Defensive Notes
Defensive MVPs: Everyone knows football is a team game: eleven players on both sides of the ball, working together. With that said, though, one man can make a difference – a major one. The Tennesse Titans had the league’s top run defense, having not allowed an opposing team to rush for even 100 yards as of week 10. Those run-stuffing ways freed up the team’s pass-rushers and other defenders to rack up sacks and turnovers. But the absence of one player, defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth (hamstring), changed everything Sunday. The Titans got pounded for 166 yards on the ground and went from being one of the league’s toughest defenses to one of its least threatening.
It’s a story that’s far from unique. Washington’s defense is a far better group this year with London Fletcher in the middle, and Detroit has the league’s most opportunistic defense, in part because defensive tackle Shaun Rogers (injured most of last season) helps take away opposing running games. The Titans’ defense was playing too well to be benched regardless, but the difference that one player can make is a reminder to owners to watch those injury reports – not only for offensive stars, but for defensive ones.
Matchup Mavens: There’s a lot to be said for starting fantasy defenses based almost exclusively on matchups – ones to take advantage of, and ones to avoid. Starting defenses against the sack- and turnover-prone Lions appears to work out pretty well. Sitting defenses against the unstoppable Patriots and near-unstoppable Cowboys also makes sense, as they’ve proved the last two weeks on the road against good groups from Dallas and Philadelphia. And then there are offenses that are playing well enough (Green Bay, Pittsburgh) and poorly enough (Baltimore, San Francisco, Oakland) that it’s reasonable to say, I want my defense – any defense – either on the bench or in the lineup against those teams.
So with that said, here are some of what appear to be the upcoming week’s best matchups featuring lesser, likely available fantasy defenses.
Oakland (at Minnesota): We’re not promising they’ll put up the shutout the Packers just managed against the Vikings, but the Vikings offense can’t pass the ball and will be without rookie sensation Adrian Peterson. The team might be ready to mutiny on head coach Brad Childress; it looked that way last week. Consider the Raiders if your regular defense has a poor matchup.
Indianapolis (vs. Kansas City): The Colts are probably on a roster in most leagues, but it’s an even better than average week to get them into a fantasy lineup. Home (and no doubt in a nasty mood after a brutal defeat at San Diego), facing a lesser (and banged-up) Kansas City offense, the Colts should post some nice defensive numbers this week.
St. Louis (at San Francisco): We’ve got some reservations about this one, considering how terrible the Rams have been this year. But the facts are that San Francisco has an offense that’s simply broken right now, and the Rams are playing better (and looked very opportunistic at New Orleans last week). Don’t put them ahead of too many other options, but right now San Francisco is one of those offenses you have to consider starting a defense against, when you can.
Kick returns: In TD-only formats, you have to consider the Browns and Dolphins right now. Josh Cribbs of the Browns had a kick return TD on Sunday, his second of the year; the Browns have had one of the league’s better return units since last season. Meanwhile, speedy rookie Ted Ginn, Jr. had an impressive return TD called back for a questionable penalty; the second time that’s happened to him this season. Before long, he’ll make one of those stand up.
- Andy Richardson
- Comments [0]
Readers' Comments
Add a Comment
Already a registered user? Please sign in to add comments.
To add comments, you must become a registered user of our site. To register, please click here.
