Fantasy Football Rankings: Five Must-Start Defenses For Week 4

Defenses can make a huge difference in fantasy football, and Kansas City Chiefs owners found that out in Week 3 when they scored a ton of points from eight turnovers and two touchdowns.

Here are five must-start defenses for Week 4.

Houston Texans
Sure, the Texans didn’t look good last Thursday against the New England Patriots’ third-string quarterback in a 27-0 loss. They also gave up more than 100 rushing yards, with most of them going to LeGarrette Blount. That said, they have a much better matchup in Week 4 against a Tennessee Titans offense that’s tied for the fewest points scored per game (14) and ranks 23rd in passing yards per attempt.

Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks have allowed the second-fewest points per game (12.3) and also have given up the fewest yards per game (250.3). Seattle has a favorable matchup against a New York Jets team that turned the ball over eight (!) times in Week 3.

Minnesota Vikings
The New York Giants rank 24th in redzone percentage, and their inability to consistently score touchdowns inside the 20-yard line almost cost them a Week 2 win over the New Orleans Saints. Going on the road against a Vikings defense that has been dominant through three games won’t be easy for the G-Men. Minnesota intercepted Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton three times in Week 3 and also held his offense to just 10 points. The Vikings have given up the third-fewest points per game (13.3) overall.

New York Jets
The Jets’ defense didn’t play as poorly as the 24-3 Week 3 score would indicate. Turnovers by the offense put this unit in a short field many times, and on the season, New York’s defense has allowed the second-fewest rushing yards (71.3) per game. The Jets take on a Seahawks offense in Week 4 that has a banged up quarterback in Russell Wilson and a poor offensive line that opponents can exploit.

Denver Broncos
The Broncos are among eight teams that’ve given up less than 20 points per game through three weeks and they also rank seventh in total yards allowed per game. They’ll take on a Tampa Bay Buccaneers offense in Week 4 that has turned the ball over eight times, the second-highest amount in the league. Denver’s elite secondary should have no trouble with Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston, who has thrown an interception in every game so far (six overall).

Thumbnail photo via Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports Images