Who are the elite DEF's this year (1 Viewer)

[Macdaddy_2004]

CHI

HOU

SF

ARZ

Anyone else - can we add ATL, SEA to that list?

Every year it changes - water is stil a little mirky - who do you have as elite or very very good and why?

 

[solorca]

I think Seattle should be added. I'm not completely sold on Atlanta being in that group just yet...but if they perform well against the Redskins this Sunday, I think they should be added.

I'm willing to put Seattle and Arizona in the elite group, because they have both proven it against an explosive offense. Seattle against Green Bay and Arizona against New England.

 

[DevilintheDetail]

I think you definitely add Seattle. They also have a good playoff schedule.

 

[DoubleG]

I think Seattle should be added. I'm not completely sold on Atlanta being in that group just yet...but if they perform well against the Redskins this Sunday, I think they should be added.I'm willing to put Seattle and Arizona in the elite group, because they have both proven it against an explosive offense. Seattle against Green Bay and Arizona against New England.

I agree with everything here. Also, OP, like your list...and the order you thought of them

 

[kegger]

Yep Seattle should be in there.

You may be able to add Minn if they keep it up.

----

Baltimore is looking decent, keep an eye on Pittsburgh with there big guns coming back.

And an sleeper may be St Louis as well. If the Bengals can get there secondary figured out

they could be something to watch as the season goes with the way they rush the passer there.

 

[Nucker101]

Agreed with your 4, I would definitely add SEA. Not sold on ATL yet, especially their run defense but their pass defense has been great. PHI, PIT, BAL will still be tough especially once(if) the Steelers get healthy. The Jets defense without Revis goes from elite to just good. Miami has really impressed me with their run defense. NE is still a really young defense that will improve, their run defense is already pretty solid. SD is also very underrated. Minnesota has also been solid this year.

Elites:

HOU

SF

SEA

CHI

ARZ

PIT

PHI

Maybe the Ravens if they pick things up.

 

[GCP]

Agreed with your 4, I would definitely add SEA. Not sold on ATL yet, especially their run defense but their pass defense has been great. PHI, PIT, BAL will still be tough especially once(if) the Steelers get healthy. The Jets defense without Revis goes from elite to just good. Miami has really impressed me with their run defense. NE is still a really young defense that will improve, their run defense is already pretty solid. SD is also very underrated. Minnesota has also been solid this year.Elites:HOUSFSEACHIARZPITPHIMaybe the Ravens if they pick things up.

Hey Nucker, you forgot the other 24 teams in the NFL. EVERYBODY'S ELITE!

 

[ponchsox]

Are we including special teams for sake of discussion or just real life defenses?

Some defenses have more name recognition and do better in real life than fantasy. Take the Eagles for example. Depending on your leagues scoring, a D/ST like the Vikings may actually score more fantasy points.

 

[Nucker101]

Agreed with your 4, I would definitely add SEA. Not sold on ATL yet, especially their run defense but their pass defense has been great. PHI, PIT, BAL will still be tough especially once(if) the Steelers get healthy. The Jets defense without Revis goes from elite to just good. Miami has really impressed me with their run defense. NE is still a really young defense that will improve, their run defense is already pretty solid. SD is also very underrated. Minnesota has also been solid this year.Elites:HOUSFSEACHIARZPITPHIMaybe the Ravens if they pick things up.

Hey Nucker, you forgot the other 24 teams in the NFL. EVERYBODY'S ELITE!

???I only named 7/32 teams, not sure what you're getting at. I might not even include Philly, but I think they'll pick it up with the talent they have.

 

[Rovers]

After last week, I have my doubts about AZ being elite. I mean, Maimi? Tannenhill? Hartline? I know it's one game, but still...

I think AZ may have big problems with either the pass rush, the DB's or both, but I haven't watched them yet. I will tonight though.

I dropped the Jets after Revis got hurt... and oh yeah, after that 9er game. Hoping SD after a lousy 3 game start can develop some consistancy and start to produce the way they did against KC in week 4.

 

[The Jerk]

I don't think Pittsburgh belongs in that list anymore. They've had difficulty generating turnovers since the start of the 2011 season. Even if Harrison and Polamalu can stay healthy, they're not getting any younger. QB pressures just aren't there anymore as the zone blitz is no longer anything close to a novelty. I think they can be a top 10-12 real defense, but I don't think they are a regularly startable fantasy defense, let alone elite. The Steelers are probably a matchup defense for the rest of the season. (Hoping to be proven wrong, as a Steeler fan.)

 

[Sarnoff]

Seattle anywhere or just at home?

 

[Jaruta]

SF, SEA, HOU, PHI

 

[the spanker]

Minny belongs.

 

[the spanker]

You guys can take ARI off your list.

 

[solorca]

I think it's premature to write off the cardinals because of one bad game (where they only allowed 17 points and still got a pick).

They will still be one of the top units in total points (at least in my league scoring) following this week.

If I can get 6 points from a BAD week for my defense, I'll gladly take it.

 

[Beerguzzler]

I think it's premature to write off the cardinals because of one bad game (where they only allowed 17 points and still got a pick). They will still be one of the top units in total points (at least in my league scoring) following this week. If I can get 6 points from a BAD week for my defense, I'll gladly take it.

Not just one week. They got shredded by the Fins. A teams offense must also be taken into account. Arizona's is brutal which will give opposing offenses more opportunities.

 

[LeadoffMan]

Not just one week. They got shredded by the Fins. A teams offense must also be taken into account. Arizona's is brutal which will give opposing offenses more opportunities.

True--but your point also supports the argument that along with those offensive opportunities, come defensive opportunities for Arizona in the way of sacks and turnovers.

 

[kyoun1e]

AZ off the list.

Maybe they caught teams by surprise at the very start of the year.

First the Miami shredding.

Then 1 sack against a toothless STL team minus Amendola.

Think this D slides back towards the middle...especially without an ability to sustain drives with no running game.

KY

 

[Proximo]

In leagues that allow return TDs, is Minnesota part of the top 10?

 

[solorca]

I think it's premature to write off the cardinals because of one bad game (where they only allowed 17 points and still got a pick). They will still be one of the top units in total points (at least in my league scoring) following this week. If I can get 6 points from a BAD week for my defense, I'll gladly take it.

Not just one week. They got shredded by the Fins. A teams offense must also be taken into account. Arizona's is brutal which will give opposing offenses more opportunities.

I don't know about your leagues, but in the week where they got "shredded" by Miami, they still got me 15 points (and were about a half yard from 21 points).The difference this week compared to others was that they didn't get the sacks and big defensive plays. I'll assume that they will start to get those back as the weeks progress, as we have proof of them performing in those areas in 80% of their games so far.I'm definitely not as high on them now as I was a few days ago, but I still think they are a top FANTASY defensive unit. Maybe not "elite", but certainly in the top 8 or so.

 

[Dismattle]

In leagues that allow return TDs, is Minnesota part of the top 10?

In my League, the Vikings are ranked number seven in points (DaBears are number one) The eye-test only shows a lack of interceptions for the Vikings. A few positives though ie. blocked kicks, and as mentioned most return yds (two TD's) I personally added the Vikings before the Det game, for Chi's bye wk. It might not be the best start vs. the Skins at home, but it should be a better game then most would think imo..

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

houston

SF

Balt

 

[Sarnoff]

I'm going to hold on to Arizona for one more week, I have to think they'll play better at home after 10 days rest than they did on the road after just 4 days off. But then I'm probably cutting them.

Also, I'm going to have to discount Thursday night players going forward. The Thursday night games are terrible all around.

 

[Nucker101]

I agree with removing Arizona, the last 2 weeks haven't been nearly impressive. They're a solid defense, but not elite.

 

[Skeetcher]

Was the performance of the Rams D purely down to the ineptitude of the AZ OL or are they worthy of an upgrade?

 

[4th&inches]

I think after last night's game, I think we can put whoever is playing against the Cards as a potential "Elite D"

 

[tombonneau]

I think after last night's game, I think we can put whoever is playing against the Cards as a potential "Elite D"

Yup. I doubt well see a Vegas total north of 38 all year in card games.

 

[DocHolliday]

I think after last night's game, I think we can put whoever is playing against the Cards as a potential "Elite D"

Yup. I doubt well see a Vegas total north of 38 all year in card games.

Agreed. AZ has no Oline. Play any D that you can against them. STL does have a decent D but their offense does not do enough to keep the D off the field most weeks.