Pittsburgh Steelers D
There’s no question that Pittsburgh has the best defense for fantasy football purposes this weekend in Week 3 of the playoffs. They were the best defense in the league during the regular season and in this game they will be taking on the weakest offensive team still alive.

Baltimore Ravens D
Although the Ravens are the underdog in this game, don’t overlook their defense. Baltimore boasts a number of playmakers who can take a turnover and return it to the end zone. Considering this will undoubtedly be a low scoring affair, feel confident starting Baltimore’s D.

Philadelphia Eagles D
The Eagles might have the hottest defense in the NFL but they dipped in these rankings due to the fact that the Cardinals have an explosive offense. Chances are the Eagles D will be worth a healthy amount — but there’s a chance that Kurt Warner and the Cardinals have something to say about that.

Arizona Cardinals D
On paper, the Cardinals have the worst fantasy defense for this week of playoff fantasy football. That said, their defense is playing well as of late and Donovan McNabb isn’t exactly known as the best big game quarterback of all time.

1) Baltimore Ravens
Best defense in the league has a good matchup.

2) Philadelphia Eagles
Eagles are rolling and could bottle Vikings.

3) Indianapolis Colts
Colts defense has been scoring fantasy points.

4) Minnesota Vikings
Pressure on McNabb could cause a big game.

5) Miami Dolphins
Going against a rookie QB makes Miami startable.

6) Atlanta Falcons
High risk, high reward type start this weekend.

7) Arizona Cardinals
Defense hasn’t been much to brag about lately.

San Diego Chargers
Bad defense against good offense.

D Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are the best defensive team in the NFL and their defensive ways have translated well over to fantasy football. The Steelers have been extremely effective in the last few weeks and are a safe start every game.

D Indianapolis Colts
With the playoffs quickly approaching, the Indianapolis Colts are playing very good defense. Their only sub par defensive game came against the Detroit Lions — surprisingly enough. Overall, the Colts are showing Super Bowl level defense.

D Minnesota Vikings
Even though the Vikings aren’t healthy and also have to worry about some suspensions on the defensive side of the ball, they are still producing very well in fantasy football. While they haven’t quite lived up to their preseason hype, they are still a top tier fantasy defense.

D Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Using a good blend of veterans and youth, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have one of the best defensive units in the NFL. They’ve been a bit erratic in terms of fantasy football production, but when they are playing well they are one of the best defenses to own.

Shawne Merriman of the San Diego Chargers has decided to have surgery on his knee and will miss the rest of the season. Merriman played in Week 1 with two partially torn ligaments in his knee.

In the offseason, Shawne Merriman contemplated surgery but decided against it. A week into the 2008 NFL season, Merriman has switched gears and will proceed with the reconstructive surgery.

With Merriman out for the season, this makes the San Diego Chargers fantasy defense less valuable. Merriman is the player who attacked the quarterback and caused havoc on the field. While the Chargers D will still be ranked as a top ten fantasy defense, they are no longer one of the elite.

In Week 1, the Chargers suffered a last second defeat at the hands of the Carolina Panthers. With this bad news regarding Merriman, it might be best to wait a few weeks before starting San Diego D on your 2008 fantasy football team.

Here is a video with more injury about Shawne Merriman’s injury:

Read more

Shawne Merriman of the San Diego Chargers has announced that he has two torn knee ligaments. Despite the injury, he isn’t ruled out of the season opener.

However, according to Merriman, if he plays he is at a risk of sustaining a career-ending injury. On the other hand, if he undergoes surgery, he will most likely have to miss the rest of this season.

If Merriman decides to sit out the season, that’d be a big blow to the Chargers’ defense. Right now in fantasy football, the Chargers are considered a top two defense by most experts. Without Merriman, the Chargers would still be elite but not nearly as strong. Merriman is the biggest fantasy producer on San Diego’s defensive unit.

Keep an eye out on what Merriman decides to do. Until then, here is a video with more specifics on Merriman’s injury:

Brian Urlacher, the linebacker and emotional leader of the Chicago Bears, got the new contract he wanted. Urlacher’s new contract is reported to be $43.5M over the next five years. While the 30-year-old Urlacher wanted more money earlier in the offseason, this makes him one of the highest paid defensive players in the NFL.

The fantasy football impact of this new contract is rather extensive. Rumblings out of Chicago indicated that Urlacher may sit out training camp if he didn’t get a new contract. Those worries can now be put to bed.

With Urlacher happy, the Bears’ defense should once again be very good. While Urlacher has had injury trouble recently, he is reportedly in good shape and should be able to make it through the 2008 NFL season.

If you are in need of a solid defense for the 2008 fantasy football season, be sure to keep the Chicago Bears high on your list.

Check out this Brian Urlacher Highlight Video:

Jason Taylor and the Miami Dolphins finally split. The Dolphins on Sunday traded Taylor to the Washington Redskins for a pair of draft picks.

Taylor expressed on video how unsatisfied he was with losing. Going from the 1-15 Dolphins to a Redskins team that has a legit shot at making the playoffs should satisfy Taylor’s hunger for winning.

In return for Miami’s defensive ace, the Dolphins got a second round pick in the 2009 NFL Draft and a sixth round selection in the 2010 NFL Draft. Considering that training camp is coming up quickly, the Dolphins were able to get a good package for their disgruntled lineman.

On the Redskins, Taylor’s main job will be rushing the passer. If the 33-year-old defensive end can cause havoc in the 2008 season, Washington will be happy with the trade.

How much better will Jason Taylor make the Redskins?

Photo: Newscom

The Chicago Bears on a whole have a lot of question marks surrounding their team. Their offense is considered a major weak spot. With 2007 starting running back Cedric Benson getting waived, the team recently brought in Kevin Jones to help out.

While the Bears’ defense is supposed to be the team’s strong point, a number a question marks remain on that side of the field as well. The main question mark is the status of star linebacker Brian Urlacher.

Urlacher has been upset all offseason about his contract. Chicago has reportedly made a few offers, however Urlacher turned those offers down. Now, with training camp right around the corner, it is unknown whether Urlacher will report on time. It is entirely possible that Urlacher sits out until he is satisfied by his contractual status.

However, Urlacher is also a major injury concern for the Bears. Even if he reports to camp, Urlacher has had neck and back injuries in recent years and may be reaching the end of his rope as a dominant defensive player. If Urlacher slips, expect the entire Bears’ defense to regress.

The Bears in recent years have been a sturdy group of warriors. This season, they look like they may not be nearly as good. In terms of fantasy football, be a bit weary of the Bears. Their offense doesn’t look too pretty and defensively, the Bears have a chance to be just average instead of very good.

Will Brian Urlacher remain a great linebacker?

Photo: Newscom

Check out our first look at the 2008 fantasy football draft rankings. The rankings are seperated by position. While these are sure to change in the coming weeks and months, it’s great to get an early look and start planning your fantasy football strategy for 2008.

Top Fantasy Football Quarterbacks in 2008

Top Fantasy Football Running Backs in 2008

Top Fantasy Football Wide Receivers in 2008

Top Fantasy Football Tight Ends in 2008

Top Fantasy Football Kickers in 2008

Top Fantasy Football Defenses in 2008

Does Darren McFadden make the list?

Photo: Newscom

1. Minnesota Vikings - With Jared Allen added, Vikings D should produce.
2. New England Patriots - The Pats are always an explosive D.
3. San Diego Chargers - Chargers will once again be an elite D.
4. Chicago Bears - After an off year, Bears should bounce back.
5. New York Giants - Strahan retiring hurts but Giants should be good.
6. Dallas Cowboys - The young Cowboys D is getting stronger.
7. Seattle Seahawks - The Seahawks have the most underrated D.
8. Green Bay Packers - The Packers are young and talented.
9. Jacksonville Jaguars - If healthy, Jaguars should be stout.
10. Baltimore Ravens - Ravens always seem to find a way to produce.