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Here’s a look at the LestersLegends’ Super Bowl XLVII fantasy football team defense rankings.
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1.  San Francisco 49ers
This one is very close. The 49ers had the better defense during the regular season, and it wasn’t close. They finished the regular season in the top four in total defense, scoring defense, run defense, and pass defense. I give them a slight edge, but the Baltimore Ravens have really narrowed the gap.
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2. Baltimore Ravens
Meanwhile, while the Ravens weren’t as good during the regular season, they have held the Indianapolis Colts, the Denver Broncos and the New England Patriots to a combined 57 points (19 points per game). Ray Lewis has returned with a flurry and they are playing a different brand of defense than earlier in the year. That said, Colin Kaepernick’s versatility and the Niners power running game will make this a tough assignment for Baltimore.
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Also check out:

• Super Bowl XLVII Fantasy Football QB Rankings
• Super Bowl XLVII Fantasy Football RB Rankings
• Super Bowl XLVII Fantasy Football WR Rankings
• Super Bowl XLVII Fantasy Football TE Rankings
• Super Bowl XLVII Fantasy Football K Rankings
• Super Bowl XLVII Pick
• Early Fantasy Baseball Rankings

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Here are the Lester’s Legends team defense rankings for the  the AFC and NFC Conference Championship Games of the 2012-13 NFL Playoffs.
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1. San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers easily have the best defense among the remaining playoff teams. They finished the regular season in the top four in total defense, scoring defense, run defense, and pass defense. They are a very physical team and they will challenge Atlanta. I expect they’ll do a much better job than the Seattle Seahawks did in stopping the run. Without that balance, they’ll make it tough on the Atlanta Falcons. Matt Ryan got over the hump by collecting his first playoff win, but he will be challenged by a defense that kept Aaron Rodgers in check.
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2. New England Patriots
The Patriots give up a lot of yards, particularly through the air. They buckle down when it matters. The Pats play the run well. Still, they struggle defending the pass and Joe Flacco seems to shine when the stakes are the highest. Other than the Niners, I don’t really like the defenses this week. The offense are just that good.
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3. Atlanta Falcons
Other than scoring defense, the Falcons were out of the top 20 in most defensive categories. San Francisco had their most productive playoff game ever last week. Considering their history, that is an impressive feat. They have a menacing offensive line that can have their way with just about any team. They had the fourth best rushing attack this year. Colin Kaepernick gives them an added dimension with his ability to produce with his arm and his feet.
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4. Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens did a solid job on Peyton Manning, but Tom Brady doesn’t clam up when the playoffs come around. Plus, Bill Belichick isn’t going to take a knee. The Patriots led the league in total offense and scoring offense. They have more balance this year than in year’s past, finishing in the top seven in both rushing and passing. The Baltimore Ravens have been a good story, but I think we’ll see Ray Lewis’ career come to a close. Unfortunately, it will likely be his unit that will share the most blame.
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Also check out:

• 2012-13 Conference Championship Fantasy Football QB Rankings
• 2012-13 Conference Championship Fantasy Football RB Rankings
• 2012-13 Conference Championship Fantasy Football WR Rankings
• 2012-13 Conference Championship Fantasy Football TE Rankings
• 2012-13 Conference Championship NFL Picks

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Here are the Lester’s Legends team defense rankings for the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs.
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1. Denver Broncos
The Broncos ranked second in total defense and fourth in scoring defense. The Baltimore Ravens rank near the bottom among the remaining teams in both total offense and scoring offense. Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil combined for 29.5 sacks.
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2. Green Bay Packers
The Packers just have that feel to me of a team that is getting better at the right time. Now that Clay Matthews and Charles Woodson are back, they should be better defensively than they were for most of the year. They still managed to finish 11th in the league in both total defense and scoring defense. The San Francisco 49ers are near the bottom among the remaining playoff teams in total offense and scoring offense.
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3. Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks led the league in scoring defense and finished fourth in total defense. They have allowed 17 or fewer points in their past six games. Atlanta can score in bunches, but they could also be flat after a bye and a meaningless Week 17 game.
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4. New England Patriots
The Patriots give up their share of yards, but they buckle down and keep the scoring down. Their strength on defense is stopping the run. That, and the fact that their offense will likely force Houston to rely more on the pass than they want to, works into New England’s favor. Houston is a run-first team.
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5. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons have to prove they are over the playoff hump before I buy into them. Seattle is on fire and Russell Wilson doesn’t seem to get rattled.
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6. San Francisco 49ers
Aaron Rodgers has all of his weapons healthy. They are also getting some production from the running game. This is a scary team to face defensively.
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7. Baltimore Ravens
Ray Lewis’ return was a nice story, but Peyton Manning’s comeback season has been even more compelling. The Broncos ranked fourth in total offense and second in scoring offense. Baltimore ranks near the bottom among the remaining teams in both total defense and scoring defense.
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8. Houston Texans
The Texans took a step back in pass defense towards the end of the season. Not a good thing when you’re facing Tom Brady with his full arsenal. The Pats led the league in total offense and scoring offense.
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Also check out:

• 2012-13 Divisional Round Fantasy Football QB Rankings
• 2012-13 Divisional Round Fantasy Football RB Rankings
• 2012-13 Divisional Round Fantasy Football WR Rankings
• 2012-13 Divisional Round Fantasy Football TE Rankings
• 2012-13 Divisional Round Fantasy Football K Rankings
• 2012-13 NFL Divisional Round Picks
• 2013 NFL Mock Draft: Top Ten Picks

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Here are the Lester’s Legends fantasy football team defense rankings for the Wild Card Round.
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1. Houston Texans
The Texans rank seventh in total defense with 323.3 yards allowed per game. They are tied for ninth in scoring defense with 20.7 points allowed per game. Cincinnati ranks 22nd in total offense with 332.7 yards per game, which is the lowest of all the playoff teams. They rank 12th in scoring offense with 24.4 points per game.
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2. Cincinnati Bengals
The Texans have slipped a bit, averaging 11 points in their past two games and 16.3 in their past four. The Bengals rank sixth in total defense (319.7 ypg) and 8th in scoring defense (20 ppg).
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3. Green Bay Packers
The Packers have been rolled over by Adrian Peterson to the tune of 409 yards in two games. The Vikings ranked 20th in total offense (336.6 ypg) and 14th in scoring offense (23.7). If Clay Matthews and company can get to Christian Ponder, they can force him into some mistakes. Ponder is coming off the best game of his career. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him take a step back.
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4. Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks ranked fourth in total defense (306.2 ypg) and led the league in scoring defense at 15.3 ppg. Obviously the Washington Redskins have a potent offense, but the Seahawks have allowed 12 points a game during their current five-game winning streak.
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5. Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens aren’t what they once were, but I expect a little spring in their step following Ray Lewis’ retirement announcement. This could be Ray Lewis’ last home game.
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6. Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings held their own in Lambeau against the Packers, but Aaron Rodgers picked them apart in The Dome. Playing the night game in Lambeau could keep Rodgers from putting up monster numbers.
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7. Washington Redskins
The Redskins have come a long way on defense, and they are a top-five run defense, which is Seattle’s strength. Russell Wilson has been doing an RGIII impersonation in recent weeks and Marshawn Lynch is one of the best power runner in the game. This could be a tall order for the Skins.
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8. Indianapolis Colts
The Colts rank 29th against the run. Ray Rice is one of the most electric backs in the league. They will be emotionally charged. This could be a tough game for Indy.
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Also check out:

• 2012-13 Wild Card Round Fantasy Football QB Rankings
• 2012-13 Wild Card Round Fantasy Football RB Rankings
• 2012-13 Wild Card Round Fantasy Football WR Rankings
• 2012-13 Wild Card Round Fantasy Football TE Rankings
• 2012-13 Wild Card Round Fantasy Football K Rankings
• 2012-13 NFL Wild Card Round Picks

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Here are the Lester’s Legends Super Bowl XLVI fantasy football team defense rankings.
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This one is tough. Both offenses have the ability to score big time.
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I give the New York Giants the advantage for their ability to get to the quarterback. I think the Patriots handled the pressure better than the last Super Bowl, but Brady will still see a lot of pressure. If he makes the same mistakes he made against Baltimore it could be a long day.
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The New England Patriots have improved on defense and have the “bend-don’t break” thing down. I’m expecting a Patriots’ victory, and I can see the defense making some key plays along the way.
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Still, I think this one will be more about the offenses.
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Also check out:

• Super Bowl XLVI Fantasy Football QB Rankings
• Super Bowl XLVI Fantasy Football RB Rankings
• Super Bowl XLVI Fantasy Football WR Rankings
• Super Bowl XLVI Fantasy Football TE Rankings
• Super Bowl XLVI  Fantasy Football K Rankings
• Super Bowl XLVI Pick

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Here are the Lester’s Legends team defense rankings for the Conference Championship Round of the NFL Playoffs.
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1.  New York Giants @ San Francisco 49ers:  The Niners are no pushover on offense, as evidenced by the 36 points they dropped on the Saints. The Giants made life uncomfortable for Matt Ryan and Aaron Rodgers in their two playoff wins. Alex Smith passed the first test, but will he be up for this challenge? They have the confidence right now and their defensive line is playing out of its mind. The Packers game wouldn’t have been as close as it was without some horrible officiating.
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2.  San Francisco 49ers vs. New York Giants:  The Niners couldn’t slow the Saints’ offense, but they were able to force them into some uncharacteristic mistakes. They were counted out last week and will likely not get the attention that the #2 seed deserves because the Giants are so hot. If the Giants don’t protect the ball, the Niners will enforce their will.
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3.  New England Patriots vs. Baltimore Ravens:  The Patriots were highly criticized for their defense, but they shut down the Broncos last week. I know the Broncos aren’t on the level that Baltimore is, but like Denver the Broncos’ strength isn’t New England’s primary weakness (pass defense). During their nine-game winning streaks the Patriots are giving up 18.7 ppg.
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4.  Baltimore Ravens @ New England Patriots:  It’s not that I think the Ravens have lost their edge. The Patriots are on fire right now, averaging 37.3 points in their past three games. Not many teams have three players (Gronk, Welker, Hernandez) that are nearly impossible to account for. The Ravens have their work cut out for them. This isn’t like previous meetings where their physical play will upset the Pats. With Gronk and Hernandez they are built to withstand it.
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Also check out:

• Conference Championship Round Fantasy Football QB Rankings
• Conference Championship Round Fantasy Football RB Rankings
• Conference Championship Round Fantasy Football WR Rankings
• Conference Championship Round Fantasy Football TE Rankings
• Conference Championship Round Fantasy Football K Rankings
• Conference Championship Round NFL Picks

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Here are the Lester’s Legends team defense rankings for the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs.
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1.  Baltimore Ravens vs. Houston:  The only match-up of the four that I can see both teams staying under 30 points. I give the Ravens the edge because they are playing at home and have more experience. The Ravens ranked third in yards (288.9) and points (16.6) allowed per game.
2.  Houston Texans @ Baltimore Ravens:  Houston is no pushover on defense either. They ranked second in yards (285.7) and fourth in points (17.4) allowed.
3. New England Patriots vs. Denver Broncos: Tebow is coming off a brilliant game, but the Broncos have the lowest scoring offense (19.3 pgg) of the remaining teams. Belichick saw Tebow once so look for a better game plan this time.
4. New Orleans Saints @ San Francisco 49ers: The Niners racked up the least amount of yards (310.9 ypg) of any of the playoffs teams. If their defense can’t slow up Drew Brees they could be forced out of their comfort zone.
5. Green Bay Packers vs. New York Giants: Eli is playing unbelievable football right now, and he isn’t afraid to play on the road. It’s a coin toss between the Packers’ D and the Giants’ D, but I’ll give the Pack the edge because they are playing at home and they force so many turnovers.
6. New York Giants @ Green Bay Packers: I wouldn’t be surprised if the Giants pulled off the upset. They are as hot as anyone right now. Their defensive line is a force to be reckoned with. Ultimately I think Rodgers will end up picking their secondary apart.
7. San Francisco 49ers vs. New Orleans Saints: I love the Niners’ defense, but not this week. The Saints are on a roll and I just don’t think they can be slowed down. This is a battle of the second-highest scoring team against the second-lowest scoring allowed team. I think the irresistible force overtakes the immovable object in this one.
8. Denver Broncos @ New England Patriots: The Broncos have a rock solid defense and they have the ingredient (pass rush) that presents the biggest challenge to New England. In the end, I think Brady’s methodical style will be too much. You simply can’t slow down Welker, Gronk, and Hernandez.
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Also check out:

• Divisional Round Fantasy Football QB Rankings
• Divisional Round Fantasy Football RB Rankings
• Divisional Round Fantasy Football WR Rankings
• Divisional Round Fantasy Football TE Rankings
• Divisional Round Fantasy Football K Rankings
• Divisional Round NFL Picks