Week 9 Start 'Em Sit 'Em: Baltimore Ravens and the Top 5 Defenses to Start

Week 9 in the NFL is here, and some of the top fantasy football defenses in the league are primed for exceptional performances.

The AFC North boasts a trio of defenses that have taken the league by storm this season, and all three units are must-starts. But they aren't the only teams that are ready to flex their muscles and shut down their opponents.

This week, there are several strong defenses that face teams with sluggish running games or weak quarterbacks. Here are the top five defenses to start this week.

5. Cincinnati Bengals

Cincinnati has had a surprisingly good season, and much of their success is due to the defense keeping them in ballgames.

The Bengals have given up 20 points or less in six of their seven games, and they will have a similar outcome this week against an underwhelming Tennessee offense. The Titans have not figured out how to run the ball this season, and their passing game led by Matt Hasselbeck hasn't been spectacular either.

With Geno Atkins, Frostee Rucker and Jonathan Fanene rushing the passer and Reggie Nelson roaming the secondary, Cincinnati should have an all-around great game. Fantasy owners can start the Bengals' defense with confidence.

4. Dallas Cowboys

Dallas looked overmatched Sunday in their blowout loss to Philadelphia. But don't worry, Dallas defense owners, you can start them this week.

Why? They're playing the Seahawks.

Seattle averages 283 yards of total offense per game, including a woeful 78 yards per game on the ground. Dallas' solid front is licking its chops, and you can count on them to effectively shut down the running game of the Seahawks.

DeMarcus Ware was one of the only bright spots for Dallas last week. Look for the rest of the team to feed off his energy and have a big day.

3. Baltimore Ravens

When Baltimore squared off against Pittsburgh to start the season, they handed the Steelers a 35-7 thrashing. I expect this week's game to be much closer since Pittsburgh is playing at home, but it will still be a low-scoring affair.

The Ravens will fare much better at Heinz Field than the Patriots did last week. They are another excellent example of a well-balanced defense. All three levels of the defense swarm the football.

Ben Roethlisberger will have to play his best game of the season in order to put up big numbers against Baltimore. My bold prediction: The Steelers will win, but the Ravens will still hold them to less than 24 points. Pittsburgh 20, Baltimore 19.

2. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers' defense will probably do more damage to Joe Flacco's offense than the Ravens' defense will do to Ben Roethlisberger. On Sunday they will prove that the first meeting was an aberration.

Pittsburgh is the number-one pass defense in the league, so they will humble Joe Flacco for sure. But they also have an above-average run defense, so James Farrior and Lawrence Timmons won't let Ray Rice run all over them.

Also, don't underestimate the fact that the Steelers will be at home, with a raucous crowd thirsty for revenge. I put the over/under for Baltimore touchdowns at 1.5.

1. Houston Texans

After obliterating Tennessee and Jacksonville the past two weeks, the Houston Texans face another below-average opponent this week: the Cleveland Browns.

Cleveland is barely averaging 15 points per game. They don't chew up big chunks of yardage, and have had difficulty finding the end zone this season. Brian Cushing and company will make life difficult for Colt McCoy's Browns all afternoon.

Houston has a well-balanced defense, as they are effective against both the run and the pass. Start your Houston defense unless you have the 1975 Steelers.