Team Defense Rankings--Week 6

In this column we will be highlighting some of the team defenses that aren’t among the best in the league, but might be able to help you if you are one of those people who play the rotating game with your DEF, or if your team is on bye. I will not tell you to start any of the following in this article because they are no brainers:

Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Giants, New York Jets, Green Bay Packers, San Diego Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings

Two Matchups To Target

Washington Redskins vs. Kansas City Chiefs. There is plenty of turmoil in Washington right now as it seems that they are on the borderline of lots of changes with the team. However, the Redskins' defense hasn't been all that bad. I mean they aren't an every week starting team, but when they have a solid matchup like this week against the Chiefs, they are worth playing if your team is on bye. To this point of the season, the Redskins are only allowing 16.4 points per game, while their opponent this week, the Kansas City Chiefs are only scoring 16.8 points a game. The Redskins have been average at best so far in the turnover and sacks department with seven takeaways, and ten QB sacks through five games. That is really what is keeping them from being the type of team that you can continue to start. However, they stand a chance to score some points this week due to the terrible Chiefs' offensive line. That group has allowed 17 sacks through five games, and if the 'Skins can hold them to under 17 points and roll up three or four sacks, they will be worth putting in your lineup for one week.

Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It might look bad that the Panthers have allowed 26 points a game to this point, but they have been doing much better in the past two weeks. They gave up 66 points in the first two games, and just 38 points in the past two. However, the Panthers have really been struggling the past two weeks and have just five turnovers on the year. The good news is the Panthers are playing Tampa Bay who might be ther worst team in the NFL. The Bucs are scoring just 13.6 points a game, have given up eight sacks, and and are among the worst with eight giveaways, including seven INTs. They still have Josh Johnson at quarterback, who really appears to be a turnover waiting to happen, which is good news for the Panthers. A few years ago the Panthers were among the best defenses in the NFL, but that was a long time ago, and right now they are just a bye week replacement when they have a cupcake matchup like they do on Sunday.

Two Matchups To Avoid

Houston Texans at Cincinnati Bengals. Coming into the year, I thought the Texans had a chance for their defense to be one of the up and comers in the league. Starting with Mario Williams up front and Dunta Robinson in the secondary, it seemed like they had a great young nucleus for the future. However, so far it hasn't worked out that way. Houston is allowing 24 points a game, and through five games the rest of the fantasy stats are just not good. How they only have six sacks through five games is beyond me, although their eight forced turnovers aren't bad. They are playing the Bengals this week who are the big story this year as they continue to win games. However, they are not doing it pretty, and are pretty much pulling games out of the hat in the last minute. But Carson Palmer is healthy, and is starting to look more and more like the quarterback we remember before the knee and elbow injuries. He has at least a touchdown pass in the last four games, and his running back Cedric Benson is having one of the best seasons in the NFL. They have allowed two sacks a game on Palmer, and have turned the ball over eight times, but four of those were INTs in the first two weeks. I can see the Bengals scoring 28 points and only giving up one or two sacks and maybe one turnover. I would stay away from using Houston this week.

Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks. I'm going to start this one with the sacks and turnovers, and then we will go into the rest of the defense. The Cardinals have recorded a decent eight sacks, and also six turnovers. So, at that point they don't look too bad. However, right now the Seahawks are on a roll as a passing game and the Cardinals are the worst defense against the pass as far as yardage is concerned. This is not a good matchup this week for the Cardinals. Seattle has scored 23 points a game, which is pretty impressive considering they were without their starting quarterback for the better part of three games. In the two games that Hasselbeck has played the 'Hawks but up 69 points. Hasselbeck only threw two picks in his two games, and he was only a part of two of the ten sacks that Seattle has allowed. Seattle's offense has been a whole different game when Hasselbeck is in there, and the storm of a bad pass defense and a hot offense makes the Cardinals a team to stay away from.

I welcome your comments and questions at fightingchancefantasy@gmail.com. I can help you with roster questions, who to start/sit, etc. I guarantee a response within 18 hours.