Last week, I previewed the top 10 week 1 fantasy football defenses. All of the defenses selected except for the Chiefs scored at least five fantasy points and the top three defenses for the week were all listed in my preview. For week 2, I will again successfully rank the top 10 fantasy Football defenses. These rankings take into account any injuries that might have occurred in the week prior.
1. Panthers D/ST
I don't care how well Blaine Gabbert played on Monday night. The Panthers defense is elite and will severely restrict a 49ers defense that is going to have a ridiculous amount of trouble scoring in Carolina.
Expect big fantasy numbers from an opportunistic Panthers defense in week 2.
2. Ravens D/ST
Even with Robert Griffin, the Ravens would have been an elite fantasy play this week. Now the 37-year-old Josh McCown will have to face a Ravens defense that allowed a total of seven points to the Bills last week. The Ravens also held Tyrod Taylor to less than 150 yards passing and made sure that Sammy Watkins never broke free. Scared yet? The Browns should be.
3. Patriots D/ST
The Miami Dolphins had an excellent defensive debut and almost managed to pull off a shocking victory against the Seattle Seahawks on the road. Now the Dolphins will be forced to travel to Foxboro, where the Patriots are almost unbeatable.
I wouldn't expect much from the Dolphins offense in this one, even if Jimmy Garoppolo is the starter in New England. That should mean decent fantasy numbers from a defense that the Patriots will have to rely on to succeed in week 2.
4. Cardinals D/ST
Jameis Winston was an elite quarterback in week 1 and threw for four touchdown passes in a week 1 road victory over the Falcons.
He won't repeat that fantasy performance against a Cardinals defense that just got embarrassed by Jimmy Garoppolo at home. This time, the Cardinals defense will be ready and they will shut the Bucs offense down.
5. Broncos D/ST
I'm a little wary of the Broncos defense in week 2 because of what Andrew Luck did in week 1. But I still think that the Broncos will be an elite fantasy play in week 2 thanks to the continued presence of stars like Von Miller and Chris Harris.
Expect a week 2 regression from Luck and a week 2 resurrection for the Broncos defense.
6. Eagles D/ST
The Eagles were one of the highest scoring fantasy defenses in week 1 and allowed just 10 points to the Cleveland Browns. Now they get to play against a Bears team that looked terrible in the second half of Sunday's game against the Texans. Start the Eagles defense in all fantasy leagues with confidence in week 2.
7. Seahawks D/ST
There's only one reason why I'm ranking the Seahawks so low: Jeff Fisher. Every year, the Rams somehow manage to find a way to beat the Seahawks in the final seconds. And the Rams even get to play at home! You're obviously starting the Seahawks defense if you have them, but temper your fantasy expectations.
8. Bills D/ST
Thursday night football will bring another epic matchup between Rex Ryan and his former team. The Bills defense looked excellent in week 1, aside from a deep ball to Mike Wallace, and was actually the sixth highest scoring fantasy defense of the week. At home, expect the Bills defense to stifle the Jets offense.
9. Jets D/ST
This game will bepretty low scoring. The Bills will have to deal with a limited Sammy Watkins and looked completely inept against the Baltimore Ravens defense in week 1. Expect both defenses in the Thursday night game to turn in some solid fantasy performances.
10. Lions D/ST
The fantasy defense that scored the most points in week 1? The Vikings, who put up a whopping 22 fantasy points on the Tennessee Titans. That's enough points to give me confidence in the Lions defense, even if they didallow 35 points to the Colts last week.
