50 Shades of Fantasy Football: Vol. III Seasonal Top 5 Rankings
By Mike Randle
5) Cincinnati Bengals: When fantasy players discuss defenses, the Bengals never come up as a top option. Marvin Lewis is the second longest tenured head coach in the league, and always has a strong defensive team. The Bengals finished third in interceptions for each of the last two seasons. They also put pressure on the quarterback, finishing tenth in the league with 42 sacks. The Bengals have a favorable schedule as well, playing the AFC and NFC east outside of their divisional opponents. They have a stretch from weeks seven to 13 where they play four out of six games at home (including a bye week) before traveling to play the New York Giants. With a strong secondary, great defensive coach, and a favorable late schedule, the Bengals rate as a top five overall fantasy defense.
4) Carolina Panthers: The Panthers finished fifth overall in total defensive fantasy points a season ago, were sixth in sacks (44), and first in interceptions (24). The loss of All Pro cornerback Josh Norman to Washington will hurt the secondary, while putting a premium on rushing the quarterback. Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis both return as first team All Pro linebackers. The Panthers have a difficult schedule, including three tough road games (at Oakland, at Seattle, at Washington) late in the season. One of the best defenses in the league, but a cut below the top three teams this season.
3) Denver Broncos: Not surprisingly, this was the top-ranked fantasy defense from last year. In 2015, the Broncos led the league with 52 sacks, including 18.5 sacks from the duo of Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware. Wade Phillips-led defenses usually take a dip in year two, and in a much improved AFC West that trend will continue. The defending Super Bowl champions have a brutal schedule as expected, which includes games at New Orleans, home versus New England, and the season opener against Carolina. The Broncos have the highest floor of any defense, but will take a slight drop to number three overall.
2) Seattle Seahawks: The Legion of Boom will return to form in 2016. The Seahawks are incredibly balanced with a good pass rush and superb secondary. They don’t produce great sack numbers (only 37 last season) but always hold their opponents to low yardage totals. If your league counts special teams with defensive points, second year player Tyler Lockett is the best return man in the game. Playing Seattle at home is always difficult, and fantasy players should feel incredibly confident with Seattle as their weekly defensive play.
1) Arizona Cardinals: The best all around fantasy defense in the NFL. The Cardinals pressure the quarterback (36 sacks), have a strong secondary (19 interceptions), and are incredibly effective at scoring off turnovers. They tied for the league lead in defensive touchdowns with seven, which led to some huge fantasy point games. When the Cardinals are home, they are very tough to beat. The turnovers they create tend to come in bunches. Defensive coordinator James Bettcher took over for Todd Bowles last season, and the production was superb. With the overall balance that few other teams have, the Arizona Cardinals will be the top fantasy defense this season.