Evan Silva· Jul 31, 2020
In his 2020 fantasy defense/special teams rankings, Silva puts the Steelers first, the 49ers second and the Ravens third, citing pass rush, favorable early schedules and game scripts.
“Tier One: Steelers (DST1) > 49ers (DST2) > Ravens (DST3)”
published in writing · Establish The Run · read the original (as archived Aug 5, 2020) → · live page (has changed since this capture)
3 checkable claims — 3 fantasy defense calls — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 3 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
All 3 have settled, averaging 52.8 out of 100, against 36.1 for a naive guess at the same calls.
Their call against what happened
2They said
19What happened
Their call against what actually happened.
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Who this take is about
3 checkable claims in this take
Each one is scored on its own against the published methodology. A pundit naming several outcomes is graded on each, not on all-or-nothing.
- Fantasy Defense CallsSan Francisco 49ersJul 31, 2020
San Francisco 49ers defense to finish 2nd among fantasy defenses
“Tier One: Steelers (DST1) > 49ers (DST2) > Ravens (DST3)”
Miss · 0Scored 0a naive guess scored 75-150 skillHow this was scored
- team:
- SF
- naive:
- finishes mid-pack (16)
- scope:
- season
- skill:
- -150
- season:
- 2020
- scoring:
- standard D/ST
- accuracy:
- 0
- baseline:
- 75
- actual rank:
- 19
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 17
- predicted rank:
- 2
- defenses ranked:
- 32
- weeks left when called:
- 17
- Fantasy Defense CallsBaltimore RavensJul 31, 2020
Baltimore Ravens defense to finish 3rd among fantasy defenses
“Tier One: Steelers (DST1) > 49ers (DST2) > Ravens (DST3)”
Close · 58Scored 58.33a naive guess scored 33.33+50 skillHow this was scored
- team:
- BAL
- naive:
- finishes mid-pack (16)
- scope:
- season
- skill:
- 50
- season:
- 2020
- scoring:
- standard D/ST
- accuracy:
- 58.33
- baseline:
- 33.33
- actual rank:
- 8
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 17
- predicted rank:
- 3
- defenses ranked:
- 32
- weeks left when called:
- 17
- Fantasy Defense CallsPittsburgh SteelersJul 31, 2020
Pittsburgh Steelers defense to finish 1st among fantasy defenses
“Tier One: Steelers (DST1) > 49ers (DST2) > Ravens (DST3)”
Hit · 100Scored 100a naive guess scored 0+200 skillHow this was scored
- team:
- PIT
- naive:
- finishes mid-pack (16)
- scope:
- season
- skill:
- 200
- season:
- 2020
- scoring:
- standard D/ST
- accuracy:
- 100
- baseline:
- 0
- actual rank:
- 1
- difficulty:
- 2
- weeks in the season:
- 17
- predicted rank:
- 1
- defenses ranked:
- 32
- weeks left when called:
- 17
What others said about the same people
- Mason CameronDepth Chart Calls · Ethan PocicMiss · 0An unsigned PFF piece ranks the NFL's top 32 centers heading into the 2026 season, with Creed Humphrey first for the fourth straight year, and names Ethan Pocic and Austin Schlottmann as the favorites to win starting center jobs in Baltimore and Tennessee.
- Jason McIntyreTrade and Signing Calls · Baker MayfieldMiss · 0Filling in for Colin Cowherd, McIntyre argued the 49ers' window is closed amid a brutal injury list and record travel, floated a Bijan Robinson trade to the Bears, predicted the Lions can win the NFC North, doubted Atlanta is even a playoff team, said Baker Mayfield's Tampa run ends after this season, and delivered a top-10 quarterback ranking.
- Mike TannenbaumTrade and Signing Calls · Stefon DiggsMiss · 0Tannenbaum argues the Chiefs should lean on the run game early while Mahomes recovers, says the Bills haven't done enough at receiver and would repeat their playoff shortcoming, expects AJ Brown to have a massive impact in New England, thinks George Pickens will earn a big raise, and offers free-agent fits: Deebo Samuel to Buffalo, Joey Bosa to Tampa Bay, Taylor Decker to Houston, and Stefon Diggs to San Francisco.
- Jared DubinGame Outcome Picks · Baltimore RavensHit · 100Dubin is high on the Ravens and low on the Colts, predicting a big Baltimore road win.
- Jordan DajaniGame Outcome Picks · Pittsburgh SteelersHit · 100Dajani expects the Steelers to comfortably beat the Falcons in Week 1, arguing Atlanta's quarterback situation under Tua Tagovailoa is a mess; he also picks the Vikings to beat the Packers in a low-scoring game.
- Chad MillmanGame Outcome Picks · Pittsburgh SteelersHit · 100Millman backed several week one sides outright: Miami to beat the Raiders straight up, the Jets over the Titans, an underdog money line parlay of Houston and the Giants, and a favorites money line parlay of Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Detroit. He also stands by his preseason take that Drake Maye is a top-five NFL quarterback.
More fantasy defense calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Andrew EricksonFantasy Defense Calls · Kansas City ChiefsPendingIn his Week 2 'Beyond the Waiver Wire' column, Erickson makes a long series of buy/sell/add calls on individual players (sleepers vs. busts), plus a few specific role, availability and outlook predictions — notably that Jahmyr Gibbs scores again Thursday night, that Drew Lock remains Seattle's starter, and that Kenneth Walker III leads the NFL in rushing yards.
- Fox SportsFantasy Defense Calls · Cincinnati BengalsPendingFOX Sports Research's Week 1 daily fantasy column names its favorite DFS values at each position — Jared Goff, Justin Herbert, Kyler Murray, Saquon Barkley, Ashton Jeanty, Justin Jefferson, Chris Olave, Tetairoa McMillan and Trey McBride — plus the Bengals as a cheap punt defense, arguing each will outproduce his FanDuel salary.
- Steve KrebsFantasy Defense Calls · Houston TexansPendingIn a standard-scoring mock draft from the 12th slot, Krebs projects big seasons for James Cook and Chase Brown, breakouts from DeVonta Smith, Colston Loveland, Parker Washington and Quentin Johnston, a top-five fantasy finish for Dak Prescott, and a top-two fantasy defense in Houston.
- Derek BrownFantasy Defense Calls · Cincinnati BengalsPendingBrown predicts Jordan Mason tops 1,000 rushing yards, picks the Bengals and Cowboys to reach the Super Bowl with top-12 fantasy defenses, and touts Parker Washington, Christian Watson, Casey Concepcion, Dontavion Wicks, Malik Willis, Jordan Love and Tyler Shuck as values while souring on Brian Thomas Jr.'s early season.
- Nathan JahnkeFantasy Defense Calls · Los Angeles RamsPendingPFF's redraft fantasy defense rankings place the Los Angeles Rams as the No. 1 fantasy defense, crediting offseason additions for turning their defense into an elite unit.
- Steve KrebsFantasy Defense Calls · New England PatriotsPendingIn a 12-team PPR mock draft write-up, Krebs makes several forward-looking calls: Brock Bowers rebounding past 100 catches, Bhayshul Tuten leading Jacksonville's backfield and finishing top-15, Jadarian Price serving as Seattle's bell cow, MarShawn Lloyd stepping into a starting role, the Patriots D/ST finishing top-five, kicker Harrison Mevis landing in the top 10, and upside bench picks Jaylin Noel and Malik Washington climbing their depth charts.