With the fantasy football finals occurring this week, I have combined the Top Ten defenses into one post and will do the same with the worst ten defenses tomorrow. This will allow those lucky 16% of fantasy footballers more time to think about the match-ups, ask questions and make the correct start/sit decisions.
For pass defenses, Dallas Cowboy's QB Tony Romo has a very unfavorable match-up. After being battered by the New York Giants pass rush to the extent my back hurt in sympathy pains, Romo faces a Ravens' defense playing for its post-season life. Given Romo managed to produce against the Giants, I expect more of the same against the Ravens - 200 or so yards and a TD or two.
The match-ups against the rush defenses pose more of a problem because several elite fantasy RBs face-off against top defenses. Clinton Portis, Marion Barber III/Tashard Choice, Michael Turner, and Maurice Jones-Drew will force their owners to start them and hope for lying statistics. Of these, I expect Tashard Choice's Cinderella fantasy run to end at the most inopportune time.
Top Ten Pass Defenses:
| Pass Rank | Team | PYA | Vs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pittsburgh | 143 | @TEN |
| 2 | Miami | 144.7 | @KC |
| 3 | Tennessee | 147.3 | PIT |
| 4 | San Francisco | 155.7 | @STL |
| 5 | San Diego | 163.7 | @TB |
| 6 | Indianapolis | 165 | @JAX |
| 7 | Philadelphia | 165.7 | @WAS |
| 8 | Baltimore | 170 | @DAL |
| 9 | Buffalo | 173.3 | @DEN |
| 10 | Dallas | 185.3 | BAL |
Top Ten Rush Defenses:
| Rush Rank | Team | RYA | Vs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tennessee | 55 | PIT |
| 2 | Philadelphia | 56.7 | @WAS |
| 3 | Baltimore | 70 | @DAL |
| 4 | Dallas | 74 | BAL |
| 4 | Minnesota | 74 | ATL |
| 6 | Cincinnati | 85 | @CLE |
| 7 | Indianapolis | 91 | @JAX |
| 8 | Jacksonville | 98.7 | IND |
| 9 | San Diego | 99 | @TB |
| 10 | New Orleans | 101 | @DET |