Fantasy Football Team Defense Rankings: Week 15

Here are the team defenses that you should go for or stay away from if your team is underperforming.

Start regardless of matchups (including teams on bye): Tennessee Titans, Chicago Bears, Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Carolina Panthers.

Two Matchups to Target

Washington Redskins (vs. Cincinnati Bengals). The ‘Skins have excelled this season at not allowing a lot of points as they averaging giving up just under 19 a game, but they have been lacking at the other facets of a good fantasy defense.

They are among the worst teams at forcing turnovers at just 16 in their 13 games this season (NFL low is 12), and they are also among the worst in sacking the quarterback with just 19 (NFL lead is 45). 

However, this week they face perhaps the worst offense in the league. Well, the Bengals do score the least number of points with just over 11 a game, allow the second most sacks with 48, and have turned the ball over 25 times in 13 games.

The Bengals haven’t scored more than 13 points in the past four weeks, and the Redskins should be a top flight play in Week 15.

Green Bay Packers (vs. Jacksonville Jaguars). Jacksonville has allowed the seventh most sacks the league with 36, and they are among the bottom third of the league in scoring at under 20 points a game. The Packers are among the best at forcing turnovers with 24 (League high is 27), but they allow 24 points a game and aren’t good at sacking the quarterback.

But Jacksonville doesn’t even score 20 points a game, and are among the worst at allowing sacks of the quarterback. They are middle of the pack at committing turnovers but their season is basically over, and I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if they put forth a less-than-100-percent effort.

Two Matchups to Avoid

Arizona Cardinals (vs. Minnesota Vikings). Two words: Adrian Peterson. The Cardinals allow about 100 yards a game on the ground, but I envision it being much more than that this week. The Arizona defense is right in the middle of the pack in every way except for against the pass where they have allowed the most aerial touchdowns with 27. 

Now, the Vikings aren’t a strong passing team, but they should be able to throw it around some against Arizona which will open up the field even more for Peterson. The Cardinals have forced the second highest number of turnovers with 26, but I see them giving up at least 24 points and not getting near the quarterback in their matchup this week. 

The Cardinals have clinched their division, while the Vikings are still fighting for their playoff lives.

Denver Broncos (vs. Carolina Panthers). The Broncos defense has the fewest number of takeaways in the entire league with just 12 in 13 games. They are fifth worst in scoring by allowing over 25 points a game, and have just 23 sacks this season.  Carolina’s offense is clicking on all cylinders after Monday night’s blowout of the Buccaneers. 

The whole offense revolves around their two stud running backs, and Denver’s defense isn’t exactly studly against the run. When DeAngelo Williams and Johnathan Stewart are on their games, it opens up everything for Jake Delhomme and Steve Smith. Look for the Panthers to continue their roll and put up at least 28 points on the Denver defense.

As always, you comments and questions (adds/drops, lineup advice, etc.) are welcome at [e-mail].  I guarantee a response within 18 hours.