Fantasy Football Week 5: The 5 Most Generous Defenses After a Month

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With the first month of the 2012 NFL season in the books, we have some idea of teams' strengths and weaknesses. While four games isn't a huge sample size, it's enough to go off of when making fantasy football sit/start decisions.

When debating between which players to start, it's always a good idea to look at the defenses they're matched up against. Here's a look at the four defenses you want your fantasy starters matched up against.  

Washington Redskins

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The Redskins are scoring a lot of points, but they are giving up a lot as well. An average of 30.8 PPG allowed puts them at the sixth highest in the league. They are also giving up the third-most YPG in the NFL, with 415.2. 

The 'Skins are particularly bad against the pass. They are giving up the most points to wide receivers, fourth most to quarterbacks and sixth most to tight ends so far, but they are actually pretty stout against the run, giving up the 26th-most points to RBs.

If you have a quarterback, wide receiver or tight end going up against Washington, make sure they're in your starting lineup.  

Tennessee Titans

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If you thought the Redskins are giving up a lot of points, the Titans will blow you away—they're giving up a full touchdown more per game than Washington. Their average of 37.8 PPG allowed should come down a bit, but it's still a startlingly high amount.

Tennessee has given up the most fantasy points to tight ends and the second-most fantasy points to both running backs and quarterbacks. 

Kansas City Chiefs

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Just behind Tennessee on PPG allowed is Kansas City, who is allowing opponents to score an average of 34 points per game.

The Chiefs aren't giving up a ton of yards per game—334 isn't that much by today's NFL standards—but they are still letting the opposition get into the end zone fairly easily.

The Chiefs are giving up the third-most PPG to quarterbacks and the eighth most to running backs.

You should only be hesitant about your wide receivers against KC, because Brandon Flowers is one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL.  

Cleveland Browns

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Browns fans will hope that the end of Joe Haden's suspension in a couple weeks will provide a big boost to their defense. As good as Haden is, the rest of the Browns team is just not very good, and you should always look to play your quarterback and wide receivers against them.

The Browns are giving up the second-most fantasy points to wide receivers and eighth most to quarterbacks.

While they are middle of the pack in terms of PPG allowed, they have given up 403.2 YPG. 

New Orleans Saints

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Last, and quite possibly least, are the New Orleans Saints. They are allowing an absurd 463.2 YPG and 32.5 PPG, and there's no signs that things should turn around. 

The Saints are giving up the third-most fantasy points to running backs, fourth most to wide receivers and sixth most to quarterbacks.

Their only strong point is that they've given up the second-least points to tight ends. But if you have any QBs, RBs or WRs playing against New Orleans, make sure you get them in your lineup.