Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

Once again taking on the task of identifying those over achievers and under performers from the previous week of fantasy football is Ryan Hallam, creator of Fighting Chance Fantasy. So, join Ryan as he takes us through the Week 16 Studs and check back tomorrow as he takes a look at the Week 16 Duds. And if you have any questions for him, email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) for Week 17 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

QUARTERBACK - STUDS

Donovan McNabb (Philadelphia Eagles) – I left him off the list last time he had a big game, so I want to give McNabb his due this week.  Against a pretty good Denver Broncos defense, McNabb was 20-of-35 for an impressive 322 yards with three touchdowns and just one interception.  He also ran the ball five times for an additional 29 yards, but he did lose a fumble in the game.  McNabb was projected to put up 16 points, but he did far better than that as he was able to score 22.

Hallam’s Take: Others like McNabb more than I, but I am going to stay true to my thoughts on the veteran signal caller.  It is another run of the mill season for McNabb as it looks like he will finish with mid-20s in touchdowns and just over 3,000 yards.  He is not an elite quarterback fantasy wise, and is a very low end starter.  He has had six games in which he threw one or zero touchdown passes, and that is just a little too much for my taste.

Matt Moore (Carolina Panthers) – Moore continues to make his case to at least get the starting job for the Panthers in 2010 with his impressive play.  Sure, the New York Giants defense isn’t what we thought it would be, but it should be better than this.  Moore was 15-of-20 for just 171 yards, but he threw three touchdowns.  Even after being on this list last week, Moore was rightfully looked upon for just seven points, but he blew that away with a very impressive 18.

Hallam’s Take:  Did I say that there was absolutely no way that you could start Moore against the Giants last week?  This unexpected end of the season continues for Moore, and people with games in Week 17 are wondering if he can do it one more time.  He will face the New Orleans Saints who don’t want to go into the playoffs losing three straight games so I would be really shocked if he had three straight great games. Consider Moore a start in two quarterback leagues.

Matt Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) – Ryan was having a pretty good start to the season before leveling off and then getting the turf toe injury, so it is nice to see him ending the season on a positive note.  Ryan’s completion percentage wasn’t great as he was 18-of-35 for 250 yards, but he threw three touchdowns.  Ryan was predicted to put up a modest 12 points, but he nearly doubled that with a 22 point output.

Hallam’s Take:  Ryan certainly has not followed up his great rookie year with a super sophomore campaign, but he is looking to finish it strong.  Like McNabb he should be a very low end starter or a great bye week/injury replacement in 2010, with likely great things to come in the next few years for him.  He would do much better if Atlanta can get him one more receiver to compliment Roddy White.

RUNNING BACK – STUDS

Jerome Harrison (Cleveland Browns) – One of the more debated players in fantasy football this week, Harrison definitely rewarded those owners who held their breath and put him in their lineups.  He carried the ball a whopping 39 times for 148 yards and a score.  He also uncharacteristically was not involved in the passing game, as he didn’t even have a single catch.  Even with that, Harrison scored 18 fantasy football points, which is much better than the 13 that he was supposed to score.

Hallam’s Take: Even going into Sunday I didn’t know exactly how coach Eric Mangini would handle the running back duties given the sporadic ways he has in the past.  However, at this point you can pretty much count on the fact that Harrison will carry the full load next week against the Jacksonville Jaguars who are not a very strong defense, though solid against the run.  If you have one more week to play and own Harrison, there is no reason not to play him in the final week of the season.

Jonathan Stewart (Carolina Panthers) – With DeAngelo Williams hurting, the Panthers have had no trouble running the ball with their impressive second year runner.  Williams had 28 rushes for 206 yards and a touchdown.  He also added two catches for another 16 yards for a grand total of 27 fantasy points.  Considering he was projected for 14 points, I would say that Stewart definitely deserves this spot on the Stud list.

Hallam’s Take: With the Panthers completely out of any sort of contention, there is no reason for them to put DeAngelo Williams on the field again, so they might as well start Stewart again next week.  Stewart is proving that he is able to carry the load on his own, and so either the Panthers have two great running backs that will frustrate fantasy football players, or they will move one of these guys on in the offseason.

Ryan Grant (Green Bay Packers) – Grant continues to finish the season strong, running over defenders, and leading his fantasy teams to championships.  Against a subpar Seattle Seahawks defense, Grant shredded them early, in the middle, and at the end of the game.  He gave way plenty to Brandon Jackson, but Grant still scored 21 points on the day, much better than the 15 that he was predicted.

Hallam’s Take:  I am not a real big fan of Grant, but he is finishing the season strong and you can’t argue with his production.  He now has five touchdowns in the last three weeks, and if given the amount of touches (Packers already clinched wild card spot and have little to play for) is great play in the last week of the season against the Arizona Cardinals.  Next season he is a mid range RB2, but not someone that you should reach too far for.