Fantasy Football Week 2 Rankings: 3 Overlooked Defenses to Ride to a Win

Fantasy defenses are fickle things. One week, they can bring you enough points to win you your matchup. Other weeks, they set your team back and take points off of the board.

Some fantasy owners employ the strategy of not keeping a permanent defense on their roster. Rather, they sign a different defense every week based on the matchup that team has.

If you are one of those owners, here are some fantasy defenses poised for big scores that might be available in your league.

Houston Texans

The Colts offense had obviously been compromised with the injury to Peyton Manning, but the Texans defense was impressive nonetheless.

The pass rush got in the face of Kerry Collins early and often, and when Collins did get a pass off, he wasn't effective. He was held to just above a 50 percent completion percentage. The running game that the Colts so badly needed never got off the ground, either.

Next week, the Texans take on Miami, another team with a weak offense. Chad Henne, as a turnover-prone quarterback, is a perfect match for the Texans. With Henne unable to keep the defense in check, Houston will be able to focus on bottling up Reggie Bush.

Detroit Lions

The Lions are a defense that you won't want to ride all season, but for a while at least, they will bring you big scores.

In Week 2, the Lions will face the Kansas City Chiefs, a team that only put up seven points against a Bills team that had one of worst defenses in the league last season.

You might consider hanging on to them beyond Week 2 as well, as they take on Minnesota in Week 3.

Buffalo Bills

Speaking of the Bills, they are a stopgap defense you might want to consider picking up for Week 2. They seem to be improved after their putrid performance last season and they take on the Oakland Raiders in Week 2.

The Raiders boast a solid running game, but if you can do a reasonable job of slowing them down, quarterback Jason Campbell can be forced into turnovers.

Don't get too attached to them, though. They have a Week 3 matchup against the Patriots just around the corner. 

Joseph Healy's Fantasy Defense Rankings for Week 2

1. Baltimore Ravens

2. New York Jets

3. Pittsburgh Steelers

4. Philadelphia Eagles

5. New England Patriots

6. Chicago Bears

7. San Diego Chargers

8. Houston Texans

9. Detroit Lions

10. Green Bay Packers

11. Cleveland Browns

12. Atlanta Falcons

13. Buffalo Bills

14. New York Giants

15. St. Louis Rams