2008 Team Defense Power Rankings
Power rankings for other positions
Here are the rankings for team defenses going into the 2008 season. As you can see, the perennial teams at the top of this list (Chicago and Baltimore) seem to be on a downward spiral, with the new powerhouses of Minnesota and San Diego leading the way this season. With team defenses though, even more so than with tight ends, you definitely don't want to rush when drafting one. If you don't get at top tier defense around the 10th round or so, I'd suggest holding off until one of your last picks to take one. The difference between 75% of the defenses is so small that it won't have much affect on your season...plus if you're really into weekly match-ups, you could always pick up a defense each week based on the team they're playing and hope it works out.
| Bookmark this post, it's updated regularly! Last updated: 08/27/08 | |||
| Rank | Team | Notes | |
| Tier 1: Don't be scared to draft these guys before the last 3 rounds | |||
| 1 | Minnesota Vikings | Jared Allen boosts a defense that was already near the top last season. | |
| 2 | New England Patriots | One thing you don't need is for the top team in the NFL to have a chip on its shoulder, which is what the Patriots will continue to have after all the off season commotion with Spy-Gate. Expect the team to come out swinging this season in all aspects of the game, with Belichick's defense putting up another solid season. | |
| 3 | San Diego Chargers |  In standard scoring leagues, the Chargers were the top scoring defense in the NFL last season. However, Shawn Merriman's injury puts a damper on things. Without the pressure on the quarterback from him, teams shouldn't have quite as much trouble moving the ball against this crew. |
|
| Tier 2: Solid defenses | |||
| 4 | Seattle Seahawks | ||
| 5 | Chicago Bears | ||
| 6 | Tennessee Titans | Although they weren't the top defense in terms of yards allowed, the Titans were very stingy when it came to allowing touchdowns. | |
| 7 | Dallas Cowboys | ||
| 8 | Green Bay Packers | ||
| 9 | New York Giants | Strahan retiring and Osi Umenyiora's season ending injury will force this defense to take more chances and blitz more |
|
| Tier 3: Serviceable, but don't reach for them | |||
| 10 | Arizona Cardinals | ||
| 11 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | ||
| 12 | Jacksonville Jaguars | ||
| 13 | Baltimore Ravens | ||
| 14 | Pittsburgh Steelers | ||
| 15 | Buffalo Bills | ||
| Tier 4: You'll probably want another defense to rotate in for good match-ups | |||
| 16 | Denver Broncos | ||
| 17 | Philadelphia Eagles | ||
| 18 | Indianapolis Colts | ||
| 19 | Washington Redskins | ||
| 20 | Detroit Lions | ||
| Tier 5: Bye week fill-in's or good match-up plays | |||
| 21 | Cincinnati Bengals | ||
| 22 | New Orleans Saints | ||
| 23 | St. Louis Rams | ||
| 24 | Houston Texans | ||
| 25 | New York Jets | ||
| 26 | Oakland Raiders | ||
| 27 | Miami Dolphins | ||
| 28 | Carolina Panthers | ||
| 29 | San Francisco 49er's | ||
| 30 | Cleveland Browns | ||
| 31 | Atlanta Falcons | ||
| 32 | Kansas City Chiefs | ||
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5 comments
#1. Mark, 3 months ago
I would like more of an explanation about the Titans being #6 I don't understand that one at all. Beyond Haynesworth, what do they have? I would put them down near #15, with the Bills
#2. Brandon, 3 months ago
@Mark: Well, they were the 9th top scoring defense in the NFL last season in terms of fantasy points, and barring injury or suspension, Haynesworth should be in there for every game this season, boosting them a few spots. Like I said in the introduction though, the difference between most of the defenses is so small that it doesn't really matter.
#3. The Advisor, 2 months ago
Vikings #1, thats all I needed to read. Kudos. Ok Bears #5, kudos again.
#4. irohalipronry, 2 months ago
Very nice!!
#5. Brandon, 11 days ago
@Mark: How about that Titans defense?
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