*Note: This ranking is without the Cleveland Browns, who played against the Buffalo Bills on Thursday night.
1. Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks are by far and away the best defense in the NFL right now. It’s virtually impossible to run or throw against them, and cornerback Richard Sherman was just named the NFC Defensive Player of the Month. Owners can expect similar numbers out of Seattle from the first four games against the Indianapolis Colts.
Indy is 24th in the league in passing yards per game, and could be without running back Ahmad Bradshaw for this game. Although the newly acquired Trent Richardson seemed like a strong move for the Colts, but Richardson is only averaging 2.9 yards per carry on his new team. The Colts don’t turn the ball over, but quarterback Andrew Luck has been sacked 10 times, giving the Seahawks major fantasy value this week.
Projected Statistics: 10 points allowed, four sacks, one interception
2. Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs aren’t the best yardage defense, allowing 117.5 yards per game on the ground to opponents, but they have forced 12 turnovers through four games. Linebacker Justin Houston is the AFC Defensive Player of the Month for September, recording 7.5 sacks and recovering two fumbles.
Kansas City will take on the Tennessee Titans in their effort to go 5-0. The Titans will be without quarterback Jake Locker who had been playing much better as of late. Ryan Fitzpatrick will fill in, but last year with the Buffalo Bills had a .67 touchdown to interception ratio in 16 games. Fitzpatrick also doesn’t have the same chemistry with the Titans receivers that Locker did, so the Chiefs should be ready to see a lot of Chris Johnson.
Projected Statistics: 10 points allowed, four sacks
3. San Francisco 49ers
The fact that Matt Schaub has thrown three pick-sixes in his last three games should be enough alone to start the 49ers this week. Factor in that they have only 18 points in their last two games and you’ve got yourself a top five fantasy defense.
Projected Statistics: 17 points allowed, one sack, one touchdown
4. Baltimore Ravens
Most owners will be scared off by the Miami Dolphins’ 3-1 record, but their offense has been anything but impressive this year. Ryan Tannehill has thrown five touchdowns, but has also thrown five interceptions and he’s lost one fumble. As a team, the Dolphins only average 3.9 yards per carry and the Ravens are only allowing 3.5 per carry to opponents. In two out of their five games this year, the Ravens have held their opponents to single-digit points, which is where they’ll find their fantasy value this week.
Projected Statistics: Six points allowed, two sacks
5. Tennessee Titans
Don’t let the Chiefs 4-0 record deceive you, their passing offense is 22nd in the league and their rushing offense is 13th. Meanwhile, the Titans’ defense is 10th in the league in passing defense and 11th in rushing defense. Tennessee cornerback Alterraun Verner has four interceptions and has broken up eight passes, while Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith has only thrown one touchdown but has only given up two picks. This will be a low-scoring game, so the Titans provide some sleepy fantasy value this week.
Projected Statistics: 16 points allowed, one sack, one interception