2013 Fantasy Football DEF Rankings – Week 5

.
With another exciting week of football under our belts, here are the Lester’s Legends 2013 Week 5 fantasy football team defense rankings.
.
1. St. Louis Rams
James Laurinaitis, Alec Ogletree and Robert Quinn anchor a St. Louis Rams defense that is off to a rough start. Keep in mind that they faced the Atlanta Falcons, Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers over the past three weeks. They have a great chance to get right this week against the Jacksonville Jaguars, who rank dead last in total offense (224 yards per game) and scoring offense (7.8 points per game).
.
2. Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs rank seventh in total defense with 306.3 yards per game allowed and lead the league in scoring defense with 10.3 points allowed per game. They face the Tennessee Titans, who rank 29th in total offense (312.8 ypg). Jake Locker is out, which is a blow to the offense. Ryan Fitzpatrick is a turnover machine. The Chiefs already have 12 takeaways. They also lead the league with 18 sacks.
.
3. Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks rank fifth in total defense (300.3 ypg) and second in scoring defense (11.8 ppg). The Indianapolis Colts have a potent offense, but this is a unit that can slow down most teams.
.
4. Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers quietly rank 10th in total defense (318.7 ypg) and third in scoring defense (12 ppg). They are facing the Arizona Cardinals, who rank 27th in total offense (320.3 ypg) and tied for 25th in scoring offense (17.3). The Cardinals struggle to run the football, which will allow the Panthers to key in on the passing game.
.
5. Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns have had two stunning victories in a row. Their defense, led by D’Qwell Jackson, ranks third in total defense (291.5 ypg) and eight in scoring defense (17.5 ppg). They also have one of the best shutdown corners in Joe Haden, who will make life miserable for Stevie Johnson. The Buffalo Bills rank 21st in scoring offense with 22 points per game. C.J. Spiller is a little banged up and playing on Thursday means he’ll likely be limited.
.
6. San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers rank 4th in total defense (299.8 ypg) and had some extra rest after playing on Thursday last week. They are facing the Houston Texans at home. One has to wonder what their mental state will be after coughing one away last week.
.
7. Houston Texans
Defensively, the Texans lead the league in total defense at 254.3 yards allowed per game. The Niners have been inconsistent on offense.
.
8. New England Patriots
Losing Vince Wilfork is a big blow, but I expect the New England Patriots to adjust. They rank sixth in the league in scoring defense (14.3 ppg). They are facing the Cincinnati Bengals, who rank 22nd in total defense (327.5 ypg) and scoring defense (20.3 ppg). Aqib Talib already has four interceptions.
.
9. Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons aren’t a great defensive unit, but they have a decent draw against the New York Jets, who rank 28th in scoring offense at 17 points per game.
.
10. New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints rank sixth in total defense (304.5 ypg) and fifth in scoring defense (13.8 ppg). They have an opportunistic defense, which will pay dividends if bad Jay Cutler shows up for the Chicago Bears.
.
Also check out:

• 2013 Week 5 Fantasy Football QB Rankings
• 2013 Week 5 Fantasy Football RB Rankings
• 2013 Week 5 Fantasy Football WR Rankings
• 2013 Week 5 Fantasy Football TE Rankings
• 2013 Week 5 Fantasy Football K Rankings
• 2013 Week 5 Get ‘em or Don’t Sweat ‘em Waiver Wire Advice
• Buy Low on Eddie Lacy
• Sell High on DeAngelo Williams
• 2013 Week 5 NFL Picks

.

Fantasy football, baseball, and basketball analysis