Top Ten 2008 FF Defenses/Special Teams

In part six of our series on the top ten at each position we move to the side of the ball that wins championships - DEFENSE. While that may be true in the NFL, it certainly is not true in FF. I rank defense slightly ahead of kickers in terms of importance which isn't saying much. I had teams like Chicago and Baltimore as my top ranked defenses a year ago and it was San Diego and Minnesota owners who got the points. So take my list with a grain of salt and don't spend a high draft pick on any of these or your likely to be disappointed.

1) San Diego Chargers
2007 Stats: 17.8 points allowed/game, 30 INTs, 42 sacks, 8 Def TDs, 2 ST TDs
Shawne Merriman and gang brings back last years top scoring FF defense from last season with no signs of slowing down. The Chargers lead the league in picks a year ago and bolstered their secondary by adding first-round pick CB Antoine Cason. Not a bad addition to Antonio Cromartie who scored three TDs himself off of picks.

2) Minnesota Vikings
2007 Stats: 19.4 points, 15 INTs, 38 sacks, 9 Def TDs, 1 ST TD
When you add one of the best defensive players to one of the best defensive teams you get one intriguing FF defense. In comes Jared Allen from Kansas City so expect QB pressure and sacks to both rise. Allen had 15.5 sacks a year ago to add to defense that teams already couldn't run on.

3) New England Patriots
2007 Stats: 17.1 points, 19 INTs, 47 sacks, 8 Def TDs, 2 ST TDs
The Pats lost CB Asante Samuel in free agency to Philadelphia and that hurts. But the strength of Bill Belichick's defense is their linebackers and New England got stronger their with the addition of the tenth overall pick in the draft, ILB Jerod Mayo. But Tedy Bruschi is slowing down and I'm not so sure that with a new secondary this defense is worth where they will likely get drafted in most drafts.

4) Chicago Bears
2007 Stats: 21.8 points, 16 INTs, 41 sacks, 8 Def TDs, 6 ST TDs
The Bears Cover2 defense used to scare every offense in the league. They might not be quite as intimidating but still have Brian Urlacher and company. And lets not forget that there is no better returner in the game than Devin Hester. The biggest concern with this defense is actually the offense that can't seem to stay on the field and could cause the D to get tired.

5) Dallas Cowboys
2007 Stats: 20.3 points, 19 INTs, 46 sacks, 4 Def TDs, 0 ST TDs
The Boys have stars on their helmets and had a lot of stars on their defense as well last year. Demarcus Ware is one of the premier ends/linebackers in the league. The rich got rich with the addition of LB Zach Thomas and CB Adam "Pacman" Jones. It is Pacman, who now prefers to be called Adam that should get FF owners excited assuming the commish allows him to play. He adds playmaking ability to both defense and special teams in Big D, something they could have used more of last year.

6) New York Giants
2007 Stats: 21.9 points, 15 INTs, 53 sacks, 6 Def TDs, 1 ST TD
Michael Strahan is retired which hurts what was the best three-man defensive end rotation in the league. The Super Bowl champs still have DE Osi Umenyioa, the lone Pro Bowler from last years defense that lead the league with 53 sacks and added another 5 on Tom Brady in the game that really mattered. Justin Tuck will move to Strahan's spot except for on obvious passing plays when he will move into the middle to make room for Mathias Kiwanuka.

7) Green Bay Packers
2007 Stats: 18.2 points, 19 INTs, 36 sacks, 6 Def TDs, 2 ST TDs
The Pack don't get a lot of press for their defense, especially with the Brett Favre saga stealing all the limelight the past few weeks. But this defense can be had in the draft after the top five or six are gone and that could be a bargain considering they have a very productive Aaron Kampman up front harassing the QB forcing them to throw into solid coverage by CBs Charles Woodson and Al Harris. Throw in a nice LB duo of AJ Hawk and Nick Barnett in a weak offensive division and GB looks pretty good.

8) Seattle Seahawks
2007 Stats: 18.2 points, 20 INTs, 45 sacks, 5 Def TDs, 3 ST TDs
Like Green Bay the Seahawks represent good value in the draft. They lead the NFC in interceptions thanks to seven by Marcus Trufant. The NFC West has a lot of unstable offenses, which also boots their value.

9) Indianapolis Colts
2007 Stats: 16.4 points, 22 INTs, 28 sacks, 3 Def TDs, 1 ST TD
Indy has always been known for the offense but guess who allowed the fewest points in the league last year. Yup, the Colts. As hard as that is to believe they have two great playmakers in Dwight Freeney and Bob Sanders, if they stay healthy so does the Colts defense.

10) Pittsburgh Steelers
2007 Stats: 16.8 points, 11 INTs, 36 sacks, 3 Def TDs, 1 ST TD
Steady defense doesn't allow many points, it just doesn't score many in FF either. The Steelers ranked as the top defense lat year giving up just 266.4 yards per game and gave up the second fewest points. Hopefully safety Troy Polamalu stays healthy and will create a lot of turnovers this season.

Just Missed:
Jacksonville Jaguars
Baltimore Ravens
Tamp Bay Buccaneers
Arizona Cardinals
Tennessee Titans