DEFENSIVE LINEMEN - STRONG PLAYS

Kenard Lang, Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders

Oh how the mighty have fallen. What used to be one of the marquee match-ups in the league is now one of its most lopsided match-ups. Lang and the Broncos will travel to Oakland to face the Raiders, who are coming off their second Monday Night Football shutout. Lang has been averaging 3.5 tackles and 0.8 sacks per game over the past four weeks. The Raiders offensive line was horrible last week, as they allowed seven sacks of quarterback Andrew Walter in the first half alone. Over the past four weeks, they are allowing 24 tackles, 3.9 sacks and 0.5 fumble recoveries per game. With those numbers, it shouldn't be hard for Lang to hit at least his averages. Consider him a strong play as a No. 2 defensive lineman this week.

Raheem Brock, Indianapolis Colts vs. Buffalo Bills

The Colts continued their perfect start to the season and remain the last undefeated team for the second straight season. Brock hasn't been the force he could be on the interior of the Colts line, as he is averaging five tackles and 0.67 fumble recoveries per game over the past four weeks (three games). But his numbers could spike this week, as the Bills are allowing 23 tackles, 3.33 sacks and one fumble recovery per game to the position. Brock is a No. 3 defensive lineman this week, although, he is a strong play.

Patrick Kerney, Atlanta Falcons vs. Cleveland Browns

Kerney is on pace to surpass his totals from last year in sacks; although, he is looking at his lowest tackle totals since his rookie year in 1999 (18 tackles). Over the past four weeks, he is averaging just 2.5 tackles and 0.5 sacks per game. His numbers aren't great, but this could be the game where he gets on track. The Browns are allowing 25 tackles, three sacks and 0.33 fumble recoveries per game over the past four weeks (three games). Kerney is only a No. 3 or injury replacement as a defensive lineman this week, but he is a strong play.

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN - WEAK PLAYS

Jason Taylor, Miami Dolphins vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Taylor earned the American Football Conference's Defensive Player of the Week award last week, after he totaled three tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, one interception and one touchdown. Over the past four weeks (three games), he is averaging 6.67 tackles, 1.33 sacks, 0.33 interceptions and 0.33 touchdowns. Against the Chiefs this week, Taylor could find it hard to get going against one of the top offensive lines in the game. Over the past four weeks, they are only allowing 17 tackles, 0.6 sacks and 0.5 fumble recoveries per game. Taylor still comes recommended as a poor No. 1 or strong No. 2 defensive lineman; however, he is a weak play.

Ellis Wyms, Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers

Wyms has been the top defensive lineman for the Buccaneers over the past four weeks. In that period, he is averaging 4.8 tackles and one sack per game. The trade of Anthony McFarland to the Indianapolis Colts before Week 7 appears to have been the spark he needed to put up some solid numbers. However, the Panthers have been playing well against defensive lineman, allowing 17 tackles, 1.33 sacks and 0.33 fumble recoveries to the position over the past four weeks (three games). This week he will be lined up against All-Pro offensive guard Mike Wahle, so consider Wyms a weak play as a No. 3 defensive lineman.

Luis Castillo, San Diego Chargers at Cincinnati Bengals

Castillo is putting up solid numbers for the Chargers over the past four weeks, averaging 4.3 tackles, 0.5 sacks, 0.3 fumble recoveries and 0.3 interceptions per game. He has a bit of everything for the Chargers, which has been a relief after they lost defensive lineman Igor Olshansky (knee) to injury. Castillo comes up against a Bengals offense which is allowing 14 tackles and 1.3 sacks per game to the position over the past four weeks. Castillo does not come highly ranked, as he is only a No. 3 or injury replacement at the position, and he is a weak play.

LINEBACKERS - STRONG PLAYS

A.J. Hawk, Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings

Hawk is finally starting to live up to the billing of a top five draft pick. Over the past four weeks (three games), the former Ohio State linebacker is averaging 10 tackles and 0.33 sacks per game. His sack numbers are low for a linebacker, but he seems to always be in the middle of the play, which is shown by his high tackle totals. The Vikings are allowing 29 tackles, two sacks, 0.33 fumble recoveries and 0.33 interceptions per game over the past four weeks (three games). Consider Hawk a No. 1 linebacker and is a strong play this week.

Channing Crowder, Miami Dolphins vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Crowder has been a tackling machine for the Dolphins, racking up 14 tackles per game over the past four weeks (three games). He led the team with eight unassisted tackles last week as the Dolphins upset the undefeated Chicago Bears 31-13. The Chiefs have been allowing 26 tackles, 0.9 sacks, 0.3 interceptions and 0.3 touchdowns to this position over the past four weeks. Crowder should continue to be a stalwart on the weak side of the Dolphins defense. He is a strong play this week, who should be used as a No. 1 linebacker.

D.J. Williams, Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders

The Broncos embarrassed the Pittsburgh Steelers last week to the tune of a 31-20 away victory. In that game, the Broncos defense forced six turnovers. That stellar play should come again this week as they are taking on a weak Raiders offense. Over the past four weeks, Williams has been averaging 7.8 tackles per game. The Raiders have been allowing 23 tackles, 2.1 sacks, 0.5 fumble recoveries and 0.3 interceptions to the position. Those numbers indicate Williams should again have a big game this week. He should be played as a strong play as a No. 2 linebacker.

LINEBACKERS - WEAK PLAYS

Cato June, Indianapolis Colts vs. Buffalo Bills

June has been a top-20 fantasy linebacker over the past four weeks (three games), averaging 15 tackles and 0.67 sacks per game. Those are huge numbers for a linebacker, however, it will be tough for him to duplicate them against a Bills defense which is allowing 28 tackles, 0.5 sacks and 0.33 fumble recoveries to the position in that same period. June is still a No. 1 or No. 2 linebacker; however, he is a weak play against the Bills.

DeMeco Ryans, Houston Texans at Jacksonville Jaguars

The second-round draft pick out of the University of Alabama is on pace this season to be one of the favorites for the Defensive Rookie of the Year. Over the past four weeks, Ryans is averaging 11 tackles and 0.5 sacks, good for third most fantasy points in that period.  However, the Jaguars are a team that hasn't been good to the position over the past four weeks (three games), allowing only 20 tackles, 0.5 sacks and 0.33 fumble recoveries to the position. They rank as the top offense against the position. Ryans still comes ranked as a No. 2 linebacker but he is a weak play.

Ernie Sims, Detroit Lions vs. San Francisco 49ers

A defensive player who is a weak play against the 49ers? Has hell frozen over? Against linebackers, the 49ers have not been great as their running game hasn't been able to get going (less tackles) and teams are beating the 49ers deep so linebackers aren't often in a position to make plays. Sims might be averaging 11 tackles and 0.33 fumble recoveries per game over the past four weeks (three games), but the 49ers are only allowing only 33 tackles, 1.33 sacks and 0.33 interceptions per game in that period. Sims should be used as a No. 3 linebacker and a weak play at that.

DEFENSIVE BACKS - STRONG PLAYS

Justin Miller, New York Jets at New England Patriots

Given the opportunity to run against a weak run defense last week against the Colts, the Patriots signaled their intent to stick to throwing the ball, even though their chances might have been better running. Miller has been averaging 5.33 tackles per game over the past four weeks (three games). The Patriots have been allowing 33 tackles, 0.33 fumble recoveries and one interception to the position per game in that same period. Miller comes ranked as No. 1 defensive back this week and a strong play.

Danieal Manning, Chicago Bears at New York Giants

The Bears have a tough match-up this week and will look to rebound against one of the top teams in the NFC. Manning has worked his way into a starting role with the team, supplanting safety Chris Harris earlier in the season. Over the past four weeks (three games), he has averaged 3.67 tackles per game. The Giants have been generous to this position over the past four weeks, allowing 39 tackles, 0.67 fumble recoveries and one interception to the position. Manning is seen as a No. 3 defensive back this week, although he is a strong play.

Antrel Rolle, Arizona Cardinals vs. Dallas Cowboys

No team could have used their Bye week more than the Cardinals. They are on a seven-game losing streak, which has seen them drop winnable games against the Raiders and Bears. Rolle has not played bad this year as he is being given more playing time and should set career-highs in just about every category. Over the past four weeks (three games), he is averaging five tackles per game. The Cowboys have been giving up 35 tackles, 0.3 sacks and 0.8 interceptions per game to this position over the past four weeks. Rolle should be used as a No. 3 defensive back and a strong play.

DEFENSIVE BACKS - WEAK PLAYS

Madieu Williams, Cincinnati Bengals vs. San Diego Chargers

Williams has been a fantasy stud at this position, averaging 12 tackles per game over the past four weeks. However, this week he is against a team whose top weapons do not include a solid wide receiver. As such, he will likely not see many opportunities to make plays. The Chargers are allowing 26 tackles, 0.33 sacks, 0.33 fumble recoveries and 0.33 interceptions to the position over the past four weeks (three games). Williams is still considered a No. 1 defensive back, however, he is a weak play this week.

Mike Minter, Carolina Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Buccaneers offense has been among the leagues worst this season. Although Minter is averaging 14 tackles per game over the past four weeks (three games), the Buccaneers ineptitude on offense figures to adversely affect his value. Against defensive backs, the Buccaneers are allowing 23 tackles and 0.3 interceptions to this position over the past four weeks. Those are not great numbers and they don't look to get too much better this week. Consider Minter a weak play as a No. 1 or No. 2 defensive back this week.

Corey Chavous, St. Louis Rams at Seattle Seahawks

This week's game could decide which team wins the division, as the Rams and Seahawks figure to be the top two contenders in the NFC West. Chavous is not having a stellar year in his first as a part of the Rams. Over the past four weeks (three games), he is averaging just 4.33 tackles and 0.33 sacks per game. The Seahawks are allowing just 20 tackles and 0.5 interceptions to the position per game over the past four weeks. Chavous' numbers dictate him being used as only a No. 3 defensive back, and he is considered a weak play this week.

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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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