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Unless most of the teams in your league carry a backup defense, more than half of the league should be available to you every week. Perhaps instead of playing one above average defense every week, regardless of matchup, we should instead target the widely available waiver wire defenses with the best matchups in any particular week? You can always make exceptions if your rent-a-defense gets hot - heck, you might find a team worth starting all year by accident. Even if you don't, good matchups will continue to get greater in number as more QBs get injured or yanked as the season goes on. You can steal some points from bad weather come December. Each week I'll list the startable fantasy defenses on most waiver wires and rank them.
**Note: New England, Cincinnati, Houston, and Seattle are all good plays this week, and should be started over most rent-a-defenses, except possibly New Orleans**
Week 2 Results
Tennessee (vs Dallas) - 4 sacks, 1 fumble recovery
The Titans salvaged a decent stat line on defense, but the reality is that outside of Delanie Walker, this fantasy party we threw for the Titans was a dud. Maybe the Cowboys will be better on the road this year. The Cowboys crowd was louder in Nashville than they were in Week 1 in Arlington
A Look Ahead: @CIN @IND CLE - After a stifling Week 1performance at Kansas City, the promise of their D/ST has evaporated
Minnesota (vs New England) - 1 sack
Last week’s column was written before Adrian Peterson was even known to be a risk of missing Week 2, but no excuses. Mike Zimmer’s defense gave Tom Brady a ton of trouble last year, but this year it was the Patriots defense that ruled when they faced Zimmer.
A Look Ahead: @NO ATL @GB - You don’t want to rely an opposing defense in the Superdome in your fantasy lineup
Oakland (vs Houston) - Bupkis
The “us against the world” defense of rejects and misfits looked like, well, rejects and misfits as Arian Foster ran over and through them and Ryan Fitzpatrick was snug as a bug in a rug in the pocket.
A Look Ahead: @NE MIA SD - Always avoid Oakland in the eastern time zone.
Washington (vs Jacksonville) - 10 sacks, 1 interception
A hit! In fact way too many hits on Chad Henne. Washington’s defense brought it in this blowout, and if it wasn’t for the since released Bacarri Rambo giving up yet another long catch and run touchdown, they would have held the Jaguars to three points. It’s safe to say that you want to start defenses against the Jags until further notice.
A Look Ahead: @PHI NYG SEA - Nick Foles has been shaky at times, even at home, and the Eagles offensive line is having some issues. You could do worse.
Week 3 Candidates
New Orleans (vs Minnesota) - This should be a jackpot pick, especially if the Vikings or the NFL decide that Adrian Peterson will not play again this weekend. The Superdome crowd is going to be fired up for the home opener. The clear #1 rent-a-defense.
A Look Ahead - @DAL TB BYE - Dallas was so bad at home that the Saints might be good for a double dip
Miami (vs Kansas City) - The Dolphins had some bad sushi in Buffalo, but the friendly swampy confines of Sun Life could be very good for them against a Chiefs offense that will be without their MVP.
A Look Ahead - @OAK BYE GB - The Raiders are a team we will target every week whether they are at home or on the road.
Arizona (vs San Francisco) - The Cardinals defense disappointed in Week 1 against the Chargers at home, and then went east and had four takeaways plus a punt return score against the Giants. Colin Kaepernick was feeding defensive backs against Chicago, and the Arizona crowd would love to cheer their team to a 3-0 start atop the division.
A Look Ahead - BYE @DEN WAS - Bye bye until at least Week 6
St. Louis (vs Dallas) - The Rams almost look like a defense to give up after high preseason expectations, but they had a few feeding frenzies at home last year, and if Tony Romo gets off-kilter, we know he can pay off like a rigged slot machine for opposing defenses.
A Look Ahead - BYE @PHI SF - Bye bye until at least Week 6
Indianapolis (at Jacksonville) - When a team’s best pass rusher is Erik Walden, it’s hard to get too excited about starting their defense, but the Colts will get to face Chad Henne and the woeful Jaguars offensive line, who surrendered the #4 D/ST score in each of the first two weeks.
A Look Ahead - TEN BAL @HOU - If Jake Locker is held down by the Bengals and the Colts make some plays against Jacksonville, they could be a tempting play for Week 4
Week 4 Pre-emptive Pickups
If you like to devote two roster spots to a D/ST, or you suspect other teams are going to stream defenses this year, you might want to grab a top option for the following week to stash away. Here are the best ones to target:
San Diego (vs Jacksonville)
Washington (vs NY Giants)
Miami (at Oakland)