Fantasy football defense/special teams rankings for Week 2: Beware the Cowboys

Sacks, turnovers and touchdowns are the keys to defensive success in fantasy football. There were three teams in Week 1 that excelled in all of those areas -- and they were the only ones to put up more than 15 fantasy points.

The Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears were the only ones to record defensive touchdowns, while the Bears and Dallas Cowboys scored on special teams. The Cowboys, who added a league-high six sacks in their opener, are this week's top-ranked unit, going against the New Orleans Saints.

Fantasy football rankings for Week 2 are based on the point-per-reception (PPR) scoring used in most seasonal and daily fantasy football formats. One point is awarded for every 10 rushing and receiving yards and one point for every 20 passing yards. Six points are awarded for touchdowns scored, four points for passing TDs and one point for receptions.

MORE FANTASY FOOTBALL: Complete Week 2 rankings for every position

Rankings are compiled by Daniel Dobish, TheHuddle.com .

Week 2 fantasy football defense/special teams rankings

(*-check status before kickoff)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fantasy football defense/special teams rankings for Week 2: Beware the Cowboys