Posted by admin in Fantasy Advice on Aug 23rd 2009 and last modified on Aug 24th 2009. (Print This)
There is a great deal of uncertainty with defenses in the NFL. There are many factors that can affect a team’s defense, such as the revolving door that is the NFL coaching carousel. It takes time for a coach to implement a new system and for the players to learn it. Another factor that goes hand-in-hand with coaching changes is free agency. A team or unit can struggle when a veteran leaves and someone is learning on the job, more than likely a rookie. The other factors are simply age and injuries and one only has to think of the San Diego defense with or without OLB Shawne Merriman, it’s simply night and day. One can also look at the 2007 Patriots who were fantasy football’s second highest point getter in ’07 behind San Diego. Last season the Patriots completely fell off the fantasy radar defensively. You can cite examples of the above mentioned factors as to why this happened. Asante Samuel bolted for Philadelphia, the team’s linebackers were fossils and went through injuries, young guys (rookies) were learning on the job and bench players were asked to do more, it was a recipe for disaster. Look for a vastly improved defensive unit this year.
There is a substantial risk when selecting a team’s defense which is why so many owners adopt the philosophy of not taking one until the final two rounds. Some owners like to start defenses strictly on a matchup basis. If you think you can get good value on defense, then I say go ahead, after all Pittsburgh’s defense is probably more valuable than RB Laurence Maroney anyways.
Below is our list or rankings of Fantasy Football Brother’s top defensive/special teams units. A scoring system of 6 points for each TD scored on a fumble return, interception, punt, or kick return was taken into account. The rankings also factored in 2 points for an interception or fumble recovery and 1 point for a sack. Certain factors such as 10 points for a defensive shutout were also factored in, we did this because it truly separates the exceptional defenses from the horrible ones. While a shutout is rare in the NFL, it also shows a somewhat defensive strength of schedule where a team might have a shot at pitching a shutout, like whenever they play the Lions, sorry Detroit.
1) Steelers – PIT – DF
2) Giants – NYG – DF
3) Vikings – MIN – DF
4) Eagles – PHI – DF
5) Ravens – BAL – DF
6) Jets – NYJ – DF
7) Chargers – SDC – DF
8) Titans – TEN – DF
9) Bears – CHI – DF
10) Cowboys – DAL – DF
11) Patriots – NEP – DF
12) Dolphins – MIA – DF
13) Packers – GRE – DF
14) Buccaneers – TAM – DF
15) Cardinals – ARI – DF
16) Redskins – WAS – DF
17) Colts – IND – DF
18) Panthers – CAR – DF
19) Seahawks – SEA – DF
20) Texans – HOU – DF
21) Bills – BUF – DF
22) 49ers – SFO – DF
23) Falcons – ATL – DF
24) Jaguars – JAC – DF
25) Saints – NOR – DF
26) Raiders – OAK – DF
27) Broncos – DEN – DF
28) Rams – STL – DF
29) Browns – CLE – DF
30) Lions – DET – DF
31) Bengals – CIN – DF
32) Chiefs – KAN – DF
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