Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
The 2013 NFL regular season started last night, and what a game it was. Whoever played the Baltimore Ravens D/ST is beating themselves over the head, and whoever sat the Denver Broncos D/ST is sitting pretty at the moment.
Well, the Ravens and Broncos’ defensive and special team units were the 11th and seventh-best ranked defenses in most fantasy football drafts. However, with the Ravens playing against such a high-powered offense and the Broncos playing against the former Super Bowl champions, it makes sense why you would have sat them.
Related: Fantasy Football 2013: Don’t Stress on Denver Broncos’ Eric Decker
So, if you sat these D/STs or just are looking for a solid pickup in Week 1 of fantasy football, you are probably looking over the waiver wire. There are a few good options, but none better than the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Last year, the Buccaneers had the absolute best run defense in the league, limiting opposing teams to an average of only 82.5 yards a game on the ground per game. Their defensive line definitely has talent, and there is no doubting that. However, they also had the absolute worst secondary in the league, with opposing teams averaging 297.4 yards a game.
This year, the Buccaneers have added arguably the best cornerback in the NFL, Darrelle Revis. Also, the addition of top safety Dashon Goldson will greatly improve their secondary.
To make matters even better, the Buccaneers are playing the New York Jets, the league’s absolute worst team from last year and predicted to be the worst team in 2013. From a fantasy standpoint, no team allowed more points scored against them by a D/ST than the Jets. Geno Smith will also be playing his first career game as a NFL starting quarterback — there’s no doubt he will make some mistakes.
The Jets have lost talent in their secondary, lost talent at wide receiver and have an injured and unreliable backfield. If you are looking for a D/ST for your fantasy team in Week 1, take the Buccaneers.
Thomas is a Sports Writer writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @tmford88, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google
