The Ravens are the best defense remaining with a good chance of making the Super Bowl. Which defense would you take next?
I might be the wrong person to ask, because I started the Steelers last week and got a whopping negative-two fantasy points (thanks for nothing, Pittsburgh!). Seriously, though, I have turned to the Ravens in the divisional round with the hope that they have a Super Bowl run in their immediate future--I really can't see them losing to rookie quarterback T.J. Yates and the Texans. If I had to pick an alternate defense, I'd have to go with the Saints. As I've said all along, I'm picking New Orleans to go to the big game and hoist the Lombardi Trophy. If that happens, I'll receive triple points in the Super Bowl plus additional points for games won. The Ravens, though, have the path of least (or, if not the least, then less) resistance to reach the championship in the AFC.
First of all, I reject the premise that the Ravens have the best defense among the contenders. San Francisco has a superior unit and certainly could reach the Super Bowl (especially if the Giants can pull off an upset in Green Bay this weekend). However, because I don't think the Niners will get past the Saints, I'll take the Packers. No, they haven't exactly been stingy about stopping NFL offenses this season, but playmakers like Clay Matthews and Charles Woodson do force turnovers, get sacks and score the occasional defensive TD. And yes, they are going to win the Super Bowl.
I've changed my mind on this play and am going with the Packers, because they have a better shot of going to the Super Bowl than the 49ers. They shared the league lead in takeaways with the Niners, and are capable of making some big plays. Yes, they give up yards and points. But if I can get a pick-six, I'll take it. I'm also behind in the Playoff Challenge because I took the Steelers' defense in round one, so I need to do something to differentiate myself from my colleagues.
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- Jason SmithNFL.com
Patriots have easier path to Indy
Baltimore is a great play this week against the Texans, no doubt. But are there better choices out there? Sure. If you want your points to accrue with double and triple value, New England is the way to go. The Patriots have a terrific matchup against Tim Tebow, after which they'll get either Joe Flacco or T.J. Yates. Then they'll be in the Super Bowl, where they'll get quadruple points for you. Baltimore can make it to Indianapolis, but the Ravens are not the favorites and will have to go through New England to do so. I like the Patriots better than any defense in the NFC, because that playoff field is too up-in-the-air, with all four teams capable of advancing. In the AFC, there are overwhelming favorites with a much clearer path to the Super Bowl.
I like playing home teams defensively. The noise can make life tougher for opposing offenses. There is no question the 49ers' defense is an excellent option, especially considering their special teams, but I like the Saints in that game. Baltimore is certainly your best bet, and I can see riding them to the Super Bowl.
We decided to roll with the Ravens this week because they have a legitimate shot at the Super Bowl and because, well … they're really good. But if that option had been taken away from us, we would have gone with the Packers. The 49ers are the next-best defense in line, but it's hard to see them making a run to Indy this year. Green Bay might have ranked last in the NFL in total defense during the regular season, but it led the league in forcing turnovers. None of the serious title contenders (Packers, Patriots and Saints) offer much to like defensively. You might as well pick the squad you think will win in the end.
