Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

As we head into Week 15, we here at the Bruno Boys have decided to change things up a bit here in our “Cut Them Loose” article. This late in the season, the majority of your rosters are set as the fat’s been trimmed. Thus, rather than focus on what guys to release from your rosters altogether, we felt it would be beneficial to point out some fantasy playoff matches to avoid this coming weekend.

WHILE IT IS NOT RECOMMENDED YOU DROP THE PLAYERS BELOW, IT IS RECOMMENDED YOU TAKE A LONG LOOK AT YOUR OTHER OPTIONS AND CONSIDER PLACING THEM ON YOUR BENCH FOR WEEK 15.

Note: While looking for replacements for the below guys, be sure you check out the Fantasy Football Week 15 Waiver Wire - Pick Them Up article. And, remember you can always visit our FORUMS to get your questions answered about waiver wire candidates, players to drop or anything at all related to fantasy football.

QUARTERBACKS TO AVOID

Matt Ryan (Atlanta Falcons)

Regardless or whether he’s active or not for week 15’s action, Matt Ryan should be nowhere near your fantasy line-up. Sure, in his last full game, Ryan went for 268 yards and 2 TDs with 1 fumble against the New York Giants for a solid 17 fantasy points in week 11, but prior to that performance, Ryan had a steak of four straight single digit outings going. Throw in the fact that Ryan will be a bit rusty and goes up against the stellar pass defense of the New York Jets, who are allowing just 160.4 passing yards per game to go along with 7 TDs to 15 INTs on the year, and the decision to avoid him in such a crucial week is a no-brainer.

Ben Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers)

Big Ben is averaging a hearty 15.9 fantasy points per contest this season, so why are we suggesting you avoid using the Steelers’ quarterback in week 15? For starters, the match-up is definitely not a favorable one as Pittsburgh will be taking on the 3rd ranked pass defense of the Green Bay Packers, a team that has allowed just a combined 22 fantasy points to the quarterback position over their last three contests. There’s, also, the Steelers’ uninspired play of late to consider. In what was essentially a must win game in week 14 against the hapless Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh lost 13 to 6 with Big Ben throwing for just 201 passing yards and no scores. If he can’t carve up the porous pass defense of the Cleveland Browns, how can you trust him against the Packers.

RUNNING BACKS TO AVOID

DeAngelo Williams & Jonathan Stewart (Carolina Panthers)

Thanks to a bad match-up with a New England Patriots’ rush defense that has given up just 3 rushing TDs on the year, owners of Williams and Stewart may not even have the luxury of sitting the Panthers’ backs this coming week as there is a very good chance they’ve already been sent packing from their fantasy playoffs. However, if by some way you managed to advance despite the single digit performances of Williams (9) and Stewart (2) in week 14, you may want to consider other options in week 15. The Minnesota Vikings, who the Panthers’ will be going against in week 15, have not allowed a running back to accumulate 100+ rushing yards in 36 straight contests. And, like the duo’s week 14 opponent, the Patriots, the Men in Purple have allowed just three rushing TDs in 13 games this season.

LaDainian Tomlinson (San Diego Chargers)

A huge disappointment to fantasy owners to start the season, LT has gotten back on their good sides with five straight games of 11 or more fantasy points. But, don’t let that streak lull you into a false sense of security. LT’s run of double digit outings has been aided greatly by trips to the end zone with the back finding pay dirt seven times in the last five weeks. With a frolic in the end zone unlikely in week 15 against a Cincinnati Bengals’ rush defense that has allowed just 8 TDs on the year (two of which came in week 14 via the great Adrian Peterson), LT’s day will be determined by his yardage output. That’s not good news for a running back that’s averaging just 3.2 yards per carry and that has exceeded the 80-yard mark just once this year.

Matt Forte (Chicago Bears)

Forte has posted some solid outings on the year, but for the most part, those games came against rush defenses that ranked 25th or lower in the league (i.e. the 13 points he had in week 13 against the St. Louis Rams). Against teams with any semblance of a D-line, Forte has struggled mightily as demonstrated by the mere 6 fantasy points he tallied in week 14 against the 3rd ranked rush defense of the Green Bay Packers. Forte’s week 15 match-up is just as difficult as his week 14 contest as the Baltimore Ravens will be hosting the Bear’s back. On the year, the Ravens have allowed less than 100 yards per contest and have only given up 7 rushing TDs. Forte has disappointed you all season long, don’t let him do so again in week 15.