Note: This list does not include Arizona or Seattle, who are both playing Thursday night.
1. Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs defense has been playing out of their minds so far this season. At the rate they’re playing at, Kansas City’s D is a sell-high candidate at this point, considering most defenses even out at some time. But this won’t be the week to see them slow down, facing the Houston Texans, who have given up pick-sixes in five consecutive games. Matt Schaub’s foot injury will keep him out on Sunday, according to the USA Today, to be replaced by Case Keenum, who hasn’t started a game in the NFL. This is the best opportunity the Chiefs have to be the No. 1 fantasy defense, and they have a great chance to score a touchdown, defensive fantasy gold.
Projected Statistics: 14 points allowed, three sacks, one interception, one touchdown
2. New England Patriots
The Patriots have been a surprisingly effective fantasy defense this season, breaking double-digit fantasy points three times. The last time New England played the New York Jets, they recorded 16 fantasy points, and their numbers should just about there this week in their second matchup of the season. New York is the fifth worst team in the NFL in terms of scoring offense, only putting up 17.3 points per game. New England is averaging over one interception per game, and have given up 10 or fewer points twice. This might be the highest the Pats will be on defense this year, so it’s time to take advantage of this matchup.
Projected Statistics: 14 points allowed, two sacks, one interception, one fumble recovery
3. San Francisco 49ers
With Ryan Fitzpatrick in control of the Tennessee Titans offense, any defense facing them is bound to pick up some decent points. In the two games that Fitzpatrick has started, the Titans have only scored a total of 30 points. Last week against the Seattle Seahawks, Fitzpatrick only threw for 171 yards, and was also (sadly, for Chris Johnson owners) the team’s leading rusher with 33 yards. San Fran is only giving up 19.7 points per game, and that’s including the 34 points it allowed to the Green Bay Packers in Week 1. You can lose faith in the 49ers offense, but don’t look past their defense.
Projected Statistics: 20 points allowed, two sacks, two interceptions
4. Carolina Panthers
Led by rookie Luke Kuechly, Carolina has been an effective defense, ranking fourth in the league in rushing defense and seventh in passing defense. In the past three games, the Panthers defense has scored 23, 9 and 11 points, respectively. Their Week 7 opponent, the St. Louis Rams, have been a quality scoring offense, averaging just over 23 points per game, but when they’ve played good defenses (Dallas and San Francisco), it scored seven and 11 points in those two games. The Rams have virtually no running game, and Sam Bradford has been sacked 13 times.
Another note: This is exactly where Arizona and Seattle would be ranked were it not for the Thursday night game.
Projected Statistics: 10 points allowed, two sacks, one interception
5. Cleveland Browns
Don’t give up on the Browns defense this week just because they’re playing the Packers. The Browns defense has broken double digits three times, and has scored at least seven points every game up until Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions. Cleveland’s front seven is really strong against the run, and with Joe Haden matched up against whoever the No. 1 wide receiver is for Green Bay, this game will be far from a disaster. James Jones is banged up, and Randall Cobb will completely miss the game, so this will be a very run-heavy game with low scoring.
Projected Statistics: 20 points allowed, four sacks, one fumble recovery