2012 Fantasy Football, Week 3 Defense/Special Teams Rankings: 49ers On Top Again
1. San Francisco 49ers (@MIN) – The Niners were able to mostly contain a high powered offense that looked sharper than they did in week 1. While they gave up almost 300 yards of offense they only allowed 1 touchdown to be scored. They will be facing a Minnesota team whose star player is still not quite at 100%. This should be a good matchup again for SF as they should be able to stack the box against the run.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers (@OAK) – The Steelers were able to hold the Jets to only 10 points. While I think the Jets are closer to this kind of offensive team than what they showed in week one, I don’t think the Raiders are any better. They threw up a stinker in Miami, and were once again mostly unable to find the endzone.
3. Philadelphia Eagles (@ARI) – While Arizona was able to pull off the big upset in New England, they did so mostly with their defense. Their offense should once again struggle as they managed under 250 yards versus the Patriots. The Eagles should be able to contain them as well.
4. Chicago Bears (STL) – While the Rams managed over 450 yards of offense against the Redskins, they did so in their own friendly confines. I think they will struggle in Chicago, and the Bears defense actually did a good job against Green Bay.
5. Detroit Lions (@TEN) – Tennessee has been awful this year. They have not been able to run the ball at all, which can’t help a first year quarterback. I expect the Lions to completely exploit this matchup and have a big week.
6. Houston Texans (@DEN) – Houston’s defense completely shut down Jacksonville on Sunday, allowing fewer than 150 yards of offense. While Denver looked much better in the second half on Monday, it’s hard not to notice the four first half turnovers. If the Texans’ defense can apply pressure on Peyton without blitzing, they could force similar mistakes.
7. Baltimore Ravens (NE) – The Patriots offense doesn’t look to have really got things going on all cylinders at this point of the season. Until they figure out their offensive line problems, they won’t be an offense I try to avoid. Especially not if I have the Ravens.
8. Jacksonville Jaguars (@IND) – The Jags were unable to stop either Arian Foster or Ben Tate, and will literally run over on Sunday. I like this week’s matchup for them, as Donald Brown and the Colts’ offensive line, have struggled all year. I expect this game to be one of those poorly played punt fests that can be a boon to defensive fantasy units.
9. Miami Dolphins (NYJ) – The Dolphins were an underrated fantasy DST unit last year, and I’m afraid I may have them too low here. Even after the Jets crushed Buffalo in week one, I’m still not sold that this is an above average offense. The reason I don’t have Miami higher, is that I’m worried that mistakes on offense could cost the Dolphins points and/or field position.
10. New York Jets (@MIA) – If the Jets were going to field their starting defense I think this could be a top 5 matchup for them. As it stands, I don’t think the Jets will be too concerned with Tannehill beating them down the field. There is some concern with a back like Reggie Bush, as we saw what CJ Spiller was able to do(although much of that was against the second unit).
11. Buffalo Bills (@CLE)
12. Indianapolis Colts (JAX)
13. Dallas Cowboys (TB)
14. New York Giants (@CAR)
15. Arizona Cardinals (PHI)
16. Denver Broncos (HOU)
17. Cleveland Browns (BUF)
18. Seattle Seahawks (GB)
19. Minnesota Vikings (SF)
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@DAL)
21. Carolina Panthers (NYG)
22. Green Bay Packers (@SEA)
23. Atlanta Falcons (@SD)
24. St. Louis Rams (@CHI)
25. New Orleans Saints (KC)
26. New England Patriots (@BAL)
27. San Diego Chargers (ATL)
28. Cincinnati Bengals (@WAS)
29. Washington Redskins (CIN)
30. Oakland Raiders (PIT)
31. Kansas City Chiefs (@NO)
32. Tennessee Titans (DET)
Written by Ilyn Yeh exclusively for TheFantasyFix.com
2. Pittsburgh Steelers (@OAK) – The Steelers were able to hold the Jets to only 10 points. While I think the Jets are closer to this kind of offensive team than what they showed in week one, I don’t think the Raiders are any better. They threw up a stinker in Miami, and were once again mostly unable to find the endzone.
3. Philadelphia Eagles (@ARI) – While Arizona was able to pull off the big upset in New England, they did so mostly with their defense. Their offense should once again struggle as they managed under 250 yards versus the Patriots. The Eagles should be able to contain them as well.
4. Chicago Bears (STL) – While the Rams managed over 450 yards of offense against the Redskins, they did so in their own friendly confines. I think they will struggle in Chicago, and the Bears defense actually did a good job against Green Bay.
5. Detroit Lions (@TEN) – Tennessee has been awful this year. They have not been able to run the ball at all, which can’t help a first year quarterback. I expect the Lions to completely exploit this matchup and have a big week.
6. Houston Texans (@DEN) – Houston’s defense completely shut down Jacksonville on Sunday, allowing fewer than 150 yards of offense. While Denver looked much better in the second half on Monday, it’s hard not to notice the four first half turnovers. If the Texans’ defense can apply pressure on Peyton without blitzing, they could force similar mistakes.
7. Baltimore Ravens (NE) – The Patriots offense doesn’t look to have really got things going on all cylinders at this point of the season. Until they figure out their offensive line problems, they won’t be an offense I try to avoid. Especially not if I have the Ravens.
8. Jacksonville Jaguars (@IND) – The Jags were unable to stop either Arian Foster or Ben Tate, and will literally run over on Sunday. I like this week’s matchup for them, as Donald Brown and the Colts’ offensive line, have struggled all year. I expect this game to be one of those poorly played punt fests that can be a boon to defensive fantasy units.
9. Miami Dolphins (NYJ) – The Dolphins were an underrated fantasy DST unit last year, and I’m afraid I may have them too low here. Even after the Jets crushed Buffalo in week one, I’m still not sold that this is an above average offense. The reason I don’t have Miami higher, is that I’m worried that mistakes on offense could cost the Dolphins points and/or field position.
10. New York Jets (@MIA) – If the Jets were going to field their starting defense I think this could be a top 5 matchup for them. As it stands, I don’t think the Jets will be too concerned with Tannehill beating them down the field. There is some concern with a back like Reggie Bush, as we saw what CJ Spiller was able to do(although much of that was against the second unit).
11. Buffalo Bills (@CLE)
12. Indianapolis Colts (JAX)
13. Dallas Cowboys (TB)
14. New York Giants (@CAR)
15. Arizona Cardinals (PHI)
16. Denver Broncos (HOU)
17. Cleveland Browns (BUF)
18. Seattle Seahawks (GB)
19. Minnesota Vikings (SF)
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@DAL)
21. Carolina Panthers (NYG)
22. Green Bay Packers (@SEA)
23. Atlanta Falcons (@SD)
24. St. Louis Rams (@CHI)
25. New Orleans Saints (KC)
26. New England Patriots (@BAL)
27. San Diego Chargers (ATL)
28. Cincinnati Bengals (@WAS)
29. Washington Redskins (CIN)
30. Oakland Raiders (PIT)
31. Kansas City Chiefs (@NO)
32. Tennessee Titans (DET)
Written by Ilyn Yeh exclusively for TheFantasyFix.com
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