DTBWW – The Scores Report – The National Sports Blog

Defensive Team By Waiver Wire (DTBWW): Week 16

John Paulsen — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 22:17:01 +0000

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.

Defensive Team By Waiver Wire (DTBWW): Week 15

John Paulsen — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 20:00:17 +0000

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 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.

Defensive Team By Waiver Wire (DTBWW): Week 14

John Paulsen — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 18:30:05 +0000

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 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)

Defensive Team By Waiver Wire (DTBWW): Week 13

John Paulsen — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 18:50:37 +0000

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 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 12 picks fared:

#1 Browns: 3 SK + 1 INT = 4 fantasy points
#2 Colts: 2 SK = 2 fp
#3 Raiders: 3 SK + 1 INT + 1 RET TD = 10 fp

Good grief. The Browns had a subpar day against Jimmy Freaking Clausen while the Colts were a huge disappointment at home, where they’ve been playing very well of late. To be fair, the IND DT didn’t have anything to do with those two pick-six’s that Peyton Manning threw. The Colts DT thrives when it is playing with a lead and that wasn’t the case on Sunday night. The Raiders were mediocre defensively, but Jacoby Ford’s return TD saved the day.

On the season, DTBWW is averaging 7.1 | 8.8 | 6.8 (1st, 2nd, 3rd) for a total of 7.5 fantasy points per game. Oddly enough, my #3 pick is pretty hot, scoring 16, 15 and 10 the last three weeks. Go figure

Let’s take a look at my Week 13 picks keeping in mind that to be eligible, defenses must be available in at least 40% of ESPN fantasy leagues:

#1: Seattle Seahawks (vs. CAR)
Maybe I’m a sucker, but I’m going to the Carolina well yet again. The Seahawks play good defense at home (11.8 fp in home games) and the Panthers are the top matchup for a fantasy defense.

#2: San Diego Chargers (vs. OAK)
The SD DT could have a let down after a big win against the Colts, but they need this game and with Jason Campbell under center (again), the potential is there.

#3: St. Louis Rams (@ ARI)
The Rams have a decent defense, though fantasy-wise they’ve been mediocre of late. This is more about Derek Anderson/Max Hall than anything else. Sam Bradford will likely put the Cards in an early hole and then the feeding frenzy will begin.

Bonus Picks: DET (vs. CHI), MIA (vs. CLE)

Defensive Team By Waiver Wire (DTBWW): Week 12

John Paulsen — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 00:15:22 +0000

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 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 11 picks fared:

#1 Chiefs: 13 PA (4) + 2 SK = 6 fantasy points
#2 Dolphins: 16 PA (2) + 3 SK + 1 INT = 6 fp
#3 Browns: 4 SK + 3 INT + 2 FR + 1 RET TD = 15 fp

Overall, not a bad week for DTBWW. The Browns were obviously the best of the bunch, which is a little surprising because they were on the road and the Jags weren’t looking too bad the last few weeks.

On the season, DTBWW is averaging 7.4 | 9.4 | 6.5 (1st, 2nd, 3rd) for a total of 7.6 fantasy points per game.

Let’s take a look at my Week 12 picks keeping in mind that to be eligible, defenses must be available in at least 40% of ESPN fantasy leagues:

#1: Cleveland Browns (vs. CAR)
The Ravens DT scored 21 points on the road against Brian St. Pierre and the Carolina offense last week. The Browns are playing good D (11.5 ppg over the last four games) and are at home. This looks like the best matchup of the week.

#2: Indianapolis Colts (vs. SD)
Get this — the Colts DT is averaging 17.3 fantasy ppg in four home games this season, and just 4.3 ppg on the road. They’re at home this week against the Chargers, who have played well of late, but have a history of giving up points (8.9 per game) to fantasy defenses this season.

#3: Oakland Raiders (vs. MIA)
The Raiders DT is averaging 8.8 ppg on the season, and with the Dolphins (10.0 ppg allowed last three games) making the long trip to the West Coast, I see good things for Oakland’s defense this week.

Bonus Picks: ARI (vs. SF), WAS (vs. MIN)

Defensive Team By Waiver Wire (DTBWW): Week 11

John Paulsen — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 19:00:40 +0000

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 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 10 picks fared:

#1 Bucs: 16 PA (2) + 2 SK + 1 FR = 5 fantasy points
#2 Cardinals: 2 SK + 1 INT = 3 fp
#3 Colts: 17 PA (2) + 3 SK + 3 INT + 1 INT RET TD + 2 FR = 16 fp

Well, the Bucs and Cards were disappointing, but the Colts came through in a big way and actually had the high defensive score of the week. Jimmy Clausen played better than expected for Carolina and the Arizona DT flat out laid an egg in a good matchup at home against the Seahawks.

If you picked up the Colts, I’d recommend holding onto them if you can. After this week, three of their next four games are at home, where they play much, much better. They have a terrible matchup this week (@ NE) so holding onto them may not be an option.

On the season, DTBWW is averaging 7.5 | 9.7 | 5.6 (1st, 2nd, 3rd) for a total of 7.6 fantasy points per game.

Let’s take a look at my Week 10 picks keeping in mind that to be eligible, defenses must be available in at least 40% of ESPN fantasy leagues:

#1: Kansas City Chiefs (vs. ARI)
The Cardinals are the second-best matchup in the league from a DT standpoint, and the the Chiefs are very capable on that side of the ball (their Week 10 performance against the Broncos notwithstanding). I’d expect KC to come out fired up on Sunday.

#2: Miami Dolphins (vs. CHI)
The Bears give up the 4th-most points to fantasy defenses, so I like the Dolphins at home in this one. Miami is #6 against the pass and #11 in sacks, so they should be able to contain the Bears’ passing game.

#3: Cleveland Browns (@ JAX)
Tough call for #3, but I’m going with the Browns who are playing very good defense right now. The Jags have looked better the last couple of weeks, but Cleveland shouldn’t be as easy to throw on as the Cowboys and Texans were.

Bonus Picks: SF (vs. TB), DET (@ DAL)

Defensive Team By Waiver Wire (DTBWW): Week 10

John Paulsen — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 18:15:19 +0000

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 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 9 picks fared:

#1 Giants: 7 PA (6) + 2 INT + 1 FR = 9 fantasy points
#2 Falcons: 1 SK + 2 INT = 3 fp
#3 Bills: 1 SK + 1 FR = 2 fp

Well, aside from the G-Men, that was pretty dreadful. The upshot is that it was a pretty bad day defensively from all the mediocre (i.e. available) defenses. Only the Cardinals (18), Raiders (11), Browns (8) and the Bucs (6) had six or more fantasy points and outside of ARI, their matchups looked pretty bad heading into the week.

On the season, DTBWW is averaging 7.8 | 10.4 | 4.4 (1st, 2nd, 3rd) for a total of 7.6 fantasy points per game.

Let’s take a look at my Week 10 picks keeping in mind that to be eligible, defenses must be available in at least 40% of ESPN fantasy leagues:

#1: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. CAR)
Two words: Jimmy Clausen. Need I say more?

#2: Arizona Cardinals (vs. SEA)
The Cards have averaged 14.3 fantasy points at home and this week a suspect Seahawks’ offense comes to town. This is a tasty matchup.

#3: Indianapolis Colts (vs. CIN)
I’ll say it: The Colts DT stinks on the road. But at home (12.3 ppg), they are a completely different animal. Cincy isn’t the greatest matchup, but the Colts made mincemeat of the Giants, Chiefs and Texans this season and they weren’t great matchups either.

Bonus Picks: CLE (vs. NYJ), STL (@ SF), KC (@ DEN)