The AFC South features a few of the best defenses in fantasy football, starting in Tennessee with the Titans.
1. Tennessee Titans
Yes, the loss of DT Albert Haynesworth will be big, as a man of his size and talent is hard to replace, but it certainly won’t mean an end to this Titans’ defense. Over Jeff Fisher’s tenure, defense has been his backbone, and long before the days of Haynesworth, he was leading his team to a Super Bowl appearance in 1999 relying on this unit.
Last year, in a truly dominating effort, the Titans finished fourth with 246 fantasy points and probably didn’t even go until late in your draft.
This season looks promising as well, although a slight drop off is to be expected. Offenses will now game plan the Titans’ defense differently with Haynesworth in Washington, but in his absence vs. the Steelers last season, then rookie, DT Jason Jones, racked up three sacks. Also, DE Kearse, DE Vanden Bosch, LB Bulluck, CB Finnegan, etc. are still there and the scheme is still one of the top ones in the league.
Special Teams: Mark Jones will handle returns and is steady, but not spectacular.
2. Indianapolis Colts
The Colts defense thrives when given the lead; when the game is tied or they’re down, it’s a completely different story. And the reason for this is the personnel is quicker and smaller and that style only works when you can pin your ears back (DE Freeney, DE Mathis) and go after the QB. When it’s straight up, the Colts’ smaller defenders get eaten alive against solid running teams. In 2008, the Colts scored 182 points.
This year, look for more of the same, but the potential for an even stronger season. Finishing 12—4, they’re now able to play a second place schedule and Polian drafted DT Moala in the second round to shore up that line. As long as Dwight Freeney, Robert Mathis, Bob Sanders can stay healthy, and throw in CB Marlon Jackson, and the Colts offense continues to do its job, you can expect another impressive showing and a top 10 fantasy football defensive finish.
Special Teams: Pierre Garcon received some opportunities on special teams and is a favorite to land the job again.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars
Last season was an aberration because the offense didn’t hold up to its end of the bargain. Three and outs left the defense on the field way too long and as a natural result, they wound up towards the bottom of the league with only 117 points.
Things should be different this year and that’s why they’re our fantasy sleeper pick out of this division. The talent is there (DT Henderson, DE Hayward, CB Mathis, etc.), and blessed with a last place schedule, they should feast on their competition (out of the division) and force sacks and create turnovers in bunches.
Special Teams: Brian Witherspoon handled returns and could score once or twice this year.
4. Houtson Texans
Being last in this division is nothing to hang their head about, and the Texans actually have a pretty good defense, and could be poised to take a big step forward in 2009. After coming out of the gates very slowly in 2008, they finished with just 117 points.
This year they’re a real dark horse in the AFC. Offensively, they possess the firepower to sustain drives (Slaton, Johnson) and put points on the board, and if their young defense with DE Williams, DT Okoye, CB Robinson and newcomer, LB, Cushing takes another step forward, there should be ample opportunities for not only sacks, but turnovers. This could become a nice late round draft play.
Special Teams: Jacoby Jones is an extremely dangerous return man who took two back to the house in 2008.
