2012 Fantasy Football Week 1: Team Defense Rankings/Projections

As is the case most weeks, we have some big-time favorable matchups on defense as the Lions, Texans, Seahawks and Eagles will all face some of the worst offenses in the game. However, there is one group in my top five that might have a harder matchup than the schedule would indicate.

Buffalo Needs To Send a Message To Division Foe

On paper you would think the Bills defense should have a field day against the Jets, but it’s Week 1, and the game will be played in New York. For all the struggles the Jets had last season, they beat Buffalo twice.

Overall, I like the Bills' chances to send a message to the Jets and the rest of the league that they are ready to contend for a playoff berth. One player the Bills didn’t have the last time they went to New York, was star running back Fred Jackson, who suffered a leg injury the week before in Miami.

Running the football and controlling the clock is a good thing, but the Bills need touchdowns to gain control of the game. If they can put up a lead of 10 or more points heading into the second half, Buffalo’s front four should terrorize Mark Sanchez, and he could go down four or five times and throw a few interceptions.

Sean’s Watch List

Perhaps this is just a paranoid 49ers fan talking, but my defense looked a little weak against the Broncos' offense during Week 3 of the preseason. Then again, it’s not like San Francisco had an actual game plan going into a preseason game, and they were without stars like NaVorro Bowman and Aldon Smith.

Still, Aaron Rodgers is no joke, and playing in Lambeau will be a difficult challenge. It’s probably best to leave San Francisco on your bench for Week 1, but let’s see how they hold up against one of the better passing offenses now that the regular season is upon us.

1	Texans	Dolphins
2	Seahawks	@ Cardinals
3	Eagles	@ Browns
4	Lions	Rams
5	Bills	@ Jets
6	Packers	49ers
7	49ers	@ Packers
8	Bears	Colts
9	Giants	Cowboys
10	Ravens	Bengals
11	Panthers	@ Bucs
12	Jets	Bills
13	Steelers	@ Broncos
14	Cowboys	@ Giants
15	Broncos	Steelers
16	Cardinals	Seahawks

Week 1 Rankings – QB | RB | WR | TE | K |