DEFENSIVE LINEMEN - STRONG PLAYS

Darrion Scott, Minnesota Vikings vs. New England Patriots

Scott is having a career year as he has almost equaled his career high in sacks (3.5 this season to a career high of four). He is also on pace for a career high in tackles, as well as passes defensed. Scott is averaging 7.67 tackles and 0.83 sacks per game over the past four weeks (three games). He will also be up against an offensive line that is allowing 29 tackles, 1.33 sacks and 0.33 fumble recoveries to the position per game over the past four weeks (three games). With Scott's strong play this season, the match-up is favorable for him this week. He comes recommended as a No. 1 defensive lineman, who is a strong play.

Dewayne Robertson, New York Jets at Cleveland Browns

Robertson has been a revelation for the surprising 4-3 Jets. Last week he was a force against the Detroit Lions, garnering three tackles and one sack, while forcing one fumble. He has been a tackling machine on the line, and over the past four weeks (three games), he is averaging seven tackles and 0.33 sacks per game. The Browns offensive line has been in shambles all season, as evidenced by them allowing 20 tackles, three sacks and 0.67 fumble recoveries per game over the past four weeks (three games). Consider Robertson a strong play as a No. 1 or No. 2 defensive lineman this week.

Robert Mathis, Indianapolis Colts at Denver Broncos

With defensive tackle Anthony "Booger" McFarland giving the team more of a presence in the middle of the defensive line, Mathis has had more freedom to make plays along the Colts line. Over the past four weeks (three games), he is averaging 5.67 tackles and 0.67 sacks per game. With the Broncos defense allowing 25 tackles and 1.33 sacks per game to the position over the last four weeks (three games), it is looking like it will be a good week for Mathis. He makes a strong play this week as a No. 1 or No. 2 lineman.

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN - WEAK PLAYS 

John Henderson, Jacksonville Jaguars at Philadelphia Eagles

Henderson continues to work without fellow Pro Bowl-defensive tackle Marcus Stroud (ankle), although there is a chance Stroud could return this week. Henderson is still putting up decent numbers, averaging 6.33 tackles and 0.33 sacks per game over the past four weeks (three games). He will be in tough this week against an offensive line which has been controlling the battle of trenches recently. Over the past four weeks, the Eagles are allowing 16 tackles and 1.8 sacks per game. Those numbers means it will be tough for Henderson to play well. He is still ranked as a No. 2 defensive lineman this week; however, he is a weak play.

Alex Brown, Chicago Bears vs. San Francisco 49ers

This Brown will be playing for the Bears this week, unlike safety Mike Brown (foot), who was placed on the Injured Reserve last week. Alex Brown doesn't have the name recognition of linemen Tommie Harris or Adewale Ogunleye; however, he is a solid right-sided defensive lineman for the Bears. Over the past four weeks (three games), he is averaging four tackles and 0.67 sacks per game. Against the 49ers offense, which is allowing only 14 tackles, 0.83 sacks, 0.33 fumble recoveries and 0.33 interceptions per game over the past four weeks, Brown should be seen as a weak play as a No. 3 lineman.

Charles Grant, New Orleans Saints vs. Baltimore Ravens

The 5-1 Saints are one of, if not the feel-good story of the season so far. Grant's role might not be as much as it has been in previous seasons as he is only averaging 3.33 tackles and 0.67 sacks per game over the past four weeks (three games). Regardless of which quarterback is behind center (Steve McNair or Kyle Boller), the Ravens present a tough match-up, as they are allowing only 17 tackles and 1.33 sacks per game over the past four weeks (three games). This week, Grant is recommended as a No. 3 or injury replacement defensive lineman, and a weak play at that.

LINEBACKERS - STRONG PLAYS

Brandon Short, New York Giants vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Short will be looking to pick up the slack for a defense that will be missing linebacker LaVar Arrington (Achilles') for the rest of the season. Short has already had a great season to this point, and over the past four weeks (three games), he is averaging 6.67 tackles and 0.67 sacks per game. This week, he is facing an offense that is allowing the most fantasy points to the position per game (48) over the past four weeks (three games). Opposing linebackers are averaging 35 tackles and 0.33 sacks against the Buccaneers over the past four weeks (three games). Short comes rated as a No. 1 linebacker this week and is a strong play.

Scott Fujita, New Orleans Saints vs. Baltimore Ravens

Fujita has been the Saints leader on defense this season, and is a huge reason why they are at 5-1 after seven weeks. Over the past four weeks (three games), he is averaging 8.67 tackles, 0.67 sacks and 0.33 interceptions per game. With Ravens quarterback Steve McNair relying on the tight end and running back positions (from either a lack of downfield threats or arm strength) as check-down receivers, the linebacker position should get considerable action this week. The Ravens offense is allowing 25 tackles, one sack, one fumble recovery and 0.33 interceptions to the position over the past four weeks (three games). With those kind of numbers being allowed, and the Saints playing another emotional game at home, Fujita figures to be a strong play as a weak No. 1 or No. 2 linebacker.

D.J. Williams, Denver Broncos vs. Indianapolis Colts

The Broncos have likely had this game circled on the calendar since the NFL scheduled it. The past two times the Broncos have met the Colts in the playoffs, it has been am embarrassment for the Broncos. Williams will be looking to exact some revenge on the Colts this week. Over the past four weeks (three games), he has been averaging seven tackles per game. The Colts offense has been allowing 34 tackles and 0.33 fumble recoveries to the position per game over the past four weeks (three games). Put that together with Williams' numbers and he should be considered a strong play this week as a No. 2 or No. 3 linebacker.

LINEBACKERS - WEAK PLAYS

Ray Lewis, Baltimore Ravens at New Orleans Saints

Lewis and the Ravens will have to be at the top of their game as they travel to the Superdome in New Orleans this week. The Ravens offense has been non-existent the past few weeks so they will be relying on another strong defensive performance. Lewis has been a part of that the past four weeks (three games), as he is averaging 13 tackles and 0.33 fumble recoveries per game. It will be a tough test for him to have an above-average week, as the Saints are only allowing 23 tackles per week to the position. Lewis is still ranked as a No. 1 linebacker; however, he is considered a weak play.

David Thornton, Tennessee Titans vs. Houston Texans

If the Titans are to turn around their season, it is going to have to come from a defense that has been downright sieve-like this season. Thornton was brought in from the Colts last season and he has performed well for the Titans, averaging 8.33 tackles per game. It might be surprising to see the Texans are strong on defense, but over the past four weeks (three games), they are allowing only 22 tackles and 0.33 sacks per game to this position. This makes Thornton a No. 2 linebacker, who is a weak play this week.

Michael Boley, Atlanta Falcons at Cincinnati Bengals

The Falcons are coming off an emotional win and will be facing a Cincinnati team that has struggled the past couple weeks. Boley hasn't been a huge playmaker for the Falcons but he has been solid. Over the past four weeks (three games), he is averaging 5.33 tackles and 0.33 sacks per game. The Bengals are allowing only 25 tackles and 0.33 sacks per game over the past four weeks (three games). Those aren't great numbers to see if you are planning to play Boley. Consider him a weak play as a No. 2 or No. 3 linebacker this week.

DEFENSIVE BACKS - STRONG PLAYS

Daven Holly, Cleveland Browns vs. New York Jets

The Jets are right near the top of the league for fantasy points allowed to the position (49) over the past four weeks (three games). Holly is the cornerback who will benefit most from the injury to cornerback Gary Baxter (knees), at least from a statistical point of view. Because the Jets like to pass, they will most likely be targeting the new cornerback, who has averaged only six tackles per game over the past four weeks (three games). With the Jets giving up 32 tackles, 0.3 fumble recoveries and one interception per game over the past four weeks (three games), Holly should be considered a strong play as a No. 2 defensive back this week.

Chris McAlister, Baltimore Ravens at New Orleans Saints

Being the Ravens top cornerback also means McAlister doesn't get a lot of balls thrown his way. Over the past four weeks (three games), McAlister is averaging just three tackles and 0.33 interceptions per game. However, this week he is in a great match-up as the Saints are allowing 33 tackles, 0.33 fumble recoveries and 0.33 interceptions per game over the past four weeks (three games). He should be viewed as a strong play but he is only ranked as a No. 3 defensive back.

Mike Minter, Carolina Panthers vs. Dallas Cowboys

Minter could be in line for a big week against the Cowboys, as both Cowboys quarterbacks Drew Bledsoe and Tony Romo have looked shaky against this position in recent weeks. Over the past four weeks (three games), Minter is averaging 7.3 tackles and 0.3 interceptions per game. With the Cowboys giving up 32 tackles, 0.3 sacks, 1.5 interceptions and 0.5 touchdowns per game to the position, it could be a very big week for Minter and the Panthers defensive backs. Minter should be viewed as a No. 3 defensive back, but a strong play this week.

DEFENSIVE BACKS - WEAK PLAYS

Donovin Darius, Jacksonville Jaguars at Philadelphia Eagles

The hard-hitting Jaguars safety is laying just outside the top 20 fantasy defensive backs (currently at 21st) over the past four weeks (three games). In that time period, Darius is averaging 8.33 tackles per game. Those are solid numbers for a safety; however, his match-up this week leaves a lot to be desired. The Eagles are allowing only 21 tackles, 0.3 sacks, 0.8 fumble recoveries and 0.8 interceptions per game over the past four weeks. The low amount of tackles they are giving up should hurt Darius the most as he has failed to intercept a pass, sack a quarterback or cause a fumble this season. Darius should thus be considered a weak play as a No. 2 defensive back.

Brian Williams, Jacksonville Jaguars at Philadelphia Eagles

Williams is the second Jaguars defensive back listed in these rankings, and although he does have an interception in the past four weeks (three games), he is only averaging six tackles per game. When you combine that with the poor match-up he has against the Eagles offense, who are allowing only 21 tackles, 0.3 sacks, 0.8 fumble recoveries and 0.8 interceptions in their past four games, Williams should still be viewed as a No. 2 defensive back. However, he is a weak play.

Nick Harper, Indianapolis Colts at Denver Broncos

The Broncos offense has not been passing the ball well lately. Come to think of it, they haven't been doing much right on offense in general. Harper will likely not get too many chances to make plays, not that he has had many over the past four weeks (three games). In that period, he is averaging just 4.67 tackles per game. The Broncos are allowing just 20 tackles, 0.33 fumble recoveries and 0.67 interceptions per game to the position in the past four weeks (three games). This week, Harper rates as only a No. 3 or injury replacement at the position, and he is a weak play.

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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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