Fantasy Football Team Defense Rankings: Week 17

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

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

Two Matchups To Target

San Francisco 49ers (vs. Washington Redskins)

Led by soon-to-be-permanent head coach Mike Singletary, the Niners defense has been much tighter than it was earlier in the year. In the last four games, it hasn’t allowed more than 16 points.

They have been getting to the quarterback more often lately (three sacks each in two of their last three games), and been forcing more turnovers. Even though the Redskins jumped up and bit Philly last week, I don’t see them having a great offensive game this week.

Portis is all they have, so the Niners should just focus on stopping the run. It is obvious that Washington has no passing attack.

Dallas Cowboys (vs. Philadelphia Eagles)

OK, so they gave up 33 points to the Ravens last week on two tremendously long runs, but before that game the Cowboys were on a roll. They had only given up more than 20 points in one of their previous five games.

You know that DeMarcus Ware wants the single-season sack record, and he is only 2.5 away from tying that mark. Given some of the games that he has had this year, it is certainly within his reach. The Eagles are still alive, but just by the skin of their teeth. Look for Dallas to put the final nail in their coffin.

Two Matchups to Avoid

San Diego Chargers (vs. Denver Broncos)

The Broncos have scored 23-plus points in five of their last seven games, and even though they have been winning, the Chargers have allowed 22-plus points in four of their last five games.

They haven’t been able to muster much of a pass rush, and they don’t force many turnovers (22 in 15 games). San Diego has been the worst defense against the pass for most of the season, and now they face Jay Cutler?

This is going to be a game where both teams are in the 30s, so I would stay away from playing the Chargers this week.

Denver Broncos (vs. San Diego Chargers)

This improbable game for the AFC West title should feature a ton of offense. In winning their last three games, the Chargers have scored almost 100 points; while coughing up their lead, the Broncos have allowed 30 points in two straight games.

Philip Rivers is looking like the man again for San Diego, and LaDainian Tomlinson has scored in three of his last four games. I would expect both trends to continue, and the Chargers should put up nearly 30 points, especially since the game is in sunny San Diego and the weather should be conducive to a high-scoring affair.

You think the Chargers don’t force many turnovers? Denver forces the fewest in the league with only 13 all season.  Stay away from Denver.

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