Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

- Written by Brad Berreman
- Edited by Marc Caviglia
- Predictions are based on Staff Consensus

The last week of the NFL regular season is here, and many fantasy football leagues have already crowned their 2011 champion. There are leagues that go through Week 17, and luckily for owners in these leagues most teams still in playoff contention have something to gain by winning in Week 17. So many of the players owners have leaned all season will be available this week, with some notable exceptions being players from the Green Bay Packers and Houston Texans, who cannot improve their playoff seed this weekend and may wind up resting many of their regulars.

If you still need to fill out a competent lineup to give yourself a chance to take home the championship in your league this week, here is the Week 17 edition of our “Bruno Boys Fantasy Football Start ‘Ems”.

QUARTERBACKS-START ‘EM

Philip Rivers (San Diego Chargers) @ Oakland

Rivers three for 299 yards in Week 16 against the Detroit Lions in Week 16, with one touchdown and two interceptions in the game. He had gone without an interception in four straight games prior to last week, and another strong performance is likely to be coming in Week 17 against the Oakland Raiders. The Raiders have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks (17.5 per game), including a tied for second-highest in the league 28 passing touchdowns. Rivers threw for 274 yards with two touchdowns and one interception against Oakland in Week 10, so production along those lines or perhaps a little better could be coming this week. He has had disappointing 2011 season, but Rivers should be regarded as a low-end QB1 for Week 17 in a favorable matchup with a chance to keep a division rival out of the playoffs.

 
**BEAT THE BRUNO BOYS $350 WEEK 17 FREE CONTEST -  TOP 20 PAID**

We’ve partnered with DraftStreet.com to provide our fans an opportunity to play WEEKLY salary cap fantasy football against the Bruno Boys Staff.  Through the first 16 weeks of the NFL season we have given away over $6,600 in cash prizes. This week, we are offering a $350 free roll in which the TOP 20 win prize money. Make sure to sign-up now for a chance to win money and take on the Bruno Boys… IT’S FREE!!

Please use this link to enter:  Week 17 $350 Contest  (click to register)

Ryan Fitzpatrick (Buffalo Bills) @ New England

Fitzpatrick went 15-for-27 for 196 yards without a touchdown or interception against the Denver Broncos last week, and he also had 22 rushing yards in the game. The Harvard grad has certainly struggled since a hot start to the season, but Week 17 brings a big chance for a rebound against the New England Patriots. New England has allowed 18.2 fantasy points (second-most in the league) to opposing quarterbacks this season, including the most passing yards (308.9 yards per game) in the NFL. Fitzpatrick threw for a season-high 369 yards against the Patriots back in Week 3, with two touchdowns and two interceptions, as New England did not sack him at all. There is some downside here given how he has generally performed over the last 12 weeks or so, but Fitzpatrick has to be considered a low-end QB1 with upside for this week.