2006 Fantasy Football Team Defense Rankings
Based on a combined
touchdown/yardage scoring system
If the Bears have any hope of making a run at the postseason, the defense is going to steer the ship in the right direction. Rex Grossman and Brian Griese are hardly the type of steady hands to lean on with the game on the line. Brian Urlacher continues to climb the NFL’s charts as a sideline-to-sideline bully, and gets plenty of support from the defense around him. Nathan Vasher’s an aggressive lockdown corner also capable of making waves in the return game—he ran a missed field goal back 108 yards for a touchdown against San Francisco.After netting 40 sacks and 24 interceptions and finishing first in fewest points allowed (12.6), the Bears begin 2006 as the No. 1 fantasy defense.
YR Total TDs Sacks INTs Fumble Recoveries
04 7 35 17 12
05 5 40 24 10
The defensive line is ferocious, the linebackers a stable, playmaking unit and the secondary a young but talented crew. What more could any coordinator or fantasy owner ask for. Every level of the defense boasts a legitimate stud—end Julius Peppers, linebacker Thomas Davis and cornerback Chris Gamble. As a whole, the Panthers were second in total takeaways (42), third in yardage allowed, just 4.8 yards behind No. 1 Tampa Bay, and fifth in points allowed (16.2). Few units are as well-rounded or young enough that the best is yet to come.
YR TotalTDs Sacks INTs Fumble Recoveries
04 3 34 26 12
05 3 44 23 19
It’s taken a few seasons, but Cowboys head coach Bill Parcells has finally shaped the team in his mold. All the attention will be focused on Terrell Owens and his season-long bout with potential behavior issues, but the limelight could legitimately shine on the stop unit. Roy Williams is the headliner and overrated in the eyes of some, but he may not even be the best player on the defense. DeMarcus Ware and Marcus Spears, are making a push for that honor, trying to fend off leading tackler Bradie James (93) in the process. Last year’s stat don’t quite display the type of dominance Big D-backers are expecting, but that shouldn’t matter. Fantasy football is a game of what have you done lately, not what have you done last year.
YR TotalTDs Sacks INTs Fumble Recoveries
04 0 33 13 9
05 2 37 15 11
Think of Miami as the AFC’s version of Dallas. The hoopla surrounding the franchise centers on the offense, specifically Daunte Culpepper’s arrival to the huddle. While the veteran signal-caller will return to form in another dynamic offense, the Dolphins have an even bigger group of playmakers flying under the radar on defense. Paced by end Jason Taylor’s 12 sacks, Miami shared the top spot in the NFL with Seattle. No team forced more fumbles than the Dolphins 35, a sign of just how well the team has adapted to head coach Nick Saban’s aggressive system. Taylor and linebacker Zach Thomas still rate among the best at their respective positions, and Wes Welker adds some spice to the return units. Obviously, this ranking is banking on major decreases in yardage allowed (316.8) and points per game (19.8).
YR TotalTDs Sacks INTs Fumble Recoveries
04 2 26 15 10
05 1 49 14 17
Tony Dungy’s defense continues to take shape led by speedy sack artists Dwight Freeney (11 quarterback drops) and Robert Mathis, who actually led the way (11.5). The tandem of Gary Brackett and Cato June are not yet household names to those outside the fantasy realm even after combining for 239 tackles. Second to Chicago in fewest points allowed (15.2 per game) and No. 7 in takeaways, the defense is ever so slowly closing the gap with its own offense.
YR TotalTDs Sacks INTs Fumble Recoveries
04 4 45 19 17
05 5 45 18 13
Jon Gruden’s gained a reputation as an offensive mastermind, and to that end, he’s building his empire in Tampa Bay around Chris Simms, Carnell Williams and Michael Clayton. On the other side of the ball, it’s a veteran’s game paced by Simeon Rice (16 stuffs, 14 sacks), Derrick Brooks (125 tackles, 11 passes defended) and Ronde Barber (20 passes defended, five interceptions). Points will remain tough to come by, and defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin has filled the gaps in nicely with several underrated stars in linebacker Shelton Quarles and safety Jermaine Phillips.
YR TotalTDs Sacks INTs Fumble Recoveries
04 4 45 16 11
05 4 35 17 13
Two numbers stand out from among the rest on the Denver defense—85.4 and 16.1. The first total was the rushing yardage allowed, the second points allowed. Considering the defense lacked a strong up-field rush in accumulating just 29 sacks, the Broncos did get the most out of a pair of Cleveland castoffs, Gerard Warren and Courtney Brown. The true strength is the secondary, led by Champ Bailey and John Lynch, although Al Wilson and Ian Gold are an underrated pair of linebackers. Denver’s normally stout running game affords the defense plenty of rest on a regular basis.
YR TotalTDs Sacks INTs Fumble Recoveries
04 2 38 12 8
05 3 29 20 16
The Pats played most of last season without their heart (Rodney Harrison) and soul (Tedy Bruschi). Having those key components back in the huddle is a scary proposition for opponents. Unlike past season’s it was the Tom Brady-led offense that kept New England afloat, as the defense was abominable against the pass (245.4 yards per game), couldn’t make plays in the secondary (just 11 interceptions) and lacked playmakers in general (just seven fumble recoveries). The veteran presence of Harrison and Bruschi should resolve a majority of the sloppiness the defense endured. One of the most intense players in the game, Harrison is known to get after teammates.
YR TotalTDs Sacks INTs Fumble Recoveries
04 5 45 20 16
05 2 32 11 7
Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams should be the host of Fear Factor. Unafraid to overload opposing quarterbacks with varieties of blitzes and movements from every angle, one could only imagine the possibilities on the tube. Maybe Drew Bledsoe would have to outrun a blitzing Sean Taylor in a back alley. Or maybe a blind-folded Donovan McNabb would get 30 seconds to throw passes with Shawn Springs coming up the middle. Combined with solid play inside the red zone (the ‘Skins were seventh overall), fantasy owners will be delighted by the results.
YR TotalTDs Sacks INTs Fumble Recoveries
04 1 40 18 8
05 2 35 16 12
One of the top fantasy defenses around, the Steelers are bound to suffer some sort of Super Bowl hangover. Some of the numbers from 2005 are eye-popping, including the 47 sacks, 30 forced fumbles and No. 3 finish in points allowed (16.1). One of the toughest schedules in the NFL awaits the Steelers, whose opponents won 53 percent of their games last season. Such is life as the reigning champs. The first three weeks could be particularly grueling with upstart Miami, Jacksonville and the rival Bengals on tap.
YR TotalTDs Sacks INTs Fumble Recoveries
04 5 41 19 13
05 3 47 15 15
In terms of attitude, no defense may be as fearsome as the Ravens. What, you’re going to say something about Ray Lewis, Ed Reed or Terrell Suggs? OK, see you in the next lifetime. A solid blend of young players and veterans, the Ravens biggest problem has been with their own offense. Baltimore’s defense was on the field for at least four minutes longer than the opponents four times and three were defeats. In order to avoid being worn down, things have to change on the scoring unit. For now, the Ravens drop in the rankings, at least until Steve McNair has a chance to get comfortable running the show.
YR TotalTDs Sacks INTs Fumble Recoveries
04 8 39 21 13
05 3 42 12 14
12. Buffalo
Bills
So much for the special teams that played a
huge role in the Bills surprising 2004 run. The linebackers and defensive backs
are as solid as any, so the 22.9 points per game and No. 29 finish in total
defense are slightly puzzling. Aaron Schobel is arguably the most complete
fantasy defensive end around, racking up points in every category. He even
batted down five balls. With Takeo Spikes and London Fletcher in the middle,
Nate Clements and Troy Vincent in the secondary, the key positions are in good
hands. Expect a marked improvement in the fantasy world. Terrence McGee led the
NFL in kick-returns (30.2-yard average).
YR TotalTDs Sacks INTs Fumble Recoveries
04 9 45 24 15
05 2 38 17 13
13. Jacksonville Jaguars
Judging by the numbers, the Jaguars definitive strength is against the pass. Spotty against the run, Jacksonville’s got the space-eaters in Marcus Stroud and John Henderson and the upfield rush is solid—46 sacks. As head coach Jack Del Rio enters his third season with the team, expect continued improvement across the board.
YR TotalTDs Sacks INTs Fumble Recoveries
04 0 37 16 12
05 2 46 20 9
14. N.Y. Giants
Big Blue continued to raid the roster of their NFC East rivals, grabbing linebacker LaVar Arrington from Washington one season after Antonio Pierce came aboard. This is definitely one of the sleeper defenses around and one that’s choc full of fantasy studs. Whether it’s linemen Michael Strahan or Osi Umenyiora, Pierce or safety Gibril Wilson, the Giants will rack up bushels of points.
YR TotalTDs Sacks INTs Fumble Recoveries
04 0 33 13 9
05 4 41 17 20
15. Atlanta
Falcons
John Abraham, acquired in a deal with the Jets,
gives Atlanta a formidable one-two punch coming off the corners. No one denys
the strength of the linebackers, led by Keith Brooking and Lawyer Milloy adds
some veteran stability to a defense that has nowhere to go but up. Nothing
stands out from the 2005 campaign, but the offseason additions should have an
instant impact.
YR TotalTDs Sacks INTs Fumble Recoveries
04 6 48 19 13
05 2 37 16 13
Best of
the Rest…
16.
Philadelphia Eagles
Sheldon Brown (27) and Brian Dawkins (24)
finished one-two in the NFL in passes defended.
17. Cincinnati
Bengals
It’s a bad omen when the best linebacker
(Odell Thurman) is already suspended for the first four games.
18. Seattle
Seahawks
Lofi Tatupu is displaying the type of nose
for the football an aardvark would be jealous of.
19.
Minnesota Vikings
20. N.Y.
Jets
21. Arizona
Cardinals
The face of this franchise is on the other
side of the field, but Adrian Wilson does rank among the best in the defensive
backfield.
22. San
Diego Chargers
No. 1 against the run (84.4 yards per game),
the Chargers offer nothing in the turnover department (20 total).
23. Detroit
Lions
Qualify as a sleeper in the team defense
department. Rookie Ernie Sims joins a hard-hitting linebacking corps and solid
secondary. If only a consistent pass rush were in place.
24. New
Orleans Saints
25. Kansas
City Chiefs
26. St.
Louis Rams
Ranked 30th in both yards allowed
(350.1) and points per game (26.8), and the secondary is in need of help.
27. Tennessee
Titans
Pac-Man Jones gobbles up points on the return
team, but there isn’t much to pick from on the rest of the defense aside from
linebacker Keith Bulluck.
28. Cleveland
Browns
29. Oakland
Raiders
Derrick Burgess is the bright spot, but
rookie Michael Huff could steal some of the spotlight.
30. Green
Bay Packers
31. Houston
Texans
What? You think Mario Williams is Superman?
He’s a rookie on a defense in need of some major work.
32. San
Francisco 49ers
Steve Siniski is a member of
the Fantasy Sports Writers’ Association