| Team |
Preview |
2006
'D' Ranking |
1.
Ravens DST
246.1 YPG / 12.6 PPG |
The
Ravens 2006 defense looked a lot like
the one that dominated in 2000. They
allowed the fewest points and total yards,
and finished 2nd in takeaways, and 4th
in defensive TD's. The Ravens D will
stuff the run, harass QB's, and force
turnovers, plain and simple. |
#1
Defense in NFL in 2006 in points allowed.
2007
Schedule > |
2.
Bears DST
294.1 YPG / 15.9 PPG |
Lovie
Smith's cover 2 held its first 10 opponents
to under 300 ypg, and led the league
in takeaways. Bob Babich takes over the
defense this year, and they have to be
better than the playoff Bears
to again be a #2 fantasy defense. |
#3
Defense in NFL in 2006 in point allowed.
2007
Schedule > |
3.
Patriots DST
294.4 YPG / 14.8 PPG |
Although
a bit inconsistent last season the addition
of Adalius Thomas gives them a huge spike
in value. WR/KR Wes Welker is a huge
boost for special teams as well. The
Pats will be worth a late round selection
come draft day as a #1 Fantasy defense. |
#2
Defense in NFL in 2006 in points allowed.
2007
Schedule > |
4.
Chargers DST
301.6 YPG / 18.9
PPG |
The
Chargers boasted one of the best and
most feared pass rushes in 2006 and finished
10th overall in yards allowed and 7th
in points allowed. Ted Cotrell who was
out of the league in 06 has a good track
record and will revamp the Chargers D
to be even more dominant in 2007, they
should have the best Defense in the AFC
West. |
#7
Defense in NFL in 2006 in points allowed.
2007
Schedule > |
5.
Broncos DST
326.4 YPG / 18.3
PPG |
The
Broncos were on fire in the first 6 weeks
of 2006 allowing a mere 7.3 point per
game. They gave up over 26 points a game
the rest of the season to move them down
the rankings. They have a boatload of
defensive talent in 2007 and should be
far more consistent this go around. |
#8
Defense in NFL in 2006 in points allowed.
2007
Schedule > |
6.
Dolphins DST
289.1 YPG / 17.7
PPG |
Dom Capers returns
to lead this good Miami defense for another
year. Throw in the Defensive player of
the year - Jason Taylor and newcomer
Joey Porter who made his mark pass rushing
in Pittsburgh and you've got a defense
ready to play another year at a very
very high level. Veteran leadership is
the hallmark of the Fins strength. |
#5 Defense
in NFL in 2006 in points allowed.
2007
Schedule > |
7.
Eagles DST
328.1 YPG / 20.5
PPG |
A
#1 defensive team projection in 2006
the Eagles are always consistent on this
side of the ball. They ususally rank
in the top 10 in the NFL in sacks, INT's,
and defensive TD's. Their D is led again
by Trotter, Dawkins and Sheppard, all
pro bowlers. Add Takeo Spikes, and there
will be some serious blitz schemes coming
this year. |
#15
Defense in NFL in 2006 in points allowed.
2007
Schedule > |
8.
Steelers DST
300.3 YPG / 19.7
PPG |
First year head
coach Mike Tomlin was able to retain
DC Dick Lebeau, so expect the Steelers
to keep their vaunted 3-4 front. The
team is getting older at linebacker,
and have questions in the secondary,
but combining two of football's most
innovative defensive minds (Tomlin/Lebeau)
should keep this unit competitive. |
#11 Defense
in NFL in 2006 in points allowed.
2007
Schedule > |
9.
Cowboys DST
322.8 YPG / 21.9
PPG |
This
unit was very unreliable in 2006 for
fantasy owners, but the addition of Wade
Phillips bodes well for the future. His
3-4 scheme will look to work the magic
in Big-D that he worked in San Diego
using Ware in the spot where Merriman
excelled. The boys in 2007 are a surefire
#1 fantasy defense. |
#20
Defense in NFL in 2006 in points allowed.
2007
Schedule > |
10.
Vikings DST
300.2 YPG / 20.4
PPG |
The Vikings D was
great vs the run in 2007 but absolutly
horrible vs the pass, despite having
a fairly good secondary. Can you figure
them out?? Tomlin's departure paved the
way for Leslie Frazier another Tampa-2
guy who coached DB's for the Super Bowl
champs in Indy last year. They'll be
better in 2007. |
#14 Defense
in NFL in 2006 in points allowed.
2007
Schedule > |
11.
Jaguars DST
283.6 YPG / 17.1
PPG |
Held
opponents to 17.1 PPG in 06 and bring
back that same monstrous line and most
of the defense. Minus Dion Grant and
Donovan Darius both let go in free agency.
However with Pro bowlers all over the
place its hard to imagine Mike Smith's
well coached unit falling off much this
season. |
#4
Defense in NFL in 2006 in points allowed.
2007
Schedule > |
12.
Seahawks DST
330.3 YPG / 20.3
PPG |
The Seahawks didn't
like the amount of big plays they gave
up last year so OUT are DB Ken Hamlin
and pass rusher Grant Wistrom, replaced
by Dion Grant and Patrick Kerney to bolster
the pass D and pass rush respectively.
The big plays have to stop, and if they
do the Seahawks D will get the credit
this year for another play off run. |
#19 Defense
in NFL in 2006 in points allowed.
2007
Schedule > |
13.
Panthers DST
296.1 YPG / 19.1
PPG |
This
unit was a serious disappointment last
season but DE Julius Peppers and his
mates are ready to bounce back. The Panthers
like their trio of top corners, Lucas,
Gamble, and Marshall, but will need to
overhaul the safety position with Minter
getting set to retire. Mike Trgovac's
D will not disappoint this year. |
#8
Defense in NFL in 2006 in points allowed.
2007
Schedule > |
14.
Packers DST
320.9 YPG / 22.9
PPG |
One of the most
underated defenses last year, most people
don't even know the Pack finished 4th
w/ 46 sacks, and 3rd w/ 23 INT's. The
Pack D was very healthy last year, and
they'll have to be again this year to
keep pace in the NFC north. They'll
should finish top 15 in Total defense
and pass defense, and find themselves
in the upper echelon. |
#25 Defense
in NFL in 2006 in points allowed.
2007
Schedule > |
15.
49ers DST
344.2 YPG / 25.8
PPG |
The
turning point last year was the insertion
of LB Brandon Moore, S Keith Lewis, and
DT Ron Fields into the starting lineup.
Look for continued improvement from these
3 guys in 2007. The Niners D is headed
in the right direction and a number of
prominent free agent offseason moves
has increased its value, notably Nate
Clements. |
#32
Defense in NFL in 2006 in points allowed.
2007
Schedule > |
16.
Chiefs DST
328.9 YPG / 19.7
PPG |
The Chiefs added
vets Donnie Edwards and Napoleon Harris
and could become a viable top 5 fantasy
defense. The loss of Dante Hall to St.
Louis could hurt special teams but he
is getting old so we'll see. DC Gunther
Cunningham plays an aggresive scheme
and now he has his playmakers. |
#11 Defense
in NFL in 2006 in points allowed.
2007
Schedule > |
17.
Bucs DST
329.4 YPG / 22.1
PPG |
Age
and injury finally caught up with the
Bucs badass D and they fell out of the
top 10 for the first time in a decade.
To rebound the Bucs have to start with
their pass rush, so S. Rice being healthy
will be a boost. I'm still putting the
Bucs in my top 20, but they shouldn't
be considered more than a #2 fantasy
defense for most draft boards. |
#21
Defense in NFL in 2006 in points allowed.
2007
Schedule > |
18.
Colts DST
332.3 YPG / 22.5
PPG |
How
will losing Cato June and Nick Harper
hurt the chemistry of the Super Bowl
champs? We'll know soon enough. Look
for a continuation of the playoff defense
that only allowed 82 rushing yards and
16.3 PPG. This D loves to swarm to the
ball, and fill all the gaps, someone
will step up and replace June!! In Dungy
they trust. |
#23
Defense in NFL in 2006 in points allowed.
2007
Schedule > |
19.
Jets DST
331.6 YPG / 18.4
PPG |
The
Jets lack a shut down corner to deal
with the WR's in the AFC east but they
should once again be led by Kerry Rhodes
speed, and Eric Mangini's 3-4 scheme
that mixes in 4-3 looks to throw off
opposing QB's. Vilma and Robertson are
speedsters who can get to the ball. They
weren't great in 06 but they can be a
useful fantasy asset. |
#6
Defense in NFL in 2006 in points allowed.
2007
Schedule > |
20.
Bills DST
329.6 YPG / 19.4
PPG |
The
Bills lost London Fletcher, Takeo Spikes,
and Nate Clements, how do they bounce
back you ask? We're not sure, but they
are a late round flyer none the less.
Their scheme is relativlely simple and
easy to learn, so basically they just
plug rookies and 2nd year vets in and
let em play. Their DC is Perry Fewell
a former understudy of Love Smith, so
the coaching will be fine. |
#10
Defense in NFL in 2006 in points allowed.
2007
Schedule > |
