IDP: Strong Plays, Weak Plays - Week 4

September 28, 2006 @ 16:00:00

By Bryce McRae
Edited by Ryan Dodson

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN - STRONG PLAYS

Trent Cole, Philadelphia Eagles vs. Green Bay Packers

The Eagles didn't show any sign of missing defensive lineman Jevon Kearse (knee) last week, and defensive lineman Trent Cole was a big reason for that. Cole saw his playing time increase with the loss of Kearse, and he looks to continue his solid start to the season. He is averaging four tackles and 1.67 sacks per game. With those numbers and a favorable matchup (the Packers are giving up 19 total tackles, 1.33 sacks and 0.33 fumble recoveries per game to the position) this week, Cole comes recommended as a strong play as your No. 1 defensive lineman.

Tyler Brayton, Oakland Raiders vs. Cleveland Browns

All is not well in the Raiders camp, but that shouldn't stop you from playing Brayton this week. Brayton's numbers might look a little pedestrian so far this year (he is averaging just 4.5 tackles per game, with no sacks,) but this week he has a favorable matchup in the Browns. The Browns are allowing 31 total tackles, 2.33 sacks and one fumble recovery to the position per game this season. As such, Brayton should be considered a strong play as a weak No. 1 or solid No. 2 defensive lineman.

Tommie Harris, Chicago Bears vs. Seattle Seahawks

Harris has benefited from playing in the stifling defense that the Bears have. He is averaging 2.67 tackles and one sack per game. With linemate Adewale Ogunleye pressuring from the other side, and one of the top linebackers corps in the league behind him, you should figure he will put in another solid effort this week, especially against a Seahawks offensive line that is allowing 26 total tackles, 1.67 sacks, 0.33 fumble recoveries and 0.33 interceptions to the position. Pencil in Harris as a strong play as a weak No. 2 or strong No. 3 defensive lineman.

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN - WEAK PLAYS

Ty Warren, New England Patriots at Cincinnati Bengals

Warren has been a beast up front for the Patriots, averaging 12 total tackles and 0.33 sacks per game. These are numbers that put him second in the league in fantasy output for defensive linemen by our accounts. However, this week he comes up against a Bengals offense that is allowing just 20 total tackles and one sack per game to the position. He is still being viewed as a No. 1 defensive lineman, but he is a weak play this week.

Kyle Vanden Bosch, Tennessee Titans vs. Dallas Cowboys

The Titans turned in a better defensive effort last week against the Miami Dolphins, however, this week they are up against a tougher, well-rested foe in the Cowboys. Vanden Bosch has proved that last year was no fluke and he is averaging six total tackles and 0.67 sacks per game, however, the matchup is unfavorable for him this week (10.5 total tackles and one sack per game allowed by the Cowboy offense). As such, Vanden Bosch should be used as a weak play as a No. 2 defensive lineman.

Tamba Hali, Kansas City Chiefs vs. San Francisco 49ers

The rookie defensive lineman has played well for the Chiefs so far this season, averaging eight total tackles per game. He is up against a 49ers offense that is allowing just 11 total tackles, 0.67 sacks and one fumble recovery to the position so far this season. They have also allowed one touchdown to lineman, that coming last week when Eagles defensive lineman Mike Patterson rumbled 98 yards for the score. Hali is considered a weak play this week as a weak No. 2 or strong No. 3 defensive lineman.

LINEBACKERS - STRONG PLAYS

Gary Brackett, Indianapolis Colts at New York Jets

Brackett has been a tackling machine for the 3-0 Colts this season. He is averaging 11 total tackles per game and is in the top 10 in fantasy production for linebackers. This week he is up against an offense which has been good to opposing linebackers. The Jets are allowing 33 total tackles, 0.67 sacks and 0.33 interceptions per game to the position. Thus, Brackett comes recommended as a strong play, and he is a top-ranked linebacker for the week.

Landon Johnson, Cincinnati Bengals vs. New England Patriots

With linebackers Odell Thurman and David Pollack out for the season for different reasons, Johnson has stepped up and been a fantasy stud for the undefeated Bengals. Johnson is averaging seven total tackles, 0.33 interceptions and 0.33 fumble recoveries per game this season. He is up against a particularly generous defense this week, as the Patriots are allowing 34 total tackles, 0.33 sacks and 0.33 fumble recoveries per game. They have also allowed one defensive touchdown by a linebacker. All this makes Johnson a strong play as a No. 1 or No. 2 linebacker this week.

D'Qwell Jackson, Cleveland Browns at Oakland Raiders

Jackson should benefit from playing against a struggling Raiders offense this week. Jackson is averaging nine total tackles per game this season. He has no sacks, but that should change this week when he is up against an offense that is allowing 5.75 sacks per game to the position. They are also allowing 24.5 total tackles, one fumble recovery and one interception to opposing linebackers. These stats make Jackson a strong play as No. 3 linebacker.

LINEBACKERS - WEAK PLAYS

Thomas Howard, Oakland Raiders vs. Cleveland Browns

Howard has been playing well (from a fantasy standpoint) for the Raiders, as he is averaging eight tackles per game this season. This week he is facing a Browns defense allowing just 24 tackles per game, 1.33 sacks and one interception per game to the position. Those numbers mean it should be tough for Howard to have a good week, and he should be viewed as a weak play as your No. 1 linebacker.

A.J. Hawk, Green Bay Packers at Philadelphia Eagles

Hawk has improved each week and looks set to become a stalwart the Packers can build their defense around for years to come. He is averaging 8.33 tackles and 0.33 sacks per game so far this season. His job won't get any easier this week as he makes his first visit to Lincoln Field to face the Eagles. The Eagles are allowing 22 tackles and 0.5 sacks per game so far this season to the position. Hawk figures to be a weak play as a No. 2 linebacker.

Eric Barton, New York Jets vs. Indianapolis Colts

Barton has been a tackling machine for the surprising Jets this season, and he is averaging 12 tackles per game. The Jets are allowing just 30 tackles and 0.33 interceptions per game to the position this season. Barton is considered a weak play this week as a No. 2 linebacker.

DEFENSIVE BACKS - STRONG PLAYS

Antrel Rolle, Arizona Cardinals at Atlanta Falcons

The Cardinals haven't had the greatest start, although they were close last week in losing by just two to the St. Louis Rams. Rolle was a part of a defense that allowed 309 passing yards and one touchdown to Rams quarterback Marc Bulger. Those numbers might not be good for the Cardinals defense, but they mean Rolle is being given plenty of chances to rack up tackles. So far this season he is averaging six tackles per game. The Falcons were embarrassed on Monday Night Football last week and will look to rebound against the Cardinals. They are allowing 35 total tackles, 0.33 sacks, 0.33 fumble recoveries and 0.33 special teams touchdowns to the position so far this weekend. Rolle should be considered a strong play this week as a weak No. 1 or solid No. 2 defensive back.

Charles Tillman, Chicago Bears vs. Seattle Seahawks

You can take your pick each week of which Bears defensive player you want, as the defense has been stellar so far this season. This week's player is Tillman, who is averaging five tackles, and 0.33 interceptions per game this season. He is up against a Seahawks defense that is allowing 35 total tackles, 0.67 sacks and one interception per game to the position. They have also allowed one touchdown. Tillman should be used as a strong play as a solid No. 2 defensive back this week.

Deltha O'Neal, Cincinnati Bengals vs. New England Patriots

The Patriots were forced to throw 55 times last week, and if they approach that number this week, it should bode well for the Bengals defensive backs. O'Neal is averaging four tackles and 0.33 interceptions per game so far this season. The Patriots are averaging 33 tackles, 0.33 sacks and 0.67 interceptions per game to the position. The Bengals secondary could be in line for a big fantasy week, and O'Neal is considered a strong play as a weak No. 2 or No. 3 defensive back.

DEFENSIVE BACKS - WEAK PLAYS

Chris Hope, Tennessee Titans vs. Dallas Cowboys

Hope has been one of the top fantasy defensive backs this season in all of football, averaging 12 tackles per game. However, this week, he is in a weak matchup. Cowboys wide receiver Terrell Owens (hand) might not play, and Cowboys head coach Bill Parcells has said the team is going to be even more committed to the run, which likely won't help Hope's fantasy value. The Cowboys are allowing just 25 total tackles and 0.5 interceptions per game to the position this week. Hope is still a No. 1 defensive back, but he should be considered a weak play.

Roy Williams, Dallas Cowboys at Tennessee Titans

Well the Cowboys defense should do well against the Titans, they have not been throwing the ball well or very much, which hurts Williams' fantasy value. Williams is averaging five tackles and one interception per game over the first three weeks (two games) of the season. The Titans are allowing 14 tackles, 0.33 fumble recoveries and 1.67 interceptions per game to defensive backs this season. Williams is considered a weak play as a No. 2 defensive back this week.

Marquand Manuel, Green Bay Packers at Philadelphia Eagles

Manuel and the Packers are hoping their trip to Philly will be better than the last time they played there, losing 47-17 in 2004. The defense stepped up last week and Manuel was part of that. He is averaging six tackles and 0.33 interceptions per game, including running one back for a touchdown. The Eagles are allowing just 26 tackles, 0.17 sacks, 0.67 fumble recoveries and 0.33 interceptions per game this season. Manuel is considered a weak play this week as a No. 2 defensive back.

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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.

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