Fantasy Football Defenses: Top 15 to Target in 2016
By Charles Lam
2016 Fantasy Football Defenses: Number Six – Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs should be higher on this list. Unfortunately, the Chiefs are dealing with a few key injuries to stud defenders and key losses to free agency on the defensive side of the ball.
The Chiefs might be without stud outside linebacker, Justin Houston, for a few weeks. He’s recovering from anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury he sustained last season. He might be forced to miss the first few games of the regular season.
Houston had off-the-chart numbers a few seasons ago. He wracked up 22 sacks and forced four fumbles for the Chiefs in 16 games during the 2014 season. Last year, Houston totaled 7.5 sacks in 11 games started.
Kansas City also lost cornerback, Sean Smith, to free agency. He left the Chiefs for their rival, the Oakland Raiders. He played a big role for the Chiefs last season being a consistent outside corner making life difficult on opposing receivers.
Another outside linebacker, Tamba Hali, also has dealt with injuries. Hopefully, he’ll be ready to play week one.
Even without the two-star pass rushers, the Kansas City Chiefs almost beat the New England Patriots on the road in the playoffs last season. The Chiefs lost the game 27 to 20. During the game the Kansas City Chiefs lost top receiver, Jeremy Maclin, to an ankle injury. The Chiefs were without stud running back Jamaal Charles as well. Charles missed most of the season due to an ACL injury.
Even without the two star pass rushers, the Kansas City Chiefs almost beat the New England Patriots on the road in the playoffs last season. The Chiefs lost the game 27 to 20.
The numbers the Chiefs put up on defense last season were pretty good. Kansas City totaled 22 interceptions (four touchdowns), 12 forced fumbles (two for touchdowns) and 47 sacks.
A rookie led the team on defense. Marcus Peters came to the NFL and played great. He totaled eight interceptions (two for touchdowns), 26 passes defended, one forced fumble and 53 tackles last season.
The numbers lead him to receive the Defensive Rookie of the Year Award. The 23-year-old looked like a ten-year veteran on the field. He should produce more fantasy points for the lucky team who gets the Chiefs defense.
The Chiefs scored a few fantasy points last season on defense. The Chiefs had 12 games in double-digit fantasy points. The most points came against the Baltimore Ravens in week 15. Kansas City scored 24 fantasy points in that game.
During the game, safety, Tyvon Branch returned a fumble 73-yards for a touchdown and corner, Marcus Peters, returned a 90-yard interception for six. The Chiefs beat the Ravens, 34 to 14.
The Chiefs have a few good match-ups this season. The team has seven good, three bad and six solid match-ups in 2016.
If the Kansas City Chiefs defense can stay healthy, this unit will be in the top five defense in the league when the 2016 season comes to an end. You never know, they might even be raising a special kind of trophy this February as well.