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Condolences to those of you that may have the Minnesota Vikings defense, but they're on bye and you'll need to replace what may have been a top 3 or 4 scorer on your team. It's tough, I know. The good news, unless you're in a ridiculous 28-man league, there is a replacement out there for you! This week's rankings are up and Denver has reclaimed the top spot. If the Broncos aren't performing well in the beginning, they play the Chargers so just wait until the 4th quarter and the football gods will likely give you a pick-6 or blocked punt. Seriously, I feel so bad for the Chargers. Hopefully, they'll have more fun in L.A. next season. On to the rankings!
|
Week 5 Rank |
Team |
Opponent |
Previous Week's Ranking |
|
1 |
Denver Broncos |
@SD |
2 |
|
2 |
vs. SF |
3 |
|
|
3 |
vs. NYJ |
12 |
|
|
4 |
vs. DAL |
6 |
|
|
5 |
@WAS |
4 |
|
|
6 |
vs. CIN |
5 |
|
|
7 |
vs. IND |
9 |
|
|
8 |
vs. ATL |
-- |
|
|
9 |
@DET |
7 |
|
|
10 |
@NYG |
11 |
|
|
11 |
@CLE |
24 |
|
|
12 |
vs. BAL |
14 |
|
|
13 |
@NE |
8 |
|
|
14 |
@OAK |
-- |
|
|
15 |
@ARI |
13 |
|
|
16 |
@MIA |
15 |
|
|
17 |
@GB |
18 |
|
|
18 |
Atlanta Falcons |
@SEA |
22 |
|
19 |
Chicago Bears |
vs. JAX |
27 |
|
20 |
Oakland Raiders |
vs. KC |
17 |
|
21 |
Detroit Lions |
vs. LAR |
14 |
|
22 |
Washington Redskins |
vs. PHI |
19 |
|
23 |
Carolina Panthers |
@NO |
10
|
|
24 |
Jacksonville Jaguars |
@CHI |
-- |
|
25 |
Miami Dolphins |
vs. PIT |
20 |
|
26 |
San Francisco 49ers |
@BUF |
21 |
|
27 |
Indianapolis Colts |
@HOU |
23 |
|
28 |
New Orleans Saints |
vs. CAR |
NR (but still would've been last) |
- The Buffalo Bills have scored 3 defensive touchdowns and play a San Francisco team with a QB change. This is a defense worth keeping an eye because they have been playing better in the last few weeks.
- According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the Packers have allowed the second-fewest rushing yards through four games (171) since the NFL began keeping track in 1933. This is weird for a Packers team, but that run defense is no joke and Dallas will need Dak Prescott to lead them. Breakout player, Nick Perry, and the rest of the line face their toughest test yet against Travis Frederick and those boys.
- Exercise caution with the Atlanta D. They showed some signs of life last week with Vic Beasley recording 3.5 sacks against the Broncos. He could eat well again against a weak Seattle offensive line, but last week may be more of an outlier.
- Carolina takes a big fall this week and haven't been playing at the level they were last season. The strong linebacking corps is asked to do too much in the passing game and it's affecting the rest of the defense. And they play New Orleans on the road so we could be looking at a repeat of their Atlanta thrashing a few weeks back at the hands of Drew Brees.
- My sleeper for the week will be the Tennessee Titans defense. Surprisingly stout against the run, led by Jurrell Casey, and play a Cleveland team that may or may not be playing Cody Kessler. They have a shot to play well here. And they're playing like they want that 7-9 record to win the division.