The strategy behind DTBWW is that each week you pick up a defense that is playing against a bad offense (preferably at home). And each week you get pretty good numbers out of your DT position.
Last season, my top pick averaged 9.8 fantasy points per game. My second pick averaged 9.1 and my third pick averaged 7.3. On the whole, DTBWW averaged 9.3 fantasy points per game, which equate to DT5 numbers — all for the price of a few waiver wire pickups. In 2008, my top two picks averaged DT6-type numbers. (Note: To calculate fantasy points, I use this scoring system.)
Unlike Defensive Team By Committee (DTBC), which is for those owners who prefer low maintenance teams, DTBWW strategy allows fantasy owners to virtually ignore DTs on draft day and focus on picking up an extra RB/WR flier instead.
To be eligible, defenses have to be available on the waiver wire in at least 50% of ESPN fantasy leagues.
Let’s see how my Week 6 picks fared:
#1 Giants: 2 SK + 1 INT + 2 FR = 5 fantasy points
#2 Titans: 3 PA (8) + 2 SK + 3 INT + 1 FR = 14 fp
#3 Raiders: 17 PA (2) + 2 SK = 4 fp
I’m surprised the G-Men didn’t come up with more points after knocking Shaun Hill out of the game. It didn’t help that Calvin Johnson was surprisingly effective after being questionable all week with a bum shoulder. The Titans dominated the Jags, keeping up the trend of my #2 pick outperforming my top pick. So far this season, DTBWW is averaging 6.3 / 11.3 / 5.0 for a total average of 7.6 fantasy points per game.
Let’s take a look at my Week 7 picks, keeping in mind that to be eligible, a defense has to be available in at least 50% of ESPN leagues:
#1: Kansas City Chiefs (vs. JAX)
David Garrard, Trent Edwards or Todd Bouman — not even the Jags know who’s starting at QB this week. The Chiefs were good the first three weeks against middling competition before struggling a bit against two of the best offenses in the NFL (IND & HOU). Plus, the Jags are coming off a short week. I expect big things…maybe even a special teams TD.
#2: Seattle Seahawks (vs. ARI)
In two home games this season, the Seahawks have averaged 19.0 fantasy points. Arizona has been a good matchup for fantasy defenses this season, giving up an average of 10.6 points per game (including a 24-point disaster against the Chargers). My only concern is that the Cards are coming off their bye.
#3: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. STL)
The Bucs DT played well (10.0 fppg) against CLE, CAR and CIN, and not so well (1.5 fppg) against PIT and NO. Which group does STL fall into? The Rams have given up 16.0 fppg to opposing defenses on the road this season.
Bonus Picks: WAS (@ CHI), ATL (vs. CIN), CAR (vs. SF), DEN (vs. OAK)
