and a very impressive rushing touchdown.  He was projected to score just nine fantasy points in his first game but more than doubled that as he put up 22. 

Hallam’s Take: While he might not be the most talented quarterback in the NFL he does have a few things going for him.  He is an incredible competitor and will outplay his talent on the field.  He is also a great leader and will always get his teammates to play their hearts out around him.  He will likely never put up huge stats, but if he is given the opportunity I think he could lead a team to a pretty good record.  He will likely never be a great fantasy quarterback, but his combination of passing and running makes him an exciting fantasy player and one who could get you decent points.  I would say by how he performed he should be the Broncos starter for the rest of the season. 

Matt Flynn, QB, Green Bay Packers –It was a much better game this week for Matt Flynn after having a week to prepare to be the starter.  Against a Patriots defense that is on fire Flynn was 24/37 for 251 yards and three touchdown.  He did also run for 13 yards and he lost a fumble and also had an interception.  Flynn was only supposed to score 10 fantasy points, which in some eyes was generous, but far exceeded expectations as he was able to score 18. 

Hallam’s Take: I would guess that Aaron Rodgers will be ready to play in Week 16 so there is no reason to get excited about Flynn’s performance, that is unless you have one of the Packer receivers.  I think that this was a total fluke and the Patriot defense overlooked Flynn and started to read their own press clippings.  If Flynn is somehow going to make the start in Week 16, there is no way that you should trust that he is going to have another game like this.

Honorable Mention:  Aaron Hernandez, TE, New England Patriots –Hernandez didn’t have a huge game where he caught ten passes, but the ones that he had he made sure they counted.  He had four catches for just 31 yards, but two of them (including the game winner) were for touchdowns.  Not much was expected of Hernandez as he was only looked upon to score four points, but went flying past that as he had a great 15 point night. 

Hallam’s Take: He is getting harder and harder to cover and it becomes more and more obvious that this kid has a huge future in front of him.  He definitely has the trust of Tom Brady, and there is no telling how good he can be.  If you own Hernandez I think that you have to keep him in your lineups even though there is a chance that he could put up a huge dud.  However, the chances are equally good that he could put up numbers like he did on Sunday. 

Week 16 Rankings:  QB  |  RB |  WR |  TE |  K |  DEF   (click to read)

Week 16 Start & Sit:  START ‘EM |  SIT ‘EM (click to read)

Week 16 Waiver Wire Advice:  PICK THEM UP  |  CUT THEM LOOSE (click to read)

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