Fantasy Football Rankings: Baltimore Ravens and Dominant Defenses You Must Start

Although I normally don't condone selecting a defense before the second-to-last round of a fantasy draft, there can be some advantages to getting an elite defense. I prefer to play matchups most of the time, but some defenses can perform well regardless of what team they are playing against.

There are times when a good defense ends up with a solid matchup as well, and that is when scoring potential goes through the roof for a defense.

Here are three great defenses with great matchups that need to be in your fantasy lineup this week.

Green Bay Packers

One of the biggest reasons for the Green Bay Packers' success last season was their defense, but the Packers haven't been quite as good defensively this season. Even so, they have plenty of turnover potential with a great secondary and linebacker Clay Matthews supplies a high volume of sacks.

The Packers have a very favorable matchup on Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings. While running back Adrian Peterson is dangerous, I think the Packers will take an early lead because of Minnesota's deficiencies in pass defense.

That will force rookie quarterback Christian Ponder to throw the ball plenty in his first career start, and that could lead to plenty of interceptions and sacks.

Pittsburgh Steelers

After allowing 35 points to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1, there were plenty of questions about whether the Pittsburgh Steelers' defense was washed up. They were called too old and too slow by many, and while the Steelers haven't been as dominant as usual this season, they have certainly bounced back nicely.

The Steelers have a date with the Arizona Cardinals this weekend. Although the Cards have all the makings of a very good offense, they are far too inconsistent.

Running back Beanie Wells has been good of late, but he might find it tough to run on Pittsburgh. Also, quarterback Kevin Kolb has plenty of potential, but he is turnover-prone and that is a recipe for disaster against the Steelers.

Baltimore Ravens

As has been the case for much of the past decade, the Baltimore Ravens are unquestionably the best defensive team in football. The Ravens have smashed their competition en route to a 4-1 start, and many offenses have been left completely bewildered by Baltimore's stonewall defense, just ask the New York Jets.

Not only is Baltimore's defense excellent for its ability to keep opponents off the scoreboard, but it is also a threat to score touchdowns at any moment, making it extremely valuable in fantasy terms.

The Ravens have a dream matchup on Monday night against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Provided the Ravens can slow down running back Maurice Jones-Drew, rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert will be forced to beat them, and he will inevitably fail.