Nov 20, 2009
17. (San Diego Chargers) at Denver Broncos
Here’s a defense who is ranked below the Chicago Bears but has a ton of upside and could very well finish in the top 10 by weeks end. Obviously it depends a lot on the health of quarterback Kyle Orton. If Chris Simms is needed to play in this game, the Chargers defense may be in for a field day. This year San Diego has allowed 326.7 yards and 22.4 points per game while totaling 24 sacks and 12 turnovers. The Broncos offense had been struggling anyway with Orton in the game, and without him, it could get ugly. Remember this defense when you are scanning the waiver wire on Sunday, because without Orton San Diego could end up being a great play.
Bruno Boys Stars: * * *
18. (Washington Redskins) @ Dallas Cowboys
We’ve talked all season long about the only thing holding theWashington Redskins back is their offense making too many mistakes and forcing them into tough positions. The talent is there to have a great day, but they can’t make up for it with short fields behind them at a consistent rate. Their numbers show the Washington defense can play well, allowing 288.3 yards and 19.0 points per game with 24 sacks and 10 turnovers. The Dallas Cowboys have shown they can struggle at times on offense, but after the terrible game against the Green Bay Packers, you can expect them to come out gunning the football. Even if the offense doesn’t make any mistakes, the Redskins will still struggle to produce enough fantasy football points to move them out of the bottom of the average ranks this week.
Bruno Boys Stars: * * *
19. (Baltimore Ravens) vs. Indianapolis Colts
Ignore the fact that the Baltimore Ravens pitched a shutout on national television this past Monday night. You may ask why? Because it was against the Cleveland Browns! The Browns may be the worst team in all of football and the Florida Gators defense could hold them down to low offensive totals. This season Baltimore has given up 302.8 yards and 17.1 points per game while totaling 21 sacks and 13 turnovers. The worst part of their defense is the secondary, and with Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts next on the schedule, things could get ugly. Even with the pressure the Ravens may throw at Manning, he will still find a way to exploit any flaws in their defense. Feel great about the solid performance last week by the Baltimore defense and reward the unit by giving them a week off to rest up.
Bruno Boys Stars: * *
20. (Indianapolis Colts) @ Baltimore Ravens
This defense is a bit tougher to project this week after the way they stopped Tom Brady and the New England Patriots when the game was on the line. Add the Baltimore Ravens struggles against the Cleveland Browns and maybe we need to give the Colts a lot more credit this week. We think you should hesitate before throwing the Indianapolis defense into your lineup though. Their still hurting in their secondary and before that game changing play on 4th and 2, the Colts allowed Brady to carve them up for 34 points. Tread with caution here and to be safe, you may want to leave them out for another week to see if the unit can rebound against the Ravens. We will admit though, this ranking could end up being really low because there is upside here. On the year Indianapolis has allowed 322.7 yards and 15.8 points per game while adding 24 sacks and 16 turnovers.
Bruno Boys Stars: * *
21. (Atlanta Falcons) @ New York Giants
The Falcons defense was a popular choice by a lot of experts (except the Bruno Boys) to have a big week against the Carolina Panthers. Atlanta did not do well though, totaling a –2 in standard scoring leagues while giving up 28 points. This season the Falcons have allowed 371.0 yards and 21.6 points per game with 19 sacks and 18 turnovers. The New York Giants have had their issues on the offensive end but after four straight losses and a bye week to get back on track, their offense could come out ready to pounce. Atlanta doesn’t have enough playmakers on defense to limit the Giants offense this week.
Bruno Boys Stars: * *
22. (Oakland Raiders) vs. Cincinnati Bengals
The Oakland Raiders can play defense, which was evident in their game last week against the Kansas City Chiefs. Considering 2 of the Raiders 3 best games have been against the Chiefs, there is no reason to hold out hope for this week against the Cincinnati Bengals. Even if Cincinnati is without their best running back Cedric Benson, they should still be able to create more than enough offense to make the Oakland defense unworthy of a fantasy start. The Raiders strength is along their defensive line, which means quarterback Carson Palmer should be able to go to the air early and often with a lot of success. On the year Oakland has given up 367.1 yards and 24.1 points per game while adding 19 sacks and 13 turnovers.
Bruno Boys Stars: * *
23. (Carolina Panthers) vs. Miami Dolphins **THURSDAY NIGHT GAME**
The Panthers sure did miss linebacker Thomas Davis last week, allowing over 200 yards on the ground to the Atlanta Falcons. Now Carolina gets to face off against the Miami Dolphins, a team who loves to run, on a short week. Even without lead back Ronnie Brown, the Dolphins still have plenty in the tank with Ricky Williams to have a successful day on the ground. This season the Panthers have allowed 314.6 yards and 23.9 points per game with 18 sacks and 17 turnovers. We feel the only way Carolina’s defense can have an average day is if they can force quarterback Chad Henne into multiple turnovers. Even if that happens, that leaves the Panthers with an average fantasy football outing, which is a big risk for very little upside.
Bruno Boys Stars: * *
24. (Seattle Seahawks) @ Minnesota Vikings
Seattle’s defense has clearly become a spot start defense. Surrounded by an impressive game versus the Detroit Lions were two awful performances against the Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals. Now they get to face an offense whose better than those who made the Seahawks defense look foolish. This year Seattle has given up 338.0 yards and 22.0 points per game with 20 sacks and 14 turnovers. Until the match up is right, there is no need to start the Seahawks defense. If you have the space on your roster, keep Seattle there for next week, as they take on the St. Louis Rams and would be worth a start in Week 12.
Bruno Boys Stars: * *
25. (Houston Texans) vs. Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans offense seems to be rolling of late, leading their team to three straight wins. The Houston Texans are coming fresh off a bye and will hope to sweep the Titans and prove to many that they are worthy of a playoff spot. This Monday night game has offense written all over it, with some of the best playmakers in the NFL playing in this game. Houston’s defense will struggle to stop star running back Chris Johnson, who will likely continue to pad his stat line. This season the Texans have allowed 332.2 yards and 20.9 points per game with 13 sacks and 17 turnovers. Houston has simply continued to under perform with the young talent they have and have only had two above average fantasy football days the entire year. That alone should not have your faith in them for this week.
Bruno Boys Stars: * *
26. (Detroit Lions) vs. Cleveland Browns
What a terrible game this is going to be. The reason the Detroit Lions get the extra star in this match up is due to the better players they have on defense and the lack of an offensive game for the Cleveland Browns. Even if most of the Cleveland players cannot catch a pass, the Detroit defense simply cannot be trusted to have a solid game. This year the Lions have given up 386.2 yards and 29.3 points per game while adding 17 sacks and 13 turnovers. If you like to roll the dice and take big chance, then go ahead and play Detroit’s defense. Don’t be surprised if they let you down though.
Bruno Boys Stars: * *
27. (Jacksonville Jaguars) vs. Buffalo Bills
It’s really a shame that the Jacksonville Jaguars defense isn’t better, because their schedule has been filled with so-so offenses that they could be putting up big weeks against. At best, the Jaguars defense may put up an average day and that is even a reach at this point. This year Jacksonville has given up 357.6 yards and 24.4 points per game with only 8 sacks and 13 turnovers. Since the Jaguars can’t get pressure on the quarterback and force turnovers, it’s tough to go with this defense unless it’s absolutely necessary.
Bruno Boys Stars: *
28. (Cleveland Browns) @ Detroit Lions
Was that the Browns defense on Monday night football or was it an illusion? Cleveland played tough, physical defense and kept the Baltimore Ravens quiet throughout the game. In fact, outside of the one touchdown drive from Baltimore, it was the Browns offense that basically gave away 9 points. This season Cleveland has allowed 394.1 yards and 25.0 points per game while totaling 19 sacks and 12 turnovers. After their impressive game on national television, some might see the Detroit Lions on the schedule and believe the Browns are worthy of a start. Don’t believe that theory though. Cleveland will not be pumped up for this game like they were against Baltimore and Detroit does have a couple guys on their team who can make plays in Calvin Johnson and Kevin Smith. Consider the Browns a very risky play and one you may want to avoid rather than be kicking yourself at the end of the week.
Bruno Boys Stars: *
29. (Tennessee Titans) @ Houston Texans
After three straight double digit fantasy football games against below average teams, things should go back to normal for the Tennessee Titans defense. After this game against the Houston Texans, the Titans will play the Arizona Cardinals and the Indianapolis Colts. Don’t look at their latest successful stretch and think it is time to get back on board with Tennessee. The unit will struggle to hold down an explosive Texans offense and will likely put up a similar day they did in Week 2, when their fantasy total was in the negative. This year Tennessee has allowed 379.8 yards and 28.3 points per game with 21 sacks and 16 turnovers.
Bruno Boys Stars: *
30. (Kansas City Chiefs) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Seems like we are telling you to ignore some solid performances by teams last week and in this match up, you should do the same for both teams. The Pittsburgh Steelers will get their offense back on track and get touchdowns deep in the red zone. The Kansas City Chiefs aren’t playing the Oakland Raiders, which means their defense won’t catapult themselves into average play territory. This season the Chiefs have given up 375.6 yards and 23.9 points per game with 12 sacks and 11 turnovers. Pittsburgh should walk all over this defense on Sunday.
Bruno Boys Stars: *
31. (St. Louis Rams) vs. Arizona Cardinals
The Rams haven’t been a good defense all season long and there is no reason to think they can have a good day against one of the better offenses in the NFL. St. Louis has put up four negative games in terms of fantasy football points this season and should remain waiver wire fodder for the rest of the year. This season the Rams have given up 378.6 yards and 27.7 points per game while totaling 15 sacks and 11 turnovers. Continue to stay away from this defense as long as possible.
Bruno Boys Stars: *
32. (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) vs. New Orleans Saints
After their stellar performance against the Green Bay Packers, Tampa Bay’s defense came back with an average game against the Miami Dolphins. Even with that being said, the Buccaneers do not have the manpower to take care of business against a high octane New Orleans Saints offense. This year Tampa Bay has allowed 379.2 yards and 28.4 points per game with 17 sacks and 16 turnovers. It’s too hard to ignore the Buccaneers four negative fantasy days this season, especially with the best offense in all of football next up on the schedule.
Bruno Boys Stars: *
Week 11 Rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE | K | DEF (click to read)
Week 11 Start & Sit: START ‘EM | SIT ‘EM (click to read)
Week 11 Waiver Wire Advice: PICK THEM UP | CUT THEM LOOSE (click to read)
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