2011 Fantasy Football, Week 4 Defense Rankings: Ravens, Chargers Lead The Way
Ray Lewis (See Credits Below)
1. Baltimore Ravens (NYJ) – Oakland’s tough defensive front was able to force Mark Sanchez into making several big mistakes. I think the Ravens can do the same thing. I expect this to a tough low scoring game.
2. San Diego Chargers (MIA) – After a promising performance in Week 1, the Dolphins failed to crack 20 points against either the Texans or the Browns. I expect some more problems for them this week against a Charger defense that has been playing well.
3. Philadelphia Eagles (SF) – The strength of the Eagles’ defense is their ability to defend the pass. I think a healthy Frank Gore could pile on some yards against the unconventional defensive line. It looks like Gore will play, but I doubt he’ll be at 100%. This bumps the Eagles up in this week’s rankings.
4. Green Bay Packers (DEN) – After two disappointing games, the Pack’s defense looked like their old selves in Chicago. They now get to host Kyle Orton and the Broncos, who haven’t looked in synch all year.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (IND) – The Colts played by far their best game this past week, narrowly losing to the mighty Pittsburgh Steelers. This effort was keyed by the Colts defense, as their offense struggled mightily again. Until they can find some kind of consistency at their quarterback position, then there will be fantasy opportunities for opposing DST’s.
6. Atlanta Falcons (@SEA) – Sidney Rice gave the Seahawks enough of a boost that they finally won their first game. He doesn’t provide a big enough, however, to consider their offense “dangerous”. Not enough talent at the skill positions for Seattle to make me worry.
7. New Orleans Saints (@JAX) – It was hard to tell anything of Gabbert’s performance from the Rain Bowl last week against Carolina. But if history has told us anything, it’s to not trust rookie QB’s. In this case, I’m trusting him to fail against the Saints.
8. Detroit Lions (@DAL) – The Lions have been one of the surprise teams this year, and they hope this week will be the debut of their first round pick Nick Fairley. While Dallas won the game Monday night, they failed to score a touchdown. Romo and his receiver fill-ins seemed to be on different pages most of the night. Not to mention the shotgun snap miscues. Look for Detroit to capitalize on Cowboys’ mistakes.
9. Chicago Bears (CAR) – While Cam Newton has been the most surprising player this year, I still think there will be an adjustment period for him once defense start making adjustments to him. I expet Urlacher to spy him all game long, and sooner or later make him pay for a mistake. Until Carolina establishes some resemblance of a running game, it’s hard to expect Cam Newton to have this much success throwing the football.
10. Pittsburgh Steelers (@HOU) – Houston has a potent offense, but we can’t leave the Steelers out of the top 12. At least not until Palomalu isn’t playing. He’s the premier defensive playmaker in the league, and expect him to make some in Houston.
11. New York Jets (@BAL) – Rex Ryan should be all over his defense this week in practice, and for good reason. I don’t think they will be able to stop Ray Rice, but I think they will do a much better job than they did with Run DMC. This should be a fun game for the old school crowd.
12. New York Giants (@ARI)– The Giants defense looked much better last week than they had all season long. Could this be a turning point, or was it an outlier? They should have a very good chance of keeping the trend going when they face a struggling Cardinals offense.
13. New England Patriots(@OAK)
14. Houston Texans (PIT)
15. Buffalo Bills (@CIN)
16. San Francisco 49ers (@PHI)
17. Tennessee Titans (@CLE)
18. Dallas Cowboys (DET)
19. Cleveland Browns (TEN)
20. Indianapolis Colts (@TB)
21. St. Louis Rams (WAS)
22. Washington Redskins (@STL)
23. Minnesota Vikings (@KC)
24. Kansas City Chiefs (MIN)
25. Seattle Seahawks (ATL)
26. Oakland Raiders (NE)
27. Cinncinatti Bengals (@NO)
28. Carolina Panthers (@CHI)
29. Arizona Cardinals (NYG)
30. Jacksonville Jaguars (NO)
31. Miami Dolphins (@SD)
32. Denver Broncos (@GB)
2. San Diego Chargers (MIA) – After a promising performance in Week 1, the Dolphins failed to crack 20 points against either the Texans or the Browns. I expect some more problems for them this week against a Charger defense that has been playing well.
3. Philadelphia Eagles (SF) – The strength of the Eagles’ defense is their ability to defend the pass. I think a healthy Frank Gore could pile on some yards against the unconventional defensive line. It looks like Gore will play, but I doubt he’ll be at 100%. This bumps the Eagles up in this week’s rankings.
4. Green Bay Packers (DEN) – After two disappointing games, the Pack’s defense looked like their old selves in Chicago. They now get to host Kyle Orton and the Broncos, who haven’t looked in synch all year.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (IND) – The Colts played by far their best game this past week, narrowly losing to the mighty Pittsburgh Steelers. This effort was keyed by the Colts defense, as their offense struggled mightily again. Until they can find some kind of consistency at their quarterback position, then there will be fantasy opportunities for opposing DST’s.
6. Atlanta Falcons (@SEA) – Sidney Rice gave the Seahawks enough of a boost that they finally won their first game. He doesn’t provide a big enough, however, to consider their offense “dangerous”. Not enough talent at the skill positions for Seattle to make me worry.
7. New Orleans Saints (@JAX) – It was hard to tell anything of Gabbert’s performance from the Rain Bowl last week against Carolina. But if history has told us anything, it’s to not trust rookie QB’s. In this case, I’m trusting him to fail against the Saints.
8. Detroit Lions (@DAL) – The Lions have been one of the surprise teams this year, and they hope this week will be the debut of their first round pick Nick Fairley. While Dallas won the game Monday night, they failed to score a touchdown. Romo and his receiver fill-ins seemed to be on different pages most of the night. Not to mention the shotgun snap miscues. Look for Detroit to capitalize on Cowboys’ mistakes.
9. Chicago Bears (CAR) – While Cam Newton has been the most surprising player this year, I still think there will be an adjustment period for him once defense start making adjustments to him. I expet Urlacher to spy him all game long, and sooner or later make him pay for a mistake. Until Carolina establishes some resemblance of a running game, it’s hard to expect Cam Newton to have this much success throwing the football.
10. Pittsburgh Steelers (@HOU) – Houston has a potent offense, but we can’t leave the Steelers out of the top 12. At least not until Palomalu isn’t playing. He’s the premier defensive playmaker in the league, and expect him to make some in Houston.
11. New York Jets (@BAL) – Rex Ryan should be all over his defense this week in practice, and for good reason. I don’t think they will be able to stop Ray Rice, but I think they will do a much better job than they did with Run DMC. This should be a fun game for the old school crowd.
12. New York Giants (@ARI)– The Giants defense looked much better last week than they had all season long. Could this be a turning point, or was it an outlier? They should have a very good chance of keeping the trend going when they face a struggling Cardinals offense.
13. New England Patriots(@OAK)
14. Houston Texans (PIT)
15. Buffalo Bills (@CIN)
16. San Francisco 49ers (@PHI)
17. Tennessee Titans (@CLE)
18. Dallas Cowboys (DET)
19. Cleveland Browns (TEN)
20. Indianapolis Colts (@TB)
21. St. Louis Rams (WAS)
22. Washington Redskins (@STL)
23. Minnesota Vikings (@KC)
24. Kansas City Chiefs (MIN)
25. Seattle Seahawks (ATL)
26. Oakland Raiders (NE)
27. Cinncinatti Bengals (@NO)
28. Carolina Panthers (@CHI)
29. Arizona Cardinals (NYG)
30. Jacksonville Jaguars (NO)
31. Miami Dolphins (@SD)
32. Denver Broncos (@GB)
Written by Ilyn Yeh exclusively for TheFantasyFix.com
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(September 21, 20082008-09-21 00:00:00 – Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images North America)
Tags: the Fantasy Fix, 2011 Fantasy Football, Waiver Wire, 2011 Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Tips, Draft Kit, Defense Rankings, Week 4, Ilyn Yeh
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