Defensive Team By Waiver Wire (DTBWW): Week 14

ATLANTA - NOVEMBER 11:  Brian Williams , Curtis Lofton  and Stephen Nicholas  of the Atlanta Falcons tackle Anquan Boldin  of the Baltimore Ravens at Georgia Dome on November 11, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

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 13 picks fared:

#1 Seahawks: 14 PA (4) + 3 SK + 1 INT + 1 TD = 14 fantasy points
#2 Chargers: 1 SK + 1 FR = 2 fp
#3 Rams: 6 PA (8) + 4 SK + 2 INT = 14 fp

On the whole, it was a pretty nice day for DTBWW outside of the Chargers’ pathetic effort against the Raiders. How can a defense look so good against Peyton Manning one week and then turn around and poop the bed against Jason Campbell? Unbelievable. Fortunately, the Seahawks and Rams brought it in a big way. Carolina and Arizona continue to be strong go-to plays for decent fantasy defenses.

On the season my picks are averaging 7.6 | 8.2 | 7.3 (1st, 2nd, 3rd) for a combined average of 7.7 fantasy points. That’s approximately equivalent to DT6 numbers. Not bad.

Let’s take a look at my Week 14 picks keeping in mind that to be eligible, defenses must be available in at least 40% of ESPN fantasy leagues:

#1: Atlanta Falcons (@ CAR)
This is a no-brainer. Atlanta’s defense isn’t great, but they can create turnovers and sacks and they’re facing Jimmy Clausen this week.

#2: New England Patriots (@ CHI)
The Pats have struggled against the pass this season, but they shut down the Jets’ aerial attack on Monday night. The Bears are playing well, but something tells me that Beligenius will have a few tricks in store for Jay Cutler and Co.

#3: Buffalo Bills (vs. CLE)
The Bills have quietly played some good fantasy defense the last three weeks (29 points over that span). I’m worried that Peyton Hillis is going to run roughshod over and through the Bills porous rush defense, but the Browns are bound to throw it a few times and Jake Delhomme is always a threat for a pick-six.

Bonus Picks: DEN (@ ARI), ARI (vs. DEN), CLE (@ BUF)

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