DEFENSIVE LINEMEN - STRONG PLAYS

Adewale Ogunleye, Chicago Bears at New England Patriots

The Bears defense has been a large part of the reason for their 9-1 record as it has carried them to wins in almost every game this season. They will have to get another strong effort against a Patriots team coming off a 35-0 win over the Packers last week. Ogunleye is averaging 4.8 tackles, 0.5 sacks and 0.3 fumble recoveries over the past four games. The Patriots have been good to this position in that same period, allowing 23 tackles, two sacks and 0.3 fumble recoveries to the position. Ogunleye should be used as a No. 2 defensive lineman this week and a strong play at that.

Chuck Darby, Seattle Seahawks vs. Green Bay Packers

Playing in this week's Monday Night Football match-up, Darby will get a chance against a Packers offensive line that struggled last week. Darby is averaging three tackles and 0.9 sacks per game over the past four weeks. Expect the Seahawks to be fired up against a young Packers offense, which is giving up 25 tackles, 0.9 sacks and 0.8 fumble recoveries to the position over the past four weeks. Darby is considered a No. 2 defensive lineman this week and a strong play.

Kyle Vanden Bosch, Tennessee Titans vs. New York Giants

The man who ended Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb's season last week has been averaging 4.5 tackles and 0.5 sacks per game over the past four weeks. With the Giants missing several starters on offense, and the Titans defense coming around, it could be a big week for Vanden Bosch. The Giants are allowing 17 tackles, 1.5 sacks and 0.3 fumble recoveries to the position over the past four weeks. Vanden Bosch should be used as a No. 2 defensive lineman this week, and he is a strong play.

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN - WEAK PLAYS

Derrick Burgess, Oakland Raiders at San Diego Chargers

Playing beside a rejuvenated defensive tackle Warren Sapp, Burgess has failed to build off a solid season last year. Over the past four weeks, Burgess is averaging just 2.3 tackles per game, although he is picking up 0.9 sacks per game. However, the Chargers have one of the top lines in the league, and Burgess will be matched up against one of the better right tackles, Shane Olivea. He should struggle to match his averages this week, and thus, he is a weak play as a No. 2 or No. 3 defensive lineman this week.

Robert Mathis, Indianapolis Colts vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Mathis has been the top Colts defensive lineman over the past four weeks, fantasy-wise, as he is averaging four tackles and 0.5 sacks per game. The Eagles are still unsure who will be starting, but you can expect a lot of rushing attempts if they do. With running back Brian Westbrook often bouncing his runs to the outside, it will not be a fun day for the Colts left defensive end. The Eagles are allowing 19 tackles, 0.67 sacks and 0.33 fumble recoveries to the position over the past four weeks (three games). Consider Mathis a weak play this week, as a No. 2 or No. 3 defensive lineman.

Anthony McFarland, Indianapolis Colts vs. Philadelphia Eagles

McFarland has been part of the reason for the Colts improved run defense since being acquired from the Buccaneers in a trade. He is averaging four tackles and 0.5 sacks per game over the past four weeks. As stated above, it is going to be a tough game for Colts linemen, with a healthy dose of Westbrook expected, in addition to the tight end spot being utilized a lot as a safety blanket for whoever starts at quarterback for the Eagles. McFarland is only a No. 3 defensive lineman this week, and he is a weak play.

LINEBACKERS - STRONG PLAYS

James Farrior, Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens

The Steelers will be facing a Browns franchise (or former one) for the second time in two weeks, albeit the team is under a new name and plays in a different city. Farrior has been a stud over the past four weeks, averaging 13 tackles and 0.5 sacks per game while patrolling the left-middle part of the field. Last week, the Steelers won their second in a row, and this week it is a must-win if they want to have any chance at winning the division. The Ravens are allowing an astounding 35 tackles per game over the past four weeks to the position, in addition to 0.1 sacks and 0.5 fumble recoveries. Farrior comes recommended as one of the top linebackers this week, and he is a strong play.

Caleb Miller, Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns

Not much has gone right for the Bengals over the past four weeks defensively, as they rank as one of the worst defenses in the league. That could get a boost against the Browns this week as they are one of the most inefficient offenses in the league. Miller has been averaging 9.8 tackles and 0.3 fumble recoveries per game over the past four weeks. The Browns are giving up 39 tackles, 1.6 sacks, 0.8 fumble recoveries and 0.3 interceptions per game over the past four weeks. They have been the best offense for opposing linebackers to play against, fantasy-wise, in that time. Miller should thus be used as a strong play as a No. 1 linebacker.

Kawika Mitchell, Kansas City Chiefs vs. Denver Broncos

Mitchell has been playing well for the Chiefs over the past four weeks, averaging 8.5 tackles per game. The Broncos offense is based largely around the run and with a zone-blocking system, it gives linebackers a lot of opportunities to step up and make plays once the linemen have been knocked down. Opposing linebackers are averaging 35 tackles and 0.4 sacks per game against the Broncos over the past four weeks. Mitchell should be able to improve off his averages and is a strong play as a No. 1 or No. 2 linebacker this week.

LINEBACKERS - WEAK PLAYS

Al Wilson, Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs

Wilson has been averaging nine tackles and 0.3 sacks per game over the past four weeks. With most of his fantasy points coming from tackles, this week figures to be a poor match-up for him as the Chiefs are only allowing 19 tackles per game to the position, as well as 0.5 sacks per game. It will be hard for Wilson to match his averages against the Chiefs, especially in tackles and thus he should be considered a weak play as a No. 2 linebacker this week.

Clint Ingram, Jacksonville Jaguars at Buffalo Bills

The Jaguars got a big win last week against the Giants and should have no trouble with the Bills this week. Ingram has been at the heart of the Jaguars defense, averaging 7.5 tackles, 0.5 sacks and 0.5 fumble recoveries per game over the past four weeks. The Bills, however, have been tough against linebackers, allowing only 21 tackles and 0.33 sacks per game over the past four weeks (three games). Because of that, Ingram is only a weak play this week, although he is still ranked as a No. 2 linebacker.

Thomas Howard, Oakland Raiders at San Diego Chargers

The Raiders defense has emerged as a force to be reckoned with, at least when compared to their offense. They have carried the Raiders to at least one win this season, which is impressive considering how inept their offense has been. Over the past four weeks, Howard is averaging 7.8 tackles per game. The Chargers have one of the better offensive lines in the league, and one of the top offenses. Over the past four weeks (three games), they are only giving up 23 tackles and 0.4 sacks per game to the position. Howard will find it hard to reach his averages in what could be a blowout. Use him as a weak play as a No. 3 linebacker this week.

DEFENSIVE BACKS - STRONG PLAYS

Yeremiah Bell, Miami Dolphins at Detroit Lions

Bell comes ranked as the top defensive back in the rankings this week. He is averaging 12 tackles and 0.33 fumble recoveries per game over the past four weeks. Those numbers might surprise you, but he comes recommended so high because of his match-up. The Lions are giving up 27 tackles, 0.67 sacks, 0.33 fumble recoveries and 0.67 interceptions per game to the position over the past four weeks (three games). Because of those high numbers, Bell comes ranked as a No. 1 defensive back and is a strong play this week.

Charles Tillman, Chicago Bears at New England Patriots

Teams have learned that the best way to beat the Patriots is to stack the box and make quarterback Tom Brady beat you (as crazy as it sounds). The Colts did this effectively three weeks ago. Because of that, Tillman, who is averaging 6.3 tackles and 0.3 interceptions per game over the past four games, should have plenty of opportunities to make plays. The Patriots are allowing 33 tackles, 0.5 fumble recoveries and one interception per game to the position over the past four weeks. Tillman comes recommended as a strong play as a No. 1 or No. 2 defensive back this week.

Jermaine Phillips, Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Dallas Cowboys

With Tony Romo finally giving the Cowboys some stability at quarterback, their offense is finally living up to preseason expectations. One recipient of that this week should be Phillips, who is quietly putting together a solid season. Over the past four weeks, he is averaging 6.3 tackles per game. With the Cowboys allowing 36 tackles (the most in the league) and 0.5 interceptions per game to the position, it figures that Phillips should exceed his averages this week. Consider him a strong play as a No. 2 defensive back.

DEFENSIVE BACKS - WEAK PLAYS

Brian Dawkins, Philadelphia Eagles at Indianapolis Colts

The Eagles defense will really have to step up with the loss of quarterback Donovan McNabb (knee) last week. Dawkins, one of the leaders on that defense, has been excellent all year for the Eagles, averaging 11 tackles per game over the past four weeks (three games). However, quarterback Peyton Manning and the Colts offense are one of the best at protecting the ball meaning there will not be many opportunities for big plays. The Colts are allowing 26 tackles, 0.5 fumble recoveries and 0.5 interceptions per game over the past four weeks. Dawkins is still a No. 1 defensive back this week; however, it will be hard for him to match his four-week averages and he is a weak play this week.

Terrence McGee, Buffalo Bills vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

With poor play from the quarterback position, the Jaguars do not take kindly to defensive backs. McGee might be averaging six tackles and 0.33 fumble recoveries per game over the past four weeks (three games), but it will be hard for him match those numbers this week. The Jaguars receivers have been playing poorly the past four weeks, which hurts defensive backs' value. The Jaguars are allowing 25 tackles, 0.33 fumble recoveries and 0.5 interceptions to the position over the past four weeks. McGee comes recommended as a No. 1 defensive back this week; however, he is a weak play.

Nnamdi Asomugha, Oakland Raiders at San Diego Chargers

Asomugha's job wasn't made too easy last week as Vikings quarterback Brad Johnson and the Vikings offense is one of the worst in the league, giving him few opportunities to make plays. He will be coming up against one of the best in the league this week, although with no marquee Chargers receivers he might not see a lot of action. Over the past four weeks, Asomugha is averaging 4.8 tackles, 0.33 sacks and 0.67 interceptions. The Chargers are allowing only 20 tackles, 0.3 sacks, 0.3 fumble recoveries and 0.5 interceptions per game to this position over the past four weeks. Because of that, Asomugha should be considered a weak play as a No. 2 defensive back.

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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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