Fantasy Football and NFL News, Rumors and Injury Updates

IDP: Strong Plays, Weak Plays - Week 3

September 21, 2006 @ 16:00:00

By Bryce McRae
Edited by Ryan Dodson

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN - STRONG PLAYS

Ryan Denney, Buffalo Bills vs. New York Jets

Denney should benefit from playing next to another solid defensive lineman in Chris Kelsay. Denney has been the more productive of the two, as he has averaged seven tackles and 1.5 sacks per game this season. Last week against the Miami Dolphins he had three sacks, all in one half. This week against the Jets, he should be thought of as a strong play as your No. 1 defensive tackle and one of the top ranked this week. Part of this is because of the opposition, the Jets have given up 32.5 total tackles, 1.5 sacks and 0.5 fumble recoveries to the position over the past two weeks, and part of it is his line partner, Kelsay.

Darnell Dockett, Arizona Cardinals vs. St. Louis Rams

Dockett has posted the second highest tackle totals for defensive lineman so far this season, averaging nine per game, while also picking up 0.5 sacks and 0.5 fumble recoveries per game. Quarterbacks have been able to get to Rams quarterback Marc Bulger to the tune of two sacks per game, while they have picked up 18.5 total tackles per game and 0.5 fumble recoveries per game. Dockett should be able to add at least one more sack to his total this week, in addition to a few tackles, and as such he is considered a strong play as a solid No. 1 defensive lineman.

Chris Kelsay, Buffalo Bills vs. New York Jets

The Bills dominated the Dolphins offensive line last week, sacking Dolphins quarterback Daunte Culpepper seven times. Kelsay was a huge part of that pass rush as he picked up one sack and three tackles in the Week 2 win. Kelsay should be able to feast on a Jets line this week that is giving up lots of tackles per game. He will also benefit from playing next to Denney Kelsay has averaged one sack per game and four tackles per game to start the season. Against a team that is allowing 32.5 total tackles, 1.5 sacks and 0.5 fumble recoveries per game, Kelsay figures to be a strong play this week as your No. 1 defensive lineman.

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN - WEAK PLAYS

Aaron Kampman, Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions

So far this season Kampman has been everything the Packers wanted him to be when they signed him to a contract extension in the offseason. In the two previous weeks, Kampman has averaged seven tackles, two sacks and 0.5 fumble recoveries per game. Those stats put him as the top fantasy defensive lineman so far this season. However, this week, Kampman will come up against a team that has been tough against opposing lines. The Lions have allowed 3.5 sacks per game and 0.5 fumble recoveries, but they are only allowing 8.5 total tackles per game to the position. Because of the low tackle totals the Lions have been allowing, Kampman rates as a weak play as a No. 1 defensive lineman this week.

Julius Peppers, Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The extremely talented Peppers has lived up to his billing this year and currently ranks just second behind Kampman in fantasy points by defensive linemen. Peppers has averaged 6.5 tackles and 1.5 sacks per game over the first two games of the season. He also plays in one of the top lines in the league, so teams are forced to leave him single-manned at times. However, this week, Peppers will be up against a team that is tied for bottom of the league in fantasy points allowed to defensive linemen. The Buccaneers have only allowed 0.5 sacks and just 5.5 total tackles per game to the position, although they have given 0.5 interceptions per game. Because of that, Peppers ranks as a weak play this week, as a low-level No. 1 lineman or a strong No. 2 lineman.

Robert Mathis, Indianapolis Colts vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Mathis draws considerably less media attention than his line-mate Dwight Freeney, however, he has had the better season to-date. Mathis is currently averaging five tackles per game, in addition to one sack and 0.5 fumble recoveries per game. Because teams are keying on Freeney so much, it often means he will be one-on-one with a lineman, giving him much better opportunities to make plays. This week, he should still get those opportunities, however, his opponent, the Jaguars, are allowing just 12 tackles per game to the position. They have also allowed only one sack and zero fumble recoveries. This means Mathis ranks as a weak play as a No. 2 lineman.

LINEBACKERS - STRONG PLAYS

LeRoy Hill, Seattle Seahawks vs. New York Giants

Some might wonder why Hill is ranked so highly when he hasn't done as much this season. He is only averaging four tackles and one sack per game, however, in IDP leagues matchups are the name of the game. Hill comes up against an offense that has been giving opposing linebackers plenty of work. The Giants offense is allowing linebackers to average 24 total tackles, one sack and 0.5 interceptions against them. With Giants quarterback Eli Manning being given more leeway to throw the ball, this could be a big week for Hill, and he is ranked as a strong play as a No. 1 linebacker this week.

Angelo Crowell, Buffalo Bills vs. New York Jets

Crowell ranks in the top 20 at the position in terms of fantasy points, and this week he should be able to consolidate that ranking even further. Crowell is averaging 10.5 tackles per game, 0.5 sacks and 0.5 interceptions per game. Against the Jets this week, Crowell should be able to build off those numbers as the Jets are allowing opposing linebackers 30.5 total tackles, one sack and 0.5 interceptions per game. Consider Crowell a strong play as a weak No. 1 or strong No. 2 linebacker this week.

Derek M. Smith, San Francisco 49ers vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Smith has combined with rookie linebacker Manny Lawson to give the 49ers two solid young pieces of their defensive puzzle. Smith is off to the better start of the two and is averaging nine tackles per game. His lack of any sacks or interceptions is one drawback; however, he is playing against an offense that is allowing 23 total tackles per game to the position. Think of Smith as a strong play as a weak No. 1 or strong No. 2 linebacker, and you should do fine this week.

LINEBACKERS - WEAK PLAYS

DeMeco Ryans, Houston Texans vs. Washington Redskins

Ryans has been a tackling machine for the lowly Texans so far this season, averaging 11.5 tackles per game, however, he hasn't done much else. He has yet to sack the quarterback or pick off a pass, and he could find that hard to do this week against a Redskins offense that is only allowing linebackers 17 total tackles and 0.5 sacks per game over the first two weeks. Consider him a weak play this week as a poor No. 1 linebacker.

Jeremiah Trotter, Philadelphia Eagles at San Francisco 49ers

Trotter comes into this week's matchup averaging nine tackles and 0.5 interceptions per game. He remains a defensive stalwart against the run and should get plenty of tackles against the 49ers offense, which has become more potent with the emergence of running back Frank Gore. However, linebackers are only averaging 17 total tackles, 0.5 sacks and 0.5 fumble recoveries against the team, making Trotter a weak play as a No. 2 linebacker this week.

Ernie Sims, Detroit Lions vs. Green Bay Packers

Sims and the Lions came off a tough Week 1 loss to the Seahawks and were blown out of the water by a strong Chicago Bears team. Sims has done his best as a rookie in the defense, averaging 10 tackles per game, but he hasn't had one quarterback sack or interception. He has also benefited from a strong defensive front four, which takes blockers off him and allows him to make plays. This week, he faces a Packers offense which is allowing 23 total tackles, 0.5 sacks and 0.5 fumble recoveries to the position. Consider him a weak play as a No. 1 linebacker.

DEFENSIVE BACKS - STRONG PLAYS

Kelly Herndon, Seattle Seahawks vs. New York Giants

Herndon has been a tackling machine (11 per game over the first two weeks) for the Seahawks so far this season, and this week figures to be no different. The Giants offense is allowing opposing defensive backs 32.5 total tackles and 0.5 defensive interceptions. The Giants were forced to throw last week because of an early deficit, and it worked as they came back against the Eagles. This week they figure to do more of the same (you stick with what works after all), and because of that, Herndon is considered a strong play as the top defensive back (No. 1) this week.

Roman Harper, New Orleans Saints vs. Atlanta Falcons

It will be an emotional week for Saints as they play in New Orleans on Monday Night Football this week. Harper figures to play a big part in that game. He has been averaging 6.5 tackles and 0.5 sacks per game so far this season. These aren't great numbers, but his matchup is favorable this week. The Falcons have been one of the top rushing teams so far this season and since they have been blowing by linebackers and linemen, defensive backs have been putting up solid tackle totals. They are allowing 41 total tackles, 0.5 sacks and 0.5 fumble recoveries to the position per game this season. All this means Harper should be considered a strong play as a No. 2 defensive back.

Antrel Rolle, Arizona Cardinals vs. St. Louis Rams

Rolle is another player in a good matchup this week. He hasn't put up solid numbers, but they are what you would expect from a No. 2 defensive back. Rolle is averaging 6.5 tackles on the season with no interceptions or fumble recoveries. He figures to get more attention this week against a Rams offense, that while balanced, still figures to pass a lot (neither defense has played particularly well meaning it could be an offensive shootout). The Rams are allowing 23 total tackles and two sacks to the position so far this season making Rolle a strong play as a No. 2 defensive back this week.

DEFENSIVE BACKS - WEAK PLAYS

Nick Collins, Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions

Despite the offense actually putting some points on the board last week, the Packers defense couldn't hold the Saints, and the team suffered another loss. Collins, not the greatest playmaker in the league, has nonetheless been solid on his tackles and is averaging 8.5 per game. He won't get you many big plays, and when you combine that with an offense that hasn't been kind to defensive backs (20.5 total tackles and 0.5 fumble recoveries per game), Collins ranks as a weak play as a No. 2 defensive back this week.

Terrence McGee, Buffalo Bills vs. New York Jets

McGee helped shutdown Dolphins quarterback Daunte Culpepper last week, as the Bills allowed only a late fourth-quarter touchdown to them. McGee himself has been a big part of the Bills early season success (one win and a close loss to the New England Patriots) as he has averaged 11 tackles per game. This week it could be tougher for him to put up numbers against an offense which is allowing 22.5 total tackles, 0.5 sacks and 0.5 fumble recoveries per game. Consider him a weak play as a No. 2 defensive back this week.

Jermaine Phillips, Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Carolina Panthers

This week it is all about the matchup for Phillips. He is averaging 10 tackles and 0.5 fumble recoveries per game over the first two weeks, but this week he is coming against a team that has had trouble throwing the ball, especially with the loss of wide receiver Steve Smith (hamstring). With the Panthers missing their No. 1 receiver, they haven't been throwing the ball as much and are allowing opposing defensive backs 23.5 total tackles and 0.5 interceptions per game. With both teams trying to salvage surprisingly bad starts, this should be a good game from a fans point of view. Phillips still has a high value this week as a No. 1 defensive back, but consider him a weak play. Keep an eye on Smith's status, and if he plays, Phillips' value could increase.

Author Bio

Bryce McRae
Bryce McRae is a Managing Editor with KFFL and has been involved in fantasy sports since 1999. He joined KFFL as a volunteer writer in March 2005 before becoming a Hot off the Wire Analyst in March 2006. He began working in his current capacity in September 2008. His work has appeared on fantasy sports sites such as Yahoo! and CBS Sportsline as well as in print. He graduated from the University of British Columbia in 2008 with a B.A. in History and U.S. Studies.