Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

—Written by Brad Berreman
—Edited by Marc Caviglia
—Predictions are based on Staff Consensus

::RANKINGS UPDATED AS OF DECEMBER 24, 2011::

Week 16 of the NFL schedule is now upon us, and it is championship week in a lot of fantasy football leagues. At this stage, those who advanced this far have no need to get creative in search for starting defenses, especially since many of the best options have good matchups this week.

That said, owners who are looking for their starting defense in this critical week can find some good options beyond the top tier of usual suspects. Of note, the Washington Redskins, Tennessee Titans and Kansas City Chiefs have some upside potential this week and could help crown a champion in some leagues.

Here’s a quick reminder of how to use the Bruno Boys Team Defense Star System to help you select a team defense for the critical week ahead.

BRUNO BOYS DEFENSIVE STAR SYSTEM

5-Stars (*****)- Bruno Boys Top Plays of the Week
4-Stars (****)- Bruno Boys Very Solid Plays of the Week
3-Stars (*** - Bruno Boys Average Plays of the Week
2-Stars (**)- Bruno Boys Try To Avoid Playing This Week
1-Star (*)- Bruno Boys Do Not Start Unless You Have To

1. Baltimore Ravens (vs. Cleveland)

Baltimore had their worst defensive performance of the season in Week 15, as they allowed 34 points and 415 yards of offense without forcing a turnover or registering a sack in the game. A big chance for a rebound this week against the Cleveland Browns, who have the league’s 29th-ranked offense (294.6 yards per game) and look likely to turn to Seneca Wallace under center once again with Colt McCoy (concussion) still banged up. The Ravens held the Browns to 10 points and 233 yards of offense in Week 13, and that was with McCoy active and linebacker Ray Lewis out. Lewis returned to action last week, and fantasy owners can expect a big performance from this unit in Week 16.
Bruno Boys Stars:*****

2. Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. St. Louis)

The Steelers allowed 20 points and less than 300 yards of offense to the San Francisco 49ers in Week 15, but they also failed to force a turnover or sack quarterback Alex Smith in the game. Week 16 brings a very favorable matchup against the St. Louis Rams, who are last in the NFL in scoring offense (11.9 points per game), 28th in total offense (285.3 yards per game) and have opposing offenses have put up the most fantasy points against them (13.4 per game) this season. Pittsburgh will get linebacker James Harrison back after a one-game suspension, which is obviously good news for a revival of their pass rush on Saturday to help create opportunities for sacks and turnovers. Pittsburgh had allowed a total of 19 points and compiled 45 fantasy points (ESPN scoring) in their three games prior to last week, and another performance along those lines looks to be coming for Week 16.
Bruno Boys Stars:*****

3. Green Bay Packers (vs. Chicago)

Green Bay allowed 19 points to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 15, but allowed 438 offensive yards while failing to force a turnover or record a sack in the game. Week 16 gives them an excellent chance for a big rebound against the Chicago Bears, who will now turn to Josh McCown under center in an attempt to turnaround their struggling offense. That clearly bodes well for the Packers defense, as McCown has not started a game since 2007 and wide receiver Johnny Knox (back) is out for the season. Despite allowing a lot of yardage this season, the Green Bay defense has been very opportunistic this season with a league-high 32 takeaways, and McCown has accounted for 40 turnovers in his 31 career starts. All signs point to the Green Bay defense delivering a Christmas gift to fantasy owners on Sunday night, and they should be considered one of the top defenses for Week 16.
Bruno Boys Stars:*****

4. San Francisco 49ers (@ Seattle)

San Francisco dominated the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 15, allowing just three points while forcing four turnovers and putting consistent pressure on quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. The fact Roethlisberger was dealing with an ankle injury certainly was a factor, but the 49ers should be able to have another good performance against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 16. The Seahawks rank 28th in the league in total offense (301.9 yards per game) and the 49ers’ No. 1 rush defense (71.5 yards per game) is likely to be able to contain running back Marshawn Lynch, who has scored in each of his last 10 games. If quarterback Tarvaris Jackson has to carry the Seattle offense, that is clearly to the advantage of the 49ers’ defense and may lead to some opportunities for turnovers. There is no reason for fantasy owners to regard this unit as anything other than an upper echelon No. 1 defense for this week.
Bruno Boys Stars:*****

5. Houston Texans (@ Indianapolis)

The Texans’ defense struggled in Week 15 against the Carolina Panthers, as they allowed 28 points and 316 yards of offense while also failing to force any turnovers in the game. A much easier matchup is coming for Week 16 against the Indianapolis Colts, who despite some recent success still sits 31st in the league in total offense (283.6 yards per game) and 28th in scoring offense (15.1 points per game). Houston held Indianapolis to seven points with three sacks and two forced turnovers back in Week 1, so they should have little trouble getting back on track on Thursday night. This unit has been one of the surprising fantasy defenses of 2011, and those that have used the Houston defense all season can absolutely do so again in Week 16.
Bruno Boys Stars:*****

6. New York Jets (vs. New York Giants)

The Jets allowed 38 offensive points and 420 offensive yards to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 15, but they did force four turnovers and sack Michael Vick three times in the game. Another tough matchup is coming in Week 16 against the New York Giants, who are eighth in the NFL in total offense (385.1 yards per game) and third in passing offense (299 yards per game) as well. Giants’ quarterback Eli Manning is coming off a poor performance against the Washington Redskins last week, as he threw three interceptions in the game, but Giants’ receivers did not do him any favors either. All things considered there is some downside here, but fantasy owners who have leaned on the Jets’ defense all season should still employ as a top tier No.1 unit for Week 16.
Bruno Boys Stars:****

7. Tennessee Titans (vs. Jacksonville)

The Titans failed to fully take advantage of a favorable matchup last week against the Indianapolis Colts, as they allowed 20 offensive points while forcing just one turnover with no sacks against one of the league’s worst offenses. Another favorable matchup is coming in Week 16 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, who have scored more than 20 offensive points just once all season and are last in the league in total offense (256.3 yards per game). Tennessee’s defense has been inconsistent all season, but they have performed well against bad offenses for the most part and this is a week for fantasy owners to regard them as a solid No. 1 defense for Week 16.
Bruno Boys Stars:****

8. Washington Redskins (vs. Minnesota)

The Redskins had by far their best defensive performance since Week 4 last week against the New York Giants, allowing 10 points while intercepting quarterback Eli Manning three times and registering three sacks. Week 16 gives them an opportunity for another good performance against the Minnesota Vikings, who are 28th in the league in passing offense (184.8 yards per game) and have allowed 45 sacks this season. Vikings’ running back Adrian Peterson returned last week after missing three games with an ankle injury, but it is possible he is still not 100 percent and quarterback Christian Ponder has regressed in recent weeks after looking solid in his first few games this season. Fantasy football owners who have a need can consider the Washington defense a very good one-week play with solid upside for Week 16.
Bruno Boys Stars:****

9. Denver Broncos (@ Buffalo)

It was not a big surprise that the Broncos’ defense struggled in Week 15, as they allowed 41 points and 451 offensive yards to the New England Patriots without forcing a turnover in the game. They should have a much easier time against this week against the Buffalo Bills, who have only scored more than 20 points twice in their last eight games and have turned the ball over eight times in their past three contests. The Denver defense has only posted double-digit fantasy points (ESPN scoring) five times all season, but they can be considered a solid No.1 option for Week 16 as they look to rebound from last week.
Bruno Boys Stars:****

10. Cincinnati Bengals (vs. Arizona)

The Bengals held the St. Louis Rams to 13 points in Week 15 and had three sacks in the game, but they failed to force a turnover in the game. They have held six opponents under 20 points this season, and may be able to do so again in Week 16 against the Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals are in the bottom half of the league across the board offensively, including 25th in scoring offense (19.5 points per game). Cardinals’ head coach Ken Whisenhunt has yet to say if Kevin Kolb (concussion) or John Skelton will start under center on Saturday, but it makes little difference and the Cincinnati defense should put together a solid effort no matter what. Fantasy football owners who have relied on this unit all season should continue to do so this week.
Bruno Boys Stars:****

11. Seattle Seahawks (vs. San Francisco)

Seattle forced five turnovers and scored two defensive touchdowns against the Chicago Bears last week, and have now forced 10 turnovers over their last three games while holding all three opponents under 15 points. Week 16 brings a solid matchup against the San Francisco 49ers, who are 25th in the NFL in total offense (307.4 yards per game) but quarterback Alex Smith has thrown just five interceptions all season. The Seahawks allowed 19 offensive points and just 209 yards of offense to the 49ers back in Week 1, but they did not record a sack or force turnover in that game. There is not a ton of upside to be found here, but given how well they are playing lately fantasy owners can consider the Seattle defense a solid low-end No. 1 option for this week.
Bruno Boys Stars:***

12. Kansas City Chiefs (vs. Oakland)

The Chiefs were able to hold down the Green Bay Packers in Week 15, as they allowed 14 points and 314 offensive yards while also sacking quarterback Aaron Rodgers four times in the game. Week 16 brings an opportunity for another strong defensive effort against the Oakland Raiders, who will again be without running back Darren McFadden (foot). Back in Week 7, the Chiefs shut out the Raiders while intercepting six passes and scoring two defensive touchdowns in quarterback Carson Palmer’s first game with Oakland. Another shutout of the Raiders should not be expected given that Palmer is now in better game shape, but another good performance looks possible and fantasy owners can consider the Kansas City defense a decent starting choice and worth using as a one-week play for Week 16.
Bruno Boys Stars:***

13. New York Giants (@ New York Jets)

The Giants allowed 23 points to the Washington Redskins last week, as they had two interceptions and one sack in the game. Playing a slate of elite quarterbacks prior to last week has definitely played a role in their recent struggles, and they are 29th in the league against the pass (257.5 yards per game) heading to this week against the New York Jets. The Jets’ offense has performed better lately, but sits just 26th in the NFL in total offense (306 yards per game) despite being seventh in scoring offense (24.7 points per game). The Giants are also not especially good against the run (127.6 yards per game) to the Jets’ offense may find success no matter what. That said, the Giants may get some opportunities to pressure Jets’ quarterback Mark Sanchez and force him into mistakes. There is a little bit of downside given the dismal performance overall this season, but fantasy owners can consider the Giants’ defense a low-end starting option for Week 16.
Bruno Boys Stars:***

14. Dallas Cowboys (vs. Philadelphia)

The Cowboys held the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to eight offensive points and 190 yards of offense in Week 15, along with three sacks and one forced turnover in the game. A much tougher matchup is here for Week 15 against the Philadelphia Eagles, who are third in the league in total offense (400.7 yards per game) and are coming off scoring 38 offensive points against the New York Jets last week. When the two teams played in Week 8, Philadelphia scored 34 points and piled up 495 yards of offense in a decisive victory as the Cowboys did not force a turnover but did have four sacks in the game. This unit may need to force turnovers to make a fantasy impact this week, and they have only forced three over their last four games. There is a lot of downside here, and the Dallas defense should only be regarded as a low-end No. 1 defense for this week.
Bruno Boys Stars:***

15. Arizona Cardinals (@ Cincinnati)

Arizona allowed 17 points and 333 yards of offense to the Cleveland Browns last week, and also had two sacks and forced one turnover in the game. They will take on the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 16, who are in the bottom half of the league across the board offensively but have only turned the ball over 19 times all season. Bengals’ wide receiver A.J. Green came out of last week’s game with a separated shoulder, but is expected to be able to play on Saturday at this point. Green adds an element otherwise missing from the Cincinnati offense, so even at less than 100 percent he will challenge the Cardinals’ secondary. The Cardinals are purely an ordinary fantasy defense if rookie cornerback Patrick Peterson does not return a punt for a touchdown, and there is not a lot of upside here for Week 16.
Bruno Boys Stars:***

16. Philadelphia Eagles (@ Dallas)

The Eagles forced four turnovers against the New York Jets in Week 15, and they also limited the Jets to 19 points and 246 offensive yards in the game. They have allowed 29 points and forced seven turnovers in their last two games, but a more difficult matchup is coming this week against the Dallas Cowboys. Dallas ranks sixth in the league in total offense (390.7 yards per game) and sit 11th or better in passing offense (seventh), rushing offense (11th) and scoring offense (sixth) as well. Cowboys’ quarterback Tony Romo has thrown just two total interceptions in his last seven games and has been one of the hottest quarterback in the league over that stretch. Fantasy football owners can take some solace in the recent performance of the Philadelphia defense, but there is too much downside here to make them a top tier option for Week 16.
Bruno Boys Stars:**