Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

—Written by Brad Berreman
—Edited by Allie Fontana
—Predictions are based on Staff Consensus

::RANKINGS UPDATED AS OF OCTOBER 29, 2011::

Fantasy football owners should be able to find a suitable defensive unit to start this week, even though three of the league’s top 10 fantasy defenses 10—New York Jets, Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers— are idle. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (No. 24) and Oakland Raiders (No. 26) are also sitting out the Week 8 bye, however neither have earned weekly start consideration. Rounding out the bye-week teams are the Atlanta Falcons, whose middle-of-the-pack defense is better against the run than the pass.

Fortunately, the majority of 2011’s top fantasy defenses have favorable Week 8 matchups. The lone exception is the Pittsburgh Steelers who host the New England Patriots on Sunday .

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. Arizona)

As expected, the Baltimore Ravens held the Jacksonville Jaguars in check last week,  limiting them to 205 offensive yards and 12 points scored on four Josh Scobee field goals. What wasn’t expected however, was Baltimore’s inability to get anything going on offense and they fell to the Jags 12-7. The loss will likely motivate the Ravens veterans to get back on track when they welcome the Arizona Cardinals to town in Week 8. The Cardinals aren’t particularly dynamic in most offensive categories, and they could potentially be without the services of running back Chris Wells (knee) who is recovering from a hamstring tweak. Additionally, quarterback Kevin Kolb has thrown at least one interception in every game since Week 1, so the prospect of him having to throw the ball often looks favorable for the Baltimore secondary. Fantasy owners should feel good about starting the Ravens defense this week.
Bruno Boys Stars:*****

2. San Francisco 49ers (vs. Cleveland)

The San Francisco 49ers have the NFL’s second-best rush defense (74.7 yards per game) and they come out of their bye as the third-highest scoring fantasy defense (ESPN Standard Scoring). Week 8 brings a very favorable matchup against the Cleveland Browns, who fall in the bottom half of the league in all offensive categories.  Injuries are an issue for the Browns. Running back Peyton Hillis (hamstring), wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi (concussion) and tight end Ben Watson (concussion) are currently banged up. With three starters potentially out of commission, quarterback Colt McCoy will have less talent than usual at his disposal to make something happen offensively. The 49ers defense should have little troubling keeping the Browns bottled up this week. 
Bruno Boys Stars:*****

 

3. New Orleans Saints (@ St. Louis)

The New Orleans Saints held the Indianapolis Colts to seven points and 252 offensive yards last week, while they forced three turnovers and returned an interception for a touchdown late in the game on the way to lopsided 62-7 victory. They’ll have a chance to do it all over again this Sunday, when they face off against the St. Louis Rams.  The winless Rams rank last in the league in scoring offense (9.3 points per game) and will be without quarterback Sam Bradford (ankle) for a second straight game. Veteran backup A.J. Feeley will get the start, which is a favorable situation for the New Orleans defense. The Saints march in to Week 8 as an upper-echelon option.  Fantasy football owners can start them with confidence.
Bruno Boys Stars:*****

 

4. Cincinnati Bengals (@ Seattle)

It may surprise some fantasy owners to know that the Cincinnati Bengals team defense in second in the league in total defense (278.5 yards per game), and they’re also top five against both the pass and the run. The Bengals come off their bye week to a favorable matchup against the Seattle Seahawks, not-so-proud owners of the NFL’s No. 31-ranked offense (262.8 yards per game). Running back Marshawn Lynch was a last minute scratch in Week 7 after he tweaked his back during pregame warm-ups. The Seahawks hope the Lynch will return to the lineup this week to keep pressure off of whomever is under center. At the end of the day, it really doesn’t matter whether it’s Tarvaris Jackson or Charlie Whitehurst who starts on Sunday . Fantasy owners can start the Bengals team defense knowing that they’re getting a borderline elite option this week.
Bruno Boys Stars:*****

 

5. New York Giants (vs. Miami)

Truth be told, the New York Giants haven’t been a great fantasy defense up to this point in the season. They had one double-digit point performance dating back to Week 2 against the St. Louis Rams. While injuries to key players took a toll early on, defensive end Osi Umenyiora (knee) and Justin Tuck (neck) both look to be 100 percent for Week 8’s tilt with the 0-6 Miami Dolphins. Not only are they winless, Miami has the league’s No.30-ranked scoring offense (15 points per game average) and Matt Moore under center. Although Moore came out of Week 7 with bruised ribs, he’s expected to start on Sunday. It’s reasonable for fantasy owners to feel a little uneasy starting the Giants this week.  Take our word for it though, the G-Men are a top-tier fantasy option this week.
Bruno Boys Stars:*****

 

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6. Tennessee Titans (vs. Indianapolis)

The Houston Texans kicked the collective butts of the Tennessee Titans defense last week, racking up 34 offensive points and 518 offensive yards of offense in Week 7. The Titans have yielded 72 points to opposing offenses over their last two games.  Tennessee can right the ship in Week 8 thanks to a much more advantageous matchup against the Indianapolis Colts. The 0-6 Colts have the league’s No. 29-ranked scoring offense (15.9 points per game average) along with being No. 30 in total offense (280 yards per game). As if that weren’t enough, Indy might be without the services of running back Joseph Addai (hamstring, team offense!!!)  to take pressure off of fill-in Curtis Painter. The Titans defense was far more productive earlier in the season against lack luster opponents. Indy certainly fits the bill as one of the league’s least exciting offenses.
Bruno Boys Stars:****

 

7. Houston Texans (vs. Jacksonville Jaguars)

AFC South rival Houston Texans limited the Tennessee Titans to seven points and 148 yards of offense last week, and they also held running back Chris Johnson to 18 yards on 10 carries and scored a defensive touchdown. Week 8 brings another nice matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars, who rank last in the league in total offense (252.4 yards per game) and No. 31 in scoring offense (12 points per game).  Houston’s been a somewhat surprising fantasy defense this season, putting up four double-digit performances (ESPN scoring) in seven fantasy games.  Although the Jaguars defense went toe-to-toe against the Baltimore Ravens offense, we expect that Jacksonville won’t challenge the Texas too much this week. Listen up Bruno Boys Fan Nation. The Texans are a top-starting option.
Bruno Boys Stars:****

8. Detroit Lions (@ Denver)

While the Detroit Lions gave up 23 points and 328 yards to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 7, they also registered three sacks and forced two turnovers in the game. A much more favorable matchup is coming in Week 8 against the Denver Broncos, who will have Tim Tebow under center for the second straight game. The Lions hope that the absence of running back Willis McGahee (hand) and Denver’s lack of proven pass receivers will help limit them on offense. Fantasy owners can expect Detroit’s defense to put pressure on Tebow key. Defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh and company should have little trouble doing making that happen. Consider the Lions defense a rock-solid starting option for Week 8. If Detroit’s D/ST can force multiple turnovers, then the owners who rolled with them can expect a bigger fantasy payoff .
Bruno Boys Stars:****

 

9. Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. New England)

The Pittsburgh Steelers allowed 20 points and 330 total yards to the Arizona Cardinals last Sunday, and while they came out on top, the Steelers failed to fully take advantage of a mismatch in their favor.  Week 8 brings a much more difficult matchup against the New England Patriots and the league’s No. 1 offense (474.5 yards per game). The Patriots offense seems to be an overall mismatch for the Pittsburgh defense, and there’s little reason to expect that they won’t continue to pile up yards and points as they have all season. While it may be difficult for fantasy owners to leave the Steelers defense on the bench, if you can find a better option for this week, then do it. Otherwise don’t be surprised if the potential downside of rolling with Pittsburgh’s D/ST takes a bite out of your fantasy team.
Bruno Boys Stars:***

 

10. Buffalo Bills (vs. Washington)-Toronto

After watching the Buffalo Bills give up 27 points and 414 offensive yards to the New York Giants two Sundays ago, you might wonder how they ended up on Week 8’s rankings as a top 10 option. It’s as simple as this. While Buffalo ranks second to last in the league in total defense (420.5 yards per game), their fantasy value is tied to their ability to force turnovers. The Bills opponent this week is the Washington Redskins, a matchup teeming with potential turnover opportunities. Washington benched quarterback Rex Grossman after five starts last week and replaced him with John Beck, who has limited experience as a starter, To make things worse (or better if you’re the Bills), the Redskins will be without two of their best skill position players. Wide receiver Santana Moss injured his hand and required surgery, and running back Tim Hightower sustained a season-ending knee injury in Week 7’s loss to the Carolina Panthers. Fantasy owners should not expect the Buffalo defense to shut down the Redskins completely, but the possibility for multiple turnovers makes them worth a look as a starting fantasy defense given the options this week.
Bruno Boys Stars:***

 

11. San Diego Chargers (@ Kansas City)

Although the San Diego Chargers scored their first defensive touchdown of the season last week against the New York Jets, they also went on to lose their second game of the season after they ran out of gas and surrendered 17 second-half points. Let’s face it. San Diego hasn’t been a great defense in terms of fantasy production in 2011, however they have put up double-digit points (ESPN scoring) in two of their last three games. In Week 8, the Chargers head to Arrowhead Stadium to meet division rival Kansas City Chiefs. When the two teams played back in Week 3, San Diego held the Chiefs to 17 points and 252 offensive yards along with one pick. While the Chiefs are on a three-game winning streak, they lack consistent offensive fire power and rank No. 30 in the NFL in total offense (303 yards per game). Consequently, they don’t pose a major threat to rack up major points against the San Diego defense. The upside potential is not great here, however fantasy football owners can consider the Chargers defense a solid option as a low-end No.1 or bye-week replacement.
Bruno Boys Stars:***

12. Cleveland Browns (@ San Francisco)

The Cleveland Browns held the Seattle Seahawks to three points and 137 yards of offense last week, and they also forced two turnovers and had three sacks in the game. Week 8 brings what looks to be a fairly favorable matchup against the San Francisco 49ers, who are No. 27 in the league in total offense (302.5 yards per game) and No. 31 in passing offense with an average of 171 yards per game. While the challenge for the Browns will be to keep 49ers running back Frank Gore in check to maximize their success this week, quarterback Alex Smith should pose very little threat in the passing game. Fantasy owners can regard the Cleveland defense as a solid bye week fill-in this week.
Bruno Boys Stars:***

 

13. Dallas Cowboys (@ Philadelphia)

In their Week 7 contest with the St. Louis Rams, the Dallas Cowboys held the still winless Rams to seven points and 265 offensive yards as veteran A.J. Feeley filled in for an injured Sam Bradford. The Cowboys have posted double-digit fantasy points in four of their last five games. A much tougher matchup is looming for Week 8 against the Philadelphia Eagles, who rank No. 3 in the league in total offense (441.7 yards per game) this season. Fortunately for Dallas, they currently have the NFL’s top-ranked run defense and have limited opposing running backs to just 69.7 yards per game. If they can limit LeSean McCoy and force the Eagles into a one-dimensional pass offense, look for the Cowboys to put the heat on Michael Vick and force him to make mistakes. While there is a lot of potential downside given the quality of the Eagles offense, the Dallas defense is a solid choice for fantasy owners in Week 8.
Bruno Boys Stars:***

 

14. Philadelphia Eagles (vs. Dallas)

The Philadelphia Eagles went into last week’s bye on the heels of arguably their best defensive performance in Week 6 against the Washington Redskins. They gave up just 13 points and intercepted quarterback Rex Grossman four times in the game. A tougher matchup is coming in Week 8 against the Dallas Cowboys, who have the league’s No. 6 ranked offense (415.5 yards per game) as well as the No. 10 ranked scoring offense (24.8 points per game). Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo tends to make mistakes at critical times in big games, so the Eagles secondary could get some opportunities for turnovers on Sunday night. Fantasy football owners can consider the Philadelphia defense a low-end starting option this week, with the potential for more.
Bruno Boys Stars:***

 

15. Washington Redskins (@ Buffalo)-Toronto

The Washington Redskins allowed 33 points and over 400 yards of offense to the Carolina Panthers in Week 7, and they have now posted just three fantasy points (ESPN scoring) in their past two games. Week 8 brings a trip north of the border to take on the Buffalo Bills, who have the NFL’s No 3-ranked scoring offense (31.3 points per game) and the league’s No. 6 ranked rusher in running back Fred Jackson. The Redskins defense appears to be slowing down after a solid start to the season, and that makes them a risky low-end No.1 fantasy defense for this week.
Bruno Boys Stars:**

 

16. Seattle Seahawks (vs. Cincinnati)

The Seattle Seahawks put together a good defensive performance last week against the Cleveland Browns, as they allowed just six points and 300 yards of offense in the game. They have now posted 32 fantasy points (ESPN scoring) over their last two games and double-digit fantasy points in three of their last four. Things may be a little tougher this week against the Cincinnati Bengals, though they will be without suspended running back Cedric Benson for the game. That said, Cincinnati still has wide receiver A.J. Green available and running back Bernard Scott has proven capable when given the opportunity in Benson’s place. Playing at home against team traveling from the East is to the Seahawks’ advantage, but there is just not a lot of upside here for fantasy owners.
Bruno Boys Stars:**