Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

The NFL is an ever changing landscape, from year to year, week to week, and even day to day. Hence, the Bruno Boys bring to you our Week 15 Edition of the Fantasy Risers and Fallers. For those of you unfamiliar with the concept behind the article, it’s rather simple. Risers and Fallers highlights those players who have seen their fantasy football value for the weekend’s upcoming games either rise (increase) or fall (decrease).

Also, make sure to check out our How Long Will Your Fantasy Studs Play in Week 17? in which we take an in-depth look at the projected playing time for every NFL team that has either clinched a playoff spot or is still mathematically alive entering Week 17.

WEEK 17 RISERS

Carolina Panthers D/ST - With breaking news coming out on Friday Night that the New Orleans Saints will rest quarterback Drew Brees on Sunday it has the Panthers D/ST climbing up the charts. Entering the week the Panthers D/ST were a team that you wouldn’t even think twice about playing but with Brees and running back Pierre Thomas out of action look for Carolina’s defense to make it three straight games with solid fantasy football totals.

RB Donald Brown (Indianapolis Colts) - As stated in our Player News section, Brown could be in line for a big Week 17 against the 32nd ranked Buffalo Bills run defense.

RB Mike Hart (Indianapolis Colts) - Brown should see eight to ten carries in the season finale against the Buffalo Bills which is why he makes this list but can you rely on him with your season on the line?

WR Jabar Gaffney (Denver Broncos) - With No.1 wide out Brandon Marshall already on the shelf come Sunday it will be Gaffney that benefits the most. He scored two touchdowns last week and should see an heavy increase in targets against a Kansas City Chiefs team that struggles against the pass. If you owned Marshall, consider replacing him with Gaffney.

QB Chad Henne (Miami Dolphins) - There is no secret to how you attack the Pittsburgh Steelers and it involves a lot of passing. With Ricky Williams being a game-time decision it means Henne could see an expanded role in moving the football and his play of late makes us believe he’s ready for the challenge. If you are forced to look an alternate route because your starter is on a playoff team and likely to be limited starting Henne should be worth the risk.

QB Matt Moore (Carolina Panthers) - Moore has scored 10+ fantasy points in three straight games and the match-up is right for him to make it four in a row. The New Orleans Saints lead the league in interceptions but they are expected to rest their starters and safety Darren Sharper has already been ruled out. Look for Moore to finish the season strong as he continues his quest to be the Panthers starting QB in 2010.

QB Mark Brunell (New Orleans Saints) - Just because a guy makes the Bruno Boys Risers list it doesn’t mean you should play them and that’s the case with Brunell. With the Saints electing to sit Drew Brees it means Brunell will make his first start of the season but the match-up against a tough Carolina Panthers pass defense isn’t ideal. With New Orleans likely to also rest it’s play-makers at wide receiver it means Brunell will be throwing the football to secondary receivers. He might be a Riser entering Week 17 but do yourself a favor and don’t even think about starting the veteran.

QB Billy Volek (San Diego Chargers) - Volek is expected to see extensive playing time for the San Diego Chargers in Week 17 and you can read more about his status here…Chargers QB Volek could start Week 17.

RB Lynell Hamilton (New Orleans Saints) - With Pierre Thomas missing Week 17 and the team likely to rest Reggie Bush and Mike Bell at some point you have to expect Hamilton to see some touches in the season finale.

WEEK 17 FALLERS

New England Patriots Skill Players - WIth the Patriots releasing little information about what they will do with their starters in Week 17 it makes it difficult to start Tom Brady, Wes Welker and Randy Moss with any confidence. With there being no guarantee the Patriots starters play a full 60 minutes you are better off taking the safe route.

San Diego Chargers Skill Players -  Guys like Philip Rivers, LaDainian Tomlinson, Vincent Jackson and Antonio Gates should stay on your bench with San Diego having nothing to play for.There have been some reports that Rivers won’t start on Sunday. In short, stay away from the Chargers because they have “red flag” written all over them.

Indianapolis Colts Skill Players - Peyton Manning, Joseph Addai, Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark exited early last week and they will do the same this week. However, this time the Colts studs won’t play into the second half and will likely be replaced by the end of the first quarter.

Cincinnati Bengals Skill Players - We don’t know much about the Bengals’ Week 17 gameplan, but what we do know is their starters aren’t projected to see much action. Look for them to get a few snaps early on but to be yanked as the game progresses. A quarter for Carson Palmer, Cedric Benson and Chad Ochocino seems about right.

New Orleans Saints Skill Players - Drew Brees will be the third quarterback. Pierre Thomas has already been ruled out and New Orleans has nothing to play for. This isn’t the weak to be starting any of your Saints’ players, including Marques Colston and Robert Meachem, despite the fact that they lead the NFL in scoring.

WR Brandon Marshall (Denver Broncos) - Marshall tweaked his hamstring on Wednesday and has already been ruled out of action with the Broncos’ fighting for a wild card spot in the AFC. Tough blow for his fantasy owners’ that have been riding his hot hand throughout the second half of the season.

 

Week 17 Rankings:  QB  |  RB  |  WR  |  TE  |  K  | DEF    (click to read)

Week 17 Start & Sit:  START ‘EM  |  SIT ‘EM    (click to read)

Week 17 Waiver Wire Advice:  PICK THEM UP  |  CUT THEM LOOSE    (click to read)

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