It wasn't too long ago that teams going up against NFC West opponents could pretty much pencil in a win. Through the first four weeks of the 2012 season, this has changed a great deal. That division out west now boasts the best overall record in the league. One primary reason for this...Their defenses are just so damn good. 

No, I am not talking about one or two defenses within the NFC West. Instead, I am talking about three of the four defenses. While we already knew that the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks were going to have two of the best fantasy defenses in the NFL, not many looked at the Arizona Cardinals.  

As it is, these four defenses are all top-10 in the league. This article is going to use advanced metrics to take a look at where the top three defenses in this division stands and just how good they are. 

There you have it. Three of the top four scoring defenses in the National Football League reside in the NFC West. No, this has absolutely nothing to do with them playing against one another either. After all, only two game have been played within the division thus far.

You are looking at them going up against the likes of the Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions, New Orleans Saints and Washington Redskins...Some of the most dynamic offenses in the entire league. 

More importantly, these three defenses have been amazing across the board. Just look at the San Francisco 49ers for a second. They rank in the top five of the league in six of the seven categories listed above. Meanwhile, the Seattle Seahawks are in nearly the same position, ranking in the top five in every category outside of forced turnovers and pass yards against. 

Obviously these numbers are a bit skewed considereing the pure butt-whipping San Francisco's defense laid on the New York Jets last Sunday. How the hell do the starters of an NFL offense accumulate a total of four fantasy points throughout the duration of an entire game? That has to be some serious defense being played on the other side of the ball. 

While San Francisco did struggle to an extent against the Minnesota Vikings, they were absolutely dominating in the other three games thus far this season and there is no reason to beleive this won't continue moving forward. One thing is for sure...Avoid every possible position against them outside of tight end. 

Outside of a crazy 31-point performance by Miami Dolphins wide receiver Brian Hartline on Sunday, Arizona has had one of the top two fantasy defenses in the Naional Football League. They have given up an average of 11 fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. Just think about that for a second. 19 of the 32 starting quarterbacks in the league are averaging over 16 fantasy points per game. Brady and Vick are averaging 20 fantasy points a game outside of their disastrous performances against Arizona. 

It isn't that Arizona has faced some bad offenses either. New England, Philadelphia and Miami all rank in the top 10 in yards. If Arizona keeps this up against what is a tough late-season schedule, people are going to have to take them seriously. 

Seattle is the only NFC West defense that has avoided a down game thus far this season. That fact is represented by their league-best defense through four games. All tiers of this unit has been dominating thus far. They are giving up an average of just 14.8 fantasy points against opposing quarterbacks and running backs combined. Some crazy stuff right there. 

As a secondary, Seattle has the best unit. They boast three Pro Bowl performers from last season and a fourth youngster in the form of Richard Sherman who could have easily made it to Hawaii. The equation is simple here. Put pressure on the quarterback (eight sacks against Aaron Rodgers in the first half), tackle likes beasts and play great in the back end of the defense. If all three of these factors come up aces, you are going to be dominant on that side of the ball. Thus far, Seattle has been. 

Each of these three teams rank in the top five in all of the categories listed above. Seattle is No. 2 overall in yards against, while San Francisco is third. The numbers that jump out to me the most are the yards-per-point for both San Francisco and Seattle, No. 1 and 2 respectively. Neither team is giving up many yards, but when they bend they are not breaking. 

Meanwhile, Arizona's numbers a skewed a bit due to their lackluster defensive performance against the Miami Dolphins last week. It will be interesting to see where they stand at about the half-way point in the season. 

What does it Mean?

Simple. Don't start opposing fantasy players against these defenses, unless you really have to. The variables just aren't there for success from any player at any position against these teams. 

More importantly, when we get to division play in the coming weeks, avoide NFC West offenses against NFC West defenses at ALL COSTS. There is absolutely no way any of these offenses can put up consistent fantasy points when going up against one another. 

Yes sir, this might very well be the new "black-and-blue" division.