Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

13. Ryan Fitzpatrick (Buffalo Bills) @ Kansas City

After seeing Buffalo Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick throw for 374 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions in a loss to the Baltimore Ravens last week, it’s time to consider him as a legitimate fantasy option. That’s been hard for us to considering how bad Fitzpatrick has been in the past. The Kansas City Chiefs defense ranks just 25th against the pass but is giving up an average of 13.8 fantasy points a game to quarterbacks. Still, Fitzpatrick has brought Lee Evans back from the dead and established a solid rapport with emerging wide out Steve Johnson. Look for the surging Fitzpatrick to put together another stellar effort as the Bills try and get their first win.
Point Projection: 15 points

14. Matt Stafford (Detroit Lions) vs. Washington

Finally, the return of Detroit Lions quarterback Matt Stafford is here. He has been out since Week 1 with a shoulder injury, but Stafford is now practicing with the team by all accounts is ready to go. Stafford appeared to have a good season before the injury because he’s got good weapons around him as well as having an incredible arm. The Washington Redskins have given up nine passing touchdowns already, and the most receptions to opposing wide receivers in the NFL, but we would expect Stafford to be a little rusty after all the time off. For now keep the expectations modest.
Point Projection: 15 points

15. Mark Sanchez (New York Jets) vs. Green Bay

This is an interesting matchup for New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez. Playing against the Green Bay Packers defense can be frustrating, whether it’s trying to throw against cornerbacks Charles Woodson and Tramon Williams and safety Nick Collins, or trying to stop linebacker Clay Matthews. Green Bay is giving up an average of 14.8 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks. Plus, we’ve seen how much confidence Sanchez has now compared to the start of the season. Expect a solid performance, but an interception or two (Packers have 10 interceptions in seven games) will hurt Sanchez’s fantasy output.
Point Projection: 14 points

16. Brett Favre / Tarvaris Jackson(Minnesota Vikings) @ New England

Is Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre a legitimate fantasy option any more? He’s got seven touchdowns against 10 interceptions on the season, and in last week’s loss to the Green Bay Packers he had one touchdown with three interceptions. On top of that, Favre has two fractures in his ankle and there is no guarantee he plays in Week 8. The New England Patriots have seven interceptions this season, four of which have come in their last three games. Though the New England pass defense leaves a lot to be desired (12 passing touchdowns in six games), considering the rate he is throwing interceptions it’s hard to project Favre for anything more than 14 points this week.  **DESPITE BEING A GAME-TIME DECISION, FAVRE IS EXPECTED TO START IN WEEK 8**
Point Projection: 14 points; Jackson - 11 points

17. Jon Kitna (Dallas Cowboys) vs. Jacksonville

With quarterback Tony Romo suffering a broken collarbone in the Cowboys’ loss to the New York Giants, Jon Kitna will take over as the starter in Dallas. After getting off to a slow start, Kitna finished with 187 yards and two touchdowns, which is a sign that the veteran still has it. The good news for Kitna is that there isn’t a better matchup than this week’s opponent, the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jaguars have already given up 16 passing touchdowns, and they are the second-worst defense against quarterbacks, yielding an average of 20.2 points per game to quarterbacks. Though the season has not gone to plan so far for the Cowboys, we expect Kitna to play at a high enough level to consider him as a Week 8 bye week plug-n-play. Hey, they may even win the game, too.
Point Projection: 14 points

18. Vince Young (Tennessee Titans) @ San Diego

Tennessee Titans quarterback Vince Young missed last week’s win over the Philadelphia Eagles with knee and ankle injuries. In his place Kerry Collins threw for 276 yards with three touchdowns, all of them to Kenny Britt, and two interceptions. Young is considered day-to-day for this week’s game with the San Diego Chargers but Tennessee head coach Jeff Fisher told reporters that he was “optimistic” about Young’s chances of playing. Sounds to us like Young is going to play this week, however, it doesn’t matter who the quarterback is they are faced with a tough matchup. The Chargers have allowed the fewest fantasy points in the NFL to opposing quarterbacks and through seven games opponents have thrown for over 200 yards just two times. **PROBABLE - EXPECTED TO START IN WEEK 8**
Point Projection: 14 points

19. Sam Bradford (St. Louis Rams) vs. Carolina

In last week’s loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, St. Louis Rams quarterback Sam Bradford had his third multiple-touchdown game of the season. Yet he also managed to throw for just 126 yards. The Carolina Panthers already have 10 interceptions this season and are giving up less than 10 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. Still, the rookie has been taking care of the football and has the fans believing in St. Louis. On top of that, Bradford has 487 yards to go along with three touchdowns and one interception over his last two home games. So while he might not make a superb Week 8 play, Bradford has been taking care of the football and should be a serviceable option if you are in two quarterback leagues. 
Point Projection: 13 points

20. Matt Moore (Carolina Panthers) @ St. Louis

The Carolina Panthers decided to give the starting quarterback job back to Matt Moore and it paid off. Last week Moore led the Panthers to their first win of the season, beating the San Francisco 49ers 23-20. In that game Moore went 28-for-41 for 308 yards with two touchdowns and one interception, and really showed a side of the Panthers passing game we hadn’t seen yet. Do not get too excited, however. Before Moore lost his job to Jimmy Clausen he had thrown five interceptions and just two touchdowns. Because he’s playing against the St. Louis Rams this week Moore projects out for an OK game, however, he is a risky play. Tread carefully if you are thinking about starting him.
Point Projection: 13 points

21. Matt Hasselbeck (Seattle Seahawks) @ Oakland

With 434 passing yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions in the two games since the team’s bye week, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck has improved on his numbers from the beginning of the season when he had six picks and four touchdowns in the first four weeks. Yet, Hasselbeck hasn’t proven he can can be consistent on a week-to-week basis, and the Oakland Raiders are giving up just 192.3 passing yards a game. Though, it’s worth noting that Oakland has given up two passing touchdowns in seven straight games to start the season.
Point Projection: 13 points

22. David Garrard (Jacksonville Jaguars) @ Dallas

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback David Garrard passed his NFL mandated concussion test and will return for the team’s game against the Dallas Cowboys. Even after watching Dallas allow over 300 passing yards and four touchdowns to Eli Manning in Week 7, you can’t trust Garrard for anything more than a mediocre game. He has been Mr. Jekyll and Hyde throughout the 2010 season and after getting their butts kicked on national television a week ago one would think the Cowboys would be fired up this week. Proceed with caution if forced to use Garrard. **PROBABLE - WILL START IN WEEK 8**
Point Projection: 13 points

23. Donovan McNabb (Washington Redskins) @ Detroit

Washington Redskins quarterback Donovan McNabb has just six touchdowns this season, and with his seven interceptions that’s not nearly enough to get it done, even in deeper leagues. The Detroit Lions are giving up an average of 14.3 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks, but do have seven interceptions. Thus, you can expect another sub-par performance from in which McNabb throws for 200-225 passing yards, a touchdown and a turnover or two. Start the veteran at your own risk.  **QUESTIONABLE - EXPECTED TO START IN WEEK 8**
Point Projection: 12 points

24. Jason Campbell (Oakland Raiders) vs. Seattle

Jason Campbell helped lead the Raiders to a 59-14 win over the Denver Broncos last week, and with Bruce Gradkowski unable to complete a practice, he will get another start in Week 8. The Seattle Seahawks have given up just six passing touchdowns this season, and they already have 19 sacks and eight forced fumbles. That, along with a lack of receiving options, is why you shouldn’t expect much out of Campbell this week.
Point Projection: 10 points

25. Troy Smith (San Francisco 49ers) vs. Denver —Wembley Stadium in London)

After Alex Smith injured his shoulder in a Week 7 loss to the Carolina Panthers it was David Carr who replaced him. Expected to start in Week 8, Carr was thrown a curveball when in the middle of the week head coach Mike Singletary declared ex-Heisman winner Troy Smith the starter at quarterback. In his fourth NFL season, Smith has completed 48-of-89 passes for 558 yards and three passing touchdowns. He has also scored two rushing touchdowns while averaging an impressive 7.8 yard per carry.  That said, he has little experience with the 49ers first string offense and isn’t expected to do much this week.
Point Projection: 9 points

26. Max Hall (Arizona Cardinals) vs. Tampa Bay

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Max Hall suffered from concussion-like symptoms following the team’s loss to the Seattle Seahawks last week. Arizona head coach Ken Whisenhunt said Hall will start this week as long as he doesn’t suffer any setbacks in practice this week. If Hall doesn’t go then Derek Anderson will start. Neither player is a good fantasy quarterback, and neither player should be near your starting lineup.  **PROBABLE - WILL START ON SUNDAY AGAINST TAMPA BAY**
Point Projection: 7 points

BYE WEEK QUARTERBACKS

Jay Cutler (Chicago Bears)

The Chicago Bears offense is sputtering, and it’s no surprise that quarterback Jay Cutler is at the heart of the troubles. With five interceptions and 19 sacks in the last three games he’s played, Cutler is playing quite poorly, to say the least. Hopefully the bye week does him and the Bears some good.

Joe Flacco (Baltimore Ravens)

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco continues to play well, including throwing for 250 yards and three touchdowns in last week’s win over the Buffalo Bills. He’s not throwing interceptions, he’s not taking sacks, he’s not fumbling and he’s starting to throw good amounts of touchdowns. Things are really looking up for the second-year player.

Kevin Kolb / Michael Vick (Philadelphia Eagles)

As long as he is healthy enough, Michael Vick will start at quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 9, according to head coach Andy Reid. So for those of you who hopped on the Kolb bandwagon after Vick’s injury, it’s time to hop off.

Eli Manning (New York Giants)

If there’s one thing we’d like to see New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning do better it’s be more consistent. It seems every week he’s going to throw for around 300 yards or just 175. Either he has multiple touchdowns or he has none. His overall stats are good, but his week-to-week inconsistency is hurting his fantasy owners.

Colt McCoy (Cleveland Browns)

In his two starts, Cleveland Browns quarterback Colt McCoy has completed 32 of 49 attempts for 355 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. Though he won’t be a fantasy factor this season, he does look like the real deal. If the Browns go back to Jake Delhomme or Seneca Wallace then they’re just trying to angle themselves for a better draft pick.

Matt Ryan (Atlanta Falcons)

The Matt Ryan we’ve been expecting has finally shown up. It took a little longer for the Atlanta Falcons quarterback to get over his sophomore slump - if you want to call it that, his stats were better in 2009 than 2008 in certain areas - but now he’s registering multiple-touchdown games and leading the Falcons to wins.

Week 8 Rankings:  QB  |  RB  |  WR  |  TE  |  K  |  DEF  (click to read)

Week 8 Start & Sit:  START ‘EM  |  SIT ‘EM  (click to read)

Week 8 Waiver Wire Advice:  PICK THEM UP  |  CUT THEM LOOSE  (click to read)

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