Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

17. (Washington Redskins) vs. Dallas Cowboys   

Boy did the Washington Redskins look bad in every facet of the game against the New York Giants on Monday Night Football. The defense may have played a bit better if the offense would have been able to move the ball and get a few first downs to actually give its defense better field position. Although the Dallas Cowboys beat the New Orleans Saints, their offense has disappeared at times and you never know when that may be. That’s why you have to give Washington an average ranking, because anything could really happen in this game. Remember, the last time these teams met the Cowboys won 7-6. While the offenses will almost certainly play better, it will be the defenses who make plays to help their team get a victory. The Redskins will make some necessary stops and have an average fantasy football day on Sunday. On the year Washington has given up 311.3 yards and 21.1 points per game with 38 sacks and 15 turnovers.
Bruno Boys Stars: * * *

18. (New York Jets) @ Indianapolis Colts 

Even though the Jets have statistically been one of the better defenses in all of football, there is no stopping the powerful Colts offenses for an entire game. To me the talk around Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning not playing is bogus, because there is no way the team will let him sit on the bench for 3 weeks and expect to win in the playoffs. With the Colts having a bye in the first round of the playoffs, expect head coach Jim Caldwell will get his guys a lot of playing time so rust doesn’t develop. All year we have kept any defense playing the Colts ranked low and the projections have come true, as it is tough to stop Manning’s no huddle attack. With New York being a solid defense all year long, they get an average ranking with a tiny bit of upside. If there is any defensive unit who could stop Indianapolis, it’s New York. This season the Jets have allowed 262.8 yards and 15.8 points per game with 27 sacks and 26 turnovers.
Bruno Boys Stars: * * *

19. (San Diego Chargers) @ Tennessee Titans

By now we are sure you know the name, but why not bring it up anyway. Running back Chris Johnson of the Tennessee Titans is an absolute beast, a guy who will find some way to get the necessary yards and touchdowns to be a big difference maker. Even if the Chargers defense decides to put a shadow on Johnson, quarterback Vince Young then may beat you with most likely his legs. San Diego has not been a strong run defense this season and considering you have Johnson and Young both in the game that can take off, there is no reason for you to have faith in the Chargers making any big stops. San Diego has been good for spot starts this year at best and in Week 16, the case cannot be made to think of this defense as any more than a bottom of the barrel of the average teams ranked here. On the year the Chargers have given up 330.1 yards and 20.2 points per game with 33 sacks and 21 turnovers.
Bruno Boys Stars: * * *

20. (Tennessee Titans) vs. San Diego Chargers 

The last couple weeks the Tennessee Titans defense has been quite impressive, scoring 29 fantasy points (in standard leagues) with nine turnovers and a touchdown. That run should come to an end though, with the San Diego Chargers offense being much more skilled than the likes of the St. Louis Rams and Miami Dolphins. San Diego’s passing game is stellar and although Tennessee’s defense does have eight interceptions the last two weeks, the units’ secondary still has some holes. The Chargers should be able to move the ball with ease against the Titans, which doesn’t spell for a good fantasy football day from the defense. Take Tennessee’s solid play of late with a grain of salt because if you picked them expecting big things, you will be let down this week. This season the Titans have allowed 365.4 yards and 24.8 points per game with 28 sacks and 25 turnovers.
Bruno Boys Stars: * *

21. (Cleveland Browns) vs. Oakland Raiders

One of the best ratings we have given the Cleveland defense all season, this is the one time you can feel confident in saying they will stay out of the negative point range. Oakland has been abysmal on offense all season long and the Browns defense has played well of late, scoring 26 fantasy football points total the last two weeks (in standard leagues). While Cleveland’s unit could be a good play especially against the Raiders offense, it’s hard to totally trust them enough to plug the unit in and play. There are simply too many other defenses who have good match ups with a better pedigree you could roll with this week. On the year the Browns have given up 393.7 yards and 24.9 points per game while adding 33 sacks and 15 turnovers. While the Cleveland defense could be in the top 10 at the end of the week, we are going to keep expectations low on this unit.
Bruno Boys Stars: * *

22. (Carolina Panthers) @ New York Giants 

Shutting down the Minnesota Vikings powerful offense could make fantasy owners wonder if starting the Panthers defense would be a smart move this Sunday. Well… don’t do it. While Carolina has turned up their play defensively, the way the New York Giants played on Monday Night Football it’d be tough starting any defense against the Giants offense in Week 16. New York’s offense was on fire, mixing the run and pass to perfection while totally ripping apart a pretty good Washington Redskins defense. The Panthers defense will likely suffer the same fate, with the Giants offense heating up to try and force their way into the playoffs. This season Carolina has allowed 323.1 yards and 20.6 points per game while totaling 27 sacks and 30 turnovers. Simply shy away from the Panthers defense this week with your championship on the line.
Bruno Boys Stars: * *

23. (Houston Texans) @ Miami Dolphins   

Yes, the Miami Dolphins offense isn’t great. But they are better than the two offenses the Texans have played in Week’s 14 and 15, the Seattle Seahawks and St. Louis Rams. With both teams struggling on defense at times and their playoff lives at stake, this has all the makings for a shootout type of game. Houston’s defense doesn’t have the personnel to stop Miami running back Ricky Williams and quarterback Chad Henne can certainly make plays against a questionable secondary. The Texans defense may be playing better of late, but there is no way they are fantasy worthy for three weeks in a row. On the year Houston has given up 322.7 yards and 20.4 points per game while adding 25 sacks and 24 turnovers.
Bruno Boys Stars: * *

24. (Seattle Seahawks) @ Green Bay Packers 

Here’s the skinny: Seattle’s defense struggled to stop a pitiful Tampa Bay offense while the Green Bay Packers offense scorched one of the better defenses in all of football, in the Pittsburgh Steelers. Why even give it a second thought to starting the Seahawks defense considering the play of both these units from a week ago? They need to be avoided at all costs, as Green Bay is about to light them up. This season the Seahawks have allowed 355.9 yards and 23.2 points per game while totaling 27 sacks and 21 turnovers.
Bruno Boys Stars: * *

25. (Buffalo Bills) @ Atlanta Falcons 

Even though the Falcons offense hasn’t moved the ball down the field very well over the last few weeks, their still good enough to not allow the Buffalo defense to be a fantasy difference maker. The Bills have the worst run defense in all of football, giving up 165.6 yards per game. Even if Atlanta running back Michael Turner doesn’t play, the likes of Jason Snelling and Jerious Norwood can easily topple 100 yards without breaking a sweat. Struggling Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan shouldn’t have to make too many throws, which means his mistakes will very extremely limited. This season Buffalo has allowed 350.1 yards and 20.6 points per game while adding 28 sacks and 30 turnovers. The Bills defense has been a bit of a surprise this year, but for some reason we have a feeling this could be the game Atlanta really opens up offensively.
Bruno Boys Stars: * *

26. (Chicago Bears) vs. Minnesota Vikings 

The last time these two teams met back in Week 12, the Bears defense got torched for 36 points in a –4 fantasy outing (in standard leagues). Since that time Minnesota has struggled offensively in losing two of their next three games. Does that mean Chicago’s defense could have an easier time trying to stop the Vikings and put up a good day? If that were the case, we’d have them ranked higher! Minnesota’s offense knows it has something to prove and needs to have a big game to get of their funk and cool the tension around their quarterback Brett Favre and head coach Brad Childress. While this may not be the worst game Chicago has on defense this week, it will certainly be one they will wish to forget just like Week 12’s. On the year the Bears have given up 330.9 yards and 23.0 points per game while totaling 30 sacks and 24 turnovers.
Bruno Boys Stars: * *

27. (Kansas City Chiefs) @ Cincinnati Bengals 

Don’t even think about it. There is no way on earth we could give any kind of recommendation for a defense who has allowed over 40 points in three of their past four games. In fact, the last game against the offensively challenged Cleveland Browns was an absolute disgrace. What an embarrassment the Chiefs defense was in Week 15, who can now say they have no where to go but up. Better yet, how about out the door! Most of the guys on this defense need to be replaced after their recent failures. No need to even debate if Kansas City’s defense has any kind of heart left in them to pull a fantasy miracle, because the answer is no. This season the Chiefs have allowed 387.5 yards and 27.4 points per game while adding 19 sacks and 24 turnovers.
Bruno Boys Stars: *

28. (Detroit Lions) @ San Francisco 49ers 

At times the San Francisco 49ers offense can be one of the worst in football. As long as a defense can shutdown running back Frank Gore, there is a chance quarterback Alex Smith will throw a few balls to the other team. But would the Detroit Lions be classified as a team who could first of all limit Gore, but then capitalize on mistakes made by an opposing offense? It certainly would be rare to see it happen. No matter who the Lions defense is playing, it’s hard imagining them being rated much higher then this. One of the worst defenses in all of fantasy football can never be recommended for game day action. On the year Detroit has given up 396.1 yards and 31.2 points per game while totaling 23 sacks and 21 turnovers.
Bruno Boys Stars: *

29. (Miami Dolphins) vs. Houston Texans 

Perhaps there aren’t many of you who use the average Dolphins defense on a weekly basis. But for those of you who do, think about avoiding them this week. Miami will take on the Houston Texans, a team they do not match up well with at all. Quarterback Matt Schaub will likely pick on the Dolphins young corners, which will lead to a ton of points. Even though Houston doesn’t have much of a rushing attack, Miami’s inabilities to stop offenses through the air and force turnovers will haunt them in this game. On the year the Dolphins have allowed 341.4 yards and 23.8 points per game while totaling 40 sacks and 18 turnovers. This is one defense to avoid if possible this week.
Bruno Boys Stars: *

30. (Jacksonville Jaguars) @ New England Patriots 

Last Thursday night the Jaguars allowed 35 points to a very good Indianapolis Colts offense. Well guess what? The New England Patriots have an offense that is just as good. Look for New England to rack up the yards and light up the scoreboard on a struggling Jaguars defense. The problem with Jacksonville is they do not get the pressure on the quarterback (worst in the NFL in terms of sacks) and when that happens, the team gets burned. After playing quarterback Peyton Manning last week, the team got a good preview of what they will see this week against another stud quarterback, Tom Brady. Avoid this defense at all costs once again in Week 16. On the year, the Jaguars have given up 348.1 yards and 23.0 points per game while adding 14 sacks and 23 turnovers.
Bruno Boys Stars: *

31. (St. Louis Rams) @ Arizona Cardinals 

Even if by some wacky chance the Cardinals decided to rest some of its offensive playmakers, there is no way the St. Louis Rams defense could be recommended to be played this week. The St. Louis defense will struggle to stop Arizona in all facets of the game, with the defense likely seeing the worst of it. This season the Rams have allowed 373.5 yards and 26.9 points while adding 20 sacks and 18 turnovers. The lack of pressure St. Louis provides on defense is a good indication why the turnover numbers are low as well. All year the Rams defense was the worst in fantasy football and that doesn’t change this late in the year.
Bruno Boys Stars: *

32. (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) @ New Orleans Saints 

Even though Tampa Bay’s defense did play well against the Seattle Seahawks last week in forcing five turnovers in scoring 15 fantasy points on standard leagues. Well this New Orleans Saints offense they will face in Week 16 is better by a wide margin. The last time the Saints played the Buccaneers, Tampa Bay’s defense put up a –7 fantasy score (in standard leagues) while giving up 38 points. Considering New Orleans is coming off a loss where the offense was non-existent in the first half, it’s safe to say you can see the Saints coming out slinging early and often. On the year the Buccaneers have given up 362.8 yards and 25.9 points per game while totaling 26 sacks and 25 turnovers. Expect a repeat of the first meeting, with New Orleans marching all over this Tampa Bay defense.
Bruno Boys Stars: *

Week 16 Rankings:  QB  |  RB  |  WR  |  TE  |  K  | DEF    (click to read)

Week 16 Start & Sit:  START ‘EM  |  SIT ‘EM    (click to read)

Week 16 Waiver Wire Advice:  PICK THEM UP  |  CUT THEM LOOSE    (click to read)

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