DEFENSIVE LINEMEN – STRONG PLAYS

Cornelius Griffin, Washington Redskins at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

As any owner of Buccaneers running back Carnell Williams will tell you, the Buccaneers offensive line is among the worst in the league. This week's beneficiary appears to be the defensive line of the Redskins, and Griffin should be a big part of that as he anchors the line. Griffin has played in two games over the past four weeks, and is averaging eight tackles and 0.5 sacks in those games. The Buccaneers are allowing 20 tackles, 2.5 sacks and 0.8 fumble recoveries per game to the position over the past four weeks. Griffin should be able to improve off his two-game averages, and comes recommended as a strong play as a No. 1 defensive lineman.

Brett Keisel, Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns

The Browns have been struggling with injuries on their offensive line all season, which has partly been a reason for their ineffective offense. They won't get much of a reprieve this week as the Steelers, who seemed to turn it around last week, will be in town. Keisel, coming off the right end of the line, has been averaging five tackles, 0.3 sacks and 0.3 fumble recoveries per game over the past four weeks. The Browns have been the worst offense against lineman over the past four weeks, allowing 24 tackles, 4.3 sacks and 0.5 fumble recoveries per game to the position. Keisel should be able to reach his averages at the very least this week. Thus, he is a strong play as a No. 2 defensive lineman.

Vince Wilfork, New England Patriots at Green Bay Packers

Bill Belichick and the Patriots losing three games in a row? That can't happen or else the sports world would turn upside-down; that would be the only logical explanation for it. Wilfork hasn't performed well for the Patriots over the past four weeks, averaging only four tackles and 0.3 fumble recoveries per game. However, his numbers could spike this week as he faces a Packers offensive line that has been allowing 27 tackles, one sack and 0.8 fumble recoveries per game to the position over the past four weeks. Consider Wilfork a strong play, but he still is only a No. 3 defensive lineman.

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN – WEAK PLAYS

Victor Adeyanju, St. Louis Rams at Carolina Panthers

The Rams rookie defensive linemen scored his first touchdown last week, as he rumbled 89 yards for the score on a fumble recovery. Playing opposite Pro Bowl defensive end Leonard Little has allowed Adeyanju more freedom to make plays, and that he has done to the tune of 4.67 tackles and 0.33 fumble recoveries per game over the past four weeks (three games). However, expect his numbers to drop off this week against the Panthers. The Panthers offensive line is one of the best in the league and is only allowing 13 tackles, 1.33 sacks and 0.67 fumble recoveries per game to the position over the past four weeks (three games). Adeyanju still is a low-end No. 1 or high-end No. 2 defensive lineman this week, however, he is considered a weak play.

Hollis Thomas, New Orleans Saints vs. Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals offense lit up the Chargers defense last week for 41 points; however, they fell short in the game, losing 49-41. They showed last week that they have no problem abandoning the run in favor of throwing the ball (42 passes to 28 rushes in Week 10). This should adversely affect Thomas, who is averaging 3.67 tackles, 0.33 sacks and 0.33 fumble recoveries over the past four weeks (three games). The Bengals are allowing just 9.8 tackles and one sack per game to this position over their past four games. Thomas should be used as a No. 2 or No. 3 defensive lineman and is a weak play.

Chris Hovan, Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Washington Redskins

The Redskins will be giving quarterback Jason Campbell his first start of his career, which could benefit the Buccaneers defensive line if they weren't missing half of their Opening Day starters. Defensive end Simeon Rice (shoulder) is expected to be out, while defensive tackle Anthony McFarland has been traded to the Indianapolis Colts. Hovan has struggled with the loss of his line mates, averaging just four tackles per game over the past four weeks. The Redskins are allowing 19 tackles and 0.33 sacks per game to the position over the past four weeks (three games). Hovan is only a No. 3 defensive lineman this week, and he is a weak play.

LINEBACKERS – STRONG PLAYS

Channing Crowder, Miami Dolphins vs. Minnesota Vikings

The Dolphins' second-year linebacker might not be making many big plays but he is consistently racking up tackles, averaging 10 tackles per game over the past four weeks (three games). The Minnesota Vikings offensive line has done well containing the defensive line lately so Crowder should have plenty of opportunities, and Vikings quarterback Brad Johnson has failed to get the ball downfield effectively. Crowder should have a lot of chances to make plays against an offense which is giving up 29 tackles, 2.3 sacks, 0.3 fumble recoveries and 0.3 interceptions per game to the position over the past four weeks. This week Crowder should be used as a No. 1 or No. 2 linebacker, and he is a strong play.

Kawika Mitchell, Kansas City Chiefs vs. Oakland Raiders

Much like Crowder, Mitchell has been a tackling machine for the Chiefs, averaging 6.8 tackles per game over the past four weeks. However, the Raiders have been particularly generous to this position over the past four weeks, allowing opposing linebackers 22 tackles, 2.1 sacks, 0.5 fumble recoveries and 0.3 interceptions per game over that period. Those numbers should give Mitchell's numbers a boost this week and he comes recommended as a strong play as a No. 2 or No. 3 linebacker.

Caleb Miller, Cincinnati Bengals at New Orleans Saints

For the Bengals, their defense fell apart in the second half of their game against the Chargers last week. Miller has been averaging 8.5 tackles per game at the strong-side linebacker position over the past four weeks. The Saints are allowing 34 tackles, 0.33 sacks and 0.33 interceptions per game over the past four weeks (three games) to this position. Miller should be viewed as no better than a No. 3 or injury replacement at the position; however, he is recommended as a strong play this week.

LINEBACKERS – WEAK PLAYS

Junior Seau, New England Patriots at Green Bay Packers

The ex-retiree has been a revelation in the middle of the Patriots linebacker corps. Over the past four weeks, he is averaging 12 tackles and 0.3 sacks per game. He has been a tackling machine for the Patriots. Those numbers could be tough to match this week against a Packers offense which is giving up 28 tackles and 0.3 interceptions per game to this position over the past four weeks. Seau should be used as a No. 1 linebacker this week; however, he is considered a weak play.

Rosevelt Colvin, New England Patriots at Green Bay Packers

The second Patriots linebacker mentioned in this article, Colvin has been averaging 6.5 tackles and 0.6 sacks per game over the past four weeks. With the Packers only giving up 28 tackles and 0.3 interceptions per week to the position over the past four weeks, something has to give and Colvin will be hard-pressed to reach his weekly averages. He should be viewed as no better than a No. 3 linebacker, and a weak play.

Mike Vrabel, New England Patriots at Green Bay Packers                 

The veteran linebacker is having a down-year for the Patriots, averaging seven tackles, 0.4 sacks and 0.3 interceptions per game over the past four weeks. As stated above, the Packers have been tough against opposing linebackers, allowing them only 28 tackles and 0.3 interceptions per week over the past four weeks. This means Vrabel comes recommended as only a No. 3 or injury replacement at the position, and a weak play.

DEFENSIVE BACKS – STRONG PLAYS

Terrence McGee, Buffalo Bills at Houston Texans

McGee has finally started to come around for the Bills this season, as both a defensive back and a kick returner. Over the past four weeks (three games), he is averaging seven tackles and 0.33 fumble recoveries in that period. The fumble recovery he had last week, he returned for a touchdown at the end of the second half against the Colts last week. The Texans are allowing 29 tackles, 0.3 fumble recoveries and 0.5 interceptions per game to the position over the past four weeks. McGee comes recommended as a No. 1 defensive back this week, and is a strong play.

Chris Gamble, Carolina Panthers vs. St. Louis Rams

The former Ohio State University defensive back has not lived up to the expectations he had coming off last season, when he had 80 tackles and seven interceptions. Over the past four weeks (three games), he is averaging just 6.67 tackles and 0.33 interceptions per game. The Rams are a team that has been moving the ball extremely well on offense, and Gamble should get quite the workout this week, no matter who he is covering. They are allowing 25 tackles per game to the position over the past four weeks (three games). His numbers may spike this week and he should be considered a strong play, but he is only a No. 2 or No. 3 defensive back.

Marquand Manuel, Green Bay Packers vs. New England Patriots

The Packers pass defense ranks bottom in the league and you can bet Patriots head coach Bill Belichick will exploit this. It could be a long day for Manuel, who is averaging just 3.5 tackles per game over their past four games. He should get plenty of opportunities against as the Patriots, who are allowing 37 tackles, 0.5 fumble recoveries and one interception per game to the position over the past four games. Manuel comes recommended as a poor No. 3 or injury replacement at the position this week, and he is a strong play.

DEFENSIVE BACKS – WEAK PLAYS

Kenoy Kennedy, Detroit Lions at Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals have been the worst fantasy team against defensive backs over the past four weeks (three games). Kennedy may be averaging 13 tackles and 0.5 interceptions over the past four weeks (two games), however, against an offense that is only allowing 16 tackles, 0.33 sacks and 0.5 interceptions to the position over their past four weeks (three games), it will be tough for him to match his averages. He comes recommended as a weak play as a No. 1 defensive back this week.

Patrick Surtain, Kansas City Chiefs vs. Oakland Raiders

Much like the matchup above, this one features a team that is struggling at the quarterback position and thus, Surtain will likely not see many opportunities. Over the past four weeks, he is averaging 5.3 tackles and 0.3 interceptions per game. The Raiders are allowing 18 tackles and 0.5 interceptions per game to defensive backs over the past four weeks. If Raiders wide receiver Randy Moss feels like trying this week, it could be a bigger week for Chiefs' defensive backs, however, judging by his mid-week comments, that is unlikely. Consider Surtain a weak play as a No. 2 defensive back this week.

Stuart Schweigert, Oakland Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs are expected to bring back quarterback Trent Green (concussion) this week after missing most of the season with a concussion. Schweigert is averaging 6.3 tackles per game over the past four weeks. The Chiefs are allowing 17 tackles, 0.5 sacks and 0.3 fumble recoveries per game to the position over the past four weeks. Those numbers figure to get worse this week. Schweigert should be considered a weak play as a No. 3 defensive back 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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