Pro Football 101 Fantasy Rankings: AFC North D/ST in 2009

The AFC North features two of the top fantasy football defenses in the league.

1. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers come out atop this division because their team didn't suffer any major offseason losses, and they're poised to make another title run in 2009. Last year, they finished second in fantasy with 260 points.

The usual cast of characters is back for another year (Harrison, Polamalu, Hampton, Woodley, etc.) and the offense that can score and control the clock. Look for the Steelers, featuring LeBeau's complex blitzing schemes, to once again showcase a dominating defense which creates sacks and forces turnovers in droves.

Special Teams: Shaun McDonald will probably get a crack at special teams after coming over from Detroit in free agency.

2. Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens ranked number one in fantasy a year ago with 290 total points. They were simply the most dominating defense in football, blessed with immense talent and the luxury of facing one of the weaker schedules in football.

But there are reasons why we see this unit taking a step back in 2009—although the talent is still there.

First off, they lost coordinator Rex Ryan, and LB Bart Scott to a lesser degree, to the Jets. Second, the schedule will be much tougher this year. Third, if Derrick Mason decides to stay retired, points and scoring will be harder to come by, which will leave the defense on the field alot.

But with stalwarts such as Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Haloti Ngata, and Terrell Suggs still around, even though a drop off in scoring is likely, this still remains a top five defense heading into the season.

Special Teams: Yamon Figures handles returns and might break one in 2009.

3. Cinncinatti Bengals

The Bengals finished off their 2008 campaign with 132 points and a 4-12 record, but their numbers only tell part of the story; playing without Carson Palmer, the team was often on the short end of the scoreboard and the defense was getting worn out late in games.

This year, they could end up an excellent fantasy sleeper pick, as their young talent is only now beginning to come into its own. Rookie LB Keith Rivers missed most of last year after Hines Ward blindsided him; they drafted LB Rey Maulaluga and already have other guys like CB Leon Hall and Jonathan Joseph.

And blessed with an easy schedule, this has the makings of an improved season.

Special Teams: Antonio Chatman handled returns but isn't much of a threat.

4. Cleveland Browns

Things are looking quite bad once again in the Dawg Pound in 2009. A year after posting just a 153 fantasy points, and this coming on the heels of big expectations in Cleveland, Romeo Crennel was ousted and Eric Mangini was brought in to turn the ship around.

But that won't be easy. After missing out on LB Aaron Curry at pick number five, who went one sooner to the Seahawks, they traded out of round one and failed to land an impact defender in the draft.

And as we all saw last  season, DT Shaun Rodgers and Corey Williams alone aren't going to get it done. They need some of the younger guys to step up and for the offense to do its part.

Special Teams: Josh Cribbs is one of the best in the game and is capable of returning three or four to the house.