Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

17. (Dallas Cowboys) vs. Philadelphia Eagles

As we said above, one defense will get it done on the field to win this game. Considering we have the Eagles defense ranked higher, you can imagine which unit we expect to play better on Sunday. We also mentioned that this game could be a shootout, but what wins championships? That’s right defenses. The defenses absolutely need to show up in this game for either squad to win, and the Dallas defense has gotten better with each passing week, including the shut out they posted on Washington last weekend. While we are less confident in the Cowboys having a big week, their defense should at least be able to have a modest game that produces an average day. This season, Dallas has allowed 322.4 yards and 16.7 points per game while totaling 37 sacks and 20 turnovers.
Bruno Boys Stars: * * *

18. (Green Bay Packers) @ Arizona Cardinals

While Arizona could sit some of their starters, making Green Bay an even better play, it’s tough to fully recommend this defense in the final week of the year. Arizona’s offense is similar to that of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ unit that ripped the Green Bay defense in Week 15 for 37 points, leading to a -2 fantasy point total for the Pack. Actually, in all honesty, the Cardinals have better wide receivers and more of a chance to do some things on the ground. This game could turn into a shootout if the best guys are on the field, which spells disaster if you own the Green Bay defense. It’s because of this that they’re so far down on the average ranks. This season the Packers have allowed 290.9 yards and 19.3 points per game with 37 sacks and 37 turnovers. Let us again add this disclaimer, though, if Arizona rests some of its better offensive players (i.e. Kurt Warner, Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin, etc.) the Green Bay defense gets a big boost into the top 10.
Bruno Boys Stars: * * *

19. (Buffalo Bills) vs. Indianapolis Colts

While the Buffalo defense does match up well with the Indianapolis Colts (which is evident by their strong game two weeks ago against the New England Patriots and quarterback Tom Brady), it’s tough seeing them shut down their offense completely. Even with Curtis Painter at QB, the BIlls will struggle in this one because Indianapolis owns a solid running game, one that can create more than enough offense against the worst rush defense in the league. This season, Buffalo has allowed 352.8 yards and 21.3 points per game with 31 sacks and 30 turnovers.
Bruno Boys Stars: * * *

20. (New England Patriots) @ Houston Texans

Last week, we advised you to avoid the Miami Dolphins defense against the Houston Texans’ juggernaut of an offense, which turned out to be the right move as the Dolphins amassed just two fantasy points. As such, we’ll do the same with the team Houston plays this week, the New England Patriots. Heck, unless the match-up screams you play the Pats, it’s probably best you stay away as they do have difficulties forcing turnovers. This season, the Patriots have allowed 16.7 points and 312.3 yards per game while adding 30 sacks and 27 turnovers.
Bruno Boys Stars: * *

21. (Arizona Cardinals) vs. Green Bay Packers

After being ranked so high the last couple weeks, it’s time to lower your expectations for the Arizona Cardinals’ defense. The Green Bay Packers’ offense is loaded and will provide a much more difficult task than the Detroit Lions and St. Louis Rams. Any expectations you normally have for Arizona’s defense this week need to be lowered because they will disappoint on Sunday. On the year, the Cardinals have given up 346.5 yards and 19.5 points per game while adding 42 sacks and 28 turnovers.
Bruno Boys Stars: * *

22. (Miami Dolphins) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

All year long, we have talked about how vulnerable the secondary was for the Miami Dolphins’ defense due to all the youngsters they play. Although those guys do have some experience under their belt now, it’s tough seeing them have a ton of success against the Pittsburgh Steelers’ pass happy offense. After all, Big Ben has thrown for 762 pass yards and 4 TDs over his last two games. He should be a sure bet to top 300 this week, which will mean a successful day for the Steelers’ offense and doom for the Dolphins’ defense. Miami hasn’t been more than a mediocre unit on defense all year long (despite being near the top of the NFL in sacks) and that should not change in Week 17. This season, the Dolphins have allowed 345.7 yards and 24 points per game with 41 sacks and 19 turnovers. 
Bruno Boys Stars: * *

23. (New York Giants) @ Minnesota Vikings

It’s difficult to know what defensive unit will show up for the Giants. Will we get the Week 15 unit that threw the Washington Redskins around like a rag doll? Or, will the Week 16 unit that allowed 41 points to the Panthers be on the field? The fact that that is a concern makes the Giants nothing more than an average play come Week 17. There are better options up above that you could depend on if need be for the final week of the season. No need to take a chance with your fantasy title on the line. On the year, the Giants have given up 314.1 yards and 25.5 points per game while totaling 32 sacks and 24 turnovers.
Bruno Boys Stars: * *

24. (Washington Redskins) @ San Diego Chargers

Even though the Washington Redskins’ defense doesn’t give up a lot of yards, their inability to force turnovers, an indication that changes need to be made in their game plan, really limits their fantasy potential. In this game, Washington could have a decent day if San Diego decides to rest some players, but if not, we all know the Redskins’ defense could get torched. Either way,without turnovers coming often, their use in fantasy is irrelevant. No use in thinking Washington’s defense can be worthwhile enough to be fantasy worthy on the final week of the season. On the year, the Redskins have given up 316.7 yards and 20.9 points per game while totaling 39 sacks and 16 turnovers.
Bruno Boys Stars: * *

25. (Seattle Seahawks) vs. Tennessee Titans

One team that we thought would improve from last year to this season was the Seattle Seahawks. Instead, the offense has been inept and the defense doesn’t like making stops or forcing an opposing team’s hand early in games. This week we know what the Tennessee Titans are going to do and that is run, run, run with superstar running back Chris Johnson. This should be another big game for the Titans’ back, as Johnson will run all over the Seahawks’ defense, getting to the next level time after time. Seattle needs to force the ball into quarterback Vince Young’s hands and keep him in the pocket to make tough throws, but their defense doesn’t have the personnel to pull that off. That’s why we don’t expect much from the Seahawks this week. This season, Seattle has allowed 359.9 yards and 24.9 points per game while adding 28 sacks and 21 turnovers.
Bruno Boys Stars: * *

26. (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) vs. Atlanta Falcons

The last time these two teams met back in Week 12, the Buccaneers defense had one of their better fantasy days, scoring 10 points (in standard leagues). While that total could be matched, were not as optimistic. Tampa Bay has shown at times they can play solid defense, but not consistently enough that we think their worthy of a roster spot much less actually starting the unit. While this ranking could be extremely low, we want to low ball this projection because our confidence in the Tampa Bay defense simply isn’t there. If you feel like taking a big chance in Week 17, here is a unit that could be great or be absolutely terrible. Our thoughts? Go ahead and pass on the Buccaneers defense like you have the rest of the season. On the year, Tampa Bay has given up 363.5 yards and 25.3 points per game while totaling 27 sacks and 26 turnovers. 
Bruno Boys Stars: *

27. (Oakland Raiders) vs. Baltimore Ravens

The Raiders defense has had its moments in 2009 with huge games that have helped the team pull off some big time upsets. However, with the playoffs on the line for the Ravens, it’s hard imagining their offense disappears this week. Baltimore will likely get the ball into running back Ray Rice’s hands early and often while having quarterback Joe Flacco make some great throws into one on one coverage. Both guys should light up Oakland on Sunday, which means the Raiders defense will not be a great fantasy play this week. They do get an extra star because they do have some talent on defense and Baltimore has had their struggles,but we wouldn’t expect more than a couple fantasy points in standard leagues. On the year, Oakland has given up 364.1 yards and 23.9 points per game with 33 sacks and 20 turnovers.
Bruno Boys Stars: *

28. (Kansas City Chiefs) @ Denver Broncos

Who knows, maybe the Chiefs can turn things around quickly enough on defense to shut down Denver after allowing 44 points to the Broncos in Week 13. But, considering Denver needs to win, you can see the Broncos going for the Chiefs’ jugular on offense while trying to match or exceed their point total from the last meeting. The Chiefs simply do not have very many defenders that can make plays to qualify them as fantasy worthy. Throughout the year, Kansas City has allowed 379.9 yards and 26.7 points per game while adding 25 turnovers and 20 sacks. Leave the Chiefs on the waiver wire for the final week of the season.
Bruno Boys Stars: *

29. (Houston Texans) vs. New England Patriots

This game has all the makings for a shootout with quarterbacks Tom Brady (if he plays) and Matt Schaub great at picking apart opposing defenses and finding their plethora of targets. The thing is, Brady has better weapons, and the Texans do not have much talent in their secondary to make key stops. That will result in a long day and a terrible fantasy point total in Week 17 for Houston’s defense. This season, the Texans have allowed 325.4 yards and 20.4 points per game while adding 28 sacks and 25 turnovers. Houston’s defense has been valuable a couple times this year in fantasy football, but they won’t be this week.
Bruno Boys Stars: *

30. (Detroit Lions) vs. Chicago Bears

Most defenses playing quarterback Jay Cutler get a boost due to his high interception total. But for this unit, that is not the case. The Lions may get a pick or two, but not enough to be fantasy worthy as they struggle to stop running back Matt Forte. Add that Cutler is a talented guy that you can see putting up a good bit of offense against a weak Detroit defense, and it could get ugly for Detroit. On the year, the Lions have given up 390.4 yards and 30.5 points per game while totaling 24 sacks and 22 turnovers. Once again, Detroit’s defense is not fantasy worthy.
Bruno Boys Stars: *

31. (Cleveland Browns) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

When teams like the Kansas City Chiefs and the Detroit Lions can rack up yards on your defense, you know your defense can’t stop too many opponents. Then again, you can look at the Browns two big fantasy days on defense against their hated rival, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and say they can have their moments. But, the problem is you never know when those big games could come. That means even with a game against an inconsistent Jacksonville Jaguars’ offense, the defense of Cleveland simply needs to be passed on by. Running back Maurice Jones-Drew should shred this defense, while quarterback David Garrard shouldn’t make very many errors that cost his team. Don’t try to out think yourself here. Simply take a pass on Cleveland’s defense. This season, the Browns have allowed 393.4 yards and 23.9 points per game with 37 sacks and 18 turnovers.
Bruno Boys Stars: *

32. (St. Louis Rams) vs. San Francisco 49ers

Even though the San Francisco 49ers’ offense can be inconsistent and make some mistakes, there is not a conceivable reason to think the Rams’ defense has any chance of being fantasy worthy. St. Louis has been pitiful on defense this season with no playmakers to pull off any kind of note worthy performance. You haven’t given the Rams a second thought all season long and there is no reason to do so here. On the year, St. Louis has given up 375.7 yards and 27.2 points per game while totaling 22 sacks and 19 turnovers.
Bruno Boys Stars: *

Week 17 Rankings:  QB  |  RB  |  WR  |  TE  |  K  | DEF    (click to read)

Week 17 Start & Sit:  START ‘EM  |  SIT ‘EM    (click to read)

Week 17 Waiver Wire Advice:  PICK THEM UP  |  CUT THEM LOOSE    (click to read)

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