Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

17. (Atlanta Falcons) vs. Chicago Bears

Atlanta’s defense is susceptible to allowing yards (giving up 355.8 per game) but can hold opponents out of the end zone (giving up 15.8 points per game). The problem with the Falcons defense is they do not create enough pressure, with only 8 sacks and 9 turnovers. If quarterback Jay Cutler is given time, he will carve Atlanta’s defense apart. That makes this defense a risky play for this week.
Bruno Boys Stars: * *

18. (Arizona Cardinals) @ Seattle Seahawks

Arizona has always had a mediocre at best defense, with some skilled players but not enough to play shut down football. Their defense hasn’t played all that well, giving up 374 yards and 22.3 points per game. Their 8 sacks and 6 turnovers also display a lack of pressure and given time, quarterback Matt Hasselbeck will eat the Cardinals secondary alive. Considering how well the Seahawks played on offense last week, plus how badly quarterback Matt Schaub made the Cardinals look, it is tough to recommend them in any fantasy format at this point.
Bruno Boys Stars: * *

19. (Buffalo Bills) vs. New York Jets

First off, how on earth did the Bills hold quarterback Derek Anderson to 2 completions all game and lose? Unacceptable performance by the Bill offense, as the defense (in particular the secondary) got the job done for them to get a win. The Buffalo defense has been middle of the pack among other defenses in the NFL in 2009, allowing 340.2 yards and 23.2 points per game. They are tied for 10th with 10 sacks but cannot create any turnovers with that pressure, having only 5 in the 5 games they’ve played. The Jets offense isn’t strong but they do have a good ground game and considering how Browns’ running back Jamal Lewis ran all over them, you can expect them same kind of thing from Thomas Jones and company. The Jets will be looking to dismantle the Bills after losing 2 straight.
Bruno Boys Stars: * *

20. (San Diego Chargers) vs. Denver Broncos

Every week we talk about all the talent on the Chargers defense yet they simply cannot get it done on the field. 365.8 yards per game, 25.5 points per contest, with only 6 sacks and 6 turnovers is downright awful. Denver may not have the best offense in the land, but considering they put up 376.8 yards per game, you can’t like the match up for the Chargers. At this point, the San Diego defense should not be owned and may only warrant a start if they play their other division foes, the Chiefs and Raiders.
Bruno Boys Stars: * *

21. (Houston Texans) @ Cincinnati Bengals

Hope you didn’t rush out to grab this defense after their great game against the Raiders. Houston returned to their misery after a bad game on defense against the Cardinals. Although Cincinnati isn’t putting up big offensive numbers (335.4 yards per game), they can explode at any time and considering how bad the Texans unit is, this could be the week the Bengals do some damage. On the season, Houston is giving up 363 yards and 24 points per game. They have created 8 turnovers but are one of the worst in the sack department, totaling 6.
Bruno Boys Stars: *

22. (Kansas City Chiefs) @ Washington

We know the Chiefs are bad. The Redskins aren’t too much better, mainly because of their offensive deficiencies. Washington can run the ball though and open things up for quarterback Jason Campbell. This may be a low ranking for the Kansas City defense, but considering how bad they’ve played all season long, you should have no faith in them to make a spot start. Their numbers, 402.8 yards (most in the NFL) and 27.6 points per game should scare you away no matter the opponent. With only 6 sacks and 6 turnovers, they do no create many chances to make plays. While you may like the match up, and they may surprise us, avoid using this unit if you can.
Bruno Boys Stars: *

23. (Tennessee Titans) @ New England Patriots

The secondary woes for the Titans continued on Sunday night, as they lost cornerback Nick Harper to injury. The reward for the unit, a date with quarterback Tom Brady. As if facing quarterback Peyton Manning wasn’t enough, Brady will come in and throw his arm out as his team looks to get the passing game back on track. Considering 287.6 of the 363 yards per game Tennessee gives up is through the air, you know exactly where New England will attack. The 27.8 points per game given up will likely get matched unless they can get more sacks (9) and create turnovers (8), the Titans will be in some trouble.
Bruno Boys Stars: *

24. (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) vs. Carolina Panthers

Tampa Bay has struggled in every way on defense this season, giving up 379.8 yards and 28 points per game. They only have 9 sacks and 6 turnovers this season and have not shown the ability to increase those numbers any time soon. While Carolina has struggled offensively, they have yet to play a defense that is this bad. Expect them to get their running game going and quarterback Jake Delhomme to be able to make big plays down the field.
Bruno Boys Stars: *

25. (St. Louis Rams) @ Jacksonville Jaguars

The Rams defensive struggles may be a direct result of the lack of offense they are producing, setting up good field position for their opponents. Even with that being said they are still giving up 363 yards and 29.2 points per game. St. Louis’ inability to force turnovers (1 per game average) makes it tough to ever recommend this defense. They will need to turn up the heat in this game (only 9 sacks) in order to have a chance, but the Jaguars will likely turn to running back Maurice Jones-Drew to get the offense going after their abysmal game against Seattle.
Bruno Boys Stars: *

26. (Detroit Lions) @ Green Bay Packers

The Lion showed they could play some defense against the Steelers, but gave up way too many big plays and allowed the Steelers to pick up big gains on the ground. Well, the Packers can play the same way Pittsburgh does, which means another long day for the Lions defense. On the season, they have allowed 358 yards and a league high 32.4 points per game. They have gotten some pressure, adding 10 sacks, but lack turnovers, with 6 all season.
Bruno Boys Stars: *

27. (Cleveland Browns) @ Pittsburgh Steelers

Is the Browns defense finally creating an identity? Only allowing 3 points to the Buffalo Bills juggernaut of an offense, Cleveland played well defensively. But, was that a product of their defense or the struggles by Buffalo offensively? Go with the latter, as the Browns are still a terrible defense and cannot be trusted all season long. Pittsburgh’s offense should shred them apart, adding to their 380.2 yards and 24.2 points per game averages. Cleveland simply needs a lot of pressure to have a chance at beating the Steelers, and with only 9 sacks and 7 turnovers on the year, it likely will not happen.
Bruno Boys Stars: *

28. (Oakland Raiders) vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Does anyone remember the Raiders defense from Week 1? Did they really hold the Chargers down for much of that game or were we dreaming that up since it was a late game? Oakland is terrible once again this year on both sides of the ball, with their defense allowing 382 yards and 26 points per game. They have 9 sacks and 8 turnovers on the season, both numbers which should be a lot higher considering their strong defensive line and shut down corner in Nnamdi Asomugha. With the high flying Eagles coming to town, expect to see the kind of performance from them that the Giants put up a week ago. 
Bruno Boys Stars: *

WEEK 6 BYE WEEK DEFENSES

Dallas Cowboys - The Dallas Cowboys defense had the opportunity to put up a big week against a terrible offense but didn’t take advantage, giving up a reasonable 304 yards of offense and 20 points, but they could not create a single turnover. Dallas comes into the bye week giving up 357.8 yards and 19.6 points per game. In their 5 games, they have 10 sacks and 4 turnovers forced. Their best match ups moving forward are the Oakland Raiders (Week 12) and the Washington Redskins (Weeks 11 & 16). 

Indianapolis Colts - The Colts did a fantastic job holding down the Tennessee Titans on Sunday Night Football, as they only allowed field goals in holding them to 9 points. Even without one of their best defensive players, safety Bob Sanders, Indianapolis has put up some impressive numbers as an entire unit. The Colts have allowed 295.6 yards and 14.2 points per game with 13 sacks and 8 turnovers. Even if you don’t trust their defense on a weekly basis, they are valuable when they play the St. Louis Rams (Week 7), San Francisco 49ers (Week 8), and the Tennessee Titans (Week 13).

Miami Dolphins - Miami’s defense did give up some big plays against the jets on Monday night, but the team and its defense seemed to put itself back on the NFL map. On the season, the Dolphins have given up 301.4 yards and 21.2 points while accumulating 12 sacks and 4 turnovers. The games to start them going forward will be against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Week 10), Buffalo Bills (Week 12) and the Jacksonville Jaguars (Week 14). 

San Francisco 49ers - After a great game in Week 4 and a good start to the season, the 49ers defense simply fell apart. They gave up 45 points on 477 yards of offense to Atlanta. After giving up so much to a good offense, the 49ers fall back into a spot start match up at best. They have given up 322.6 yards and 19.6 points per game, while adding 11 sacks and 9 turnovers. Their easiest games ahead are the Tennessee Titans (Week 9), Detroit Lions (Week 16), and the St. Louis Rams (Week 17).

Week 6 Rankings:  QB  |  RB  |  WR  |  TE  |  K  |  DEF  (click to read)

Week 6 Start & Sit:  START ‘EM  |  SIT ‘EM    (click to read)

Week 6 Waiver Wire Advice:  PICK THEM UP  |  CUT THEM LOOSE    (click to read)

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