Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

Every week we try to give you the best plays based on projections, statistical information, and how the teams match up. While we don’t get every defense right, the Bruno Boys provide with enough reasoning to help you make sense of why we are projecting these defenses where they are at. Unlike other sites, we provide numbers and analysis that is unmatched by any other site. That’s why you need to keep checking in and see why a defense is ranked where it is with the playoffs getting under way in many leagues.

Here’s the bad news when it comes to defenses this week - the terrible offenses play some of the worst defenses. While it does make it tough to play match-ups, you should be able to find a defense that can be a difference maker in your playoff game on the waiver wire, especially with many other teams in your league now knocked out of contention and giving up. Try to grab one of the Bruno Boys top-10 defenses for this week if you can, because as we have seen this season, defenses can be the difference between a win and a loss in any given week.

As we head into the article, I would like to explain the “Bruno Boys Star System”.

BRUNO BOYS DEFENSIVE STAR SYSTEM

5-Stars (* * * * *) - Bruno Boys Top Plays of the Week

4-Stars (* * * *) – Bruno Boys Very Solid Plays of the Week

3-Stars (* * *) – Bruno Boys Average Plays of the Week

2-Stars (* *) – Bruno Boys Try to Avoid Playing this Week

1-Star (*) – Bruno Boys Do Not Start Unless You COMPLETELY Have To

Key Abbreviations: YPG (Yards Per Game); PPG (Points Per Game)

1. (Denver Broncos) vs. Oakland Raiders

This one is a no-brainer. With Oakland quarterback Bruce Gradkowski likely out for this game and the rest of the season, the Raiders will turn to Charlie Frye. While Frye will more than likely perform better than Tom Cable’s other option, JaMarcus Russell would, he’s not going to play like a Future Hall of Famer. Heck, with more INTs than TDs during his career, he won’t even perform like a capable NFL starter. Denver has played very well on defense this season and should have no problem posting a monster day on the Raiders. This season the Broncos have allowed 290.7 yards and 17.7 points per game while adding 34 sacks and 23 turnovers. 
Bruno Boys Stars: *****

2. (Arizona Cardinals) at Detroit Lions

Here is something you may not realize about the Arizona Cardinals’ defense. In 2009, they have totaled the 11th most fantasy points in standard leagues. Therefore, they have been starter material even before matching up against some of the league’s worst offenses. You know what you need to do. We warned you to stash away the Arizona Cardinals defense because in Week’s 15 and 16 they are going to record big time numbers. No matter who plays quarterback for the Lions this week (Matthew Stafford or Daunte Culpepper), Arizona should have no problem forcing a few turnovers. Add that star running back Kevin Smith is out for the season for the Lions and an abysmal running game now looks bleak this week. Do what you have to and start this defense and reap the benefits it brings. On the year, the Cardinals have given up 359.8 yards and 19.8 points per game with 36 sacks and 21 turnovers.
Bruno Boys Stars: *****

3. (Minnesota Vikings) at Carolina Panthers

Here is all you need to know with the Vikings - when the best defense in the NFL in terms of sacks is playing, they are a must start. Yes, turnovers may bring in more points, but the Vikings apply so much pressure, they force mistakes from any offense and with the sacks, post big numbers on a consistent basis. The one thing the Carolina Panthers can do is run the football, something Minnesota’s defense does not allow the opposing offenses they face to do well. Don’t think for a second Carolina’s running attack will be successful, because it should struggle in a big way. Matt Moore will likely be starting again for the Panthers and will probably be running for his life most of the game. Through this season the Vikings have allowed 303.6 yards and 18.7 points per game while totaling 41 sacks and 21 turnovers. 
Bruno Boys Stars: *****

4. (Philadelphia Eagles) vs. San Francisco 49ers

At the beginning of the year, the Eagles’ defense was phenomenal, but that was against bad competition. That had to make you stop and wonder how much trust you should have in them later in the season when playing tougher teams with talented offenses. After watching Philadelphia rack up two big fantasy days against the likes of the Atlanta Falcons and New York Giants, your answer is merely, start them every week and expect good things. That’s what you need to do this week against San Francisco, as the 49ers offense centers around running back Frank Gore and a passing game that is prone to make some errors. Look for the Eagles to continually put a man solely on Gore and try to take away quarterback Alex Smith’s safety valve. That may lead him to throw downfield and despite having some success in 2009, Smith will make mistakes. The one thing Philadelphia’s defense does is capitalize on anything an offense does wrong and turn it into points (or at least fantasy points). That makes the Eagles a great play in Week 15. On the year Philadelphia has given up 320.1 yards and 21.0 points per game with 36 sacks and 32 turnovers.
Bruno Boys Stars: ****

5. (Indianapolis Colts) at Jacksonville Jaguars

As shocked as you may have been that the Arizona Cardinals defense ranks 11th in standard scoring leagues among the defenses in the NFL, what would you say if you knew the Indianapolis Colts are one above them at 10? Even better, the Colts defense has yet to allow a negative fantasy day this season, with 2 points being their lowest total. While Indianapolis did not impress in Week 1 versus Jacksonville, with 0 turnovers in allowing 12 points and scoring 5 fantasy points, they still were able to limit any offense the Jaguars tried to establish. Look for more of the same this time around but with more turnovers and a couple sacks by the Indianapolis defense. Their pass rush is simply too good and will be a nightmare for the young offensive tackles of the Jaguars to defend. On the year, the Colts have allowed 337.4 yards and 16.7 points per game while adding 30 sacks and 24 turnovers. 
Bruno Boys Stars: ****

6. (Baltimore Ravens) vs. Chicago Bears

Want to know why this play is a good one for the Ravens defense? Simple, in their last 5 games, Baltimore has 9 interceptions. Meanwhile, for the Chicago Bears, quarterback Jay Cutler has thrown 10 interceptions in his last 5 games and 22 on the season. If you don’t think the Ravens have a pretty good chance of picking off at least a couple of passes then you are foolish. There can’t be much more of a sure thing in fantasy football, and although Cutler could surprise us, we’ve seen no proof of that this season. In 2009, the Ravens have given up 305.9 yards and 16.8 points per game while adding 23 sacks and 22 turnovers. 
Bruno Boys Stars: ****

7. (New England Patriots) at Buffalo Bills

Back in Week 1, the New England Patriots’ defense was nothing more than mediocre against the Buffalo Bills as they only caused one turnover in a 5 point (in standard leagues) fantasy day. While the team has been up and down with not many big time games, there still is no way you can keep them on the bench this week. Buffalo has been terrible on offense this season, as they can’t seem to find their running game thanks to their porous offensive line and the passing game can’t throw too many passes down field. A very vanilla defense should limit the Bills offense and considering how many schemes head coach Bill Belichick likes throwing together, you have to likes his defenses odds to pull together a pretty good day. This season, the Patriots have allowed 320.6 yards and 18.0 points per game while totaling 22 sacks and 24 turnovers. 
Bruno Boys Stars: ****

8. (Houston Texans) at St. Louis Rams

There have only been 3 times all season long that you would have wanted to start the Houston Texans defense and those outings came against the Oakland Raiders, Buffalo Bills, and Seattle Seahawks. All three of those offenses have struggled for a variety of reasons in 2009, which is why defenses score a high amount of points against them. Well, the same can be said for the Rams, who only have one offensive play-maker in running back Steven Jackson that can be tough to match up against. Look for the Texans’ 4th double digit fantasy day thanks to a healthy amount of sacks and turnovers, something they can only produce against weak competition. If your defense has a tough play this week, this is one unit you may want to try and snatch up, plug in and play to give you a few extra points in your playoff push. On the year, Houston has given up 329.3 yards and 21.0 points per game with 22 sacks and 22 turnovers.
Bruno Boys Stars: ****

9. (New York Giants) at Washington Redskins

The New York Giants’ defense has been an utter disappointment in the 2009 fantasy season, ranking 23rd in points among the 32 NFL teams in standard scoring leagues. The problem the defense is having is that they are simply not forcing turnovers by their opposition like they have in years past. Add that the Washington Redskins’ offense has played well of late and you may wonder why we rank the Giants so high. This is a bit of a hunch pick, as New York needs this win desperately, and it all starts with the defense. With the Giants needing big plays from their defense, there isn’t a better time for them to come then in Week 15. On the year, New York has allowed 307.2 yards and 25.4 points per game while totaling 26 sacks and 21 turnovers.
Bruno Boys Stars: ***

10. (New York Jets) vs. Atlanta Falcons

Let us first say this, if both quarterback Matt Ryan and running back Michael Turner do not play, the Jets defense elevates from this ranking into the top 3. We keep them ranked here because of the fact that we believe both of Atlanta’s play-makers will start this week as they have now reached desperation mode. New York has played well as a team of late and that is in large part due to their defense stepping up. We have talked a number of times about the Jets’ defense possibly hurting without nose tackle Kris Jenkins. That doesn’t seem to be the case though, as New York has been solid in all phases over the last several weeks. Even with both Ryan and Turner playing, you should start New York’s defense in Week 15. This season, the Jets defense has given up 264.7 yards and 16.2 points per game while adding 27 sacks and 26 turnovers. 
Bruno Boys Stars: ***

11. (Green Bay Packers) at Pittsburgh Steelers

If the Pittsburgh Steelers offense can’t help its team win ball games against the likes of the Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders, and Cleveland Browns then how will they have success against Green Bay? After watching Cleveland rack up sack after sack on Pittsburgh, there is no reason to believe defensive coordinator Dom Capers won’t have a ton of blitz packages dialed up and ready to go to cause nightmares for the Steelers. The Packers should have no problem forcing a couple turnovers as well, considering how often quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and offensive coordinator Bruce Arians want to throw the football. This season, the Packers defense has allowed 272.0 yards per game and 18.7 points per game with 29 sacks and 33 turnovers. If the Steelers didn’t have a ton of talent on the team, we’d possibly go out on a limb and bump this defense to the top-8 with an extra star attached to it. That should tell you how highly we think Green Bay’s defense could do for you this Sunday.
Bruno Boys Stars: ***

12. (Tennessee Titans) vs. Miami Dolphins

All season long, the Tennessee Titans defense has been weak in their pass defense while playing respectable against the run. The one thing the Miami Dolphins’ offense needs to succeed is a running game. If Miami doesn’t establish running back Ricky Williams in this game, the Dolphins will struggle to find momentum on offense. You can since we know this, so do the Titans, which makes for an interesting chess match. The game really depends on the arm of quarterback Chad Henne, who can either make Tennessee’s defense look great or real bad. Our opinion is somewhere in the middle, with the Titans likely getting the upper hand. On the year, Tennessee has allowed 357.5 yards and 24.8 points per game while totaling 27 sacks and 21 turnovers.
Bruno Boys Stars: ***

13. (New Orleans Saints) vs. Dallas Cowboys

In 2009, we have seen a Jekyll and Hyde act from the Dallas Cowboys offense, where they look super talented one week and like a lost puppy looking to find its comfort zone the next. It’s tough to predict how the Cowboys will do on a weekly basis, but you can’t figure them to have a ton of success against the best fantasy defense, the New Orleans Saints. Although you need to start the New Orleans defense every week no matter the match up, we have them ranked this low due to other favorable match ups around the NFL plus the potential for Dallas to go off in what could be a high-scoring affair. This season, New Orleans has given up 347.6 yards and 21.1 points per game with 27 sacks and 37 turnovers. 
Bruno Boys Stars: ***

14. (Pittsburgh Steelers) vs. Green Bay Packers

Ok, Pittsburgh has continued to lose and the defense has been a major let down in the 2009 fantasy season. After struggling against terrible teams, with only one turnover against the Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders, and Cleveland Browns, there is no reason to think things will change against a solid Green Bay Packers’ offense. In contrast to the past results, Pittsburgh still is a talented defense with a great coordinator in Dick LeBeau who can create all sorts of different schemes. That’s why Pittsburgh sits here in the middle of the rankings, where the upside clearly is not high, but there is potential to produce. This year, the Steelers’ defense has allowed 294.1 yards and 18.8 points per game with 39 sacks and 16 turnovers. You may want to try going with another defense above, but if no one was available, Pittsburgh should be able to give you some kind of production to hang your hat on for this week.
Bruno Boys Stars: ***

15. (San Diego Chargers) vs. Cincinnati Bengals

One thing the San Diego Chargers have had trouble with in 2009 is their run defense, where opposing offenses tend to try and pound it down their throats. That is something the Cincinnati Bengals will try to do this Sunday, with running back Cedric Benson likely seeing a large amount of carries. Despite a good day from Benson, the Chargers should be able to get after quarterback Carson Palmer a couple of times and force a turnover or two while scoring at least an average day. While the high side isn’t huge, San Diego’s defense should be able to put up respectable numbers. On the year, the Chargers have given up 324.2 yards and 19.9 points per game while adding 31 sacks and 20 turnovers.
Bruno Boys Stars: ***

16. (Seattle Seahawks) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Although the Seattle Seahawks do not have a very good defense, they have proven that they can be trusted in a starting lineup against bad offenses, which is where the Tampa Bay Buccaneers fall. Rookie quarterback Josh Freeman has had some good games, and he could have success against Seattle. However, the good numbers he could put up will likely be accompanied by a couple of turnovers. That only will make the Seahawks’ defense an average play. If you are looking for upside choices in the average rankings, Seattle is actually one of those teams that can be the defense to roll with. This season, the Seahawks have allowed 357.2 yards and 23.2 points per game while totaling 27 sacks and 20 turnovers.
Bruno Boys Stars: ***