Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

Every week we try to give you the best plays based on projections, statistical information, and how teams match up. While we don’t get every defense right, the Bruno Boys provide enough reasoning to help make sense of why we are projecting these defenses where we do. Unlike other sites, we provide numbers and analysis that is unmatched by our competitors. That’s why you need to keep checking in and see why a defense is ranked where it is as many of you fight for a fantasy football championship.

Before we get into the rankings, let us first say that any league that plays in Week 17 needs to reconsider their settings. Too many times, a guy like Peyton Manning may only play a half and the best team in the league loses because the commissioner went all 17 weeks. The Bruno Boys would like to advise you to play only until Week 16, so everything is on a level playing field. With that said, for those of you still playing, let’s see which defenses will shine in the final week of the NFL season.

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)

RANKINGS UPDATED AS OF 01/02/2010

1. (Baltimore Ravens) @ Oakland Raiders

Another solid year by the Ravens defense will wrap up with possibly with their best game all season. One thing Baltimore loves to do is get after the quarterback in order to limit what opposing quarterbacks’ can do to their secondary. Well, the Oakland Raiders struggle against pressure and lost their only quarterback capable of giving them a solid passing game when Bruce Gradkowski went down with a season ending injury. The defense the Ravens deploy is a recipe for disaster for the Raiders, but not fantasy owners lucky enough to own Baltimore. This season the Ravens have allowed 298.9 yards and 16.5 points per game while adding 29 sacks and 30 turnovers.
Bruno Boys Stars: * * * * *

2. (Denver Broncos) vs. Kansas City Chiefs

The Denver Broncos’ defense has had one of the biggest turnarounds from 2008 to 2009, as the unit has gone from nothing more than waiver wire fodder to a must start almost every week. The last time these two teams met back in Week 13, the Broncos defense exploded for 18 fantasy points (in standard leagues). That total can most definitely be duplicated considering how bad the Kansas City Chiefs’ offense has been this season. The Chiefs may not try throwing as much in this game, with running back Jamaal Charles being a focal point of their attack; however, Denver will force their hand and make quarterback Matt Cassel throw some tough throws. That means the Broncos will once again get a great chance to post another huge game against the Chiefs. On the year, Denver has given up 301.1 yards and 18.7 points per game with 39 sacks and 28 turnovers.
Bruno Boys Stars: * * * * *

3. (San Francisco 49ers) @ St. Louis Rams

Week 17 marks another week in which the San Francisco 49ers’ defense belongs in your starting lineup. Remember the last time the 49ers played the St. Louis Rams? San Francisco scored three touchdowns on defense, while not allowing a point and forcing three turnovers on their way to 39 points in standard fantasy formats. While it is all but certain this defense will not duplicate that total, the 49ers should still be a fantastic play that could put you over the top in your week 17 fantasy match up. This season San Francisco has allowed 340.9 yards and 18.3 points per game while adding 36 sacks and 33 turnovers.
Bruno Boys Stars: * * * * *

4. (New Orleans Saints) @ Carolina Panthers

Even with Carolina’s running game having a solid game, this is a contest you have to believe will allow the Saints defense to cash in for a good fantasy day. While Panthers’ QB Matt Moore has been playing better of late, you can almost guarantee he will make some mistakes against a defense that forces as many turnovers as New Orleans’ unit does. Plus, it doesn’t help Moore’s cause that he’ll be without stud wide out Steve Smith, who suffered a broken left arm in week 16. As such, feel confident playing the New Orleans’ defense in the final week of the regular season. On the year, the Saints have given up 359.8 yards and 21.2 points per game while totaling 33 sacks and 39 turnovers.
Bruno Boys Stars: * * * *

5. (Pittsburgh Steelers) @ Miami Dolphins

The one thing Miami does well is run the football. Well, stopping the run happens to be the strength of the Pittsburgh defense. To beat the Steelers you must throw, something quarterback Chad Henne can do, but he is also prone to make mistakes early and often. With all the confusing blitz packages Pittsburgh defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau has, Henne may be in for a long day. The sacks should come for the Steelers’ defense and a couple of turnovers should also be in the mix. You likely drafted this defense very high, meaning you might as well stick with them this late in the year since you have done so during the good and bad moments the Steelers’ defense has gone through in 2009. This season Pittsburgh has allowed 305.5 yards and 20 points per game with 44 sacks and 19 turnovers.
Bruno Boys Stars: * * * *

6. (Chicago Bears) @ Detroit Lions

The last time the Bears played the Detroit Lions back in Week 4, they had one of their best fantasy totals on the season with 14 fantasy points. Expect more of the same this go around. Chicago may not be a defense you have wanted to own all season, but they have been remarkably predictable, playing well against poor offenses and poorly against good ones. As fantasy owners, we can’t ask for much more than that. In 2009, the Bears have given up 337.0 yards and 23.5 points per game while totaling 33 sacks and 26 turnovers. With the Lions on the schedule, the notion is to start the Bears defense if you can. I know I won’t think twice about getting this defense in my fantasy lineup for Week 17.   
Bruno Boys Stars: * * * *

7. (Minnesota Vikings) vs. New York Giants

This ranking may seem a bit high for this week, but considering how much pressure the talented Minnesota defensive line provides, we have learned that the unit needs to be started every week no matter who they are playing. The mere 9 points the Gmen put up in their devastating Week 16 loss to the Carolina Panthers doesn’t hurt either. Still, the New York Giants could pose an interesting test, but there aren’t a lot of options to go crazy about below this unit. As long as the Vikings can get after quarterback Eli Manning and add to their NFL leading sack total, things should be fine for this defense to have a good fantasy day. On the year, Minnesota has given up 313.8 yards and 20.3 points per game while totaling 45 sacks and 22 turnovers.
Bruno Boys Stars: * * *

8. (Philadelphia Eagles) @ Dallas Cowboys

Early in the year, the Eagles defense had a favorable schedule and took advantage of it, racking up a ton of fantasy points. Their opponents coming down the stretch, though, were talented offensively and you had to wonder how the Philadelphia defense would respond. Well, it looks like they have done a fine job and will look to continue their strong play of all of 2009 while trying to beat their division rival, the Dallas Cowboys. You’d think we would view this game as a shootout, with the team scoring last getting the victory. This may be true, but mistakes will be made and a defense will have to step up to win. All signs point to that unit being the Philadelphia Eagles, who can create all kind of havoc and make some big plays for possible scores. While this isn’t a great play, there is potential for Philadelphia’s defense to have a good game. This season, the Eagles have allowed 310.9 yards and 20.9 points per game with 42 sacks and 37 turnovers.
Bruno Boys Stars: * * *

9. (Tennessee Titans) @ Seattle Seahawks

After getting torched time after time in the beginning of the year, the Titans have really turned things around on defense. With that being the case, this game against the Seattle Seahawks looks like one in which you should feel very comfortable in starting their unit. The Seahawks have trouble protecting their quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, and the Titans will exploit that with tons of pressure and blitz packages. Although Tennessee’s secondary is having a down year, they are still more than capable to contain Seattle’s wide receivers long enough for their teammates to get after Hasselbeck. Although we rank the Titans’ defense in the average ranks, there is potential to make this a top-5 play on Sunday. On the year, Tennessee has given up 369.4 yards and 25.9 points per game with 29 sacks and 26 turnovers.
Bruno Boys Stars: * * *

10. (New York Jets) vs. Cincinnati Bengals

One thing we have seen from the Jets’ defense is that they will constantly bring the pressure. New York may not rack up a ton of sacks, but the pressure alone forces quarterbacks to make throws they don’t necessarily want to make, which results in a better chance for turnovers. Add that the Jets defense is one of those teams near the tops in the league in yards given up, and you can see how talented the unit is. The Bengals’ offense hasn’t been exploding this season with big numbers and will likely struggle against New York’s pressure and coverage downfield. An average play with the potential to be a lot better than this ranking is the way to sum up the Jets defense for this weekend. This season, the Jets have allowed 264.3 yards and 15.7 points per game with 29 sacks and 28 turnovers.
Bruno Boys Stars: * * *

11. (Carolina Panthers) vs. New Orleans Saints

Let’s make this quick. Defenses have had little to no success versus the New Orleans Saints this season, a sign that tells you to avoid the Carolina Panthers in Week 17. The last time these teams played in Week 9, the Saints exploded for 30 points. However, with head coach Sean Payton has decided to rest Drew Brees and Pierre Thomas in Week 17 and this could lead to big things for the Panthers defense. Expect Carolina to pressure back-up quarterback Mark Brunell and put together their third straight solid fantasy afternoon . This season, Carolina has given up 322.7 yards and 19.9 points per game while totaling 31 sacks and 34 turnovers.
Bruno Boys Stars: * * *

12. (Indianapolis Colts) @ Buffalo Bills

You may be thinking this is a bit odd considering our Week 16 ranking of the Colts, in which we recommended you stay away because they would rest starters, as they will be more prone to keep guys out even longer this week. Well look at the offense, the Colts defense will be playing. Buffalo’s running game has been putrid this season, with their offensive line in total shambles, and their passing game hasn’t been much better no matter if is Trent Edwards, Ryan Fitzpatrick, or Brian Brohm under center. With all that being said, it’s tough to imagine the Bills run up the score in Week 17. Thus, the Colts’ defense should be a solid play no matter which defenders step on the field. This season, Indianapolis has allowed 334.9 yards and 18.5 points per game while adding 34 sacks and 25 turnovers.
Bruno Boys Stars: * * *

13. (Atlanta Falcons) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

What most people tend to do when looking for a fill in on defense is pick what they believe are the best match ups, and with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the schedule, it looks promising for the Falcons’ defense. But, for those of you who actually want to win, you need to look a bit further. Atlanta has not been a very good defense this, and even with rookie quarterback Josh Freeman making a couple mistakes, it’s hard seeing the Falcons taking advantage of the said miscues. Tampa Bay should have no problem moving the ball on Atlanta’s defense, which means their fantasy impact is marginal at best. On the year, the Falcons have given up 358.4 yards and 21 points per game with 27 sacks and 26 turnovers. You could roll the dice with Atlanta’s defensive unit, but a bottom of the barrel average score looks about right for this week.
Bruno Boys Stars: * * *

14. (San Diego Chargers) vs. Washington Redskins

While the Chargers do not have the best defense and may try to get a couple guys some rest, the Redskins do not possess a formidable squad that can rack up points at ease - something we’ve seen demonstrated that last two weeks as Washington has tallied a combined 12 points over that span. San Diego will likely force a couple turnovers and be in quarterback Jason Campbell’s face all day long, making the defense a very good play. The Chargers have really come alive in the 2nd half of the season, and their defensive unit has been a main reason (that no one is talking about) for the great run San Diego has gone on since starting the year at 2-3. Consider the Chargers a solid play in Week 17. On the year, the Chargers have given up 326.1 yards and 20 points per game with 34 sacks and 24 turnovers.
Bruno Boys Stars: * * *

15. (Cincinnati Bengals) @ New York Jets

In 2009, any defense playing the Jets offense has been pretty good play as the Jets have averaged just 20.7 points per contest. Additionally, rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez has made a ton of mistakes (as expected), which has resulted in a ton of fantasy points for opposing defenses. Add that the Cincinnati Bengals’ defense has been one of the biggest surprises of the year, with a good secondary and pressure packages that have forced the hand of opposing offenses, and this should be a good play in Week 17. This season, Cincinnati has allowed 300.1 yards and 16.9 points per game while adding 34 sacks and 25 turnovers.
Bruno Boys Stars: * * *

16. (Jacksonville Jaguars) @ Cleveland Browns

When you look at any defense playing the Browns, you may view it as a must start for the unit. But, were not so sure with the Jacksonville Jaguars. We believe this may possibly be a bit of a high ranking, due to the lack of pressure Jacksonville puts on the quarterback and how unsuccessful they have been against other bad offenses this season. But, with Brady Quinn no longer the quarterback under center for the Browns, their offense may struggle to move the ball downfield no matter how much time Derek Anderson has to throw. This is one match-up we have our hands in the air trying to figure out how the game could end. That’s why we keep Jacksonville’s defense near the middle of the pack with an average ranking. On the year, the Jaguars have given up 355.8 yards and 23.8 points per game while adding 14 sacks and 24 turnovers.
Bruno Boys Stars: * * *