Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

—Written by Brad Berreman
—Edited by Marc Caviglia
—Predictions are based on Staff Consensus

::RANKINGS UPDATED AS OF NOVEMBER 26, 2011::

Week 12 brings the end of bye weeks and the beginning of the playoff run in fantasy football. Thus, all of the top scoring fantasy defenses, some surprisingly so, are available this week and many have favorable-looking matchups this week. Of note, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Houston Texans have particularly favorable circumstances for Week 12, and the Oakland Raiders got a bump up the rankings this week as they will take on the Chicago Bears and quarterback Caleb Hanie.

Here’s a quick reminder of how to use the Bruno Boys Team Defense Star System to help you select a team defense for the week ahead.

BRUNO BOYS TEAM DEFENSE 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 Have To

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We’ve partnered with DraftStreet.com to provide our fans an opportunity to play WEEKLY salary cap fantasy football against the Bruno Boys Staff.  Through the first 11 weeks of the NFL season we have given away over $4,300 in cash prizes. This week, we are offering a $350 free roll in which the TOP 20 win prize money. Make sure to sign-up now for a chance to win money and take on the Bruno Boys… IT’S FREE!!

Please use this link to enter:  Week 12 $350 Contest  (click to register)

1. Pittsburgh Steelers (@ Kansas City)

The Steelers went into their Week 11 bye allowing 17 points and 279 yards of offense to the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 10, as they also forced multiple turnovers in a game for the first time all season. A favorable matchup is coming against the Kansas City Chiefs this week, as the Chiefs will be starting Tyler Palko under center for the second straight week in place of Matt Cassel (hand). Pittsburgh may also get linebacker LaMarr Woodley (hamstring) back this week, which clearly would only help the unit to dominate even more. With or without Woodley, fantasy football owners can expect a dominant performance from the Steelers’ defense this week.
Bruno Boys Stars:*****

2. Houston Texans (@ Jacksonville)

Houston comes out of their Week 11 bye as the highest scoring fantasy defense in ESPN leagues, as they have forced 10 turnovers over their last four games and allowed a total of 42 points in that span. Another favorable matchup is coming for Week 12 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, who have only scored 20 or more points in a game once all season. When the two teams played back in Week 8, the Texans allowed just 174 yards of offense and 14 points to the Jaguars as they also forced two turnovers in the game. There is no reason not to expect another good performance from the Houston defense this week, and they may for a top tier fantasy option for Week 12.
Bruno Boys Stars:*****

3. New York Jets (vs. Buffalo)

The Jets had a fairly underwhelming defensive performance in Week 11 against the Denver Broncos, as they allowed 10 offensive points but forced just one turnover and registering just one sack. Week 12 brings a fairly favorable matchup against a familiar opponent in the Buffalo Bills, who will now be without running back Fred Jackson (leg) for the rest of the season. When the two teams played in Week 9, the Jets held the Bills to 11 points and less than 300 yards of offense while forcing three turnovers in the game.That game came with Jackson healthy, and second-year man C.J. Spiller has to be considered a downgrade from him skill-wise at this point. Given the recent struggles of the Buffalo offense and now being without arguably their best skill position player, fantasy owners can consider the Jets’ defense an upper echelon defense for this week.
Bruno Boys Stars:*****

4. Dallas Cowboys (vs. Miami)  **THANKSGIVING DAY FOOTBALL**

Dallas allowed 24 points to a fairly depleted Washington Redskins’ offense last week, but they did manage to force multiple turnovers for the fifth time in their last six games to salvage a solid fantasy performance. Week 12 brings the Miami Dolphins to town on Thanksgiving Day in what should be a favorable matchup. Despite their notable recent improvement, the Dolphins still sit 23rd in the NFL in total offense (312.8 yards per game) and scoring offense (19.2 points per game). The Cowboys should be able to put pressure on Miami quarterback Matt Moore, as they have 26 sacks (tied for 10th in the league) and the Dolphins have allowed 30 sacks (tied for fifth-most in the league). Given their recent good play, fantasy football owners should consider the Dallas defense a top tier starting option for Week 12.
Bruno Boys Stars:****

5. Baltimore Ravens (@ San Francisco)    **THANKSGIVING DAY FOOTBALL**

Baltimore allowed a season-high 483 yards of offense to the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 11, as they clearly felt the absence of linebacker Ray Lewis (foot) in the game. Things may not get a lot easier on Thanksgiving night against the San Francisco 49ers, who are seventh in the NFL in scoring offense (25.7 points per game) and quarterback Alex Smith has only thrown four interceptions all season. Lewis may be able to play, but the short week certainly does not lend a lot of hope he will be close to his normal self. That said, the 49ers are not a particularly explosive offense and they really have yet to face a defense the caliber of the Ravens. Fantasy owners have surely been disappointed by their recent performance, with just eight total fantasy points over the last three weeks, but the Baltimore defense can be considered a No. 1 option for Week 12. Feel free to bump them down this ranking a couple spots if it looks like Lewis will not play.
Bruno Boys Stars:****

6. San Francisco 49ers (vs. Baltimore)    **THANKSGIVING DAY FOOTBALL**

The 49ers held the Arizona Cardinals to seven points and 229 yards of offense last week, as they also forced five turnovers in the game. They are the highest scoring fantasy defense in ESPN standard leagues to this point in the season, and now will travel to take on the Baltimore Ravens on Thanksgiving night in Week 12. The Ravens have been up-and-down offensively this season, but they rank in the top half of the league in total offense (15th), passing offense (12th) and scoring offense (seventh). San Francisco’s top-ranked run defense (73.9 yards per game) will certainly face a challenge from Baltimore running back Ray Rice, assuming the Ravens don’t abandon the running game as they have at times this season. Fantasy owners that have come to rely on the 49ers’ defense this season should not get cute and go away from them this week even with the potentially challenging matchup.
Bruno Boys Stars:****

7. Cincinnati Bengals (vs. Cleveland)

The Bengals’ defense felt the absence of cornerback Leon Hall (Achilles) in Week 11 against the Baltimore Ravens, as they surrendered 31 points and 373 yards of offense in the game and allowed multiple long pass plays. Things look to get significantly easier this week against the Cleveland Browns, who have the league’s 29th-ranked offense in terms of yardage (298.1 yards per game) along with averaging just 14.5 points per game (28thin the league). The Browns will be without running back Peyton Hillis (hamstring) once again this week, which by this point may not even hurt them all that much. The Cincinnati defense has been a solid fantasy unit most of the season, and Week 12 looks like a week they will get back on track in a favorable matchup.
Bruno Boys Stars:****

8. Green Bay Packers (@ Detroit)  **THANKSGIVING DAY FOOTBALL**

Green Bay ranks 30th in the league in total defense (391.8 yards per game as well as 31st in the league against the pass (289.3 yards per game), but they have forced multiple turnovers in seven of 10 games this season to keep themselves on the radar of fantasy football owners. Week 12 brings a tough matchup against the Detroit Lions and the NFL’s eighth-ranked pass offense (272.4 yards per game), though quarterback Matt Stafford has thrown six interceptions in the past two games as he is dealing with a finger injury on his throwing hand. If the finger bothers him coming off a short week on Thanksgiving Day, the Packers may be able to corral a few stray throws from the Lions’ signal caller. They can be expected to surrender a fair amount of yardage and points this week, but fantasy owners can still consider the Green Bay defense a solid starting option due to the potential for multiple turnovers.
Bruno Boys Stars:****

9. Chicago Bears (@ Oakland)

The Bears’ defense enters Week 12 as the second-highest scoring fantasy unit in ESPN leagues, at least due in part to four return touchdowns by wide receiver Devin Hester this season. However, they have forced 15 turnovers in their last four games and will get a fairly favorable matchup against the Oakland Raiders in Week 12. The Raiders look likely to again be without running back Darren McFadden (foot) this week, and their top three wide receivers (Denarius Moore, Jacoby Ford and Darrius Heyward-Bey) were all held out of practice on Wednesday . If any or all of the receivers miss Sunday’s game, that will severely limit the options available to quarterback Carson Palmer. All things considered, the Chicago defense should be regarded as a very solid starting option for fantasy owners this week.
Bruno Boys Stars:****

**BEAT THE BRUNO BOYS $350 WEEK 12 FREE CONTEST - TOP 20 PAID** 

We’ve partnered with DraftStreet.com to provide our fans an opportunity to play WEEKLY salary cap fantasy football against the Bruno Boys Staff.  Through the first 11 weeks of the NFL season we have given away over $4,300 in cash prizes. This week, we are offering a $350 free roll in which the TOP 20 win prize money. Make sure to sign-up now for a chance to win money and take on the Bruno Boys… IT’S FREE!!

Please use this link to enter:  Week 12 $350 Contest  (click to register)

10. Seattle Seahawks (vs. Washington)

Seattle held the St. Louis Rams to seven points and 185 yards offense in Week 11 while forcing three turnovers and sacking quarterback Sam Bradford three times, in what qualifies as their best defensive performance of the season. They will get another favorable matchup this week against the Washington Redskins, who have been decimated by injuries to key offensive players in recent weeks and recently went back to Rex Grossman under center. The Seahawks will also be at home this Sunday, and since they tend to play better there another good defensive effort may be even more likely this Sunday. Fantasy football owners who are looking for a solid one-week play this week can certainly do a lot worse than this unit this week.
Bruno Boys Stars:****

11. Atlanta Falcons (vs. Minnesota)

Atlanta enters Week 12 with the NFL’s second-ranked rush defense (85.4 yards per game), but they have not been a great option for fantasy football owners with just two double-digit point performances all season and just one since Week 1. That may change in Week 12 when they take on the Minnesota Vikings, who look likely to be without running back Adrian Peterson (left ankle) for Sunday’s game. That will leave the underwhelming Toby Gerhart starting in his place and take away the best player from an already unremarkable Minnesota offense. Rookie quarterback Christian Ponder and the passing game look likely to have to shoulder the offensive load this week, but the Vikings have had trouble protecting him over the last couple weeks. The Falcons’ defense should not be thought of as an elite fantasy option this week, but they are certainly in the next group of suitable starting choices in a favorable-looking matchup.
Bruno Boys Stars:***

12. Carolina Panthers (@ Indianapolis)

The Panthers is 27th in the league in total defense (374.8 yards per game), and they are also 30th against the run (140.7 yards per game) and 31st in scoring defense (28.6 points per game). As could be expected, those rankings have not yielded fantasy point production, as they have posted double-figure points just once all season and that came back in Week 3 against the Jacksonville Jaguars in basically a monsoon. That said, a very favorable matchup is coming this week against the Indianapolis Colts, who are 31st in the league in total offense (275.7 yards per game) and 30th in scoring offense (13.1 points per game). The Colts may get running back Joseph Addai (hamstring) back this week, but he is unlikely to make a major difference in the offense’s productivity. Fantasy football owners should be ready to unload this unit back to the waiver wire after this week, but those who are looking for a suitable starting option could do worse.
Bruno Boys Stars:***

13. Arizona Cardinals (@ St. Louis)

The Cardinals allowed 23 points and 431 yards of offense to the San Francisco 49ers last week, and they forced just one turnover and failed to register a sack in the game. A much more favorable matchup is coming in Week 12 against the St. Louis Rams, who have mounting injuries along the offensive line and have surrendered double-digit fantasy points (ESPN scoring) to opposing defenses in each of their last five games and nine out of 10 games overall. In the previous matchup of the two teams back in Week 9, the Cardinals allowed just nine offensive points despite allowing 383 offensive yards as they sacked quarterback Sam Bradford four times. Fantasy football owners should not rely on the Arizona defense on a regular basis, but they make for a solid low-end starting defense for Week 12 for those in need of a one-week play.
Bruno Boys Stars:***

14. Oakland Raiders (vs. Chicago)

Oakland allowed 21 points and 311 offensive yards to the Minnesota Vikings, as they forced a season-high five turnovers and had five sacks in the game as well. They will take on the Chicago Bears in Week 12 in what now looks to be a favorable matchup with quarterback Jay Cutler (thumb) out and unproven Caleb Hanie starting in his place. The Bears will certainly lean heavily on running back Matt Forte on Sunday, which could pose problems for the Raiders’ 25th-ranked run defense (131.6 yards per game) if they can’t slow him down and force Hanie to beat them through the air. They may not get many opportunities to force Hanie into mistakes, but they may be able to keep the Bears off the scoreboard enough to post a solid performance. Fantasy owners should regard the Oakland defense as a low-end No. 1 option in a matchup that looks much more favorable than it did at this time last week.
Bruno Boys Stars:***

15. Tennessee Titans (vs. Tampa Bay)

Tennessee allowed 23 points and 432 total yards to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 11, as they continued to alternate good defensive performances with bad virtually on a weekly basis. That would mean they are due for a good game this week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who have been a decidedly mediocre offense for much of the season and rank 25th in the NFL in scoring offense (18.2 points per game). Tampa Bay quarterback Josh Freeman has thrown 15 interceptions this season, so the Titans could get some opportunities for turnovers. Fantasy owners should not consider the Tennessee defense a top tier starting unit, but a decent matchup makes them worth consideration as a low-end No. 1 defense for Week 12.
Bruno Boys Stars:***

16. Washington Redskins (@ Seattle)

The Redskins allowed 27 points and 353 yards of offense to the Dallas Cowboys last week as they did not force a turnover in the game. They were able to sack Cowboys’ quarterback Tony Romo four times in the game, though, and now a much more favorable matchup is coming against the Seattle Seahawks for Week 12. Seattle has turned the ball over in eight of 10 games this season and in one of those games they were shut out by the Pittsburgh Steelers. So there should be some opportunities to put pressure on quarterback Tarvaris Jackson and force some mistakes this week, but the only question may be if the Washington defense can take full advantage. Traveling cross-country also does not favor the Redskins, so fantasy football owners should probably keep this unit benched unless another clear-cut option is not available.
Bruno Boys Stars:**