My two top defenses of the week have to be the two best [with respects to the New York Jets]: Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers. With matchups at home versus injury filled teams, I really like both of these defenses to pump their chests this week. When looking at the rest of the schedule this week, there are a few matchups out there where one team has a defensive edge, but this week is much closer than most. With byes for 4 more teams, this might have to be the week you take a chance on a free agent defense. Here is week 5 of team defense start sit.
Start ‘em: Week Five Team Defenses
New Orleans Saints vs ARI: How can you not start the Super Bowl Champs defense versus a rookie starting his first game of his career, especially because he came out of a passing offense in BYU and will not be ready for this type of blitz schemes. The Saints have held the Cardinals to under 14 points in their last two matchups and I see that continuing on Sunday.
Houston Texans vs NYG: With Brian Cushing back for their defense off suspension and the Giants off playing one of the best games in at least a year [even if it was defensively more than anything], the Texans will come out firing here and Eli will be a turnover machine trying to catch up. The Texans have held the Giants to exactly 14 points in their last two matchups and I do not see that trend stopping when they play on Sunday.
San Diego Chargers vs OAK: Without Darren McFadden for a few weeks the Oakland offense is going to struggle trying to get Michael Bush back in his starting role. I like the Chargers defense this week because of their experience in this type of game keeping Oakland at bay. The Raiders average around 14 points a game versus San Diego in the past few seasons and I see that streak continuing when the Chargers travel to the Black Hole.
New York Jets vs MIN: I know the Vikings just acquired Randy Moss from the Patriots, but like the Jets had in week one with the pressure from Hard Knocks, the Vikings will be in a similar position in week 5 to come out the gates firing. The Jets will get to Brett Favre, and Adrian Peterson will face the 4th best rush defense in the league; start the Jets.
Sit ‘em: Week Five Team Defenses
Jacksonville Jaguars vs BUF: The Jaguars are ranked 30th in yards allowed per game, the Bills are due for at least some sort of semblance of some offense and this will be the week they get it. The Jags are also ranked 30th in passing yards allowed, with that being said Ryan Fitzpatrick will put points on the board here and Jacksonville will come back to earth from that win against the Colts.
Atlanta Falcons vs CLE: I have not been a fan of the Falcons defense all season, and this week smells like a defensive let down from Atlanta. The Browns have beaten the Falcons in their last 3 matchups and I am not sold on the Falcons being able to shut down Peyton Hillis, because the Bengals could not. Seneca Wallace is doing the things necessary to keep the Browns in the game [61% completion]. Sit the Falcons this week.
Kansas City Chiefs vs IND: I really do not care if the Chiefs had 3 weeks to prepare for this one, I would not go near any defense playing the Colts at any point in the season [as long as Peyton is behind center]. The Colts have been averaging around 28 points a game this season and I see that number and more at home versus Kansas City coming off the scorching loss last week to the Jaguars. The Chiefs defense has been real good so far holding teams to around 13 points a game, I definitely do not see that continuing when they travel to Indianapolis to see Peyton.
Washington Redskins vs GB: So far this season the Packers offense have been held at bay, with Clinton Portis out 4-6 weeks the Redskins are going to struggle to keep possession of the ball in this one and Green Bay will take advantage. Green Bay has historically put up around 30 points on the Redskins and I see the Packers continuing that trend behind Aaron Rodgers and their explosive offense.
