Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

15. (Washington Redskins) at Atlanta Falcons

One part of the team that has had success for the Washington Redskins has been its defense, who has limited opponents to at least keep their team in games. This week Washington draws the Atlanta Falcons, who can put up enough offense to make up for the lack of skill on the other side of the ball. Through Week 8, Washington has given up 283.4 yards and 17.6 points per game with 18 sacks and 7 turnovers. Even with the offensive deficiencies for the Redskins, their defense will continue to at least play like an average unit worth a look every week. 
Bruno Boys Stars: * *

16. (San Diego Chargers) vs. New York Giants

After two solid performances against weaker competition, it seems the Chargers defense may be back on track. You must remember though, those came against the Kansas City Chiefs and Oakland Raiders, making the stats a bit misleading. This year San Diego has allowed 310.6 yards and 22.7 points per game while throwing in 17 sacks and turnovers. You may want to hold off on keeping the Chargers in your lineup for this week, even with the Giants struggling to generate a solid offensive game the last 3 weeks. San Diego’s defense simply needs to prove they can play well against solid competition.
Bruno Boys Stars: * *

17. (Dallas Cowboys) at Philadelphia Eagles

Don’t let the record of the Dallas Cowboys fool you into thinking their defense is fantasy worthy, especially with another good offense next on the schedule in the Philadelphia Eagles. The Cowboys have had their success thanks in part to the offense, as the defense is simply not getting much pressure on the quarterback or creating the turnovers necessary to make them a good fantasy play. This season Dallas has given up 342.1 yards and 19.4 points per game with 17 sacks and 9 turnovers. We simply need more production from this unit before trusting them to be in a fantasy football lineup.
Bruno Boys Stars: * *

18. (Chicago Bears) vs. Arizona Cardinals

After allowing the Cincinnati Bengals to simply scorch their defense, the Chicago Bears redeemed themselves against the pathetic Cleveland Browns. Now it is time for the unit to get back no normalcy, as the Bears defense should play somewhere between the performances of the last 2 weeks. With an offensive juggernaut in the Arizona Cardinals coming to town, it may be a good idea to downplay their ability to put up a good game this week. Chicago has the ability to put up an average week, bu there is no need to start them if you have other options with more potential available. This year the Bears have allowed 310 yards and 21.4 points per game with 15 sacks and 13 turnovers. 
Bruno Boys Stars: * *

19. (Miami Dolphins) at New England Patriots

With their inability to limit opponents on offense, the Miami Dolphins are not worth a fantasy football start until they can prove they can make some plays on defense. The New England Patriots have a very good offense capable of putting up big games and after allowing both the New Orleans Saints and New York Jets to score at a rapid pace, why would the Patriots not do anything different? This year Miami has allowed 328.4 yards and 25.3 points per game while adding 19 sacks and only 9 turnovers. Continue to keep the Miami defense on the waiver wire until a pleasant matchup presents itself.
Bruno Boys Stars: * *

20. (Tennessee Titans) at San Francisco 49ers

Tennessee’s defense has been abysmal all season long, going from a preseason top 10 to a bottom of the barrel weekly rank. Last week against the Jacksonville Jaguars may have been a bit of an aberration for the Titans defense, as they played well enough to be fantasy worthy. Don’t fool yourself into thinking this may be a permanent reason to play them though, as the Jaguars offense isn’t a strong unit. This week Tennessee once again plays an offense who isn’t a solid unit in the San Francisco 49ers. Don’t rush out to plug and play though, because you may end up once again disappointed in Tennessee’s defense. While they could play well, there isn’t evidence to trust the Titans until they play well for 2-3 weeks and against a decent offense. This year Tennessee has given up 394.9 yards and 30.1 points per game while totaling 15 sacks and 10 turnovers.
Bruno Boys Stars: * *

21. (Houston Texans) at Indianapolis Colts

Last week we seen the Houston Texans defense play well against the Buffalo Bills while the Indianapolis Colts struggling against the San Francisco 49ers. Expect the total opposite this week, as the Colts will look to put the ball into the end zone and attack the weak Houston secondary. The Texans defense may be used against weaker competition, something Indianapolis obviously is not. This year Houston has allowed 326.5 yards and 21 points with only 11 sacks and 15 turnovers.
Bruno Boys Stars: *

22. (Kansas City Chiefs) at Jacksonville Jaguars

Remember this before thinking about possibly playing the Chiefs against an up and down Jacksonville Jaguars offense. The Chiefs have given up 383.1 yards and 25.9 points per game with only 9 sacks and 8 turnovers. Those kinds of numbers do not spell for a good fantasy football day no matter who the opponent is. Kansas City’s defense should never be trusted to make a start and don’t dupe yourself into thinking they can this week.
Bruno Boys Stars: *

23. (Jacksonville Jaguars) vs. Kansas City Chiefs

The same goes for the Kansas City Chiefs opponent, the Jacksonville Jaguars defense. They have given up 370.7 yards and 25.3 points per game while adding a league low 5 sacks to go with 10 turnovers. The Chiefs offense is terrible, but there is no way you can trust the Jacksonville defense. Remember the Jaguars unit allowed a big day to the struggling Tennessee Titans offense and could not put up a big day against the meager St. Louis Rams. Leave Jacksonville’s defense on the waiver wire right beside Kansas City.
Bruno Boys Stars: *

24. (Carolina Panthers) vs. New Orleans Saints

We’ve noticed one thing over the last couple weeks with the New Orleans Saints, they can score in multiple ways and have enough firepower to make even some of the best defenses look silly. This week the Carolina Panthers will host this powerhouse and can only hope to simply contain them. This season the Panthers have allowed 288.1 yards and 23.7 points per game with 17 sacks and 13 turnovers. Any team playing the Saints have to be downgraded and considering Carolina is an average defense during most weeks, you have to think the unit will struggle in a big way come Sunday.
Bruno Boys Stars: *

25. (Detroit Lions) at Seattle Seahawks

Looking at how poorly the offensive line has played for the Seattle Seahawks and the lack of a running game, you’d think Detroit’s defense may have a chance of putting up a decent fantasy day. Don’t fool yourself into thinking that way though, as the Lions defense simply cannot be trusted. While the unit did only allow 17 points to the beleaguered St. Louis Rams, their fantasy football production was meager at best. This year Detroit has given up 369.6 yards and 29.3 points per game while totaling 15 sacks and 9 turnovers. Never should you have to trust the Lions defense and there surely is something better on the waiver wire no matter how you’d like to spin this game. 
Bruno Boys Stars: *

26. (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) vs. Green Bay Packers

Is there a worse team in the NFL than the Tampa Bay Buccaneers? The only winless team on the season has played extremely poorly thus far, as they are now on their 3rd string QB to go along with a defense who would struggle to stop a college team with some skill. On the year, Tampa Bay has allowed 376.4 yards and 29 points per game with 11 sacks and 11 turnovers. The Buccaneers will take on a Green Bay Packers team who can put up points in a hurry and not put a game in the hands of their defense. Both Green Bay units should have success this week, making the Buccaneers defense once again a bottom of the barrel start that should be passed on by every member of your league.
Bruno Boys Stars: *

WEEK 9 BYE WEEK DEFENSES

Buffalo Bills - The Buffalo Bills defense has been a bit of a surprise this season, with a solid 18 sacks and 18 turnovers (15 of those interceptions). Their yards allowed per game isn’t good (372.4) but their points given up per week is respectable (21.1). The defense could be used as a spot start now and then if the matchup is right, but given the offenses inability to give their defense good field position, it’s tough to recommend them on a weekly basis. The best times to use the Bills defense the rest of the year will be against the Tennessee Titans (Week 10), Jacksonville Jaguars (Week 11), and Kansas City Chiefs (Week 13).

Cleveland Browns - There should never be a time in a fantasy football season that you must start the Cleveland Browns defense. The Browns are absolutely terrible, giving up 409.1 yards and 26.1 points per game with 16 sacks and 12 turnovers. If not for the pathetic game against Buffalo where both teams played extremely bad (a 6-3 Browns win), the per game averages would be even worse. There are some easy games you could use Cleveland’s defense, against the Detroit Lions (Week 11), Kansas City Chiefs (Week 15), and Oakland Raiders (Week 16). That is, if you are daring enough to do so.

Oakland Raiders - The Oakland Raiders defense has had its moments where it looks like the unit could turn the corner and be a fringe fantasy starter. As soon as the Raiders offer any hope though, the defense somehow disappears back into the laughing stock they’ve been known as. Oakland has allowed 373.3 yards and 25.1 points per game while adding 17 sacks and 10 turnovers. The times you may be able to use Oakland will be against the Kansas City Chiefs (Week 10) and Cleveland Browns (Week 16).

St. Louis Rams - With new head coach Steve Spagnuolo (former New York Giants defensive coordinator) coming to town, the thought was the Rams defense may be able to improve from their terrible 2008. Instead, the unit has been stagnant at best, if not worse. St. Louis has given up 373.4 yards and 27.6 points per contest with 14 sacks and 9 turnovers. No need to insert the Rams defense into the lineup but if you ever feel the need, the best time to do so is against the Tennessee Titans (Week 14) and San Francisco 49ers (Week 17). 

Minnesota Vikings - With all the talent on the Minnesota defensive line and all the sacks the unit can produce (a league best 31), you’d think their without a doubt the top defense in the NFL. The Vikings can get after the quarterback better than any other team, but they lack in other areas. Minnesota only has 13 turnovers and has allowed 332.6 yards and 21.8 points per game. Due to their sack numbers, you should continue to play the unit, but don’t assume they’re the best in the land. If you like to intermix your defenses, be sure to plug Minnesota in against the Detroit Lions (Week 10) and Carolina Panthers (Week 15). 

New York Jets - The Jets defense was supposed to take a big hit after the loss of nose tackle Kris Jenkins, but really the run defense has not been the issue. The Jets defense dominated Oakland and the reason Miami put up so many points is due to the special teams, as their running game was ineffective. New York has played well under new head coach Rex Ryan, but the low sack numbers (14) do not display the true pressure the team has been getting on the quarterback. The Jets have allowed an impressive 273.4 yards and 16.8 points per game with 15 turnovers. New York’s best matchups moving forward will be against the Jacksonville Jaguars (Week 10), Buffalo Bills (Week 13), and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Week 14).

Week 9 Rankings:  QB  |  RB  |  WR  |  TE  |  K  | DEF    (click to read)

Week 9 Start & Sit:  START ‘EM  | SIT ‘EM    (click to read)

Week 9 Waiver Wire Advice:  PICK THEM UP  |  CUT THEM LOOSE    (click to read)

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