1. Green Bay Packers
The Packers are a very solid defense. Add in the fact that they are going against Josh Freeman and the Buccaneers and you have the makings of a great start.

2. New Orleans Saints
In the fantasy world, the Saints defense might be the best of the best. Their aggressive style puts fantasy points on the board. Against the Panthers, they should cause havoc.

3. Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks usually aren’t a very good fantasy start but when they are home against a banged up version of the Lions, they are a safe bet to be productive.

4. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Broncos aren’t the best of opponents to go against but the Steelers are elite enough to make things happen.

5. New England Patriots
At home against the Dolphins should be a juicy matchup for the Patriots in Week 9 of the 2009 fantasy football season.

Troy Polamalu and the Steelers will do your fantasy team good

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1. San Diego Chargers
The Chargers are at home against the Raiders. What more do you want? The Raiders are horrible and the Chargers are hot. Expect greatness.

Shawne Merriman and the Chargers should be great (Image: Zuma Press)

2. Chicago Bears
Although not the dominant defense we’ve gotten used to in the fantasy world, the Bears are still dangerous. They should have success in Week 8 against the Browns.

3. Indianapolis Colts
The Colts will be going up against Alex Smith and the 49ers this week. Smith may be good but there’s a good chance that he’ll make at least a few mistakes.

4. Arizona Cardinals
Last season, the Cardinals defense improved as the season went along. That appears like it’ll be true again this season. In Week 8, they are at home against the mistake-prone Panthers.

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1. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles have a defense that can make plays. Going against the inept Oakland Raiders, the Eagles should put up a ton of fantasy points.

2. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Cleveland Browns were horrible on offense last week. That won’t change this week as the Browns travel to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers.

Troy Polamalu and his famous hair will be back in action this week (Image: PR)

3. Green Bay Packers
The Packers have an underrated fantasy defense and this week they take on the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field. Enough said.

4. Washington Redskins
The Redskins aren’t a very good team but they are playing at home against the Kansas City Chiefs. If their defense isn’t good this week, it may be time to give up on Washington.

5. New York Jets
Last week, the Jets didn’t look too good on defense. But going up against the Buffalo Bills should solve their issues.

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1. Baltimore Ravens
The Browns with no Jamal Lewis? Good time.

2. Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers good week in and week out.

3. Philadelphia Eagles
Chiefs at home should be healthy week.

4. Green Bay Packers
The Rams aren’t much of an opponent.

5. Chicago Bears
The Seahawks will be missing Hasselbeck.

6. New York Jets
The Jets look like a monster this year.

7. Washington Redskins
At Detroit. Enough said.

8. New York Giants
Tampa Bay is banged up, Giants are good.

9. Minnesota Vikings
Vikings remain a potent defensive squad.

10. Tennessee Titans
A good not great start this week.

11. Denver Broncos
Oakland is a juicy opponent.

12. Dallas Cowboys
Carolina is struggling.

Ray Lewis and the Ravens lead the pack (Image: Zuma Press)

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If Polamalu has just a sprained left MLC, his likely return date is between Week 4 and Week 9. Considering that the team has a Week 8 bye, there’s a good chance that the Steelers would play it conservative and hold Polamalu out until Week 9.

For fantasy football purposes, this move could have a lot of ramifications. First of all, the Steelers defense isn’t worth as much without Polamalu in the lineup. He’s their playmaker and seems to always be in the right place at the right time. Without him, the Steelers D will find it more difficult to create turnovers.

For offensive players going against the Steelers, they will be worth slightly more on a weekly basis — especially quarterbacks. Without having to worry about Polamalu, a QB’s job is a lot easier.

Keep your ears open until the Steelers give a definite diagnoses. Until then, there’s a chance Polamalu could be back in a few weeks — but there’s also a chance he could miss the rest of the season if a worse injury is diagnosed.

Troy Polamalu (Image: Press Release)

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1. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers won a Super Bowl last year thanks to their great defensive unit. In 2009 fantasy football, their defense should be dominant once again.

2. New York Giants
With a defense that can get to the quarterback and plays with impressive physicality, the Giants make things happen on the defensive end on a weekly basis.

3. Minnesota Vikings
Last year, it turned out that the Vikings defense was overrated. This year, they may be underrated. Draft the Vikings D with confidence.

4. Baltimore Ravens
It’s never safe to count out the Ravens on the defensive side of the field. They are talented and mean — a good combination to have on your side.

5. Tennessee Titans
The Titans loss of Albert Haynesworth is huge but Tennessee should be able to survive and thrive. You can count on the coaching to be top notch.

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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.

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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.

8) San Diego Chargers
Bad defense against good offense.

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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.

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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:

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