Fantasy Football Position Rankings 2008 - Defense
Here’s a look at the top 20 team defense rankings going into the 2008 season. We’ve already covered a lot of positional rankings here at FCF, if you missed them here’s a quick recap…
Top 20 Team Defenses
- San Diego Chargers
17.8 Points/Game, 42 sacks, 18 fumbles rec., 30 INT, 5 TDs
This team has it all, they get a great pass rush, led by Pro Bowler Shawne Merriman, great corner play out of Quentin Jammer and Antonio Cromartie who knows how to find the endzone, and they get two games against the offensively inept Chiefs and Raiders. Shaun Phillips is also emerging as a solid defensive player. Great matchups against the Falcons and Dolphins also on the schedule. - Pittsburgh Steelers
16.8 ponts/game, 36 sacks, 14 fumbles rec., 11 INT, 2 TDs
Always known as a defensive team, the Steelers of 2008 should be no different. James Harrison and James Farrior are great playmakers from the linebacking corps, and Troy Polamalu should return to form following a injury plagued season. Baltimore twice and a Week 16 game against the Titans should highlight their best defense performances. - Dallas Cowboys
20.3 points/game, 46 sacks, 10 fumbles rec., 19 INT, 3 TDs
The additions of Zach Thomas and Pacman, excuse me, Adam Jones makes a great defensive team even better. DeMarcus Ware is quickly turning into one of the best outside linebackers in the game, Terence Newman is a shutdown corner, and while Roy Williams carries name value, it is Ken “The Hammer” Hamlin who is the playmaking safety on this team. Expect all of their defense numbers to improve. - Indianapolis Colts
16.4 points/game, 28 sacks, 15 fumbles rec., 22 INT, 2 TDs
Once known as an offensive team that had to make up for their defense, the Colts are now a well-balanced team thanks to their great D. Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney form one of the most formidable pass rushers in the league, Gary Brackett is a solid middle linebacker, and don’t forget Defensive Player of the Year Bob Sanders. Sanders is literally everywhere on the football field, making tackles, rushing the QB, and even picking off a few passes. Loads of bad offensive teams are on the Colts schedule including the Bears, Vikings, Jaguars twice, Texans twice, and the Ravens. - New England Patriots
17.1 points/games, 47 sacks, 12 fumbles rec., 19 INT, 6 TDs
Is there anything that didn’t go the Pats way last seasons? Ok, the Super Bowl, but other than that. The offense was so good and on the field so much, that the defense looked even that much better. They are anchored by Tedy Bruschi in the middle, Adalius Thomas on the end, Richard Seymour and Vince Wilfork up front, and bad boy Rodney Harrison floating around at safety. The Bills and Dolphins are on the schedule twice each, as well as Chiefs, Niners, and Raiders. Look for another great year from the Patriots D. - Chicago Bears
21.8 points/game, 41 sacks, 17 fumbles rec., 16 INT, 1 TDThe Monsters of the Midway? Not anymore, but the Bears’ defensive unit is still very solid. They gave Brian Urlacher a new contract, which should keep him happy and flying around the field with Lance Briggs, and an improving Hunter Hillemeyer at linebacker. Their pass rush comes from Adewale Ogunleye and Tommie Harris, and if Mike Brown could EVER stay healthy at safety, the Bears would be even more formidable. Outside of the Titans and Falcons, most of their schedule consists of at least decent offensive teams, but this unit is so good, it could shut down even the best. - Baltimore Ravens
24 ponts/game, 32 sacks, 6 fumbles rec., 17 INT, 1 TDThis team has definitely started to age on the defensive side, but the talent is still there. They have a stellar pass rush with Terrell Suggs, Trevor Pryce, and Bart Scott. And although he isn’t what he once was, Ray Lewis still strikes fear in the hearts of QBs and running backs. Chris McAllister is still a solid corner, and you can always count on Ed Reed to be around the ball. They get the Texans, Titans, Dolphins, and Raiders, but it is all in the first half of the season. - Minnesota Vikings
19.4 points/game, 38 sacks, 16 fumbles rec., 15 INT, 8 TDsIs this the return of the Purple People Eaters? The Vikings will be led by newly-acquired Jared Allen to terrorize the quarterback, and how can you possibly run by the two-ton Williams boys, Pat and Kevin plugging up the middle? Watch E.J. Henderson become one of the top middle linebackers in the league this year, after he pretty much flew under the radar in 2007. Chad Greenway needs to stay healthy, and he can be a breakout candidate as well. Antoine Winfield is a great cover corner, and they brought in a pair of playmaking safeties in Madieu Williams and Michael Boulware to team with veteran Darren Sharper. This unit will certainly be the strength of the team and two matchups with the Bears and Lions, one with the Dolphins, Titans, Texans, and Falcons in Week 16 highlight the soft part of their schedule. - Jacksonville Jaguars
19 points/game, 37 sacks, 9 fumbles rec., 20 INT, 3 TDsThe Jags have been a defensive force since they came into existence. Rashean Mathis is one of the best corners in the league, Mike Peterson is a beast inside if he can just stay healthy, and big John Henderson stuffs up the middle of the defensive line. They get two games with Tennessee and Houston, along with dates with Buffalo, Houston, Detroit, Minnesota, Chicago, and Baltimore. That is a great fantasy schedule for a team defense. - New York Giants
21.9 points/game, 53 sacks, 10 fumbles rec., 15 INT, 5 TDsThey weren’t great at keeping the score down, but the Giants defense had two great attributes last season, opportunistic and smothering, led by their defensive line. Strahan might have retired, but Justin Tuck Osi Umenyiora, and Matthias Kiwanuka definitely know how to rush that quarterback. And great things happen for your defense when the QB is running for his life. Antonio Pierce is one of the more underrated linebackers in the league, and Aaron Ross and Corey Webster are serviceable corners. Their schedule is tougher, but they do play the 49ers, Ravens, and Vikings. - Green Bay Packers
18.2 points/game, 36 sacks, 9 fumbles rec., 19 INT, 4 TDsAnchored by Nick Barnett, the Packers defense did a great job last year not only holding opponents’ scores down, but their four TDs were among the best as a team defense. They are also helped late in the season, by the possible horrible weather that happens in Wisconsin after Thanksgiving. Aaron Kampman and Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila are good pass rushers, and I expect A.J. Hawk to take a step forward this season. Al Harris and Charles Woodson are better than average corners to keep the receivers from getting too deep. Their division gives them two games each against the Lions, Bears, and Vikings, plus they get Atlanta, Tennessee, and Houston on the schedule as well. - Buffalo Bills
22.1 points/game, 26 sacks, 12 fumbles rec., 1 INT, 3 TDsAnother team helped by the weather in their home stadium, but the Bills don’t just rely on Mother Nature. They have Aaron Schobel to get the sacks, and Terrence McGee and Donte Whitner to lower the boom in the secondary, but their strength is the linebackers. Angelo Crowell made a name for himself last year, they brought in Kawika Mitchell from the champion Giants, and second year man Paul Posluzsny should make a big impact if he can remain healthy. They will play the Dolphins twice, as well as Kansas City and San Francisco. - Philadelphia Eagles
18.8 points/game, 37 sacks, 8 fumbles rec., 11 INT, 2 TDsA potent defensive team every year, the Eagles did have a bit of a down season in 2007, but I expect a bounceback from them, especially in the secondary. It was already a strength with Lito Sheppard and Sheldon Brown, but Philly went out and signed free agent Asante Samuel to have the best secondary in football. Trent Cole also turned himself into a feared pass rusher who should have another good season in 2008. Their division is tough, but they play the Bears, Niners, Falcons, and Ravens during the season. - Tennessee Titans
18.6 points/game, 40 sacks, 12 fumbles rec., 22 INT, 2 TDsA young, underrated unit, the Titans had a great season on defense last year. They might not be household names, but Albert Haynesworth and Kyle Vanden Bosch anchor the defensive line that also brought back Jevon Kearse if he can stay healthy. Nick Harper and Chris Hope hold the secondary together, but the defense revolves around Keith Bullock. One of the best in the biz, Bullock is everywhere on the field and should have a bounceback season in 2008. Their offense leaves them on the field too much, but the Titans should have another good defensive season this year. They will play Kansas City, Baltimore, Minnesota, and Detroit during the year. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
16.9 points/game, 33 sacks, 19 fumbles rec., 16 INT, 2 TDs
The aging Bucs still know how to keep the opposition out of the endzone. Their strength is in the middle with Barrett Ruud making what seemed to be 1,000 tackles last season, Derrick Brooks still gets it done, and Cato June is underrated. The pash rush comes from veteran Kevin Carter, and second year man Gaines Adams who should take a big step forward this season. Patrick Buchanon and Ronde Barber still get it done at corner, and Jermaine Phillips plays a good centerfield at safety. They get Atlanta twice, and also play Chicago, Kansas City, Detroit, Minnesota, and Oakland. - Denver Broncos
25.6 points/game, 33 sacks, 15 fumbles rec., 14 INT, 2 TDsThe stats don’t look all that impressive, but the Broncos defense should be better this season. They have two of the best corners in football in Champ Bailey and Dre Bly, D.J. Williams is about to take the next step to an elite linebacker, and if Boss Bailey can stay healthy he is great too. They are hoping to get a pass rush from Elvis Dumervil, John Engleberger, and Jarvis Moss. They signed former Jets’ DT Dewayne Robertson to help shore up the middle. A move to a 4-3 defense should help his value. Two games against the Raiders and Chiefs should help their stats, along with the Dolphins, Bills, and Falcons. - Seattle Seahawks
18.2 points/game, 45 sacks, 14 fumbles rec., 20 INT, 2 TDsLed by stud middle linebacker Lofa Tatupu, the Seattle defense is a little underrated. Patrick Kerney is a good pass rusher, Julian Peterson is a Pro Bowler at Linebacker, and Marcus Trufant is close to being a shutdown corner. They get to play the Niners twice a year, and in 2008 they will also get the offensively anemic Bills, Dolphins, and Jets. And at the end of the season when it gets cold and snowy, it is a little extra advantage to the home team. - Carolina Panthers
21.7 points/game, 23 sacks, 16 fumbles rec., 14 INT, 2 TDsCertainly not what they were a couple years ago, but the Panthers’ defense can still play. Led by one of the biggest freaks of nature ever, Julius Peppers, the Panthers need to just put all of 2007 behind them, because they are better than that. Jon Beason has become one of, if not the top middle linebacker fantasy-wise, and Chris Gamble and Ken “Glass Chin” Lucas are good corners. They have a stretch in the beginning of the season where they play the Bears, Vikings, Falcons, Chiefs, and Bucs in successive weeks, and then get the Lions and Falcons again in the middle of the year. - Arizona Cardinals
24.9 points/game, 36 sacks, 11 fumbles rec., 18 INT, 6 TDsThe strength of the Cardinals is their safeties, will All-World player Adrian Wilson, and about to breakout Antrel Rolle. Karlos Dansby might be the best linebacker most people never heard of, and Bertrand Berry can put good pressure on the QB. As far as team defenses go, this could be a sleeper pick. They will play San Francisco twice, Miami, Buffalo, and Minnesota this season, and if they can get the points per game down, they could help your team (but don’t go counting on them every week). - St. Louis Rams
27.4 points/game, 31 sacks, 9 fumbles rec., 18 INT, 2 TDsAnother team that needs to completely forget last season, the Rams are better than they showed last year. The defense just lived on the field, and never could get a break because the offense was so bad. They have talent though at every level. Leonard Little is one of the quickest, and most feared pass rushers in football, they spent the second overall pick on Chris Long, last year’s first rounder Adam Carriker showed some real talent as well, so their D-line is set. Will Witherspoon is the anchor of the defense, and Pisa Tinoisamoa and Chris Draft are nice complements at linenbacker. Their corners are a little suspect, but Corey Chavous and Oshi Atogwe are better than average safeties to stop the run and make plays on the ball deep. They will also get the Niners twice, along with the Bills, ‘Skins, Bears, Dolphins, and Falcons to close out the season. Definitely not your first pick on D, but on that bye week replacement, see how the Rams are doing.
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