Defensive rankings have been difficult this year. There are a ton of good defensive teams in terms of yardage who are awful at picking up fantasy points.
The New York Jets have a solid run defenses, and is third in the league in overall defense. According to our stats, however, they just make it into the top 20 in fantasy defenses.
Same thing for the Houston Texans, who are second in the league in defensive total yards, but are in the lower fourth of fantasy defenses.
On a week-to-week basis, it seems that only three defenses or so are starters every week, no matter their opponent, but his week there are at least five defenses owners should be very confident in starting this week.
1. Kansas City Chiefs
Speaking of those three every-week starters, the Chiefs are the best fantasy defenses through three weeks, according to our rankings. Kansas City has the most sacks of any team and has already scored two defensive touchdowns. Going up against the New York Giants in Week 4, this is fantasy gold for Kansas City.
New York’s offensive line has allowed 11 sacks in three games, and quarterback Eli Manning has thrown eight interceptions but only five touchdowns. The Giants virtually have no running game, forcing Manning to sling the ball around. That’s good news for Victor Cruz owners, and even better news for owners of Kansas City’s defense.
Projected Statistics: 14 points allowed, five sacks, two interceptions, one fumble recovery, one touchdown
2. Cincinnati Bengals
Cleveland Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer is going to be a popular waiver wire pickup this week, but people are forgetting that he gave up three interceptions in his first start with the Browns to the terrible Minnesota Vikings secondary. Enter the Bengals defense. The Browns’ Week 4 opponent, Cincinnati is primed for a great fantasy day. Our stats show that the Bengals have averaged just over 10 fantasy points per game this season, and that’s with having to face the Green Bay Packers in Week 3 and the Chicago Bears in Week 1.
With Trent Richardson gone, the Browns are no threat to run the ball, and Hoyer has had a history of throwing interceptions. The right side of Cleveland’s offensive line is really struggling, and Cincinnati’s defense has the potential to be at the very top of defensive rankings at the end of the week.
Projected Statistics: 14 points allowed, three sacks, two interceptions, one fumble recovery
3. Seattle Seahawks
The No. 2 fantasy defense this year, the Seahawks are by far and away the best defense in the NFL. This may not be their best fantasy week, going up against a strong Houston Texans offense (although not as strong as they’ve been in the past). Houston wide receiver Andre Johnson may not play in this game, and the Texans had a down Week 3, only scoring nine points against the Baltimore Ravens.
Seattle has five interceptions in three games, and it has forced five fumbles, recovering each one. The Seahawks have yet to score a defensive touchdown, but going up against the struggling Texans they should be able to find plenty of points elsewhere.
Projected Statistics: 10 points allowed, two sacks, one interception, one fumble recovery
4. Denver Broncos
Denver’s defense has gotten off to a slower start than most expected and have allowed an average of 23.7 points per game. In terms of yardage, Denver is the best rush defense in the league (although it’s mainly due to teams have to throw to catch up to Denver) but are 30th in the league in pass defense (again, because of how much opponents are throwing). They have been good at scoring fantasy points, however, recording eight sacks and six interceptions, but no fumble recoveries.
Most owners will shy away from playing Denver against the Philadelphia Eagles because of their potential to score points, but quarterback Michael Vick has been sacked 11 times and has given up two interceptions and one fumble. The Broncos won’t be getting bonus points for a good scoring defense this week, but they should find a way to manufacture some fantasy points.
Projected Statistics: 21 points allowed, four sacks, two interceptions
5. San Francisco 49ers
For owners who tried to take the 49ers defense higher, they have been disappointed thus far this year. Our stats have San Francisco as the sixth-worst fantasy defense, even though he is the 11th best defense in terms of yardage. Going up against the St. Louis Rams in Week 4, the Niners will have a bounce-back week in fantasy, especially with the Rams coming off a 31-7 blowout at the hands of the Dallas Cowboys. In that game, the Cowboys scored 12 fantasy points behind six sacks of Rams quarterback Sam Bradford.
Bradford has only thrown two picks this year, but has given up a fumble. There won’t be any flashy plays that will lead to a San Fran defensive touchdown, but the Rams are really struggling on offense, especially without a reliable running game, so a low point total here should put the 49ers into the top five.
Projected Statistics: Seven points allowed, six sacks, one interception