Lineup calls: QB | RB | WR | TE | K | D/ST
It’s that magical time of the season.
Sure, I’m onboard standing on ladders and playing with electricity to bring my best Griswold effort. I’m thinking more about the glory of the fantasy playoffs. This weekend, we stand at the precipice of greatness and this fantasy realm’s second season.
Some owners are sitting pretty atop the standings. They’ll monitor the action and hope that they’re stars stay healthy while taking an active interest in another league matchup.
Others are fighting for their playoff lives. They’ll wring their hands as they ponder their lineup questions, noting that some of their cornerstones are locked in horrible matchups for Week 13 (Roddy White, Ray Rice or Tom Brady, anyone?).
As such, it’s time to steal every point possible at the secondary positions. There’s gold on the wire. Let’s find some top plays at the Defense/Special Teams slot for this all-important fantasy weekend.
Top Defenses/Special Teams
(Other than New York Jets, Chicago, Pittsburgh, New York Giants, Green Bay and Baltimore)
St. Louis at Arizona
The Rams get the first shot at Derek Anderson in the aftermath of a miserable Monday night in Arizona. The Cardinals rank 29th in total offense (17.6 points per game) and accrue a pathetic total of 269.1 yards per game. The sack-happy Rams will get after Anderson, forcing frequent errant throws downfield.
New Orleans at Cincinnati
The Saints are getting healthy at the right time and bring an aggressive attack against the turnover-plagued Carson Palmer. Cincinnati ranks 21st in total offense, averaging 20.5 points per game, and Palmer has thrown 15 interceptions (with 22 sacks).
With little production in the ground game, look for Palmer to be pressured and to continue his dismal run.
Atlanta at Tampa Bay
The Falcons quietly rank seventh in scoring defense, having allowed 19 points per game. Atlanta effectively stomps out the run, thereby putting opposing quarterbacks in disadvantageous third-down situations. Tampa Bay ranks 23rd in scoring offense, generating just 19.9 points per game. The Falcons intercepted Josh Freeman twice in Week 9, the only defense to force multiple interceptions from the second-year quarterback.
San Diego vs. Oakland
I put San Diego on the board, although I have to say that I’m terrified of the potential impact of Jacoby Ford on this game. With that said, the Chargers have done a better job on special teams of late to help bolster the all-around effort of this squad. The Chargers rank second in pass defense and third in run defense, so this is a miserable spot for Darren McFadden and this banged-up Oakland offense. Just turn back the page to Week 12’s dominance of Indianapolis for an example of what this unit is capable of producing.
Tennessee vs. Jacksonville
The wheels appear to have come off in Tennessee in the past few weeks, but I’ll put them on the board against the middling Jacksonville offense (21.8 points per game). Tennessee ranks eighth in scoring defense at 19.8 points allowed per game with 24 turnovers and 32 sacks.
The Jaguars may be without David Garrard, who has been slowed this week in practice. That would put Trent Edwards, former Buffalo starter, under center for this important divisional battle, and give the Tennessee pass rush and secondary opportunities to aid your fantasy bottom line.
Sleepers
Miami vs. Cleveland
I’ll assume that Peyton Hillis gets his share of yardage and another touchdown this week (you can’t stop him), but there’s not much here overall. Tony Sparano will do his fist-pumping as the Dolphins harass and cajole Jake Delhomme into multiple turnovers.
For all of their issues on offense, the Miami defense has performed beautifully. The Dolphins are currently tied for 10th in scoring defense at 20.5 points allowed per game. Miami has generated 16 turnovers and 27 sacks this season.
Seattle vs. Carolina
The Panthers average a league-worst 12.7 points per game. Their quarterbacks have absorbed 33 sacks, and the Panthers have committed an astounding total of 25 turnovers. Mike Goodson and Jonathan Stewart are solid plays and work well between the 20s, but John Kasay is the lone hero here.
Flops
Tampa Bay vs. Atlanta
Matt Ryan brings perhaps the best team in the NFC to Florida for a divisional showdown. The Buccaneers have done well against Roddy White through the years, but there’s no slowing Michael Turner in the ground game. If Turner gets things rolling early, Ryan will get his time to operate downfield. Michael Jenkins is my player to watch in this contest. The biggest issue here is that Ryan doesn’t turn the ball over.
Kansas City vs. Denver
The Chiefs have emerged as a solid, albeit unspectacular, fantasy option in recent weeks. Kansas City is tied for 14th in scoring defense at 21 points allowed per game on the strength of 19 turnovers and 23 sacks. I’m shuffling them back to the wire (or bench) in deeper leagues with Kyle Orton and company coming to town. The Broncos can’t play defense, but as we see week after week, they can score.
