Fantasy Football 2013 Def/Special Teams Rankings: Week 10
Seattle has not been at its best lately, but the Seahawks maintain their position as No. 1 on Athlon Sports' fantasy football Week 10 defense/special teams rankings because of their matchup. On paper, the game in Atlanta is a rematch of last season's NFC Divisional playoff contest, but this Falcons team is a far cry from the 2012 edition. The defending NFC South champs have been devastated by injuries on both sides of the ball and find themselves at 2-6 entering the second half of their schedule.
The Falcons haven't been anywhere near as potent on offense this season, thanks in part to the league's worst rushing attack. That is the one area that Seattle's defense has struggled with recently, giving up more than 200 yards rushing in each of its last two games. That doesn't appear to be a problem for the Seahawks' D this week, as the unit will instead focus their ball-hawking efforts on a Falcons offense that has committed eight turnovers in the past two games.
While Seattle hand its hands full at home last week with Tampa Bay, Miami's defense flexed its muscles against Cincinnati last Thursday. The Dolphins gave up 465 yards of offense to the Bengals, but the defense sacked Andy Dalton five times and picked him off three times, including a Brent Grimes 94-yard interception return for a touchdown. Cameron Wake was the star of the game, however, as he had 3.5 of the team's five sacks, the last being a walk-off safety to give the Dolphins the win in overtime. This week, Wake and his defensive mates have their sights set on a Tampa Bay offense that is starting a backup at quarterback and running back and is next to last in the league in both total and scoring offense.
Each week during the NFL season, we will rank enough players at each position to appease everyone from those in 8-team leagues to 16-team leagues, those that can start two QBs, two TEs, three RBs and four WRs. We cut out the rest, because if you're looking at who the 50th-best running back or the 17th-best kicker is for that week, you need more help than any Web site can give you.
2013 NFL Week 10 Fantasy Football Rankings — Defense/Special Teams
Teams on bye this week: Cleveland, Kansas City, New England, New York Jets
Rk | Team | OPP | Notes |
1 | at ATL | Have given up 200+ rushing yards in each of past 2 games. | |
2 | vs. CAR | Coming off of bye, could get Aldon Smith back this week. | |
3 | vs. HOU | Cardinals D: 18.5 ppg, 11 TOs forced in four home games. | |
4 | at BAL | Loss of All-Pro DT Geno Atkins (ACL) hurts Bengals D. | |
5 | vs. JAC | Jags last in total offense (286.5 ypg) and scoring (10.8 ppg). | |
6 | at SF | Panthers are 3rd in total defense, 2nd in scoring and vs. rush. | |
7 | vs. STL | Zac Stacy will test Colts' 27th-ranked rushing defense. | |
8 | at TB (Mon.) | Cameron Wake (3.5 sacks, safety, FR) a force vs. CIN. | |
9 | vs. CIN | Ravens have given up just 1 rushing touchdown in 8 games. | |
10 | vs. BUF | Steelers gave up franchise-worst 55 pts. And 610 yds. to NE. | |
11 | at SD | Different D with Von Miller in lineup, 266 yards allowed vs. WAS. | |
12 | vs. PHI | Defense needs to step vs. Eagles w/ no Rodgers at QB. | |
13 | at ARI | Texans No. 1 vs. pass, but just 3 INTs (vs. 13 TDs), 20 sacks. | |
14 | vs. DAL | Saints D: 14.5 ppg, 11 total TOs forced in four home games. | |
15 | St. Louis Rams | at IND | Rams tied for 3rd in the NFL with 29 sacks. |
16 |
| G-Men playing better D: 203 ypg, 7 ppg, 6 TOs over last 2 G. |
Rankings are based upon Athlon Sports' standard scoring system:
DEFENSIVE SCORING
0 points allowed = 12 points
1-6 points allowed = 10 points
7-13 points allowed = 8 pts
14-20 points allowed = 6 points
21-27 points allowed = 2 pts
28+ points allowed = 0 points
Safeties = 2 points
Fumbles recovered = 2 points
Interceptions = 2 points
Sacks = 1 point
Defensive/Special Teams TDs = 6 points
Additional Week 10 Positional Rankings
What's Trending
