Fantasy Football Week 1: 5 Defenses That Will Dominate

Now that the NFL preseason is over and all the fantasy drafts are completed, it is time to start the games that count. 

Many fantasy owners think they have a solid team but forget about the impact that the defense and special teams can play in a fantasy matchup.

While some may choose to use an early draft pick on a solid defense to use every week, another good strategy is to play the matchups to get the most points on a weekly basis. It is an effective strategy, but you need to put the work in.

Luckily for you, the work is done for you if you pick up one of these five defenses to start on Week 1.

Hopefully, you didn't have either the Green Bay or New Orleans defense going for you this week. 

New England Patriots

Many people forget, but the New England Patriots finished second in total fantasy points for a defense last season. Even when the team gave up points, it was able to score plenty of touchdowns to make up for it.

This week the Patriots face the Miami Dolphins, who start Chad Henne at quarterback. While Henne has won some games for the team, the Dolphins do not seem to have faith in the Michigan alum and tried to trade for Kyle Orton this offseason.

The Dolphins are also trying out two new running backs in Reggie Bush and rookie Daniel Thomas. The successful tandem of Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams are both gone, and the team is left to find a new identity. 

The Patriots also hope to repeat the performance they had against Miami last year. In two games, they scored three touchdowns and forced six turnovers against the Dolphins.  

Tennessee Titans

The easiest way to pick out a great fantasy defense is to see what quarterback the team is facing. When one position has so much control over the game, a bad player can truly help an opposing defense succeed.

This week, the Tennessee Titans face a quarterback who has only thrown 23 passes in the past three years. The Jacksonville Jaguars start Luke McCown after releasing David Garrard only a week before the season.

Chances are that McCown will make some mistakes readjusting to the NFL. The Titans should be there, ready to capitalize with some turnovers.

Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns have the advantage of facing a rookie quarterback in his first career game. Andy Dalton might have a long, successful career, but he is due to have some growing pains. There will be an even bigger issue with the fact that few of his weapons are experienced, either.

The Browns have some improving young players to get points including Marcus Bernard, who had 7.5 sacks last year, and Joe Haden with his six interceptions.

This is all in addition to Josh Cribbs, the kick return specialist who can score any time he touches the football.

All together, the Browns defense has a good chance of scoring some fantasy points this week.

New York Giants

Despite numerous injuries, the defense of the New York Giants is capable of producing plenty of fantasy points.

The Giants still have plenty of pass rushing specialists in Justin Tuck, Mathias Kiwanuka and possibly second-year player Jason Pierre-Paul. Each of these guys is capable of getting to the quarterback against an offensive line that has struggled for the Redskins in the past.

The secondary that remains is also more than capable of picking the ball off, with Antrel Rolle and Kenny Phillips as a very good pair of safeties.

Add this to the fact that they are facing turnover-prone Rex Grossman in Week 1, and the Giants have the recipe to a successful fantasy week. 

Pittsburgh Steelers

While this is not likely to be a defense that can be picked up off the waiver wire, it would be a crime if the Pittsburgh Steelers were not mentioned as a dominant defense.

They face an above-average offense in the Baltimore Ravens, but John Harbaugh's team has rarely gotten the best of the Steelers in recent years. In the past eight meetings between the teams, the Ravens have managed more than 20 points only once.

Only one time in his career has Joe Flacco exceeded one touchdown pass against this vaunted defense.

The Steelers also still have some of the most talented players on defense in the NFL. They might be getting older, but it is tough to beat Troy Polamalu, James Harrison, Brett Keisel and a whole bunch of other Pro Bowl-caliber players.

Week after week, the Steelers will be the safest start at defense, regardless of whom they are playing.