Fantasy Football Week 1: 5 Defenses to Sit

Fantasy football leagues across the country start this week as the NFL season kicks off on Thursday. As you set your lineups, here are five defenses that should be on your bench during Week 1.

Although a defense doesn't usually score your fantasy team a ton of points, it is important to sit a defense that has a chance of earning negative points any given week.

Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions have greatly improved their defense in the last couple of seasons. Reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year Ndamukong Suh helped the team accumulate 44 sacks last season, and the addition of first-round draft pick Nick Fairley should help the team stay near that number.

Despite some weakness in the secondary, the Lions have a chance to be a consistent producer of fantasy points this season. However, that is unlikely to hold true in Week 1 of the NFL season. The Lions will face an improved Tampa Bay Buccaneers team in Florida and will be without Nick Fairley for at least one game after he had surgery during training camp.

Detroit's defense should be on your bench this week.

Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys enter the 2011 season with a new defensive coordinator in Rob Ryan. They will also face a stiff test in Week 1 when they play the New York Jets in New York in prime time on Sunday.

The Cowboys struggled in the secondary last season and didn't have much pass rush outside of DeMarcus Ware. Although they are expected to be a solid defense this season, don't expect much from them in their first game of the NFL season.

The Cowboys could be a serviceable defense to start in Week 1, but there are plenty of better options that should be available in most leagues. Stow Dallas on your bench this week, but hold onto them for later in the season.

New Orleans Saints

Kicking off the NFL season on Thursday night, the New Orleans Saints face the reigning Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers in Green Bay.

The Saints will usually be a solid starting option in fantasy leagues this season, but playing them against the powerhouse offense that is the Green Bay Packers would not be the wisest decision. The Saints finished last season with nine interceptions and 33 sacks. Those are respectable numbers for any defense.

However, with as many offensive weapons as the Packers have, not many of those stats should be expected to come on Thursday. Sitting any defense against the Packers will be a good decision this season.

New York Giants

The New York Giants will usually be a must start for fantasy owners during the 2011 NFL season, but they are a possible candidate for being benched in Week 1.

The Giants will be without starting DE Osi Umenyiora and have several other injuries they are contending with. They will have a relatively easy matchup as they face the Washington Redskins, so they will probably put up some points in Week 1.

However, with their injuries, the Giants might not show what they are truly capable of on defense in Week 1. Consider sitting the Giants' defense this week, but don't be afraid to start them if you have no better options.

Chicago Bears

When one thinks of the Chicago Bears, defense is usually the first thing that comes to mind. That should once again hold true this season.

However, it may be worth sitting the Bears during Week 1 as they face the formidable offense of the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons are a very strong passing team, and the Bears allowed 224.2 passing yards per game a year ago. Their increasing age is also a factor.

The Bears play at home this week, but the dangerous passing game of the Falcons may just warrant a benching of their defense, at least in Week 1.