Fansided

Fantasy POV: Defenses/Special Teams – 1st Quarter report card and week 5 picks

By Darwin (Deni) Martin

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 04: Darius Leonard #53 of the Indianapolis Colts awaits the snap against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on October 04, 2020 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 04: Darius Leonard #53 of the Indianapolis Colts awaits the snap against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on October 04, 2020 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Since the first quarter of the 2020 NFL season has been completed, it is time to pass out awards to fantasy football team defenses and special teams.  The winners include the quality defenses of the Indianapolis Colts and Baltimore Ravens.  The “biggest losers” are the defenses/special teams of the Minnesota Vikings and Dallas Cowboys.

The following information lists the team defenses/special teams by category and week of the season.  A “1st Quarter” winner and week 5 selection are included for each category.

Surefire Starters

  • Week 1 – This category did not start until week 2 of the season
  • Week 2 – New Orleans Saints
  • Week 3 – Baltimore Ravens
  • Week 4 – Indianapolis Colts
  •  1st Quarter – Indianapolis Colts

Summary: According to the standard ESPN standard scoring system, the Indianapolis Colts are No. 1 with 58 fantasy football points (FFP).   They are No. 4 against the run and have the No. 1 pass defense in the NFL.  Given the 13-point lead over No. 2 Baltimore, stick with the Indianapolis defense in week 5.

Riding the Bench

  • Week 1 – This category did not start until week 2 of the season
  • Week 2 – Minnesota Vikings
  • Week 3 – Detroit Lions
  • Week 4 – Minnesota Vikings
  • 1st Quarter – Minnesota Vikings

Summary: It was close, but the Vikings defense has one less point than the Detroit Lions.  Minnesota has major pass defense issues and Detroit has trouble stopping their opponent’s run game.  You may want to stay away from all NFC North defenses this weekend,

Underrated

  • Week 1 – This category did not start until week 2 of the season
  • Week 2 – Washington Football Team
  • Week 3 – Indianapolis Colts
  • Week 4 – San Francisco 49ers
  • 1st Quarter – San Francisco 49ers

Summary: It is impressive given the 49ers injuries that they are No. 7 in team defense and special teams according to the ESPN standard scoring system.   The Football Database have them ranked as No. 3 in team defense.

Overrated

  • Week 1 – This category did not start until week 2 of the season
  • Week 2 – Houston Texans 
  • Week 3 – Dallas Cowboys
  • Week 4 – Dallas Cowboys
  • 1st Quarter – Dallas Cowboys

Summary: The Cowboys have fallen to No. 32 in team defense and special teams according to the ESPN standard scoring system.  The Football Database shows they are No. 31 in rush defense.

Sleeper Team Defense/Special Teams of the Week

  • Week 1 – This category did not start until week 2 of the season
  • Week 2 – Buffalo Bills
  • Week 3 – New England Patriots
  • Week 4 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
  • 1st Quarter – Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Next. Fantasy football WR 1st quarter grades. dark

Summary: The Bucs have climbed up the rankings and are getting closer to the Ravens and Colts.  Since Tampa Bay already played Thursday night, go with Buffalo or New England in week 5,

Home/Fantasy Football