Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 2: Best and Worst Defenses to Play This Weekend

Defensive rankings can vary from week to week depending on the matchup. Your fantasy football team should have a top unit, but having another never hurts.

In Week 2, you might want to consider playing that reserve D due to some of the matchups you’ll see. Playing a top defense just to do so might not work out for you. The San Francisco 49ers proved that a good unit can let you down in the fantasy world when matched up against the league’s top offenses.

For fantasy defenses, it’s all about the opportunity. Here’s a look at a couple of groups you should roll with and a couple you might want to keep on the bench for another week.

Start ‘Em: Carolina Panthers vs. Buffalo Bills

If Week 1 was any indicator, the Carolina Panthers defense is much improved in the run game from a season ago. The team stifled Marshawn Lynch and the Seattle Seahawks on the ground by giving up just 70 yards rushing on a paltry 2.7 yards per carry. Credit that to some key moves in the offseason that addressed shortcomings in their front seven.

Buffalo struggled to run the football last week against New England and their task won’t be much easier against that revamped group. Factor in Buffalo starting a rookie quarterback and the potential for a solid performance and some turnovers makes them an enticing play this week.

Sit ‘Em: Denver Broncos vs. New York Giants

The Dallas Cowboys defense feasted on the New York Giants in Week 1, forcing six turnovers, including three first-half interceptions of Eli Manning. Don’t let that get your hopes up for their performance this week. Manning traditionally struggles against Tampa 2 defenses, and the Broncos will be without Champ Bailey this week, per NFL Network:

Manning has a plethora of weapons to utilize, including three receivers capable of making the Broncos pay if they stack the line of scrimmage to stop David Wilson. This game will likely be a high-scoring affair with fewer turnovers as Manning and company shake off their early-season rust.

Start ‘Em: Baltimore Ravens vs. Cleveland Browns

Getting destroyed in the second half by Peyton Manning was an abysmal performance for the Baltimore Ravens’ new-look defense. Cleveland Browns quarterback Brandon Weeden is no Manning, though, and he has a propensity for giving the ball up. Without Josh Gordon in the lineup, the signal-caller will continue to struggle.

If Baltimore can shut down Trent Richardson early, like they did against Denver’s rushing attack—allowed just 2.8 yards per carry and 65 total yards—Cleveland might abandon the rushing game again. That will put Weeden in danger of turning the ball over several times again this week against Baltimore’s potent pass rush.

Sit ‘Em: Green Bay Packers vs. Washington Redskins

The Green Bay Packers defense was torched by dual-threat quarterback Colin Kaepernick in Week 1. He did it through the air this time, though. His 400-plus yards passing has to have Robert Griffin III salivating for a chance to continue the success he found against the porous Philadelphia Eagles secondary in the second half last week.

Green Bay has put a lot of effort into stopping the read-option during the offseason, but its inadequacies in its secondary remain a glaring weakness. Plus, without Casey Hayward likely out after missing practice all week and Morgan Burnett continuing to be limited in action, their young defensive backs are in trouble against Griffin and his speedy wide receivers.

Start ‘Em: Dallas Cowboys vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Last week’s performance against the New York Giants might not be the norm, but the Cowboys D was impressive nonetheless. The unit ranked second in the league in fantasy scoring, finding the end zone twice and forcing six turnovers.

Kansas City looked solid offensively against Jacksonville, but it faces a much better defense this week. Quarterback Alex Smith will face significant pressure from Dallas’ DeMarcus Ware and a much better test while throwing against Morris Claiborne and Brandon Carr.

Jamaal Charles was limited some during the week after injuring his quad against the Jags. He is expected to play, though, according to ESPN’s Adam Teicher. If the Cowboys contain Charles, they will shut down the Chiefs offense and have another big fantasy day.

Sit ‘Em: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Dallas Cowboys

Dallas’ opponent this week was the top scoring unit from a week ago. The Chiefs were impressive against the lowly Jaguars offense and got into the end zone once themselves.

Tony Romo does have a propensity to turn the ball over, so rolling with them again this week could end up being a smart move. His lone interception against the Giants was more his rookie receiver’s fault than his. Dallas is built to score points and is looking much more adept in that department with offensive coordinator Bill Callahan calling the plays.

Don’t expect another dominant performance against the Cowboys this week. These aren’t the Jacksonville Jaguars.