Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

16. (Tennessee Titans) vs. Buffalo Bills

Did Tennessee simply need a quarterback change to get their defense motivated as well? The Titans defense is starting to play the way many predicted going into the season, as they have 6 turnovers and a touchdown over their last 2 games, both wins over the Jacksonville Jaguars and San Francisco 49ers. This week may be a 3rd consecutive solid game for Tennessee’s defensive unit, as they will take on a Buffalo Bills offense who has yet to put together a good game. The key will be how well quarterback Trent Edwards plays after returning from his concussion. The key will be to pick apart the Titans awful secondary, but in his first game back, Edwards could be rusty meaning Tennessee has a good day. This season, the Titans have allowed 390.3 yards and 29.8 points per game with 19 sacks and 14 turnovers.
Bruno Boys Stars: * * *

17. (Kansas City Chiefs) at Oakland Raiders

While the Oakland Raiders may have the higher defensive ranking, the Chiefs should be able to come out and even their regular season series. Kansas City’s defense did not put up a great day in Week 2 against Oakland, but did only allow 13 points on 166 total yards. This time around you can expect the Chiefs to at least create a couple turnovers and limit what little offense the Raiders can produce on the field. This has another close game written all over it and really, this may be a bit low to rank Kansas City this week. On the year, the Chiefs have allowed 388.5 yards and 25.6 points plus 10 sacks and 9 turnovers.
Bruno Boys Stars: * * *

18. (Carolina Panthers) vs. Atlanta Falcons

The Panthers defense hasn’t been solid like in years past, basically being good enough to make spot starts. The news this week may not even allow them to do that, as they lost their starting weakside linebacker Thomas Davis for the season with a torn ACL. Davis was one of their best tacklers and was having a solid year before going down with the injury. Replacing him this late in the year will be difficult and his presence will be missed right away in the lineup with this game against the Atlanta Falcons. Without him, it will be tough for the team to stop running back Michael Turner and the rest of the Falcons offense. Even with Atlanta struggling offensively the last couple weeks, it’s tough rolling with the Panthers this week until you know how they can play without Davis. This year, Carolina has given up 303.9 yards and 24.5 points per game while adding 18 sacks and 15 turnovers.
Bruno Boys Stars: * *

19. (San Francisco 49ers) vs. Chicago Bears

If it wasn’t for the terrible game against the Tennessee Titans last week for the 49ers defense, there may be more confidence in recommending them for this game. San Francisco could have a good day, especially with quarterback Jay Cutler capable of throwing a few to the guys in the opposite jerseys. Giving up 34 points to the Titans without causing one turnover has to make you pause with concern for this week. The way the unit has played so up and down this year, you never know when you can trust the 49ers playing well. This week San Francisco has the opportunity to get back on track, but there is more risk than reward here. This year the 49ers have allowed 334.3 yards and 21.8 points with 17 sacks and 10 turnovers. Roll with a different option this week if you can.
Bruno Boys Stars: * *

20. (Green Bay Packers) vs. Dallas Cowboys

The Packers defense has played well all year and was considered by many to be in for a big week with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the schedule. Then they went out and laid an egg against one of the worst offenses in the NFL, giving up 38 points and only producing one turnover. Things could change quickly for Green Bay and they may be able to do well against the Dallas Cowboys. After all, this season the Packers have given up 282.9 yards and 21.5 points per game with 13 sacks and 18 turnovers. Dallas is 3rd in total offense in the NFL, making it hard to believe that Green Bay could somehow shutdown the Cowboys yet allow the Buccaneers to have a field day. The Packers do have the talent to get it done on defense but are you willing to take this big of a chance? Here at the Bruno Boys, we’re not.
Bruno Boys Stars: * *

21. (Indianapolis Colts) vs. New England Patriots

The injuries to both safety Bob Sanders and cornerback Marlin Jackson will be huge in this game. Quarterback Tom Brady and the New England Patriots will exploit those holes left by these 2 playmakers and come up with a big day for its passing unit. If both players (or even just Sanders) were playing in this game then we would rank the Colts defense a lot higher. But since it’s tough to replace one of your best players (and another who is solid), there will be games where your unit simply comes up short. Indianapolis has allowed 303.4 yards and 13.5 points per game on the year with 22 sacks and 14 turnovers. With the tough match up and injuries piling up, let the Colts defense sit on your bench for a week and roll with a better option from one of the above listed teams.
Bruno Boys Stars: * *

22. (Seattle Seahawks) at Arizona Cardinals

A match up defense at best, Seattle has had its moments where they have been a solid play. Last week was a good instance of that, as the Seahawks defense totaled 5 interceptions and a touchdown in a big day against the Detroit Lions. This week however they will take on an Arizona Cardinals offense who put up 27 points on them in Week 6 in a lackluster day. Even after having an impressive game last week, you simply cannot play Seattle’s defense unless the match up is right. This season the Seahawks defense has given up 322.5 yards and 20.9 points per game while adding 20 sacks and 14 turnovers.
Bruno Boys Stars: * *

23. (Dallas Cowboys) at Green Bay Packers

I know what you’re thinking, is this guy crazy ranking the Cowboys this low facing a Green Bay Packers offense who let a horrible Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense total 3 interceptions and a touchdown? Well maybe on the crazy part, but remember this, the Packers still have a lot of playmakers and can rack up the yards and points with the best of them. Green Bay knows it screwed up last week and will look to turn things around in Week 10. The Dallas defense has never been a shutdown unit and really has not been a stellar unit very often. Plus, the Cowboys are susceptible in the passing game, where the Packers strength is on offense. Overall, this could be a disaster for Dallas even if there could be some upside. This year Dallas has allowed 336.5 yards and 19.0 points per game while totaling 21 sacks and 11 turnovers. 
Bruno Boys Stars: * *

24. (San Diego Chargers) vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Ok, the Chargers defense didn’t play half bad against the New York Giants, holding them down to 20 points on the day. San Diego did struggle to create a lot of turnovers, with only one on the game. This week they will take on another tough NFC East offense in the Philadelphia Eagles, who have a ton of playmakers that can score from any spot on the field. Even with a 3rd good game for the unit, San Diego is tough to trust considering their overall inabilities to hold down good offenses throughout the season. The Chargers have given up 309.8 yards and 22.4 points per game this year with 22 sacks and 11 turnovers. If the unit can prove us wrong for one more week, then you may have to consider rolling the dice on them throughout the rest of the season.
Bruno Boys Stars: * *

25. (Atlanta Falcons) at Carolina Panthers

Other websites are very high on the Atlanta Falcons this week but the Bruno Boys are not jumping on board. They may be doing well since their bye week, with 4 solid performances in 5 weeks. If you look at their overall numbers though, 369.9 yards and 20.8 points per game with 19 sacks and 18 turnovers, you will see their not jumping off the page by any means. Plus the big thing people point out is the mistakes made by quarterback Jake Delhomme and how poorly the Carolina Panthers offense has played in 2009. What their not looking at is the Panthers run the ball as good as anyone in the NFL and a lot of times, do not need Delhomme to make plays to win. In the last couple weeks, the Falcons have given up good days to Ladell Betts, Pierre Thomas, and Mike Bell. Even when these 2 teams met in Week 2, DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart rushed for 144 yards and Delhomme threw for 308 yards and only one pick. Add that Carolina is much improved since that game and you can see the Falcons defense is not such a great play as another site may try to convince you that it is. 
Bruno Boys Stars: * *

26. (Jacksonville Jaguars) at New York Jets

The New York Jets offense has been up and down all season, coming up short a lot of times this season. Even if the offense doesn’t play at 100%, the Jacksonville Jaguars defense does not have what it takes to capitalize on any errors made by the Jets. Jacksonville this season has given up 362.0 yards and 24.8 points per game while adding a league low 8 sacks and 10 turnovers. The fact that the Jaguars defense could not get any kind of fantasy production against the likes of the St. Louis Rams and Kansas City Chiefs among others means there is never a chance their unit will be recommended to make an appearance in your lineup come game day.
Bruno Boys Stars: *

27. (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) vs. Miami Dolphins

What a day the Buccaneers defense had last week. They went from being one of the worst ranked defenses to playing like one of the best. That’s what you got to love about fantasy football, sometimes you can never predict when a team will come out of no where to shine on Sunday’s. This week Tampa Bay takes on the wildcat of the Miami Dolphins and even with their success against the Green Bay Packers, will struggle to stop all the different formations Miami trots out on the field. Don’t think the Buccaneers are worthy of a start due to their solid performance against a good offense. Instead, make them prove themselves a couple more times before having any faith at all in this unit. This year Tampa Bay has allowed 379.9 yards and 28.9 points per game while totaling 17 sacks and 14 turnovers.
Bruno Boys Stars: *

28. (Detroit Lions) at Minnesota Vikings

The last time these 2 teams met back in Week 2, the Detroit Lions got scorched for a 2nd straight week, this time allowing 27 points in yet another loss. Not much should change this week, as the defense for the Lions really has no answer for the likes of running back Adrian Peterson or quarterback Brett Favre. Add the terrible field position the team will likely have all game and you may see their defense on the field for a long time. This year Detroit has given up 373.0 yards and 29.6 points per game with 16 sacks and 11 turnovers. No need to even think about giving the Lions a chance this week or any week for that matter.
Bruno Boys Stars: *

29. (Cleveland Browns) vs. Baltimore Ravens

The Cleveland Browns may be the worst team in football. Their offense can’t move the ball past a first down marker and their defense would struggle to stop Tim Tebow and Florida right now. It’s amazing how this terrible team got on a Monday night football game but you can expect a laugher this week. Baltimore’s offense may be in a bit of a funk after playing terribly against the Cincinnati Bengals, but the perfect cure is coming their way with the Cleveland Browns on the schedule. Cleveland is allowing 409.1 yards and 26.1 points per game on the year with 16 sacks and 12 turnovers. If you forgot to set your lineup, check it on Monday and see you had the New York Giants on a bye and think you need a defense to play with Cleveland being the only unit left to pick up and play, you’re better off going without a defense than picking up this group of sad sacks.
Bruno Boys Stars: *

30. (St. Louis Rams) vs. New Orleans Saints

Not that the Rams are worse than the Cleveland Browns, but their match up is a lot tougher. St. Louis lacks very many playmakers on defense and with the best offense in all of football coming to town in the New Orleans Saints, they could be in for an extremely long day. This season the Rams have given up 373.4 yards and 27.6 points while totaling 14 sacks and 9 turnovers. If the Rams can somehow squeeze a fantasy point out of this game, we will be as shocked as anybody.
Bruno Boys Stars: * 

WEEK 10 BYE WEEK DEFENSES

New York Giants: Tough sledding for the New York Giants, who have lost 4 straight games after winning their first 5. The loss of safety Kenny Phillips has obviously hurt this team in a lot of ways and sometimes it’s tough replacing one of your biggest playmakers. The Giants did receive good news when cornerback Aaron Ross returned from his preseason hamstring injury and could return after the bye week. This season New York has allowed an NFL low 272.3 yards and 22.7 points per game with 20 sacks and 17 turnovers. The best time to play them moving forward will be against the Washington Redskins (Week 15) and Carolina Panthers (Week 16).

Houston Texans: Houston has been a spot start defense in 2009, with only 2 solid games against weak opponents (Oakland Raiders and Buffalo Bills). That means you will want to check the schedule and see if Houston will ever be a good plug and play the rest of the year. By our estimation, those times could be against the Jacksonville Jaguars (Week 13) and St. Louis Rams (Week 15). This season Houston has given up 332.2 yards and 20.9 points per contest with 13 sacks and 17 turnovers.

Week 10 Rankings:  QB  |  RB  |  WR  |  TE  |  K  | DEF    (click to read)

Week 10 Start & Sit:  START ‘EM  | SIT ‘EM    (click to read)

Week 10 Waiver Wire Advice:  PICK THEM UP  |  CUT THEM LOOSE     (click to read)

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