Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

17. (Washington Redskins) vs. New York Giants

Another defense that has been a bit disappointing in 2009 is the Washington Redskins, who even with only one negative fantasy day (in standard scoring and that being against the New Orleans Saints) are ranked 24th overall in fantasy points among the defenses in the NFL. Even though the Redskins have not been outstanding in 2009, they also haven’t been horrible. If you are stuck in a bad position with your defense and Washington is available, they will at least give you a positive fantasy score. While the point total may not be high and will not bring you a lot of encouragement, the Redskins defense can still be useful and trustworthy. On the year, Washington has given up 305.5 yards and 19.3 points per game while adding 36 sacks and 15 turnovers. Even though, the New York Giants pose a tough test, their offense tends to make mistakes. That means Washington’s defense should post yet another positive fantasy day.
Bruno Boys Stars: ***

18. (Cincinnati Bengals) at San Diego Chargers

We know the Cincinnati Bengals have been a good defense all season, as the team has avoided going into the negatives for the year. However, with the red hot San Diego Chargers on the schedule and it being a west coast game, it’s tough seeing this defense have a lot of success. At most you are looking at a 2-3 fantasy point day in standards leagues unless the Bengals can somehow find their way into the end zone on defense. On the year, Cincinnati has allowed 295.5 yards and 16.7 points per game while adding 31 sacks and 21 turnovers. With better options available with a higher ceiling, there is no need to play the Bengals defense in Week 15.
Bruno Boys Stars: ***

19. (Atlanta Falcons) at New York Jets

The problem for the Falcons defense over the last several weeks has been their passing defense and yes, that is an area where the Jets offense tends to struggle. But, given the recent woes for the Atlanta unit, with a fantasy score of –2 over their past 5 games, this is definitely a unit to try and avoid in Week 15. New York running back Thomas Jones will once again continue to be the main man in the Jets offense and should record over 100 yards. Right now, the play-makers the Falcons need on defense to be successful frankly are not there. Don’t expect much from this unit in the final three weeks of the season. This season, Atlanta has allowed 375.7 yards and 23.5 points per game with 23 sacks and 20 turnovers. 
Bruno Boys Stars: **

20. (Dallas Cowboys) at New Orleans Saints

After looking like a defense you could start to trust, Dallas went back to its old ways in putting up back to back poor games, scoring 4 total fantasy points in standard leagues against the New York Giants and San Diego Chargers. Don’t expect things to get any better this week against the red hot New Orleans Saints offense. Not only has New Orleans made any defense they face basically unusable, they have been nearly unstoppable as of late. The Cowboys are weak in the secondary, particularly at safety, where quarterback Drew Brees will burn this Dallas unit time and time again. On the year, the Cowboys have given up 329.4 yards and 17.9 points per game while totaling 30 sacks and 16 turnovers. 
Bruno Boys Stars: **

21. (Miami Dolphins) at Tennessee Titans

Can anyone stop running back Chris Johnson? The answer is no, therefore the Miami defense will only try to contain him in Week 15. The Titans will stick to their game plan and that is solely relying on Johnson to pick up large chunks of yards and let quarterback Vince Young only make the necessary plays. Considering how soft the Dolphins defense has been over the course of the season, that may work for Tennessee. While Miami could surprise some folks and have a decent fantasy day, it will not be worth a start in most leagues, so why not simply avoid the unit? In 2009, the Dolphins have allowed 339.7 yards and 23.5 points per game with 38 sacks and 16 turnovers. 
Bruno Boys Stars: **

22. (Oakland Raiders) at Denver Broncos

The problem with the Oakland defense is simple, no matter how often you rush the quarterback and force him into throws, until you make the actual turnovers, it really doesn’t matter. The Raiders are continually getting after the quarterback but can’t do much about it when their secondary keeps giving up big plays. Denver should find holes in Oakland’s defense, coming up with a big game when they need it most. This season the Raiders have allowed 372.5 yards and 24.3 points per game while adding 28 sacks and 19 turnovers.
Bruno Boys Stars: **

23. (Kansas City Chiefs) vs. Cleveland Browns  

While on paper this match up may look enticing, with the Cleveland Browns offense being so terrible, we advise you to avoid the temptation to play the Chiefs defense in Week 15. Kansas City is the 5th worst fantasy football defense on the year, and before holding the Buffalo Bills to 16 points last week, they gave up a combined 87 points to the San Diego Chargers and Denver Broncos. Regardless of whether the Chiefs defense can muster up a few turnovers to have a half decent day, you should not put your playoff life on the line with a defense that has been this bad in 2009. On the year, Kansas City has given up 385.2 yards and 26.3 points per game while totaling 19 sacks and 21 turnovers.
Bruno Boys Stars: **

24. (Chicago Bears) at Baltimore Ravens

Say what you want about the Chicago Bears defense, but they have been a fantasy owner’s best friend over this course of the 2009 season. Think about it, they continually play their hand exactly like we project, with great days against bad teams, sub par games against average offenses, and bad days against good offenses. Expect the trend to continue this week, as the Bears defense will likely post a couple fantasy points against an average to good offense in the Baltimore Ravens. In other words, Chicago will be one unit you’d like to avoid with such a low point total being scored in Week 15. Although it may be sad to see the defense struggle, as fantasy owners you have to be happy that they are so predictable. On the season, the Bears have given up 329.7 yards and 22.4 points per game with 27 sacks and 23 turnovers. 
Bruno Boys Stars: **

25. (San Francisco 49ers) at Philadelphia Eagles

Do you remember the last time the 49ers defense put up a big game? After scoring a whooping 39 points (in standard leagues) against the St. Louis Rams, San Francisco’s defense followed the game up with a –3 showing versus the Atlanta Falcons. Could we see more of the same after scoring 24 points against the Arizona Cardinals? Considering the 49ers play an Eagles offense that has played quite well of late, there is a strong possibility that we could see a repeat of what happened last time. Don’t buy into the one big week and 3 of the last 5 strong games by San Francisco’s defense, as they will likely let you down in a big way. On the year, the 49ers have allowed 338.6 yards and 18.6 points per game while adding 34 sacks and 25 turnovers.
Bruno Boys Stars: **

26. (Buffalo Bills) vs. New England Patriots

One thing we know is any team with a running back can have success against the Buffalo Bills run defense. Even though the Patriots do not like going to the run very often, they may want to keep handing off to running back Laurence Maroney this week because Buffalo couldn’t stop a pee wee football player. Add that while the Bills have a strong secondary the likes of quarterback Tom Brady and wide receivers Wes Welker, and Randy Moss went bonkers on them in Week 1 and you can see why we don’t have any faith in Buffalo having any kind of fantasy impact this Sunday. On the year, the Bills have given up 359.8 yards and 20.8 points per game while totaling 29 sacks and 29 turnovers.
Bruno Boys Stars: **

27. (Cleveland Browns) at Kansas City Chiefs

Even if the Cleveland Browns registered 8 sacks against the Pittsburgh Steelers last week, there is no way you can convince us they are worth playing in Week 15. Even if the Browns defense was taking on the University of Ohio would you be able to talk me into throwing this unit into my fantasy lineup. Kansas City may have its woes on offense, but the Browns are still the Browns! There is no doubt Cleveland will notch a couple sacks on the board, but there is no way they repeat the numbers of a week ago and be worthy of a start in fantasy circles. If you feel the need to go crazy, try someone else who you can actually trust farther than you can throw them. This season, the Browns have allowed 386.1 yards and 24.2 points per game while adding 32 sacks and 14 turnovers. 
Bruno Boys Stars: *

28. (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) at Seattle Seahawks

This may quite possibly be the one defense we have totally ranked wrong, but think about this. The way to rack up fantasy points as a defense on Seattle is to throw a ton of pressure at quarterback Matt Hasselbeck and play man to man coverage down field. Even if the Buccaneers try throwing the kitchen sink at Hasselbeck, Tampa Bay doesn’t have enough talented play-makers on the defensive side of the ball to make big plays. The Seahawks should have success moving the ball down the field on the Buccaneers, which will result in a bad day for the defense. On the year, Tampa Bay has given up 361.5 yards and 27.4 points per game while totaling 25 sacks and 20 turnovers. 
Bruno Boys Stars: *

29. (Detroit Lions) vs. Arizona Cardinals

Not sure we need to explain the last four to you, but we probably should anyway. The Detroit Lions defense has been atrocious in 2009, with the 2nd lowest fantasy point total all year. Despite a poor game on Monday Night Football last week, the Arizona Cardinals still have one of the best offenses in the league and will be out to prove just that on Sunday. Detroit will have no answer to all the various weapons Arizona will deploy, and it should be lights out early and often for the Cardinals. This season, the Lions have allowed 400.5 yards and 31.2 points per game while adding 21 sacks and 18 turnovers.
Bruno Boys Stars: *

30. (St. Louis Rams) vs. Houston Texans

Looking for the worst fantasy football defense? Well you are looking at it. The St. Louis Rams defense couldn’t stop some of the better offenses in college football let alone a perennial aerial attack like the Houston Texans. Quarterback Matt Schaub should have no problem lighting up the scoreboard against St. Louis, who will have no answer to the likes of wide receivers Andre Johnson and Kevin Walter. On the year, the Rams have given up 370.0 yards and 27.8 points per game while totaling 20 sacks and 16 turnovers.
Bruno Boys Stars: *

31. (Carolina Panthers) vs. Minnesota Vikings

We’ve talked about this numerous times but considering the running back who is coming to town, we may want to point this out one more time. Since linebacker Thomas Davis (the Panthers best tackler) went down with an injury, Carolina has gotten lit up on the ground like a Christmas tree. With running back Adrian Peterson now coming to Carolina, this could be a long day for the Panthers. Look for the Vikings to hand off to Peterson early and often with wild success, meaning quarterback Brett Favre doesn’t have to do a whole lot to get the win. On the year, the Panthers have allowed 329.7 yards and 21.7 points per game while adding 23 sacks and 28 turnovers.
Bruno Boys Stars: *

32. (Jacksonville Jaguars) vs. Indianapolis Colts

We’ve talked many times about the different opinions people have on the Jacksonville Jaguars defense, but one thing is for sure, no one should be playing them against the powerful Indianapolis Colts. The one thing the Jaguars lack is pressure, and if you can’t get quarterback Peyton Manning uncomfortable in the pocket, it’s game over before the clock even starts. The 3rd worst fantasy defense in the NFL will continue to struggle like it has all season against Indianapolis, as the Colts continue to stay undefeated in a big way thanks to the offense exploding. On the year, the Jaguars have given up 346.5 yards and 22.1 points per game with a league worst 14 sacks and 22 turnovers.
Bruno Boys Stars: *

Week 15 Rankings:  QB  |  RB  |  WR  |  TE  |  K  | DEF    (click to read)

Week 15 Start & Sit:  START ‘EM  |  SIT ‘EM    (click to read)

Week 15 Waiver Wire Advice:  PICK THEM UP  |  CUT THEM LOOSE    (click to read)

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