In preparing this weeks defensive unit rankings, I came upon a glaring oddity. The Seattle Seahawks rank dead last at intercepting opposing quarterbacks. Why you might ask then, do we rank them number one this week? Well, first of all the Lions passing game continues to struggle with both Matt Stafford nursing and injury and Calvin Johnson looking unlikely to return (check back for the game-time call) in time for Week 9, but also Seatle cornerback Marcus Truffant has something to prove. After missing the first six games of the season, the 2007 pro-bowler played like absolute garbage last week, earning three pass interference calls that led to touchdown drives. Hence, look for Truffant and company to take it out on Detroit.
Plus, Detroit travels all the way to Seattle after losing to one of the worst teams in the NFL, the St. Louis Rams. Things simply are not falling into place for Detroit this season. Detroit gives up nearly 30 points per game on defense and suffers terrible secondary woes of their own. Hence, look for Seattle's offense to run the score up big and force the Lions into a shoot out. I predict a three interception effort from Stafford who didn't even complete a pass last week until the fourth quarter. To be clear, neither of these teams is good, but the Seahawks are far less bad. Hence start them with confidence on Sunday.
Our number two start this week goes to Atlanta, who despite the high score against posted by the Saints on Monday, looked solid on defense with an interception, a pair of sacks, and a fumble return for a touchdown. Both the Giants and Broncos face tough matchups in the Chargers and Steelers respectively, but both have top five defenses and need bounce back games after tough losses last week (two in a row for the G-Men).
Rounding out the top five, the Packers with their 11 interceptions and six forced fumbles, should make micemeat out of the lowly 0-7 Buccanners -- who average only about 14 points per game on offense. Not only are the Bucs bad, but they have only really played in two close games all season.
1. Seahawks, SEA vs. DET
2. Falcons, ATL vs. WAS
3. Giants, NYG vs. SD
4. Broncos, DEN vs. PIT
5. Packers, GB @ TB
6. Jaguars, JAX vs. KC
7. Eagles, PHI vs. DAL
8. Saints, NO vs. CAR
9. Ravens, BAL @ CIN
10. Cardinals, ARI @ CHI
11. 49ers, SF vs. TEN
12. Bears, CHI vs. ARI
13. Steelers, PIT @ DEN
14. Cowboys, DAL @ PHI
15. Patriots, NE vs. MIA
16. Chargers, SD @ NYG
17. Colts, IND vs. HOU
18. Bengals, CIN vs. BAL
19. Dolphins, MIA @ NE
20. Panthers, CAR @ NO
21. Titans, TEN @ SF
22. Buccaneers, TB vs. GB
23. Lions, DET @ SEA
24. Texans, HOU @ IND
25. Chiefs, KC @ JAX
26. Redskins, WAS @ ATL
Notes
• Fickle as they are, most fantasy players already wrote off last week's defensive darlings in the Cardinals, but watch out for a rebound game against the Bears. While we saw Matt Forte play his first great game of the season last week, the Cards typically thrive against the run, so this could stack up in their favor. Every team plays a bad game game now and then, so hopefully last week's train wreck for the Cards was just an anomaly.
• The Panthers playing at New Orleans should be an interesting one to watch. While starting any unit against the Saints this season would be downright idiotic, the Panthers have won three of their last four games and the defense is playing really well lately, so look for a better game than most people expect in this one -- and possibly the first big upset for Brees and company,
• As for groups I typically like, but suggest avoiding this week, the Colts against Houston scares me as Matt Schaub and company will likely post decent stats, the Baltimore offense and Ray Rice will be too much for Cincinatti to handle, and forget about the Texans stopping the Colts.
• For the goofball play of the week, try the Jaguars against Kansas City. I don't think the Chiefs can crack 300 yards even without Larry Johnson slowing them down and the Jags should have the ball a lot during this one.
• Update note: Bad news struck hard today for the Colts secondary today. Both Bob Sanders and Marlin Jackson are out for the season, so consider this unit doomed against Matt Schaub and the pass happy Texans. Going forward, the Colts defense will probably be finshed from a fantasy perspective.
