Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Fantasy Football Week 3 Rankings: Ranking the Top Defenses

Welcome to the dark-side for those that love defense. In the world of fantasy football, having a solid D can really give you an edge each week.

With that in mind, it's harder to predict a consistent defense in fantasy football than it is one particular offensive player.

Unless you're in a league that uses individual defense, having to rely on an entire unit at once can be rather frustrating at times.

Regardless of the situations, we need them and they need us.

So, here are the top three defenses for Week 3.

3. Baltimore Ravens (at St. Louis Rams)

For both teams this is an interesting matchup, because the Ravens allow 302 pass yards per game, ranking them last in the NFL.

The Rams, on the other hand, still rank No. 14 in pass offense (244.5 per game). Obviously something's got to give.

Unfortunately for St. Louis, Baltimore only allows 70 yards on the ground (ranked No. 4), so they will be forced to become one-dimensional.

Advantage Baltimore, as they then can drop more into coverage and blanket the young and inexperienced Rams' offense.

St. Louis is a team with a lot of potential, but the Ravens' pass D has nowhere else to go but up, and they're simply too talented too not get better.

2. Pittsburgh Steelers (at Indianapolis Colts)

The Colts only managed to score seven points against the Houston Texans and 19 against the Cleveland Browns.

Although both of those defenses have made some improvements, they're still nothing compared to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Even if Peyton Manning was under center it wouldn't matter, as he wouldn't be 100 percent and they would be one-dimensional anyway.

Look for Pittsburgh to attack Indianapolis early on, because for starters, it won't matter who's under center.

Not to mention their pass D has improved quite a bit since last season, so don't be surprised if Blitzburgh forces multiple interceptions and then returns one or two for a TD.

1. San Diego Chargers (vs Kansas City Chiefs)

It's a big divisional game for San Diego even though the Chiefs are without RB Jamaal Charles and safety Eric Berry.

You can't expect K.C. to really do anything on either side of the ball with two of their best players out, and after being picked a part by Tom Brady in Week 2, the Bolts' D is anxious to get back on the field.

San Diego will be blitzing a lot and playing a lot of man coverage, because other than Dwayne Bowe, there aren't any deep receiving threats.

With QB Matt Cassel having thrown just one TD to four picks, it's going to be another long day at the helm.

The Bolts will force turnovers, but with the coverage being locked-in, there will be more hits on Cassel, thus more fumbles to recover/scoop and score.

Altogether these three defenses will dominate; the only question remaining is who actually produces the most?

 

Be sure to check out John on Bleacher Report.

And you can follow him on Twitter @ Sportswriter27.

Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/859255-fantasy-football-week-3-rankings-ranking-the-top-defenses

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