Fantasy Football Week 1 Rankings: D/ST

Some people like to take a perceived elite defense in the middle rounds, sticking with them regardless of who they play each week. I've had much more success picking up a different defense each week and guaranteeing my starter has a favorable matchup.

If you fall into the latter category along with myself, then the following list is for you. Ranking defenses will likely get easier as the season progresses. We can identify a few favorable matchups already (Detroit and Oakland, I'm looking at you), but for the most part, we need a few weeks under our belt before we can truly determine which offenses should offer up your defense a ton of points each week.

1. Ravens, BAL vs KC
2. Steelers, PIT vs TEN
3. Giants, NYG vs WAS
4. Patriots, NE vs BUF
5. Chargers, SD at OAK

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6. Vikings, MIN at CLE
7. Packers, GB vs CHI
8. Titans, TEN at PIT
9. Cardinals, ARI vs SF
10. Cowboys, DAL at TB
11. Eagles, PHI at CAR
12. Bears, CHI at GB
13. Seahawks, SEA vs STL
14. Panthers, CAR vs PHI
15. Saints, NO vs DET
16. Texans, HOU vs NYJ
17. Buccaneers, TB vs DAL
18. Colts, IND vs JAC
19. Bengals, CIN vs DEN
20. Raiders, OAK vs SD
21. Jets, NYJ at HOU
22. Falcons, ATL vs MIA
23. Redskins, WAS at NYG
24. Browns, CLE vs MIN
25. Dolphins, MIA at ATL
26. 49ers, SF at ARI
27. Bills, BUF at NE
28. Jaguars, JAC at IND
29. Broncos, DEN at CIN
30. Rams, STL at SEA
31. Chiefs, KC at BAL
32. Lions, DET at NO

• Gotta love the Ravens taking on the Chiefs, with Cassel hampered by injury and the offensive coordinator fired before they could play one regular-season game. Not that you'll find Baltimore on any waiver wires, but you're loving them as your team defense this week.

• The Cardinals look like a great play against San Francisco. I think the 49ers have a shot at winning this division, but until they prove to be good offensively, you can start your defenses against them.

• Playing the 5,000-yard passing offense of New Orleans and Drew Brees, the Lions are a horrible play. If you're in some bizarro league where you're rewarded for bad performances, the Lions are looking stellar.