Top 10 Defenses and Special Teams For Fantasy Owners

Defenses are arguably one of the harder positions to figure out from year to year as to which one will be better. In 2010 the Cowboys and Lions had a solid Top 10 Defense while the 49ers had a mediocre one in a losing season. But last year the Cowboys and Lions defenses gave up some of the worst yardage through the air and the 49ers had one of the best defenses, not giving up a rushing TD till late in the season. As I said, hard to predict, but here are some of the Top Defenses, some should be better while some probably won't change.

Top 10 Defenses For the 2012 Season 

(The Texans Defense Was the One of the Top Defenses in the League Last Year; how will that translate next year? Photo Courtesy: www.Dailyfantasysports.org)

1. San Francisco 49ers-  Their defense may give up a rushing TD earlier in the season simply because of the unlikeliness of accomplishing their 2011 feat again, but their defense should be solid, maybe even better after keeping most of their starters from last year. 

2. Detroit Lions- The Lions did address their need at CB in the draft and could have potentially gotten some starters to help that secondary that got destroyed throughout the season. It could be tough because they are playing Cutler and Rodgers twice a year each, and perhaps a better Christian Ponder. But their sack totals will continue because of that vicious defensive front. 

3. Houston Texans- The Texans were one of the best defenses in the league last season.  When you lose your two top QB to injury and still make the playoffs your defense is playing good. The loss of Mario Williams will hurt the defense but he was hurt half of last season so it could be unnoticed. 

4. Green Bay Packers- This is a defense that if it wasn't for all the turnovers they wouldn't be ranked this high because of how much passing yards they gave up per game. With Clay Matthews and Rod Woodson constantly creating turnovers that often turned into points, they should stay a solid Top 5 defense. 

5. Philadelphia Eagles- The Eagles finally addressed the defensive line position that was being gashed by every RB in the league last season. With this addition the Eagles could have a defense that could go deep into the playoffs. 

6. Chicago Bears- The Chicago Bears only didn't make the playoffs the defense because of their offense after Forte and Cutler got hurt. The Bears defense kept the team in games and only lost because they were on the field so much. The Bears also drafted a couple of corners late in the draft and a DE with their first pick. 

7. Baltimore Ravens- How good this team would be if Terrell Suggs had not gotten injured. Unfortunately with Suggs injury now Courtney Upshaw has to step-up and try to be at least half as good as Suggs. If Suggs is true to his word though, he could return midseason; which would be a plus for fantasy owners who take the Ravens.

8. Dallas Cowboys- The Cowboys have become a complete a defense with the additions of Brandon Carr and Morris Clayborne. If they don't get rid of Mike Jenkins, they could have a secondary that is strong enough to give Aaron Rodgers some trouble. But the Cowboys linebackers have to play just as good as they did last season. 

9. New York Jets- Remember the 2009/2010 seasons when the Jets defense made its name off of stopping the run and pass. Last year that was non-existent as the Jets allowed more than 20 points in multiple games last year. The Jets did draft a DE in the draft who should allow a pass-rush and could create turnovers. 

10. Denver Broncos- The Broncos actually had a decent defense last season. Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil combined for almost 20 sacks.With the addition of Tracy Porter and a rookie DT drafted with their first pick, the defense should be very much improved over the defense that helped the Broncos to an 8-8 record. 

***Sleeper*** New York Giants- The Giants consistently do have a decent defense from year to year. They are streaky though, sometimes they are excellent for a few weeks in a row while sometimes they do give up many points. 

***Beware*** New Orleans Saints- The Saints are losing Jonathon Vilma for the whole season. Vilma is a huge loss because he is the leader of that defense, pair that with the loss of Greg Williams also and the learning of Steve Spagnuol's system, the Saints may have a hard time staying with their standard.