This season is just plain out flying, don't you agree? Week 7 is upon us, yet it seems like just last week we were posting our Week 1 rankings. I hope everyone has enjoyed their season so far and has had a pretty successful one at that. If not though, don't fret. There is still plenty of season left. And, if you look at it this way, your fantasy team has a better shot at winning something than my dear ole' Detroit Lions do. Take advantage of the Bruno Boys and what we have to offer, and I guarantee you that you will become a much better fantasy football player because of it.
And even though defenses are probably one of the hardest positions to predict, the season has gone on long enough to where we can get a good read on the teams. So this week I will be reintroducing to you all the +/- for turnovers for teams to help give you a better advantage at predicting what a team will be doing as a whole in their respective games this week. Before we head into the article, I would like to explain the “Bruno Boys Star System”.
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 COMPLETELY Have To
Key Abbreviations: YPG (Yards Per Game); PPG (Points Per Game)
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1. (Miami Dolphins) vs. Baltimore Ravens
The Miami Dolphins have played fairly well but not outstanding this season defensively, but they get a major boost by being able to play the Baltimore Ravens, who are pretty lousy offensively except for their running game, whose offensive line just took a hit this past weekend. The Dolphins do not provide for many take aways, sitting at just 7 on the season, but they are +4 on turnovers meaning their offense won't cough up the ball unexpectedly many times. The Ravens do cough up the ball a ton though, so this could play out well for the Dolphins this week.
Bruno Boys Stars: * * * * *
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2. (New York Giants) vs. San Francisco 49ers
This is a gut call here as the New York Giants just got manhandled by the Cleveland Browns in week 6. The Giants do not produce many takeaways, sitting at only 2 on the season, both via INT. The positive is that they hold opponents to 279.6 YPG, 16.8 PPG and they face a San Francisco 49ers club that has coughed the ball up 15 times so far this year.
Bruno Boys Stars: * * * * *
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3. (Pittsburgh Steelers) @ Cincinnati Bengals
This should be a pretty boring game on all accounts, which should translate into very good defensive numbers for the Pittsburgh Steelers. So far on the year, they have allowed opponents only 231.6 YPG, 15.8 PPG and have produced 9 turnovers. The Cincinnati Bengals offense has been brutal this year, will be missing Carson Palmer and their offense has coughed up the ball 12 times so far this year. Everything spells for an excellent week for the Steelers defense.
Bruno Boys Stars: * * * * *
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4. (Tennessee Titans) @ Kansas City Chiefs
The Tennessee Titans can arguably be named the best defensive squad, so far, in fantasy football land this season. They have allowed 267.8 YPG, only 11.2 PPG and have totaled 14 takeaways, giving them a AFC best +6 turnover rating. And, to make things better they take on a Kansas City Chiefs offense who have been horrible this year scoring 13 PPG and is now in flux after pissing TE Tony Gonzalez off by telling him that he would be traded and then wasn't and suspending RB Larry Johnson for this week's match-up. The Titans are an excellent choice this week.
Bruno Boys Stars: * * * * *
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5. (Baltimore Ravens) @ Miami Dolphins
The Baltimore Ravens have been very good on defense so far this year, allowing only 220.8 YPG and 17.4 PPG, and they also have a respectable 8 takeaways. But as good as they have been defensively, offensively they have been struggling, handing them a -4 turnover rating. This could start to hurt their defense by forcing them to be on the field more than they should be. They take on the Miami Dolphins this week who have averaged 346.8 YPG, 21.4 PPG and are a very solid +4 in the turnover ratings. That being said, the Ravens make a very solid play this week, but don't be surprised if the Dolphins make the Ravens look a bit more human this week at times.
Bruno Boys Stars: * * * *
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6. (Dallas Cowboys) @ St. Louis Rams
The Dallas Cowboys haven't done very well this year defensively, allowing 300.3 PPG and 23.5 PPG, but they do have 7 takeaways. Unfortunately they are still -2 in overall turnovers and with the loss of QB Tony Romo the Cowboys D should be on the field more than normal. Luckily, at least this week, they face the league's worst rated offense in the St. Louis Rams who have averaged only 237.4 YPG and 12.4 PPG. The Rams protect the ball fairly well though, so expect the Cowboys to just be a pretty good play this week. The thing to be concerned about though is that now that Adam Jones is missing, their secondary is in complete disarray.
Bruno Boys Stars: * * * *
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7. (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) vs. Seattle Seahawks
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense has been outstanding so far this year, gaining 13 takeaways while allowing 16.2 PPG. They have given up 312.2 YPG though, so not everything has been golden. They do face a Seattle Seahawks offense who has been very unhealthy and is now missing Matt Hasselbeck. The Bucs should be a solid play once again this week.
Bruno Boys Stars: * * * *
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8. (Chicago Bears) vs. Minnesota Vikings
The Chicago Bears have earned 11 takeaways so far this year, and they are facing a Minnesota Vikings offense that has given up the ball 10 times. That alone should be plenty enough for you to choose the Bears defense as a very good play. Unfortunately, there are some negatives such as the Bears giving up 310.7 YPG and their own offense have given up the ball 10 times themselves. So, it could turn out the Bears D is on the field much more than they should have been. It is pretty safe to say though that the Bears are an above average play.
Bruno Boys Stars: * * * *
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9. (New York Jets) @ Oakland Raiders
The New York Jets have given up 306.6 YPG and 26.0 PPG, but they also have 10 takeaways. They face an Oakland Raiders team that has coughed the ball up 8 times this year and averages only 16.2 PPG. It could go either way this week, but the Raiders should suck just enough to give the Jets a chance to be an above average play this week.
Bruno Boys Stars: * * * *
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10. (Washington Redskins) vs. Cleveland Browns
The Washington Redskins have been pretty solid defensively so far this year allowing 285.8 YPG, 19.5 PPG and have 8 takeaways to their name. They are facing a Cleveland Browns offense who finally turned things on against the New York Giants last Monday night, but other than that have struggled mightily. I don't expect another outstanding offensive effort this week, but the Browns shouldn't be horrible either. Their offense has turned the ball over 7 times so far this year though, so the Redskins should gain there. The Redskins are an above average play this week.
Bruno Boys Stars: * * * *
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11. (San Diego Chargers) @ Buffalo Bills
The San Diego Chargers have had a very disappointing year so far defensively giving up 365.7 YPG and 23.2 PPG, but also have 10 takeaways and are at a +4 on turnovers. They are facing a Buffalo Bills team that has coughed the ball up 9 times this year but have also averaged 25.2 PPG. The Chargers should do well enough this week to not destroy your fantasy team, but at the same time they are no more than an average play.
Bruno Boys Stars: * * *
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12. (Minnesota Vikings) @ Chicago Bears
The Minnesota Vikings have been pretty solid so far this year defensively, allowing 284 YPG and 19.8 PPG. And, to add to that, they also have 10 takeaways on the year. They face a Chicago Bears offense that has surprisingly put up 24.7 PPG. A lot of their offense goes through their RB Matt Forte, so if the Vikings rush defense can put a cramp on his style this week, the Bears offense should struggle some. Either way, look for a better defense to play this week if you can. The Vikings are nothing more than an average play against the Bears.
Bruno Boys Stars: * * *
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13. (Houston Texans) vs. Detroit Lions
Ok, the Houston Texans are not the greatest defense in the world, surrendering 362.6 YPG and 22.4 PPG as well as having only 5 takeaways to their name in 2008. Good news though, they are facing the Detroit Lions, so even their horrible defense should be good enough for an average play this week.
Bruno Boys Stars: * * *
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14. (Carolina Panthers) vs. New Orleans Saints
The Carolina Panthers have played well above expectations so far this year, allowing 264.5 YPG, 16.2 PPG and 7 takeaways. They do face a very formidable offense in the New Orleans Saints, but they could be missing Reggie Bush, Jeremy Shockey and Marques Colston. They shouldn't be a disaster this week, but still be careful. If there is a better option on this list and they are available, try to make it happen. Just don't drop the Panthers as they will not face the Saints every week.
Bruno Boys Stars: * * *
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15. (San Francisco 49ers) @ New York Giants
The San Francisco 49ers have been pretty bad so far this year on defense, giving up 350.5 YPG and 27.8 PPG, but they do have 10 takeaways, which scores them some fantasy points. Add to that, the fact that they are facing an Eli Manning that just coughed the ball up 3 times last week, and we expect them to be a slightly below average play.
Bruno Boys Stars: * *
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16. (Seattle Seahawks) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Seattle Seahawks have been horrible so far this year, giving up 355.8 YPG and 30.2 PPG and they only have 4 takeaways. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have done pretty darn well offensively this season and since both streaks are unlikely to stop, we are guessing that the Seahawks are once again a below average play.
Bruno Boys Stars: * *
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17. (Buffalo Bills) vs. San Diego Chargers
The Buffalo Bills have been middle of the pack so far this year, giving up 299 YPG and 20.8 PPG but they only have 6 takeaways. They face what has been the best offense so far this year in the NFL with the San Diego Chargers that are averaging 29.7 PPG. The Bills are a below average play.
Bruno Boys Stars: * *
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18. (Oakland Raiders) vs. New York Jets
The Oakland Raiders rank 27th in PPG allowed with 27.0. They do have 7 takeaways this year, and they are facing the "Gunslinger" so anything is possible. Still, the New York Jets are putting up 28.2 PPG, so odds are the Raiders are going to be pretty bad defensively this week.
Bruno Boys Stars: * *
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19. (New England Patriots) vs. Denver Broncos
It hurts putting the New England Patriots so low, week after week, especially considering that they were really my top sleeper defense of the year, but the loss of Tom Brady forcing their defense to be on the field much longer than normal has nullified that. They have been average defensively so far allowing 320.8 YPG and 21.8 PPG, and they also face a top offense so don't expect much out of this crew this week.
Bruno Boys Stars: * *
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20. (Green Bay Packers) vs. Indianapolis Colts
The Green Bay Packers have given up 332.2 YPG and 24.2 PPG but they do have 12 takeaways. They are taking on a great Indianapolis Colts offense that is minus Joseph Addai, but got back on track last week against a tough Ravens D. This one should be a shootout, limiting the Packers' fantasy value.
Bruno Boys Stars: * *
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21. (Detroit Lions) @ Houston Texans
The Detroit Lions are horrible on defense. They give up 421.6 YPG and 31.8 PPG. They could be playing a powder puff team, you don't play them.
Bruno Boys Stars: *
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22. (Cincinnati Bengals) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Cincinnati Bengals have been pretty horrible on defense, allowing 324.2 YPG and 24.0 PPG. Even against the Parker-less Pittsburgh Steelers, they are not a recommended play.
Bruno Boys Stars: *
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23. (Denver Broncos) @ New England Patriots
The Denver Broncos are once again a poor choice on the defensive side of things. They are giving up 25.7 PPG and are facing the New England Patriots who should put things together this week after a ugly 30-10 loss to San Diego in week 6.
Bruno Boys Stars: *
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24. (New Orleans Saints) @ Carolina Panthers
The New Orleans Saints are doing surprisingly well considering that they are banged up defensively. They allow 330.7 YPG, 22.2 PPG and do have 9 takeaways. That will not translate into success though, even with the struggling Carolina Panthers offense as Jake Delhomme should find a rhythm with Steve Smith and Muhsin Muhammad.
Bruno Boys Stars: *
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25. (Indianapolis Colts) @ Green Bay Packers
The Indianapolis Colts are hurt on defense, lost their lead RB in Joseph Addai and now have to face a solid Green Bay Packers offense. This will not be a good week for the Colts.
Bruno Boys Stars: *
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26. (Kansas City Chiefs) vs. Tennessee Titans
Turmoil, turmoil, turmoil. Time to stop playing the Chiefs both offensively and defensively unless you have no other choice.
Bruno Boys Stars: *
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27. (Cleveland Browns) @ Washington Redskins
Ok, the Cleveland Browns have done rather well defensively considering what has happened so far this year. That being said, Clinton Portis is going to tear things up this week.
Bruno Boys Stars: *
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28. (St. Louis Rams) vs. Dallas Cowboys
The worst defense against the third best offense. Do you really have to question this ranking?
Bruno Boys Stars: *
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WEEK 7 BYE WEEK DEFENSES
Arizona Cardinals – BYE
The Arizona Cardinals defense has played much better than their 24.0 PPG allowance shows. They have given up a respectable 314.0 YPG and have 11 takeaways. What hurts them is their inconsistent offense which has them sitting at a -1 for turnovers.
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Atlanta Falcons – BYE
Believe it or not, the Atlanta Falcons defense has been much improved this year as far as them yielding 21.2 PPG, but they still have given up a ton of yards sitting at 349.7 YPG. What could be saving them is that they are in the positive with a +2 for turnovers, although they have only 7 takeaways.
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Jacksonville Jaguars – BYE
The Jacksonville Jaguars have faired better on defense than they have played. They have given up a whopping 340.5 YPG, but only 21.3 PPG. If that yardage does not start declining, expect the points against average to steadily rise. They are at a +2 on team turnovers, so that is a good sign and have 9 takeaways, an even better sign.
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Philadelphia Eagles – BYE
The Philadelphia Eagles have played fairly well on defense so far this year, giving up 279.3 YPG and 20.5 PPG. More impressive is that they have 12 takeaways, giving them a +5 rating. Tops in the NFC.
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WEEK 7 RANKINGS (click to view)
Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Wide Receivers
Tight Ends
Kickers
Team Defense
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Also read: Week 7 Start 'Em & Sit 'Em (click to view)
Also read: Fantasy Football Week 6 Waiver Wire Advice (click to view)
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