Defensive Team By Waiver Wire (DTBWW): Week 15
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 14 picks fared:
#1 Falcons: 10 PA (6) + 5 SK + 1 INT + 1 FR = 13 fantasy points
#2: Patriots: 7 PA (6) + 2 SK + 2 INT + 2 FR + 1 RET TD = 18 fp
#3: Bills: 6 PA (8) + 1 SK + 1 INT + 2 FR = 12 fp
Now that’s more like it. DTBWW has been a little spotty this season, but it came through in a big way in the first week of the fantasy playoffs. Truth be told, W14 was the best scoring week for defenses around the league — 14 DTs scored 10+ points, which was the most of any week this season.
On the season, my picks are averaging 8.0 | 8.9 | 7.6 (1st, 2nd, 3rd) for an overall average of 8.2 fantasy points per game. Those are DT6 numbers when you account for each team’s bye week.
Let’s take a look at my Week 15 picks keeping in mind that to be eligible, defenses must be available in at least 40% of ESPN fantasy leagues. There are five DTs that I really like this week, so I’m going to list all five and hope that my readers can find at least one on their waiver wire this week:
#1: New England Patriots (vs. GB)
The Pats are clicking. They’ve scored 30 defensive points over the last two weeks and the Packers head East having mustered just three points against the Lions in Week 14. Obviously, the status of Aaron Rodgers is big, but I like the Pats even with the Packer star under center. If Matt Flynn gets the start, watch out.
#2: Arizona Cardinals (@ CAR)
The Cards defense has had its ups and downs this season, but they looked great against the Broncos in W14 and have the best matchup of the week in Jimmy Clausen and the Panthers. I’m a little worried that Jonathan Stewart will run roughshod over the Cardinals, but when you can’t throw the ball, it really limits what you can do offensively.
#3: Oakland Raiders (vs. DEN)
The Broncos have allowed opposing DTs to score double digits in three of the last four games and the Raiders have gone for 10+ in six of the last nine games. W15 should make it seven-of-ten.
#4: San Diego Chargers (vs. SF)
Alex Smith played great last week, but this is the Chargers, not the Seahawks. SD DT has scored double-digits in three of its last four games.
#5: Dallas Cowboys (vs. WAS)
The Cowboys have been up and down, even under Jason Garrett, but with the Redskins coming to town, this is shaping up to be a nice matchup for Dallas. The Redskins have given up 9+ fantasy points in six of their last seven games.
Follow the Scores Report editors on Twitter @clevelandteams and @bullzeyedotcom.