This week's winner for proving statistics lie is the Oakland Raiders. Their PYA comes in as the second-best over the past three games at a misery 147 yards allowed. That exists because teams have rushed for more than 200 yards per game over those same three games. Starting RB Ronnie Brown is much easier to do despite his time share with Ricky Williams thanks to the Oakland Raiders "stingy" pass defense.
The runner-up to Oakland is the Houston Texans with an almost as stingy PYA of 162.3. Do not be afraid to start Indianapolis Colts' QB Peyton Manning regardless of the status of WRs Reggie Wayne and Anthony Gonzalez. I wish I could be as pithy with starting RB Joseph Addai as I was with Ronnie Brown, but the Colts' rushing game scares me. Pithiness notwithstanding, if Addai is going to breakout, the Texans passing defense will do its best to leave open plenty of holes.
Top Ten Pass Defenses:
| Rank | Team | PYA | Vs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tampa Bay | 125.3 | MIN |
| 2 | Oakland | 147 | @MIA |
| 3 | NY Giants | 150 | BAL |
| 4 | Dallas | 159 | @WAS |
| 5 | Houston | 162.3 | @IND |
| 6 | Washington | 170.3 | DAL |
| 7 | Green Bay | 179.7 | CHI |
| 8 | Jacksonville | 180.7 | TEN |
| 9 | Philadelphia | 195.7 | @CIN |
| 10 | Pittsburgh | 196 | SD |