Defensive Team By Waiver Wire (DTBWW): Week 16

OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 14: Michael Bush #29 of the Oakland Raiders is tackled by Kevin Burnett #99 the San Diego Chargers along with other CHarger defenders on September 14, 2009 at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, California.  (Photo by Ezra Shaw/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 15 picks fared:

#1 Patriots: 5 SK + 1 INT + INT RET TD + FR = 18 fantasy points
#2 Cardinals: 19 PA (2) + 2 SK + 1 FR = 5 fp
#3 Raiders: 2 SK + 1 FR + 1 Safety = 5 fp
#4 Chargers: 7 PA (6) + 6 SK + 1 INT = 13 fp
#5 Cowboys: 5 SK + 2 INT + 1 FR = 8 fp

Well, it wasn’t a disaster, but I was expecting more out of my #2 and #3 picks. The Cards didn’t do much against Jimmy Clausen, which was a surprise and the Raiders had a tough time wrangling Tim Tebow. The Chargers and Cowboys played pretty well however.

On the season, my picks are averaging 8.7 | 8.7 | 7.5 (1st, 2nd, 3rd) for an overall average of 8.3 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 four teams that I like this week so hopefully fantasy owners can find at least one on their waiver wires. (If you still have the Pats from last week, just hold onto them. I like their matchup with the Bills.)

1. San Diego Chargers (@ CIN)
The Bungles have given up 11+ points to fantasy defenses in four of their last six games and the CHargers havee scored 10+ in four of their last five. That’s a good combination. Too bad the game isn’t in San Diego.

2. St. Louis Rams (vs. SF)
The Rams have been up and down this season, but so have the 49ers, who have given up 7+ fantasy points to opposing defenses in four of the last five games. There’s a lot on the line in this one so the crowd should be into it.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. SEA)
The Bucs haven’t had a very good fantasy defense this season, but Matt Hasselbeck is really struggling and the Seahawks only have Charlie Whitehurst behind him.

4. Dallas Cowboys (@ ARI)
Arizona has given up 9+ fantasy points in three of its last four games and 6+ in eight of its last nine. The Cowboys defense isn’t very good, but its played well fantasy-wise of late, scoring 8+ in four of its last six games.

Follow the Scores Report editors on Twitter @clevelandteams and @bullzeyedotcom.

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