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The way that some of the defenses performed last week, or should I say underperformed really surprised me. While choosing the right defense to start can be a guessing game at times, for the most part the great ones always perform like they should. Full 32 team defense rankings follow the jump.
Defenses to start: Pittsburgh Steelers - They came out very flat against Baltimore and were taken to the woodshed. This defense has something to prove and they have the perfect opponent to take out their frustrations on in Seattle. Seattle struggled to move the ball on the ground and through the air last week in San Francisco. This week will be even more difficult. Seattle will probably still be without Sydney Rice.
Baltimore Ravens - The Ravens stiffled Pittsburgh all game in the opener. They got to Big Ben and held the running game to 66 yards. Their opponent in week 2 is Tennessee, a team that only ran for 43 yards against Jacksonville. Ray Lewisand Co. must be excited to visit Nashville and bring the pain.
Defenses to avoid: Carolina Panthers - Carolina takes on Green Bay and their high powered offense. I think the Carolina defense is improving but this Green Bay offense is going to steam roll them. Aaron Rodgers is playing at such a high level and has so many weapons that Carolina will be completely overwhelmed. It won't be pretty.
Kansas City Chiefs - Kansas City was so terrible in week 1, that they made Buffalo's offense look like New England. Things get a lot more difficult with a trip to Detroit. Detroit's offense looked and played great last weekend in Tampa. As they play their home opener, Detroit will be looking to win their second game and prove to people that they are for real. I can easily see Detroit putting up 30+ points on Sunday.
Team | Opp. |
1. Baltimore Ravens | TEN |
2. Pittsburgh Steelers | SEA |
3. Green Bay Packers | CAR |
4. Detroit Lions | KC |
5. Houston Texans | MIA |
6. Dallas Cowboys | SF |
7. New York Jets | JAX |
8. Philadelphia Eagles | ATL |
9. Cleveland Browns | IND |
10. New York Giants | STL |
11. St. Louis Rams | NYG |
12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers | MIN |
13. New Orleans Saints | CHI |
14. Cincinnati Bengals | DEN |
15. Buffalo Bills | OAK |
16. San Francisco 49ers | DAL |
17. New England Patriots | SD |
18. Denver Broncos | CIN |
19. Chicago Bears | NO |
20. San Diego Chargers | NE |
21. Arizona Cardinals | WAS |
22. Miami Dolphins | HOU |
23. Seattle Seahawks | PIT |
24. Oakland Raiders | BUF |
25. Washington Redskins | ARZ |
26. Indianapolis Colts | CLE |
27. Atlanta Falcons | PHI |
28. Jacksonville Jaguars | NYJ |
29. Minnesota Vikings | TB |
30. Tennessee Titans | BAL |
31. Kansas City Chiefs | DET |
32. Carolina Panthers | GB |