Fantasy Football: Top Ten Defenses To Start Quarterbacks Against

Twelve NFL teams cleared or remained at the quarter-season mark in Week 5. We're learning about the identity of the defenses in the league, and the following ten have given opposing quarterbacks and receivers the green light.

The NFL subtracts sack yards and the like from passing yards allowed when calculating team defensive statistics. But we, as fantasy players, care about what our quarterback gets credited for, and he still retains his personal passing yards if there is a sack. Because of this, I will use the “QB PaYds” (Quarterback Passing Yards) statistic.

10. Arizona Cardinals: 1,094 PaYds Allowed (218.8 YPG), 9 TD, 3 INT – 5 Games

Kicking off the list is the Cardinals, who kicked off the year well while allowing 374 yards, no interceptions and a pick through the first two games. However, in their last three, they’ve allowed 240 yards and three touchdowns per game (six at the hands of Brett Favre and the Jets), with two more total interceptions.

9. Miami Dolphins: 885 QB PaYds Allowed (221.3 YPG), 7 TD, 1 INT – 4 Games

The Dolphins have only registered one pick this year against seven touchdowns, and are actually 2-2. Their even record allows for more passing opportunities late with opponents coming from behind than what was expected going into the year. Of course, it’s worth noting that in their two wins, they’re allowing 157.5 yards per game, while in their losses it’s more like 285.

8. New Orleans Saints: 1289 QB PaYds Allowed (257.8 YPG), 7 TD, 4 INT – 5 Games

The Saints are one of seven teams this year allowing over 250 yards per game in the air. They do, however, have one of the best touchdown to interception ratios on this list defensively.

7. Houston Texans: 880 QB PaYds Allowed (220 YPG), 8 TD, 2 INT – 4 Games

The Texans have allowed two or more passing touchdowns in three of their four games this season.

6. Denver Broncos: 1,319 QB PaYds Allowed (263.8 YPG), 8 TD, 2 INT – 5 Games

The Broncos have been a little less generous in their last couple of games, allowing 341 total QB PaYds in their last two compared to 326 QB PaYds per game in their first three. However, the Chiefs did not need to pass late as they handed the Broncos their only loss on the season, and Denver still allowed a 72% completion rating to the Bucs in Week 5.

5. Seattle Seahawks: 1,011 QB PaYds Allowed (252.8 YPG), 7 TD, 1 INT – 4 Games

The ‘Hawks were absolutely throttled in Week 5 against the Giants. Seattle has given up 234 yards or more to opposing quarterbacks three times this year (every game except against St. Louis), and are down seven touchdowns to one interception. The interception also came in the Rams game.

4. New York Jets: 1,138 QB PaYds Allowed (284.5 YPG), 7 TD, 5 INT – 4 Games

The Jets got the honor of being the defense against which Matt Cassel made his first start. The Jets have allowed 250 or more yards in three of four games (472 to Kurt Warner and the Cardinals). All seven touchdowns came in those three games as well, as did the five interceptions. However, the ridiculous yardage allowed makes up for the picks.

3. San Diego Chargers: 1,399 QB PaYds  (279.8 YPG), 10 TD, 5 INT – 5 Games

Number three on the list is the Chargers, allowing opposing quarterbacks to average 280 yards and two touchdowns to one interception through five games this year. They have yet to hold any passer to 225 or less, and in four of their five games, they’ve got one or less interceptions. They have also given up at least one passing touchdown every week, and have surrendered three or more twice.

2.  Detroit Lions: 1,012 QB PaYds Allowed (253 YPG), 8 TD, 0 INT – 4 Games

The second-most generous pass defense to fantasy owners is that of the Detroit Lions, allowing 249 yards and two touchdowns per game. They have not intercepted a pass all year, and have been torched to the tune of 300 or more yards twice. They have also allowed two or more touchdowns three times.

1. St. Louis Rams: 1,043 QB PaYds Allowed (260.8 YPG), 8 TD, 1 INT – 4 Games

The Rams come in at number one of the most generous pass defenses, allowing 260 passing yards and two touchdowns per game against one interception on the year. They have allowed three touchdowns twice.