Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

17. (Oakland Raiders) @ Dallas Cowboys

After their Week 9 bye, the Oakland Raiders defense had two back to back games against the Kansas City Chiefs and Cincinnati Bengals where they put up an above average fantasy performance. Now, they get to play a Dallas Cowboys’ team who has only scored 7 points in each of the past two games. It’s hard to give the Raiders a 4 or 5 star rating considering how bad they have played in the past and how good the Dallas Cowboys offense can be. But right now, there is some surprising upside here with this defense, especially if they can shut down quarterback Tony Romo’s passing game. This year, Oakland has allowed 365.2 yards and 23.4 points per game while totaling 22 sacks and 17 turnovers. You may not want to risk starting the Raiders defense, but if you’re in a bind, you could do a lot worse considering how well this defense has played of late. 
Bruno Boys Stars: * * *

18. (Denver Broncos) vs. New York Giants

Have the Denver Broncos finally returned to how we predicted their defense would do in the preseason? After starting the season with double digits in 5 of their first 6 games, the Broncos have combined for 7 points after their bye week over 4 games. If it weren’t for their touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers, that total in 4 games would be 1 point. After hearing that, do you have faith to continually start this defense? On the year, Denver has given up 297.8 yards and 18.3 points per game with 29 sacks and 14 turnovers. Their opponent, the New York Giants, have a ton of talent on the offensive end and could easily post big numbers on the Broncos this week. While they are at the bottom of the average rankings, this may be a defense you should avoid going into Week 12.
Bruno Boys Stars: * * *

19. (New Orleans Saints) vs. New England Patriots

The one thing the New Orleans Saints defense has been this season is dominant. They lead all other defenses in standard scoring by 35 points, a margin you usually never see when comparing defenses. This week may be the one time you will want to sit the New Orleans unit, as the New England Patriots come to town knowing they will need to match any point total the Saints offense puts up. This has shootout written all over it, which means the defenses need to stay on the bench while we sit and watch a thriller. This season New Orleans has allowed 330.6 yards and 20.4 points per game while adding 24 sacks and 29 turnovers.
Bruno Boys Stars: * *

20. (New England Patriots) @ New Orleans Saints

Did you happen to catch what we just said above? This game should all but guarantee us a lot of points with two great quarterbacks at the helm of two high powered offenses. When you seen head coach Bill Belicheck not trust his defense against the Indianapolis Colts that should have told you that he knows more of the same could be coming against the New Orleans Saints. Expect similar results from the Patriots defense as we seen from them in the Colts game, which means you will want to leave them on your bench. On the year New England has given up 296.7 yards and 16.4 points per game with 18 sacks and 22 turnovers.
Bruno Boys Stars: * *

21. (Indianapolis Colts) @ Houston Texans

In the last four weeks the Indianapolis Colts defense has continued to produce average weeks against good competition. This will be the final test for their unit, with the Houston Texans and their high flying offense ready to compete in a shootout. The last time these two teams met Indianapolis scored 7 fantasy points, which is average. This time around could be slightly different, with the injury bug hitting the Colts plus the Houston Texans knowing they need to score to stay in the playoff hunt. The Colts defense could produce an average week and warrant another star, but clearly there isn’t a ton of upside in this game. This season Indianapolis has allowed 325.8 yards and 15.7 points per game with 24 sacks and 18 turnovers.
Bruno Boys Stars: * *

22. (Chicago Bears) @ Minnesota Vikings

The Bears defense has been rather average all season long and considering their upcoming opponent (the Minnesota Vikings) it may be tough to be fantasy football worthy this week. The Vikings offense is running on all cylinders this year, as quarterback Brett Favre is picking apart defenses as they continually try to load up to stop running back Adrian Peterson. Chicago’s defense will likely have the same problem this week and this will be the one game in particular that they will miss their captain Brian Urlacher. This season the Bears are giving up 320.1 yards and 22.5 points per game while totaling 21 sacks and 18 turnovers. Keep Chicago’s defense benched this week but don’t drop them because they have the St. Louis Rams on the schedule for Week 13.
Bruno Boys Stars: * *

23. (Tennessee Titans) vs. Arizona Cardinals

Before saying anything else, let me put this disclaimer in there. If quarterback Kurt Warner does not play, this defense goes from being a 2 star to a 4 star with the potential of being a top defense of the week. The Cardinals offense only goes as far as Warner takes them and if Matt Leinart has to play, he will throw multiple interceptions and really hurt his team. After starting the year on a bad note, Tennessee’s defense has gotten better in their four game winning streak. They do still struggle with the pass though and will likely give up a big day to one of the best air attacks in the NFL (of course if Warner plays). Your best bet is to pass on the Titans this week since their defense does not match up well with Arizona. On the year Tennessee has allowed 375.8 yards and 27.2 points per game while adding 25 sacks and 16 turnovers.
Bruno Boys Stars: * *

24. (Carolina Panthers) @ New York Jets

Here’s a telling stat that shows why the Panthers defense should not be owned, their the 6th worst fantasy defense in standard scoring leagues, tied with the Cleveland Browns in production. The last three weeks Carolina has combined for 4 fantasy points and are showing they really miss linebacker Thomas Davis, who was their key run stopper. The New York Jets are a team who loves to run the football, so you can expect a heavy dose of Thomas Jones this week. No need to trot this defense out unless their opponent really is atrocious. So far this season the Panthers defense has given up 315.7 yards and 23.9 points per game with 18 sacks and 17 turnovers.
Bruno Boys Stars: * *

25. (Buffalo Bills) vs. Miami Dolphins

The Buffalo Bills defense has allowed 366.7 yards and 22.8 points per game this season with 19 sacks and 21 turnovers. Out of those numbers, 17 of the 21 turnovers are interceptions and 165.9 of their yards given up are on the ground (2nd worst rush defense in the NFL). The one thing the Miami Dolphins love to do is run the football even with Ronnie Brown out for the year. Ricky Williams will have a huge day and Buffalo’s defense will have no answer to stopping the Dolphins terrific running game. The Bills swarming secondary may be able to pick off Miami quarterback Chad Henne once or twice, but it won’t be enough to make them fantasy worthy in Week 12.
Bruno Boys Stars: * *

26. (Jacksonville Jaguars) @ San Francisco 49ers

To those of you who think the Bruno Boys (including one of our own) were off in ranking the Jacksonville Jaguars defense low last week despite the great match up against the Buffalo Bills need to consider some things. In a standard scoring league, Jacksonville’s defense has the 3rd lowest point total at 28 (only one point better than the Detroit Lions and 8 points better than the St. Louis Rams with the Oakland Raiders being above them at 45) and have yet to score double digits in a single game despite having great match ups with teams like the Rams, Bills, Kansas City Chiefs, Tennessee Titans, and Seattle Seahawks. Their numbers on the year are terrible, with the Jaguars giving up 356.1 yards and 23.5 points per game with a league worst 10 sacks and 16 turnovers. Even with a 49ers offense that doesn’t knock your socks off taking on Jacksonville, there is no reason to trust this defense no matter who they are playing. If you like rolling the dice then go ahead and start the Jaguars defense. Maybe it will work out for you, but more than likely you are looking at a maximum of 3-4 fantasy points.
Bruno Boys Stars: * *

27. (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) @ Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons found their offense last week against a pretty good New York Giants defense while the Tampa Bay Buccaneers got smoked by the red hot New Orleans Saints. Tampa Bay’s two stellar games against the Carolina Panthers and Green Bay Packers seem like an anomaly considering this defense has put up five negative weeks this season. With or without running back Michael Turner, Atlanta should be able to still light up the scoreboard especially since they are in a must win situation. This year Tampa Bay has given up 378.3 yards and 29.4 points while adding 17 sacks and 16 turnovers. No need to even give this defense a chance for a chance at a couple big games.
Bruno Boys Stars: *

28. (Houston Texans) vs. Indianapolis Colts

Let us ask you this question before you say we have the Houston Texans defense ranked too low. Would you feel comfortable starting a ho-hum defense against Colts quarterback Peyton Manning? Manning may have thrown two interceptions the last time these two teams met, but that is something you could just ignore. The Texans defense is weak in the secondary and the Colts will exploit any holes with its passing game. This year Houston has given up 333.4 yards and 20.8 points per game while totaling 13 sacks and 18 turnovers. The Texans lack of pressure will give Manning extra time in the pocket to pick apart the secondary, which doesn’t spell good things for the Houston defense this week.
Bruno Boys Stars: *

29. (Cleveland Browns) at Cincinnati Bengals

One of Cleveland’s best games defensively this season came against the Cincinnati Bengals, when they took their divisional foe into overtime before losing. Don’t expect the same kind of performance in the 2nd meeting between these two teams. On the year the Browns have allowed a league high 402.0 yards and 26.3 points per game with 19 sacks and 14 turnovers. Considering the Detroit Lions rolled all over a defense who played so well the week before, there is no way for you to know when Cleveland could come out with a solid fantasy football day. Keep the Browns defense on the waiver wire this week and beyond.
Bruno Boys Stars: *

30. (St. Louis Rams) vs. Seattle Seahawks

The worst fantasy defense this season will once again struggle even with the up and down Seattle Seahawks coming in to play. St. Louis will struggle to give their defense good field position, especially without quarterback Marc Bulger playing, thus taking away the Rams ability to stretch the field. The defense has been a terrible performer all season long and the Seahawks have a lot to prove this week. Look for St. Louis to continue to struggle defensively. This season the Rams have given up 385.1 yards and 27.0 points per game while adding 17 sacks and 13 turnovers.
Bruno Boys Stars: *

31. (Detroit Lions) vs. Green Bay Packers

Last week the Detroit Lions defense continued their struggles, allowing the worst offense in all of football (the Cleveland Browns) to score 37 points and not force a single turnover. After what we witnessed last week, it’s safe to say you can forget about using the Lions’ against this week’s opponent the Green Bay Packers. If Detroit’s quarterback (Matthew Stafford) and wide receiver (Calvin Johnson) do not play, they too will struggle with field position. Against an offense that has the best fantasy football quarterback at the moment, Aaron Rodgers, the Lions defense will struggle. This season Detroit has allowed 391.5 yards and 30.1 points per game while adding 18 sacks and 13 turnovers.
Bruno Boys Stars: *

32. (Kansas City Chiefs) at San Diego Chargers

After back to back double digit fantasy outings why have the Chiefs defense ranked at the bottom? Well first, their two stellar games came against a dysfunctional Oakland Raiders team and a Pittsburgh Steelers offense that picked Kansas City apart but choked in the red zone. There is no way you can trust Kansas City this week against the San Diego Chargers, who last time they played scored 37 points that led negative fantasy points for the Chiefs defense. Simply ignore the two good outings by this defense and expect more of what you have seen throughout the season and in particular, what happened the last time the Chargers and Chiefs plays. On the year Kansas City has given up 389.5 yards and 23.9 points per game while adding 15 sacks and 14 turnovers.
Bruno Boys Stars: *

Week 12 Rankings:  QB  |  RB  |  WR  |  TE  |  K  | DEF    (click to read)

Week 12 Start & Sit:  START ‘EM  |  SIT ‘EM    (click to read)

Week 12 Waiver Wire Advice:  PICK THEM UP  |  CUT THEM LOOSE    (click to read)

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