The strategy behind DTBWW is that each week, you pick up a defense, preferably one playing at home against a bad offense. And each week, you get pretty good numbers out of your DT position. To see how this approach performed last season, click here.

Last week, I recommended three DTBWW picks. Let’s see how they fared…

#1 Broncos: 3 PA (8) + 3 SK + 2 INT + 1 FR = 14 fantasy points
#2 Redskins: 19 PA (2) + 2 SK = 4 fp
#3 Cowboys: 7 PA (6) + 3 SK + 2 INT + 1 FR + 1 TD = 18 fp

I think I’m going to stop recommending the Redskins. They’re pretty solid defensively, but they don’t generate many sacks or turnovers. The Cowboys bounced back from back to back goose eggs to post the biggest DT tally of the week. In fact, DTBWW picked the top two DTs of the week. (The Broncos tied with the Ravens for 2nd with 14 fantasy points.)

Through three weeks, pick #1 has generated 7.0 fp, pick #2 has averaged 8.7 fp and pick #3 has scored 12.7 fp on average. On the whole, DTBWW has averaged 9.4 fantasy points per game. Those are DT4-type numbers.

Let’s take a look at this week’s picks. Keep in mind that to be eligible for DTBWW, a defense must be available in at least 40% of ESPN fantasy leagues.

Pick #1: San Francisco 49ers (vs. STL)
DTs that have played the Rams have averaged 9.3 fantasy points, while the 49ers have averaged 8.0 fp behind some hard-nosed defense. The 49ers will be itching to play after Sunday’s tough loss to the Vikings and the Rams will likely be starting Kyle Boller at QB. This should add up to a big day for the San Francisco defense.

Pick #2: Cincinnati Bengals (@ CLE)
Opposing DTs have scored an average of 12.0 fp against the Browns and the Bengals are currently the #9 fantasy defense in their own right. The game is on the road, but it shouldn’t matter — the Browns are a mess.

Pick #3: Buffalo Bills (@ MIA)
DTs have scored 10.0 fantasy points against the Dolphins this season. Meanwhile, the Bills have averaged 7.0 in their three games and held down a pretty powerful Saints defense until Pierre Thomas went crazy in the second half. The kicker is that Miami has to turn to Chad Henne, and young quarterbacks usually struggle in their first few starts.