Fantasy Football Defenses: Top 15 to Target in 2016
By Charles Lam
2016 Fantasy Football Defenses: Number Eight – New England Patriots
The New England Patriots are known mostly for their offense. That’s not far. The Patriots defense has a lot to due to the team’s success as well. The mix and match defense finds a way to compete each season.
Last season the Patriots picked off 12 passes, forced 22 fumbles and accumulated 49 sacks. The team had two fumble returns for touchdowns.
The Patriots scored double-digit fantasy points five times last season. The highest total came against the Tennessee Titans during week 15. The Patriots defense exploded to score 21 fantasy points in the game. Akiem Hicks pounced on a lost ball in the end zone for a touchdown. That play alone scored the eight fantasy points. The Patriots won the game 33 to 16.
Last season the Patriots picked off 12 passes, forced 22 fumbles and accumulated 49 sacks. The team had two fumble returns for touchdowns.
The opportunistic defense works well with an offensive juggernaut. Most of the time the Patriots are winning the game. Sometimes it’s by a wide margin forcing the opposing offense to throw the football.
This defense takes advantage of the lead by causing other teams to work too hard and force interceptions and fumbles. This allows the fantasy football team to get big points like what happened in week 15 last season.
The Patriots have seven bad, three good and six even match-ups this season. Time will tell if this defensive unit can hold up this season.
Look to grab this team in the bottom fourth of the draft. Wait until your bench is almost completely filled to add a defense of this caliber. Probably three picks before the final round. Don’t wait until the last pick to add a defense. You’ll be left with a less than optimal defense if you wait too long.