Fantasy Football Weekly Rundown Week 15

For those of us who are still alive this is the biggest week of the year. This is the week that could put many of us into our fantasy football championship game. Even if your championship game is not until Week 17, this is still a do or die week and you can’t afford to squander any points by making a bad start.

As we have stated many times this year, fantasy football games are often decided by just a few points. Heck sometimes games are so close they can end in a tie and trust me you don’t want your season to come down to a tie- breaker in the playoffs, so make sure you are prepared with the most up-to-date information possible.

As you get your lineup ready for this crucial week of fantasy football and what should be a great slate of NFL games, enjoy the Bruno Boys Weekly Rundown (fantasy style). Good luck to the entire Bruno Boys Nation as you continue your quest for fantasy football glory.

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Joseph Addai questionable versus Lions due to injured shoulder

Indianapolis Colts RB Joseph Addai is listed as questionable for the team’s Week 15 match-up with the Detroit Lions. He has not practiced all week due to an injured shoulder, which limited him to 10 carries for 26 yards in Week 14.

Addai appears to be a game time decision, but when you consider that he has not practiced all week, it seems as though he would likely sit out against the Lions. There is no reason for the Colts to push him.

After winning six straight games the Colts are 9-4, and it appears that they should make the playoffs.

Plus, the Colts should have no problem beating the winless Lions at home with a capable backup in Dominic Rhodes. It is time to consider options other than Addai this week. If Rhodes starts, he would make a solid RB2 or flex player this week.

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Calvin Johnson listed as questionable, likely to play versus Colts

Detroit Lions WR Calvin Johnson has taken limited reps in practice all week with a hand injury. He is listed as questionable and could be another game time decision. Johnson does appear likely to play since he has practiced all week. The Lions have played it safe, limiting his reps to try and avoid further aggravating the injury.

Johnson has been the Lions only bright spot this season. The 2007 number two overall draft pick has posted over 1,000 yards receiving on the season and has nine receiving touchdowns which is second only to Anquan Boldin this season.

Keep a close on eye this situation.

If Johnson does play he is a must start, even though he plays for the lowly Lions. He has had a successful season on a bad team that has played four different quarterbacks this season. Johnson appears on his way to being a top-flight receiver in this league for a long time, and he is already a must start option when he is active.

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Marion Barber limited in practice, listed as questionable Week 15 against Giants

Dallas Cowboys RB Marion Barber was limited in practice for the second straight day Friday as he is still suffering from a dislocated pinkie toe. He injured the toe in the Cowboys Week 13 victory over the Seattle Seahawks and missed the team’s Week 14 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Cowboys’ head coach Wade Phillips has said that Barber can run straight without problem, but he has a problem making cuts with his right foot. This is not a good sign for a running back.

It appears that he will be a game time decision, but you should have a backup in place. The Cowboys play the Sunday night game this week and even if he does play he is unlikely to carry a full load.

If you have other options keep Barber reserved this week against the New York Giants. Backup RB Tashard Choice will likely start if Barber is inactive or split carries if Barber does attempt to make a go of it.  Choice should be considered no more then a RB3 this week, even if Barber is inactive due to the tough matchup.

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Brandon Jacobs ruled out Week 15 versus Cowboys

New York Giants RB Brandon Jacobs aggravated his left knee injury in a Week 14 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles and has been ruled out for Week 15 against the Dallas Cowboys. He has not practiced all week and head coach Tom Coughlin said that they did not think he would be ready to go.

The Giants have already clinched a playoff spot and don’t need to push Jacobs and further aggravate the injury.

This is actually good news for Jacobs owners. At least this decision was made early enough to give you time to plan for a game without him. He was limited to 10 carries for 52 yards Week 14 and hurt many fantasy owners.

Jacobs is a bruising back who has rushed for over a 1,000 yards on the season and has 12 rushing touchdowns. With Jacobs out the Giants will start backup Derrick Ward and also use Ahmed Bradshaw. Ward is a capable backup and could be used as a RB2 or flex option this week. Bradshaw has little to no fantasy value at this time.

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Brian Westbrook limited at practice Friday, probable for Week 15

Philadelphia Eagles RB Brian Westbrook returned to practice Friday after missing both practice sessions Wednesday and Thursday. He took limited reps on Friday, but he is listed as probable for the Eagles Week 15 matchup with the Cleveland Browns on Monday night.

Westbrook has missed practice time this week, but it has only been as a precaution. He has been banged up all season and has missed a few games, but he has helped lead the Eagles to back-to-back victories scoring six touchdowns (three rushing, three receiving) and totaling 241 combined rushing yards the past two weeks. He has returned to an elite level RB1 and is a must start this week against a suspect Browns’ defense.

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LenDale White questionable Week 15 with knee injury

Tennessee Titans RB LenDale White returned to practice Friday with limited reps after missing practice both Wednesday and Thursday. He appears to be a game time decision Week 15 versus the Houston Texans with a knee injury.

Owners who were planning on starting White this week need to have a back-up plan just in case he does not play this week. The match-up with the Texans is a good one if White does play, but the fact that he has missed practice time this week should have owners a little leery.

The Titans have already clinched the division and a playoff birth, so there is no need for the Titans to rush White back. Plus, White already splits carries with rookie RB Chris Johnson. Keep an eye on this situation, but be prepared to reserve White.

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Frank Gore injures ankle versus Jets, unlikely to play Week 15

San Francisco 49ers RB Frank Gore suffered an ankle injury in the team’s Week14 victory over the New York Jets. He has missed practice all week and it appears that he will likely miss the 49ers Week 15 matchup with the Miami Dolphins.

The ankle injury appears to be pretty severe, as Gore has been limping around all week. If Gore is unable to go this week DeShaun Foster will be the 49ers starting RB. Be prepared to reserve Gore, even if he does play he will likely share the load with Foster and his value will be limited.

If Gore is ruled out this week, Foster should not be considered more then a RB3.

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Bruno Boys Game of the Week (fantasy style) – Denver Broncos @ Carolina Panthers

The Denver Broncos at the Carolina Panthers is not a typical Bruno Boys Fantasy Football Game of the Week from the standpoint that both teams do not have stud fantasy players at each and every position.

But, they do offer many excellent fantasy options this week and this game should end up being a high scoring affair that should be full of big plays.

Quarterback Jay Cutler has rebounded the past two weeks after Denver suffered an embarrassing loss to the Oakland Raiders in Week 13. He has passed for 643 total yards over the past two games with four touchdowns and two interceptions. Cutler is No. 9 on the Bruno Boys Weekly Quarterback Rankings and should be in line for a good game, even against a solid Panthers’ defense.

Cutler will once again be targeting wide receivers Brandon Marshall and Eddie Royal who are ranked No. 3 and No. 24 respectively on the Bruno Boys Wide Receiver Rankings. Marshall is a must start WR1 each week and Royal should be considered a low-end WR2. Cutler will also look to target tight end Tony Scheffler who is ranked No. 13 by the Bruno Boys this week.

Tatum Bell will likely be the team’s starting running back this week as the Broncos lost yet another running back to injury, when rookie Peyton Hillis tore his right hamstring in Week 14 and became the fifth Broncos’ running back to land on injured reserve. Bell is not a recommended start at running back, as he has limited playing time on the season.

The Panthers will be led by a one-two punch at running back with DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. Williams has been one of the biggest surprises this season as he has become a must start on a weekly basis. Williams and Stewart rank No. 2 and No. 19 respectively on the Bruno Boys Running Back Rankings and both have a ton of value.

They combined for over 300 yards rushing and four totals touchdowns against a stout Tampa Bay run defense in Week 14. Consider Williams a RB1 and Stewart a RB2 this week. Quarterback Jake Delhomme has been a bit up and down this season. He has tried to force some passes which has had mixed results. He has thrown some interceptions, but he has also made some big plays.

Delhomme is ranked the No. 15 quarterback by the Bruno Boys this week and if you are desperate you could start him as a low-end QB1. He will use a solid running game to open up the passing game, and he should be able to find wide receiver Steve Smith, who is this week’s No. 1 ranked wide receive by the Bruno Boys. Smith is a must start this week.

If you needed a kicker this week, go with the Panthers’ John Kasay. He is ranked No. 12 by the Bruno Boys and is a low-end starter. The Bronco’s Matt Prater has been real inconsistent of late and is not a recommended start this week. Keep the defenses reserved in this game that should manufacture a lot of points.

Remember to check in with the Bruno Boys on Sunday mornings as you set your line-ups to get the most up-to-date player information available on the web. If you can’t find the answers to your questions join the Bruno Boys for a live Q & A chat on Sunday mornings at 11:30 EST / 8:30 PST as we answer all of your line-up questions

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