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Defensive Notes

Four of the league’s top defenses – against the run, overall, and in fantasy terms – square off this week, when San Diego travels to Minnesota and Baltimore heads to Pittsburgh. As we noted in this week’s Factoid, it’s unlikely that any of the teams will post top rushing numbers. What is likely is that defenses on both sides will post some solid fantasy production. Often, with another stellar defense across the field, both groups turn the intensity up a notch.

In the two Baltimore-Pittsburgh games last year, the Ravens pitched a shutout in one and had a fumble return touchdown in the other. They picked Ben Roethlisberger off twice in each game. The Steelers lost both, but they had at least had good fantasy numbers in one of them, forcing 3 turnovers. When the Ravens and Chargers played, the teams combined to force 6 fumbles and record 3 interceptions, with the Ravens also getting a safety. And when the Chargers and Steelers played a week later, both teams put up 4-plus sacks (9 combined) and also recorded 3 interceptions.

Another defensive tilt to get in on: Dallas at Philadelphia. Whatever the reason, these teams tend to score defensive and special teams touchdowns against each other. Dating back to 2001, a remarkable nine out of the last 11 meetings have featured a defensive or special teams touchdown, including both games in each of the last two seasons. The Eagles have accounted for 6 of those score; the Cowboys, 4. A good week to get either defense into fantasy lineups.

If you don’t have one of these fantasy defenses, where else will the favorable matchups be likely to come from this week? Here are three to consider.

Tennessee: Home against Carolina. The Panthers won’t run on the Titans, and that frees up the defense to tee off on either aged Vinny Testaverde or shaky David Carr. Only the Lions (13) have more interceptions this season than the Titans (11).

Tampa Bay: Home against Arizona. We have plenty of respect for Kurt Warner toughing it out and playing with damaged ligaments in his non-throwing elbow, but that had to have played a factor in his 2 fumbles against Washington in the Cardinals’ last game. Bet on the Bucs defense coming after Warner (or Tim Rattay, if the Cardinals use him in spots again) and racking up a few sacks and turnovers.

Houston: At Oakland. Tough to consider a defense that’s been lit up in recent weeks, but with Daunte Culpepper (if he starts) across the field, you have to consider the Texans here. In Culpepper’s four starts, he’s taken 13 sacks, thrown 4 interceptions, and fumbled 7 times – including 4 last week. The fumbles have been a recurring problem for Culpepper, dating back to his Minnesota days. In 89 career games, he’s fumbled a whopping 87 times.

IDP Notes: Miami’s Zach Thomas (concussion) could miss more time, particularly with the winless Dolphins already playing meaningless games. The Jets’ Jonathan Vilma (knee) is out for the year. Two top IDP options when healthy; only Thomas has vlaue (albeit diminished) the rest of the way.

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