The San Francisco 49ers are the number one defense to start in week 1 because of both their matchup versus Seattle as well as Pete Carrol’s first game as head coach. I will take Patrick Willis and the young SF defense.
Start ‘em: Week 1 Team Defenses
Miami Dolphins @ BUF: Over the past two seasons the Dolphins running game have absolutely dominated the Bills and that will be no different on Sunday. With that pace of the game already set, I think MIA Defense will step up, cause a few turnovers and definitely make the start worthwhile.
San Diego Chargers @ KC: Cassel at home, Monday Night Football, all the pressure on Kansas City in this one, I would want to sit back and start SD Defense and rack in the turnovers and mistakes of the Chiefs, because there always is. KC has not put over 21 points in their last 4 meetings, and I do not think that will change Monday night.
Tennessee Titans vs OAK: Ranked 18th on the updated Defense Rankings, the Titans I believe have great promise playing at home vs the Raiders this Sunday. I just do not trust the offense in Oakland, and at the moment I would relish the opportunity to start a defense playing them… it is as simple as that.
Dallas Cowboys at WASH: An injured McNabb plus a 100 million dollar waste at DT puts the Cowboys Defense higher on my list than I even thought they would be. I am just not sure how you do not like Dallas to step up and make this the type of game they want to play, which means a lot of play action and a lot of Barber and Felix. If and when Dallas runs the ball the way they are supposed to, I love their defense on Sunday Night Football.
Arizona Cardinals at STL: Sam Bradford’s first start as a pro comes against a revamped Cardinals Defense that is determined to hold up Derek Anderson and the offense, especially in week one. They are going to fill the box on every play to stop Steven Jackson, and force Bradford to make plays to beat them, and I just love the odds of success with a rookie slinging the ball in his first career start.
Sit ‘em: Week One Team Defenses
Cincinnati Bengals @ NE: Starting with the defense I really do like this season, but just not in week one. The Brady Bunch are going to move the ball in this one, no questions asked. Especially if Antwan Odom is expected to miss Sunday’s game, New England is going to score points and most likely not turn over the ball very much, which does not equal a good start for Cincinnati Defense.
Indianapolis Colts @ HOU: The Texans put points on the board, and Matt Schaub rarely turns over the ball, that mixture makes for a poor defensive start for the Colts this weekend. This is going to be an absolutely great game, but what it won’t be is a defensive shoot out… sit the Colts this week.
Chicago Bears vs DET: Even with the addition of Julius Peppers to the defense, I still do not trust this defense at all, and with the young Lions coming to town for the first game of the year, I am personally going to sit the Bears Defense in this one. The Lions have scored 70 total points versus the Bears in their last three matchups and I do not see that trend ending on Sunday.
Denver Broncos @ JAX: I am just not a fan of the depleted Broncos Defense without Elvis Dumervil and possibly Jarvis Moss on Sunday and I think the Jaguars will feast and run away with this game. The last two times Jacksonville has played Denver, they have scored 23 and 24 points respectively, that will not change on Sunday, I think you should sit the Denver Defense.
