2012 Fantasy Football, Week 4 Defense/Special Teams Rankings
Ed Reed
1. Baltimore Ravens (CLE) – In what sounds like should be the last NFL game tainted by replacement refs this season, I’m very high on Baltimore. They always show up when they get a primetime home game. Trent Richardson is not going to have any room to run, and Weeden will have a very tough time avoiding mistakes. This is the kind of game where I wouldn’t be surprised if Ed Reed takes one back to the house again.
2. Houston Texans (TEN) – Chris Johnson still can’t get anything going on the ground at all. The Texans will be able to contain him without stacking the box, which is going to give Locker all kinds of trouble. While Jake looked good last week, it was the Lions at home. As with any young quarterback there are going to be ups and downs. This week should be down for him, which bodes well for Houston’s defense.
3. San Francisco 49ers (@NYJ) – The Niners’ defense didn’t look nearly as dominating last week at Minnesota that we’ve all come to expect. The good news for them is that the Jets don’t have a running back who is nearly as talented as Adrian Peterson, even when he’s not fully healthy. I also think that Christian Ponder is probably a better quarterback than Mark Sanchez who has looked horrendous. Until the Jets start using Tebow more, this offense is going to continue to struggle. Big bounceback week from the preseason consensus #1 DST.
4. Arizona Cardinals (MIA) – After shutting down Tom Brady and the Patriots in week 2, most attributed it to an “off” week or to Hernandez’ injury. After laying the wood on Vick and the Eagles, it’s officially time to start giving the Cardinals credit. Their rush defense is very good, and Patrick Peterson is turning into one of the best shut down corners in the league. His return ability is just an added bonus for Arizona DST owners. Miami’s offense has been up and down all year, and most of the ups have been because of Reggie Bush, who is questionable for this game. Even if he plays, which I doubt, he won’t be 100%.
5. Seattle Seahawks (@STL) – The Seahawks looked absolutely unstoppable in the first half against the Packers on Monday. This is what we’ve come to expect from them at home, but until they can show the same energy on the road, I can’t rank them higher than 5 even though the matchup is great on paper. The Rams’ offensive line is a mess, and the Seahawks should be able to get to Bradford a ton.
6. Dallas Cowboys (CHI) – I have this matchup higher than I would if it were the Monday Night game. While these types of games pumps up both teams, I think the added crowd noise will really bother Cutler and his offensive line. While I do think the Bears put some points on the board, I think that the amount of sacks and turnovers the Cowboys(read Ware) will cause, will make them a great fantasy play this week.
7. Atlanta Falcons (CAR) – The Falcons look to be one of the most complete teams in the league right now. Their offense is obviously more explosive with the emergence of Julio Jones and Matt Ryan, but their defense is actually playing very well also. They’ve forced 11 turnovers in 3 games, led by Cal’s own Thomas DeCoud with 4 picks from the Safety position (Go Bears!)
8. Denver Broncos (OAK) – While Oakland’s offense was able to move the ball pretty well against the Steelers, we have to keep in mind that Pittsburgh was playing without Harrison or Polamalu. The loss of Darius Heyward-Bey will also hurt Carson Palmer and the passing game as Denarius Moore can expect to be blanketed by Champ Bailey all game. I think Oakland returns to it’s road struggles this week, and the Broncos’ defense capitalizes.
9. Miami Dolphins (@ARI) – The Dolphins are coming off a tough loss to the Jets, with Carpenter missing two huge field goals. I think Miami’s defense is underrated, especially their rush defense. If they can contain Larry Fitzgerald they should be able to contain the rest of the Cardinals. With Beanie Wells dealing with turf toe, they should see a lot of Ryan Williams who has dealt with fumble issues throughout his career (2 already this season).
10. Philadelphia Eagles (NYG) – This is probably my biggest leap of faith so far this season. The Eagles looked like a team that just didn’t care last week in Arizona, and the Giants offense surprised everyone in Carolina(Hi, my name is Ramses Barden). But the Eagles are one of those teams that likes to surprise people. Especially in primetime. Especially against the Giants. I can’t wait to see which Eagles team shows up.
11. New York Jets (SF)
12. Chicago Bears (@DAL)
13. Kansas City Chiefs (SD)
14. New York Giants (@PHI)
15. St. Louis Rams (SEA)
16. New England Patriots (@BUF)
17. Detroit Lions (MIN)
18. Cincinnati Bengals (@JAX)
19. San Diego Chargers (@KC)
20. Minnesota Vikings (@DET)
21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (WAS)
22. Jacksonville Jaguars (CIN)
23. Green Bay Packers (NO)
24. Washington Redskins (@TB)
25. Carolina Panthers (@ATL)
26. Oakland Raiders (@DEN)
27. Buffalo Bills (NE)
28. Cleveland Browns (@BAL)
29. Tennessee Titans (@HOU)
30. New Orleans Saints (@GB)
Written by Ilyn Yeh exclusively for TheFantasyFix.com
2. Houston Texans (TEN) – Chris Johnson still can’t get anything going on the ground at all. The Texans will be able to contain him without stacking the box, which is going to give Locker all kinds of trouble. While Jake looked good last week, it was the Lions at home. As with any young quarterback there are going to be ups and downs. This week should be down for him, which bodes well for Houston’s defense.
3. San Francisco 49ers (@NYJ) – The Niners’ defense didn’t look nearly as dominating last week at Minnesota that we’ve all come to expect. The good news for them is that the Jets don’t have a running back who is nearly as talented as Adrian Peterson, even when he’s not fully healthy. I also think that Christian Ponder is probably a better quarterback than Mark Sanchez who has looked horrendous. Until the Jets start using Tebow more, this offense is going to continue to struggle. Big bounceback week from the preseason consensus #1 DST.
4. Arizona Cardinals (MIA) – After shutting down Tom Brady and the Patriots in week 2, most attributed it to an “off” week or to Hernandez’ injury. After laying the wood on Vick and the Eagles, it’s officially time to start giving the Cardinals credit. Their rush defense is very good, and Patrick Peterson is turning into one of the best shut down corners in the league. His return ability is just an added bonus for Arizona DST owners. Miami’s offense has been up and down all year, and most of the ups have been because of Reggie Bush, who is questionable for this game. Even if he plays, which I doubt, he won’t be 100%.
5. Seattle Seahawks (@STL) – The Seahawks looked absolutely unstoppable in the first half against the Packers on Monday. This is what we’ve come to expect from them at home, but until they can show the same energy on the road, I can’t rank them higher than 5 even though the matchup is great on paper. The Rams’ offensive line is a mess, and the Seahawks should be able to get to Bradford a ton.
6. Dallas Cowboys (CHI) – I have this matchup higher than I would if it were the Monday Night game. While these types of games pumps up both teams, I think the added crowd noise will really bother Cutler and his offensive line. While I do think the Bears put some points on the board, I think that the amount of sacks and turnovers the Cowboys(read Ware) will cause, will make them a great fantasy play this week.
7. Atlanta Falcons (CAR) – The Falcons look to be one of the most complete teams in the league right now. Their offense is obviously more explosive with the emergence of Julio Jones and Matt Ryan, but their defense is actually playing very well also. They’ve forced 11 turnovers in 3 games, led by Cal’s own Thomas DeCoud with 4 picks from the Safety position (Go Bears!)
8. Denver Broncos (OAK) – While Oakland’s offense was able to move the ball pretty well against the Steelers, we have to keep in mind that Pittsburgh was playing without Harrison or Polamalu. The loss of Darius Heyward-Bey will also hurt Carson Palmer and the passing game as Denarius Moore can expect to be blanketed by Champ Bailey all game. I think Oakland returns to it’s road struggles this week, and the Broncos’ defense capitalizes.
9. Miami Dolphins (@ARI) – The Dolphins are coming off a tough loss to the Jets, with Carpenter missing two huge field goals. I think Miami’s defense is underrated, especially their rush defense. If they can contain Larry Fitzgerald they should be able to contain the rest of the Cardinals. With Beanie Wells dealing with turf toe, they should see a lot of Ryan Williams who has dealt with fumble issues throughout his career (2 already this season).
10. Philadelphia Eagles (NYG) – This is probably my biggest leap of faith so far this season. The Eagles looked like a team that just didn’t care last week in Arizona, and the Giants offense surprised everyone in Carolina(Hi, my name is Ramses Barden). But the Eagles are one of those teams that likes to surprise people. Especially in primetime. Especially against the Giants. I can’t wait to see which Eagles team shows up.
11. New York Jets (SF)
12. Chicago Bears (@DAL)
13. Kansas City Chiefs (SD)
14. New York Giants (@PHI)
15. St. Louis Rams (SEA)
16. New England Patriots (@BUF)
17. Detroit Lions (MIN)
18. Cincinnati Bengals (@JAX)
19. San Diego Chargers (@KC)
20. Minnesota Vikings (@DET)
21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (WAS)
22. Jacksonville Jaguars (CIN)
23. Green Bay Packers (NO)
24. Washington Redskins (@TB)
25. Carolina Panthers (@ATL)
26. Oakland Raiders (@DEN)
27. Buffalo Bills (NE)
28. Cleveland Browns (@BAL)
29. Tennessee Titans (@HOU)
30. New Orleans Saints (@GB)
Written by Ilyn Yeh exclusively for TheFantasyFix.com
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