Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

17. (Seattle Seahawks) vs. San Francisco 49ers

There has really only been 4 times this season you have wanted to own the Seahawks defense, as they scored in double figures in each of those games. Outside of those outings, their best games are a meager 5 fantasy points (in standard leagues). The last time these teams met back in Week 2, Seattle produced a bottom of the barrel average game of 3 fantasy points. You can expect more of the same this week. The Seahawks’ defense will not win you games unless the match up is absolutely perfect, and this one could turn out bad if they cannot rattle quarterback Alex Smith and make San Francisco one dimensional. Seattle should be able to make some plays and get a few sacks, which is why we keep them here in the bottom of the average ranks. On the year, the Seahawks have given up 348.8 yards and 22.7 points per game while totaling 26 sacks and 16 turnovers.
Bruno Boys Stars: ***

18. (Green Bay Packers) vs. Baltimore Ravens

The loss of both Aaron Kampman and Al Harris was not a factor on Thanksgiving with the Green Bay Packers putting up a dominating performance. The key thing to remember is that game came against the Detroit Lions, who make even bad defenses look good at times. This will be the week to find out how much those star players are missed on the Packers’ defense when they take on the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens have showed they can expose weaknesses in the secondary and it’s hard to say whether the Green Bay defense will be able to stop running back Ray Rice. With all that being said, the Packers are an average play this week, but it’s the bottom of the barrel average ranking. The upside in playing their unit is not high and you may want to see how well they do without two of their best players against an above average offense before playing them again. This season Green Bay has allowed 281.5 yards and 19.5 points per game while adding 23 sacks and 27 turnovers. 
Bruno Boys Stars: ***

19. (Carolina Panthers) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Sure the Carolina Panthers had their 3rd best game last week against the New York Jets by producing 10 fantasy points (in standard leagues), but there is no way you can trust the Panthers this season even if they face yet another rookie quarterback. Tampa Bay should be able to establish their running game, and even if Josh Freeman makes a couple mistakes, the Panthers’ defense doesn’t have the talent to capitalize enough to have a big fantasy day. On the season, Carolina has allowed 312.7 yards and 23.3 points per game with 21 sacks and 20 turnovers. The Panthers may be able to put up enough points for an average day, but right now you would be really going out on an edge with this defense in your lineup. Considering the other choices above, there is no reason to take that risk.   
Bruno Boys Stars: **

20. (Oakland Raiders) @ Pittsburgh Steelers

Two reasons why you can have hope that the Oakland Raiders’ defense may be able to have a decent fantasy day. 1) The Pittsburgh Steelers could come out rusty after quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers seem to always play to the level of their competition. 2) The Raiders’ strongest part of their unit is their defensive line, who should be able to create enough pressure to keep Roethlisberger running and turn some of those plays he holds the ball too long into sacks. The question remains whether this team can create turnovers against Pittsburgh, If so, add a couple stars to this ranking. Right now, though, it’s tough to predict Oakland doing so considering how up and down they have played all year. Through this year, the Raiders have given up 376.9 yards and 23.5 points per game while adding 24 sacks and 17 turnovers. 
Bruno Boys Stars: **

21. (Washington Redskins) vs. New Orleans Saints

The stats may tell you that the New Orleans Saints and quarterback Drew Brees may struggle against the best pass defense in the NFL. This is one of those times you can simply ignore any statistics that can be found when looking at this game. All season long the Redskins have been an average defensive play, only producing one double digit week, but not yet scoring in negative numbers. If there is little upside to a defense against the best offense in the NFL, why roll with them? Washington will be lucky to hold down all the playmakers New Orleans has in the stable and will struggle to post a positive game in Week 13. This season the Redskins have allowed 298.3 yards and 18.6 points per game while totaling 27 sacks and 13 turnovers. No need to start a defense who can only post average rankings at best on a week to week basis. Keep Washington benched in Week 13. 
Bruno Boys Stars: **

22. (Tennessee Titans) @ Indianapolis Colts

In Tennessee’s five straight wins since their bye week, the Titans have had their star running back Chris Johnson and quarterback Vince Young talked about as reasons things got turned around. What doesn’t get mentioned is how well their defense has played, giving up 17 points or less in 4 of their 5 wins. The Titans overall statistics don’t look great, giving up 368.2 yards and 26.3 points per game with 26 sacks and 16 turnovers, but it’s due to their first six losses. Even with all that being said, the Indianapolis Colts’ offense is superb and can light up the scoreboard at any time. No matter if the Colts are up big, down big, or it’s a close game, there isn’t any kind of scenario where you can expect Tennessee’s defense to have a big game. Watch and see how the Titans defense does though against Indianapolis, because if they play well there is a chance you may be able to trust in them in the coming weeks when it matters most.
Bruno Boys Stars: **

23. (Houston Texans) @ Jacksonville Jaguars

While defenses taking on the Jacksonville Jaguars have had their success, it’s doubtful the Texans will get to be one of those teams. The last time these two teams met it was an all out shootout, with the Jaguars winning 31-24. Neither defense did anything to impress and considering all the home run threat type of guys both teams have, you can see that the best offense on that given day will win the game. No need to start a defense in that type of game, and, really, Houston’s defense has not been worthy of a fantasy roster spot except for their two games against the Oakland Raiders and Buffalo Bills. On the year, the Texans have allowed 334.2 yards and 22.1 points per game while adding 15 sacks and 20 turnovers. Pass on Houston’s defense this week even with Jacksonville on the schedule.
Bruno Boys Stars: **

24. (Arizona Cardinals) vs. Minnesota Vikings

One thing is for certain, it’s tough to game plan against the Minnesota Vikings’ offense now that quarterback Brett Favre is comfortable behind center in the system. If a defense tries throwing an extra man in the box to stop running back Adrian Peterson, Favre burns them deep. If you throw extra men into coverage, Peterson goes wild on the defense. The kind of attack needed to put a stop to Minnesota and its offense may be very complex and something Arizona will not be able to come up with to have a big fantasy day. Add that quarterback Kurt Warner may sit this one out and all of a sudden you have a Cardinals team that is giving up terrible field position to a potent Vikings attack. On the year, the Arizona has given up 366.9 yards and 19.7 points per game with 32 sacks and 17 turnovers. Keep the Cardinals out of your lineup this week, but don’t get rid of them, as they have the best playoff schedule for any defense against the Detroit Lions and St. Louis Rams in Weeks 15 and 16.
Bruno Boys Stars: **

25. (Miami Dolphins) vs. New England Patriots

Here’s all you really need to know. Miami’s defense has been average to below average outside of their two games where they posted over 20 points against the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets. Until the match up screams that you can feel safe in playing them, there is no need to start the Dolphins. This is one of those times to avoid them, as the New England Patriots will easily exploit the shortcomings of the Miami defense. The Dolphins are weakest in their secondary, where every weak one of their young corners gets burned. The Patriots have a strong passing attack and with one of the best quarterback behind center in Tom Brady, there is no reason to think he won’t shine in this game. This season Miami has allowed 341.0 yards and 25.0 points per game while adding 35 sacks and 14 turnovers. 
Bruno Boys Stars: **

26. (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) @ Carolina Panthers

What we liked before the injury to quarterback Jake Delhomme was that almost any defense could pick off the struggling signal caller at least once in a given game. Now that Matt Moore will be the new quarterback, Tampa Bay may have a chance to rattle him enough to make some early mistakes, but the problem is that even if Moore struggles, his running game should bail him out. If it weren’t for that, the Buccaneers would be elevated big time in the rankings. But, the fact remains that the Panthers duo of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart could wreak havoc on the Tampa Bay defense all game long. This season the Buccaneers have given up 370.9 yards and 28.5 points per game while totaling 23 sacks and 17 turnovers.
Bruno Boys Stars: **

27. (Atlanta Falcons) vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Even if the Falcons have one less of Philadelphia’s playmakers to deal with due to injury (DeSean Jackson, concussion), there are still far too many that create problems for Atlanta and in particular its secondary. The Eagles love throwing the pigskin around the field, and this could be one big game for quarterback Donovan McNabb. Atlanta really will have no answer for all the different ways Philadelphia will attack downfield, which will result in a terrible fantasy day. On the year, the Falcons have allowed 373.9 yards and 22.3 points per game while adding 21 sacks and 20 turnovers. 
Bruno Boys Stars: *

28. (Kansas City Chiefs) vs. Denver Broncos

Now that the Denver Broncos have again found their groove both offensively and defensively, there is no way any Kansas City Chief will make a difference in fantasy land this week. The Chiefs have struggled throughout the year and even though their defense did shutdown the Pittsburgh Steelers, there is no way they play that well again this season. If you want to know how Kansas City does, you can expect something along the lines of a big goose egg, which does not help out fantasy owners whatsoever. This season the Chiefs have given up 392.9 yards and 25.6 points per game while totaling 14 sacks and 15 turnovers.
Bruno Boys Stars: *

29. (Jacksonville Jaguars) vs. Houston Texans

Ok, the last time these teams met Jacksonville’s defense got the better of the Texans, posting an average fantasy day thanks to two turnovers. With Houston’s season on the line this week and the trouble they have stopping running back Maurice Jones-Drew, there is no reason to think their offense won’t be coming out full force to outscore whatever the Jaguars can produce on offense. Jacksonville does not have much of a pass rush, and if quarterback Matt Schaub is given time to throw, he will burn the Jaguars defense for a big day. Once again, another week you need to keep Jacksonville’s defense on the waiver wire. Through this season, the Jaguars have given up 349.5 yards and 23.2 points per game while adding a league low 10 sacks and 16 turnovers.
Bruno Boys Stars: *

30. (Detroit Lions) @ Cincinnati Bengals

Yes, the Bengals offense isn’t lighting the world on fire, putting up marginal games against almost every defense it faces. The problem is that the Detroit Lions will not be able to create any kind of turnovers to make themselves fantasy worthy on this day. There is the outside chance Detroit could post a couple points and be worth more than this ranking would indicate, but at this point why take any kind of chance, especially on a defense that has yet to produce more than 8 points in a game. On the year, the Lions have allowed 394.3 yards and 30.5 points per game (both league highs) while totaling 19 sacks and 15 turnovers.
Bruno Boys Stars: *

31. (St. Louis Rams) @ Chicago Bears

A defense that doesn’t get a high ranking despite facing pick off machine Jay Cutler is the St. Louis Rams. The reason is they will not apply the pressure needed to force Cutler into making poor decisions with the football. Without that, St. Louis will once again struggle to improve on its lowest fantasy point total for defenses in 2009. Despite four straight positive games, the Rams will dip back into the negative as Cutler has his biggest day of the year. This season, St. Louis has given up 374.2 yards and 27.0 points per game while totaling 18 sacks and 14 turnovers.
Bruno Boys Stars: *

32. (Cleveland Browns) vs. San Diego Chargers

Even though the St. Louis Rams have the lowest fantasy point total among defenses, Cleveland’s defense, which has had just two double digit outings, is one of the worst in football. That may be in part to their offense, who can’t move the ball downfield and gives their defense horrible field position to work. But, now that Cleveland has lost its only stud in their defense in defensive tackle Shaun Rodgers, there is no telling how bad the San Diego Chargers are going to burn this team on Sunday. Not only should the Browns give up a big day, but they could touch double digits on the negative side. There is nothing to like about this teams defense or the match-up they face; therefore, there is no need to go any further with how they could have any kind of chance. On the year, the Browns have allowed 393.3 yards and 25.4 points per game with 23 sacks and 14 turnovers. 
Bruno Boys Stars: *

Week 13 Rankings:  QB  |  RB  |  WR  |  TE  |  K  | DEF    (click to read)

Week 13 Start & Sit:  START ‘EM  |  SIT ‘EM    (click to read)

Week 13 Waiver Wire Advice:  PICK THEM UP  |  CUT THEM LOOSE    (click to read)

————————

Don’t forget to head over to our Fantasy Football Message Board and sign-up for a FREE FORUM account. By doing so you will be able to talk fantasy football all season long.