An all-out assault on the record books by NFL offenses has been well chronicled here at Fantasy Knuckleheads, as QBs continue to connect with their targets for escalating yardage totals, and more TDs. 10 different signals callers threw for over 4,000 yards last year, which is a 100% increase from just five years ago, and a massive 500% jump from 2000. Prior to 2011, only twice in NFL history had a QB thrown for 5,000 yards in one season but then Drew Brees, Tom Brady, and Matthew Stafford all accomplished that last season. And Eli Manning just missed making it a foursome by accumulating 4,933 yards. TDs passes are also on the rise, as an average of 11 QBs have thrown at least 25 in the past three years, five have tossed at least 30 TDs in each of the past two seasons, and three even generated 40+. 16 signal callers had at least 500 passing attempts last season which was the fourth time in five years that at least 10 QBs surpassed that number.
But of course, defensive coaching staffs are currently calculating the most effective strategies to aggressively counteract the attempted onslaught by NFL offenses, and implementing them during training camps. The ability of each defensive unit to combat their opponents, will not only determine the outcomes of various games each week, but of course will also impact your success as a fantasy owner, since you must employ one of these defensive units on your roster. While that does not translate into selecting a defense in the early rounds of your drafts, it does mean that you should devote some effort into selecting a unit that will deliver a sufficient number of fantasy points for your team. Particularly if your league is generous in rewarding defenses that prevent scoring, while generating sacks, interceptions, fumbles, and safeties. Not to mention the perpetually welcome defensive or special team TD. These points can easily determine whether you win or lose in any given week, and should provide enough incentive for you to research which fantasy defenses to target in your drafts. These rankings will assist you in that process, as you plan how best to construct your fantasy rosters.
| RANK | TEAM | BYE | COMMENTS |
| 1 | 49ers | 9 | The first unit that you should target is last year’s top fantasy defense, who permitted an astounding low 77.3 YPG on the ground, while producing a league best 38 takeaways. |
| 2 | Eagles | 7 | This group should be vastly improved, due to the additions of DeMeco Ryans, Fletcher Cox, and Mychal Kendricks. Plus, their talented secondary should perform better. |
| 3 | Ravens | 8 | An influx of youthful talent has blended with Baltimore’s aging playmakers to keep the Ravens among the elite. They ranked third overall last year, while leading the league in forced fumbles (21), and collected the third most sacks (48). Plan on similar success this season. |
| 4 | Texans | 8 | Mario Williams is gone… But that was also the case for nearly all of 2011. The loss of Ryans will hurt, but But Wade Phillips will maximize his remaining arsenal of playmakers, who will deliver points for fantasy owners. |
| 5 | Steelers | 4 | Pittsburgh led all NFL defenses in allowing the fewest yards (271.8) and points (227). But they need to accumulate big plays with greater frequency. Last year’s unit generated just 35 sacks (17th), 11 INTs (24th) and scored only two TDs. |
| 6 | Packers | 10 | Easily led the league in INTs last year, and should continue to torment opposing passers. However, owners would prefer to see them be far less hospitable in permitting yardage (ranked 32nd). |
| 7 | Giants | 11 | That stellar unit that you saw help deliver a Super Bowl victory, was a surprisingly weak 27th in total defense during the regular season. But they generated a third best 48 sacks, and tied for sixth with 20 INTs. Expect them to continue collecting sacks and turnovers, but become more miserly at allowing yardage. |
| 8 | Bears | 6 | Chicago led the NFL with 10 defensive TDs, and was fifth best at stuffing the run. But they were just 17th in total defense, because their pass defense struggled in comparison (ranked 28th). That creates concern, since they must contend with a double dose of Aaron Rodgers and Matthew Stafford once again. |
| 9 | Jets | 8 | Rex Ryan will take over the playcalling, which should further bolster a group that ranked fifth in both total defense and against the pass. They also tied for the NFL lead in forced fumbles, although owners would prefer improvement upon last year’s total of 35 sacks (17th). |
| 10 | Seahawks | 11 | Seattle deserves more respect than many analysts are providing. Last year, they ranked ninth in yardage allowed, seventh in points allowed, and will line up six times against the flawed offenses of their NFC West rivals. This is a low end #1 option. |
| 11 | Lions | 5 | The Lions have the ability to generate fantasy points. They assembled the third most defensive TDs (seven), and finishing fifth with 21 INTs. Unfortunately, they also allowed opponents to generate over 367 YPG, and over 24 points per game. That excludes them from the top tier. |
| 12 | Bills | 8 | Last season’s 26th ranked unit will be strengthened by the additions of Mario Williams and Mark Anderson. Not only will the Bills now possess an elite front, but they should significantly improve upon last year’s 29 sacks. |
| 13 | Cowboys | 5 | The additions of Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne will fortify last season’s 23rd ranked pass defense. Plus, increased emphasis on the running game offensively should result in longer possessions, and preserve the defense. |
| 14 | Bengals | 8 | Cincinnati isn’t mentioned in conversations about the league’s best defenses, but they were seventh best in yardage allowed, produced the fifth most sacks, and were fourth best in forcing fumbles. They should be just as feisty this season, and you could do far worse. |
| 15 | Patriots | 9 | It’s difficult to become overly excited with a group that was only 31st in total defense last year, while permitting over 411 YPG. But they did collect the NFL’s second most INTs (23), and will be bolstered by newcomers Chandler Jones, Dont’a Hightower, and Tavon Wilson. |
| 16 | Falcons | 7 | Losing Curtis Loften hurts, but do not underestimate Mike Nolan’s ability to improve this defense. His Dolphin teams ranked sixth overall during his two seasons in Miami, after finishing 2nd before his arrival. |
| 17 | Chiefs | 7 | KC’s sixth ranked pass defense grabbed 20 INTs last year. And the return of Eric Berry, should more than offset Carr’s departure, and enable the Chiefs to perpetuate their ballhawking. But only two teams collected fewer sacks last season (29), and their 26th ranked rush defense must also improve (132 YPG). |
| 18 | Cardinals | 10 | Last season’s 18th ranked defense usually did not reside at the bottom for rankings in any major statistical category. But they were also far from the top. Patrick Peterson’s abillity as a returner, is easily the bright spot. |
| 19 | Broncos | 7 | Jack Del Rio has some work to do on a unit that was just 28th with a lowly 18 takeaways. That included a paltry nine INTs, while they also forced just 11 fumbles. The return of Elvis Dumervil helps, but not enough for you to select them. |
| 20 | Saints | 6 | Steve Spagnuolo will reduce the big plays that were surrendered last season by instituting more zone coverage. And will not expose the secondary as frequently by moderating the blitz packages. |
| 21 | Redskins | 10 | Washington could only garner 21 takeaways in 2011, including a 23rd best 13 INTs. Plus, they scored just one defensive TD. This group simply will not make enough plays that generate the fantasy points you desperately need. |
| 22 | Vikings | 11 | Minnesota tied for the lead in sacks last season, and should be near the top again. But issues remain for last season’s 26th ranked pass defense that was dead last with just eight INTs. |
| 23 | Chargers | 7 | The addition of Melvin Ingram will not ovecome all of their deficiencies, as San Diego allowed the 11th most points among all units (377), yet could not generate points for fantasy owners. They only recovered four fumbles (ranked 30th), and produced a 23rd best 32 sacks. |
| 24 | Titans | 11 | Tennessee was just 24th against the rush, and gave up the sixth most runs of 20+. They also ranked 31st in sacks (28), and 25th in INTs (11). Plus, they lost Cortland Finnegan. there is no reason to even consider them for your roster. |
| 25 | Jaguars | 6 | The Jags actually finished sixth in total defense last year, and tied for seventh with 44 sacks. But their energy will be drained from being affixed to the field, thanks to Jacksonville’s offensive inadequacies. |
| 26 | Dolphins | 7 | Miami possessed a stingy defense last year in terms of both yardage and scoring. But they did not generate enough turnovers, including just three fumbles, which was the NFL’s lowest total. |
| 27 | Panthers | 6 | The Panthers were too hospitable last year (28th is yardage allowed, 17th in points allowed). And even though multiple starters will return from injuries that curtailed their 2011 season, this isn’t the unit you should target. |
| 28 | Rams | 9 | Jeff Fisher will eventually revive the St. Louis D. But with up to seven new starters, and too many shortcomings, it won’t happen this season. |
| 29 | Raiders | 5 | Dennis Allen will introduce 2012 tactics into their strategy, with less predictability, and more blitzing. But too many questions exist at CB and LB for fantasy owners to ponder drafting this unit. |
| 30 | Buccaneers | 5 | The Bucs ranked a meager 30th overall, while permitting nearly 400 YPG, and allowing opponents to score 30.9 points per game. They were also the NFL’s worst at stopping the run, and should not be on anyone’s roster. |
| 31 | Browns | 10 | If the Browns were even mediocre against the run, they might be worthy of consideration, since they are so effective versus the pass (ranked second in 2011). But their generosity with opposing rushers (147.4 YPG) doesn’t figure to improve measurably. |
| 32 | Colts | 4 | Chuck Pagano will reconfigure the Colts defense, and mold it into a sturdy force. But that is a multi-year project, and there is no reason to even consider them this season. |
