Fighting Chance Fantasy's Team Defense Rankings

The Team Defense spot on your roster is often overlooked, but could be a great source of points for your team on a weekly basis if you are able to get a good one. It is hard to say when you should start drafting the defense, I generally do it once someone else has started, or if I have my starting lineup filled and there is no player that is screaming "You gotta have me!" at me. Don't stretch too early, however, I wouldn't pick a DEF over a quality WR or RB. But here is your list of the best defensive teams.

Top 20 Team Defenses

1. San Diego Chargers
   17.8 Points/Game, 42 sacks, 18 fumbles rec., 30 INT, 5 TDs
   
   This team has it all, they get a great pass rush, led by Pro Bowler Shawne Merriman, great corner play out of Quentin Jammer and Antonio Cromartie who knows how to find the endzone, and they get two games against the offensively inept Chiefs and Raiders. Shaun Phillips is also emerging as a solid defensive player. Great matchups against the Falcons and Dolphins also on the schedule.
   
   
2. Pittsburgh Steelers
   16.8 ponts/game, 36 sacks, 14 fumbles rec., 11 INT, 2 TDs
   
   Always known as a defensive team, the Steelers of 2008 should be no different. James Harrison and James Farrior are great playmakers from the linebacking corps, and Troy Polamalu should return to form following a injury plagued season. Baltimore twice and a Week 16 game against the Titans should highlight their best defense performances.
   
   
3. Dallas Cowboys
   20.3 points/game, 46 sacks, 10 fumbles rec., 19 INT, 3 TDsThe additions of Zach Thomas and Pacman, excuse me, Adam Jones makes a great defensive team even better. DeMarcus Ware is quickly turning into one of the best outside linebackers in the game, Terence Newman is a shutdown corner, and while Roy Williams carries name value, it is Ken “The Hammer” Hamlin who is the playmaking safety on this team. Expect all of their defense numbers to improve.
   
   
4. Indianapolis Colts
   16.4 points/game, 28 sacks, 15 fumbles rec., 22 INT, 2 TDs
   
   Once known as an offensive team that had to make up for their defense, the Colts are now a well-balanced team thanks to their great D. Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney form one of the most formidable pass rushers in the league, Gary Brackett is a solid middle linebacker, and don’t forget Defensive Player of the Year Bob Sanders. Sanders is literally everywhere on the football field, making tackles, rushing the QB, and even picking off a few passes. Loads of bad offensive teams are on the Colts schedule including the Bears, Vikings, Jaguars twice, Texans twice, and the Ravens.
   
   
5. New England Patriots
   17.1 points/games, 47 sacks, 12 fumbles rec., 19 INT, 6 TDs
   
   Is there anything that didn’t go the Pats way last season? Ok, the Super Bowl, but other than that. The offense was so good and on the field so much, that the defense looked even that much better. They are anchored by Tedy Bruschi in the middle, Adalius Thomas on the end, Richard Seymour and Vince Wilfork up front, and bad boy Rodney Harrison floating around at safety. The Bills and Dolphins are on the schedule twice each, as well as Chiefs, Niners, and Raiders. Look for another great year from the Patriots D.
   
   
6. Chicago Bears
   21.8 points/game, 41 sacks, 17 fumbles rec., 16 INT, 1 TD
   
   The Monsters of the Midway? Not anymore, but the Bears’ defensive unit is still very solid. They gave Brian Urlacher a new contract, which should keep him happy and flying around the field with Lance Briggs, and an improving Hunter Hillemeyer at linebacker. Their pass rush comes from Adewale Ogunleye and Tommie Harris, and if Mike Brown could EVER stay healthy at safety, the Bears would be even more formidable. Outside of the Titans and Falcons, most of their schedule consists of at least decent offensive teams, but this unit is so good, it could shut down even the best.
   
   
7. Baltimore Ravens
   24 ponts/game, 32 sacks, 6 fumbles rec., 17 INT, 1 TD
   
   This team has definitely started to age on the defensive side, but the talent is still there. They have a stellar pass rush with Terrell Suggs, Trevor Pryce, and Bart Scott. And although he isn’t what he once was, Ray Lewis still strikes fear in the hearts of QBs and running backs. Chris McAllister is still a solid corner, and you can always count on Ed Reed to be around the ball. They get the Texans, Titans, Dolphins, and Raiders, but it is all in the first half of the season.
   
   
8. Minnesota Vikings
   19.4 points/game, 38 sacks, 16 fumbles rec., 15 INT, 8 TDs
   
   Is this the return of the Purple People Eaters? The Vikings will be led by newly-acquired Jared Allen to terrorize the quarterback, and how can you possibly run by the two-ton Williams boys, Pat and Kevin plugging up the middle? Watch E.J. Henderson become one of the top middle linebackers in the league this year, after he pretty much flew under the radar in 2007. Chad Greenway needs to stay healthy, and he can be a breakout candidate as well. Antoine Winfield is a great cover corner, and they brought in a pair of playmaking safeties in Madieu Williams and Michael Boulware to team with veteran Darren Sharper. This unit will certainly be the strength of the team and two matchups with the Bears and Lions, one with the Dolphins, Titans, Texans, and Falcons in Week 16 highlight the soft part of their schedule.

Please click here to see the rest of the Top 20 Defenses.