Author: John Paulsen (Page 373 of 937)

Defensive Team By Waiver Wire (DTBWW): Week 16

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. To see how this approach performed last season, click here.

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

#1 Cardinals: 24 PA (0) + 2 SK + 2 INT + 1 FR = 5 fantasy points
#2 Seahawks: 24 PA (0) + 1 INT = 1 fp
#3 Texans: 13 PA (4) + 3 SK + 1 INT + 1 FR = 9 fp

The Cardinals were a big disappointment given their matchup with the Lions and the Seahawks were a no-show against the Bucs at home. At least Houston had a nice day.

On the season, my top pick is averaging 9.3 fantasy points per game, my #2 pick is averaging 9.5 fp and my #3 pick is averaging 6.9. On the whole, DTBWW is averaging 8.6 fp, which equates to DT3 numbers. Not bad.

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. (Note: If you already have the Cards, hold onto them this week — they have a great matchup against the Rams.)

Pick #1: San Francisco 49ers (vs. DET)
The 49ers are averaging 13.3 fp at home this season, and 15.3 over the last three (versus CHI, JAX and ARI). They should make mincemeat of the Lions.

Pick #2: Indianapolis Colts (vs. NYJ)
The Colts have averaged 7.8 points per game over the last four weeks and with turnover-happy Mark Sanchez coming to town, they should have a nice day.

Pick #3: Dallas Cowboys (vs. WAS)
Dallas is playing pretty good defense of late. They have gone for 8+ in six of their last nine games, and the Redskins are a pretty nice matchup.

Bonus pick: Falcons (vs. Bills)


Photo from fOTOGLIF

Line of the Night (12/21): Tyreke Evans

The Sacramento Kings were down by 35 POINTS in the middle of the third quarter and rallied to beat the Bulls, 102-98, in the biggest comeback in team history. Tyreke Evans led the Kings with 23 points and eight boards, and also dished out three assists. He’s definitely making a push for ROY — right now, it’s neck and neck with the Bucks’ Brandon Jennings.

The surprising Kings are 13-14, and have won four of their last six, including back-to-back road games against the Bucks and Bulls. Oddly enough, they’ve kept their head above water without Kevin Martin. It will be interesting to see how he fits in the lineup now that Evans is thriving at off guard.

Here are the highlights:

Waiver Wire Watch: Week 16

Week 16 is here, so it’s do or die time for most fantasy owners. I wouldn’t imagine that there are too many championship-caliber teams out there scouring on the waiver wire for guys to start in the title game, so I’ll make this WWW relatively brief. Here are a few guys that could help fantasy owners that are in a pinch at a particular position. Remember, to be eligible for the WWW, a player needs to be owned in no more than 50% of ESPN leagues.

* Alex Smith (37.2) didn’t have a very good game against the Eagles, but with Lions coming to town, he is very much startable in Week 16.

* Vince Young (27.1) has thrown nine TD in the last six games and is also making plays with his feet. The Chargers are just a so-so matchup, but the Titans will have to throw to keep up.

* Jason Campbell (30.6) doesn’t have the greatest matchup in the world (DAL), but he has played pretty well of late and is usable in a pinch.

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Controversial finish to Butler/Xavier game [video]

The clock stopped for a split second (as the ball goes into the backcourt), which put Butler’s game-winning bucket into question.

He scored with 1.2 seconds to play and I don’t think the clock stopped for that long. Obviously, it would be better had the clock not stopped, but I think the right team won. However, the Xavier coach has a right to be upset. If Butler had an extra 1.2 seconds to score, shouldn’t Xavier also get the remaining time to try to win the game? And how did the refs determine that only 1.2 seconds went by when the clock was stopped?

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