Lineup calls: QB | RB | WR | TE | K | D/ST
At the beginning of the year, fantasy owners rose up to draft the Jets as the top defense.
The Vikings, 49ers and Cowboys were among the next group of defenses to follow. All three of those teams can now be found on many a waiver wire. The Cowboys have been all but eliminated from consideration given the recent run of debacles. DeMarcus Ware is on an island right now.
We’ll save the breakdowns of the year’s biggest disappointments for the post-playoff run, but rest assured that several defenses will crack the list. No stone is left unturned here.
To follow that line of thinking, let’s find value and call out the potential flops.
Top 5 Defenses/Special Teams
(Other than Pittsburgh, New York Jets and New York Giants)
Philadelphia at Washington
How’s your cardio? The Eagles will seek to harass, torment and chase Donovan McNabb all over the field on Monday night. Philadelphia has ceded 14 passing touchdowns this season, but has also accumulated 24 sacks and 13 interceptions.
Obviously, there’s some question about how Washington responds to all of the controversy, particularly coming out of the bye week. Still, I can’t look past the aggressive style, the Redskins’ offensive line issues and McNabb’s lackluster play in recent weeks.
Tennessee at Miami
Miami seeks to shift things up by reinstalling Chad Pennington at quarterback. He’s not dominant, but he’s efficient. However, Tennessee has already generated 26 sacks this season and will most certainly bring heat on the oft-injured veteran quarterback. The running game will struggle to find space, forcing Pennington into problematic throwing downs.
Tampa Bay vs. Carolina
Tampa Bay technical rates as a “sleeper” pick for this week’s game, but they keep rising up the ranks as I reordered things. The Panthers put Jimmy Clausen under center behind a makeshift offensive line and with a fourth-string running back behind him. The opportunistic cornerbacks could have a field day.
Kansas City at Denver
The Broncos move the ball brilliantly between the 20s, but many a long drive (in terms of yardage) has gone to the wayside without damage. The Broncos’ inability to run the ball keeps pressure on Kyle Orton and forces him to press. The Chiefs have recorded 19 sacks while allowing 232.9 yards per game.
Arizona vs. Seattle
The return of Matt Hasselbeck certainly helps things somewhat after watching Charlie Whitehurst struggle terribly against the Giants. However, Hasselbeck doesn’t have any support on the offensive line. As such, he’ll face pressure from an Arizona team that has recorded 18 sacks with nine interceptions. This unit hasn’t gelled as expected, with the loss of Antrel Rolle looming large in the secondary. Still, there will be opportunities to make plays in the secondary with Hasselbeck under duress.
Sleepers
Cleveland vs. New York Jets
The New York offense has struggled these past few weeks, with only a long touchdown pass to Braylon Edwards in Week 9 helping to stop the bleeding. Cleveland has done well on the ground (it has allowed a single rushing touchdown), and this unit plays hard for Eric Mangini. If Cleveland can slow Tomlinson and Greene, there will be opportunities to add to the nine interceptions forced through the first eight weeks.
San Francisco vs. St. Louis
The 49ers came into the season ranked among the league’s top defensive units. That hasn’t come to pass yet this season, but this matchup intrigues me. St. Louis does not possess a true downfield threat right now and ranks 29th in total offense (17.5 points per game). Sam Bradford has been impressive, but this team wins on ball control and defense.
Detroit at Buffalo
I’m thinking expressly about No. 90 on the defensive line as I write this. The Lions have generated 24 sacks, thereby opening up opportunities for the secondary to generate turnovers and flip the field position. The overall stats are still middling, but that defensive line wreaks havoc on opposing quarterbacks. Fitzpatrick will be under duress in this contest.
Flops
Chicago vs. Minnesota
The Bears face off against their old nemesis once again, as Brett Favre leads the embattled Vikings squad to Chicago. Chicago ranks fourth in total defense, allowing 16.6 points per game. The pass defense has surrendered five touchdowns, but inconsistent pressure up front could be problematic against Vikings’ downfield passing game (provided that Percy Harvin is clear to go). Chicago allows 225.8 passing yards per game. The effort to slow Adrian Peterson leaves holes for Visanthe Shiancoe to operate down the seams.
St. Louis at San Francisco
The Rams have been stout against the run and rank among the league’s top units in terms of sacks, led by James Laurinaitis. St. Louis ranks seventh in total defense, having allowed 17.6 points per game. I don’t anticipate a collapse, but this is a trap spot coming out of the bye against San Francisco.
Has Mike Singletary found an angle during the bye to inspire his squad and get them back on track? The Rams are still a start as a low-end D1, but something tells me that the script flips.
