Week 4 Fantasy Football Start Em Sit Em: 3 Undervalued Defenses Worth a Start

While some fantasy owners like the security of having a defense that they can start every week, I prefer cycling through defenses on a weekly basis based upon their matchups. This is a strategy that many fantasy players employ, and it can be very effective if done correctly.

The strategy can backfire at times since you won't exactly find top-flight defenses on the waiver wire, but it is usually worth the risk. Here are three undervalued defenses that should be in for very solid games this weekend.

Minnesota Vikings

Despite an 0-3 record, the Minnesota Vikings' defense has performed pretty well to this point, especially when you consider that they have faced tough offenses in the San Diego Chargers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions.

The Vikes will get a reprieve this weekend when they take on the hapless Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs were among the NFL's biggest surprises last season, but they got blown out twice to begin 2011 and lost star running back Jamaal Charles for the season.

Because of that, Kansas City's passing game has been compromised as well. They simply have no firepower, so it makes Minnesota a very safe start this week. It's tough to imagine the Chiefs scoring much more than 20 points in a game at this point, so there is minimal risk involved, and that is the hallmark of rotating defenses.

Tennessee Titans

The Tennessee Titans have been a bit of a surprise to begin the season with a 2-1 record and look poised to continue their roll against the Cleveland Browns. The Browns have overachieved to this point, but their offense is really lacking in terms of talent other than running back Peyton Hillis. 

The Titans haven't exactly had a murderous schedule, but their defense has held the Jacksonville Jaguars, Baltimore Ravens and Denver Broncos in check. The Baltimore game was particularly impressive as the Ravens had dropped 35 points on the Pittsburgh Steelers the previous week.

Provided Tennessee can hold Hillis in check, the Browns don't have an explosive enough passing game to put up a high volume of points. There is a high probability that the Titans will hold them to 17 or less points.

Buffalo Bills

Over the past few seasons, it normally wouldn't have been advisable to own any Buffalo Bills on your fantasy team, but in 2011 the Bills appear to be for real. Granted, Buffalo's offense has done much of the heavy lifting, but a matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals this week is tantalizing. 

The Bills have given up plenty of yardage and points over the past two weeks against the Oakland Raiders and New England Patriots, but they did intercept Tom Brady four times in Week 3. Also, the Buffalo defense was very impressive in Week 1, allowing the Chiefs to score just seven points.

The Bengals don't have much offensively as rookie quarterback Andy Dalton is still learning and running back Cedric Benson is in decline. There is some degree of risk with the way the Buffalo defense has played the past two weeks, but it should be able to handle the Bengals.