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 40% of ESPN fantasy leagues.
Let’s see how my Week 9 picks fared:
#1 Giants: 7 PA (6) + 2 INT + 1 FR = 9 fantasy points
#2 Falcons: 1 SK + 2 INT = 3 fp
#3 Bills: 1 SK + 1 FR = 2 fp
Well, aside from the G-Men, that was pretty dreadful. The upshot is that it was a pretty bad day defensively from all the mediocre (i.e. available) defenses. Only the Cardinals (18), Raiders (11), Browns (8) and the Bucs (6) had six or more fantasy points and outside of ARI, their matchups looked pretty bad heading into the week.
On the season, DTBWW is averaging 7.8 | 10.4 | 4.4 (1st, 2nd, 3rd) for a total of 7.6 fantasy points per game.
Let’s take a look at my Week 10 picks keeping in mind that to be eligible, defenses must be available in at least 40% of ESPN fantasy leagues:
#1: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. CAR)
Two words: Jimmy Clausen. Need I say more?
#2: Arizona Cardinals (vs. SEA)
The Cards have averaged 14.3 fantasy points at home and this week a suspect Seahawks’ offense comes to town. This is a tasty matchup.
#3: Indianapolis Colts (vs. CIN)
I’ll say it: The Colts DT stinks on the road. But at home (12.3 ppg), they are a completely different animal. Cincy isn’t the greatest matchup, but the Colts made mincemeat of the Giants, Chiefs and Texans this season and they weren’t great matchups either.
Bonus Picks: CLE (vs. NYJ), STL (@ SF), KC (@ DEN)
