D/ST rankings for XFL Week 5

The XFL has made it through 40 percent of its inaugural season and Week 5 is upon us. We are starting to get a better handle on a few of the teams, but picking defenses/special teams in fantasy hasn’t been easy. Parity has been the rule of late, as seemingly good teams have lost in unlikely spots and backup quarterbacks have played well.

This week the Houston Roughnecks look like the safest bet, as they host the Seattle Dragons and whoever they bring out at quarterback. The Roughnecks give up points but they also average two interceptions per game and have had success getting to the quarterback.

The BattleHawks have played well defensively this season, allowing the second-fewest passing and rushing yards and the fewest total points. There is a chance that Cardale Jones and company turn things around now that they’re back home, but St. Louis has played well enough to feel safe that they won’t get routed, even if Jones is on target. And the chances that the Defenders get their offense going again seems slim.

I love the Wildcats at home against the Vipers this weekend. Tampa Bay didn’t need to do much against the Defenders since their offense didn’t show up last week, so Taylor Cornelius just handed the ball off and rode the blow out. This week in LA, they won’t be able to do that.