1. New York Jets
The Jets have the look of a dominant force. They possess the best defensive player in the game (Darrelle Revis), an excellent defensive minded coach in Rex Ryan, talent across the board and made some key off season acquisitions to further solidify the secondary. Expect a lot of sacks, turnovers and defensive scores from the No. 1 fantasy football D/ST in 2010.
2. Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings defense took a step back after the loss of MLB EJ Henderson late in the season, but it remains stacked across the board and should be even better in 2010. Even with their late season slump, they still finished with 126 fantasy points in 2009.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers’ defense was very ordinary after the loss of star S Troy Polamalu early last season, but all signs point to a bounce back in 201o now that he’s healthy. The Steelers will also benefit from playing a 3rd place schedule, so look for a return to a top 5 fantasy football D/ST in 2010.
4. Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens are another team that was hurt by injuries in 2009 (S Ed Reed, OLB Terrell Suggs) but still finished strong with 153 fantasy points. Expect an improved Ravens’ offense to keep the defense in favorable situations and for the unit to shine again.
5. Green Bay Packers
This is another team that’s blessed with a high scoring offense. The Packers defense came together around the midpoint of ’09 and thrived in their first season under DC Dom Capers. Their aggressive blitzing style led to many turnovers and they finished with 152 points. Look for a similar outcome in 2010.
6. San Francisco 49ers
This unit surprisingly led all of fantasy football in scoring with 167 points in 2009. A lot of those points came at the expense of the hapless Rams and Seahawks. The good news for the Niners in ’10 is those teams still stink and Matt Leinart’s now the starting QB for the Cardinals. Expect this unit to once again be a regular starter on fantasy teams.
7. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles finished 4th with 158 fantasy points in 2009 in their first season playing under DC Sean McDermott. They’ve added some new pieces to the mix (Ernie Sims) and are getting some injured players back (MLB Stewart Bradley), and should be force a lot of turnovers in 2010.
8. Dallas Cowboys
The emergence of OLB Anthony Spencer opposite OLB DeMarcus Ware made the Cowboys a much more formidable defense in 2009. They finished with 138 points but should be much stouter if they take another step forward and become a legit contender for the Super Bowl, which many experts are predicting. The defense will be a team strength.
9. New Orleans Saints
The Saints defense benefited from an easy schedule and having the luxury of playing with large leads in 2009. It also improved greatly in DC Gregg Williams first season. The unit will be respectable right back, but expect a drop off due to the 1st place schedule they will play.
10. Chicago Bears
The Bears will be getting MLB Brian Urlacher back after he missed the entire 2009 season and they also added DE Julius Peppers in Free Agency. With the added sense of urgency felt by many in the Bears organization to win now, expect the defense to lead the way and have a solid fantasy season. They’re a nice mid tier fantasy sleeper in 2010.
» 2010 Fantasy Football D/ST Rankings: 11-20
July 6th, 2010 at 23:16
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[...] wild card is new DC Perry Fewell. The Giants have top 5 fantasy football D/ST ability but performed horribly under one-and-done DC Bill Sheridan in 2009, who managed to lead a [...]
Pro Football 101» Football Futures Betting: An Early Look at the 2010 NFC North
August 5th, 2010 at 16:39
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[...] defense, Leslie Frazier possesses a keen defensive mind and has the players necessary to run his style of defense. With the probably return of MLB EJ Henderson, who was lost to a bad knee injury late in the [...]
Pro Football 101» Football Futures Betting: An Early Look at the 2010 NFC East
August 6th, 2010 at 12:33
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[...] 1st round WR Dez Bryant. The biggest questions will be along the offensive line, LT in particular. The defense is talented and deep and DeMarcus Ware and Co. should be stingy all [...]