DEFENSIVE LINEMEN - STRONG PLAYS

Bryant Young, San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks

The 49ers defense returned to their early season form as they allowed 30 points to the Packers last week. This team needs a significant upgrade in most areas of the defense. Young hasn't helped matters much as he is averaging four tackles and 0.4 sacks per game over the past four weeks. However, this week he will be up against a team that likes running the ball. He should get plenty of opportunities against an offense that is allowing 30 tackles, 1.5 sacks and 0.5 fumble recoveries to the position over the past four weeks. Young comes recommended as a strong play this week, and should be used as a No. 2 defensive lineman.

Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions

Gbaja-Biamila is a liability against the run, which has led the team to take him out on rushing downs more often. For fantasy purposes, however, this is beneficial as teams are more likely to run at him when he is in, leading to more tackles. Over the past four weeks, he is averaging five tackles and 0.5 sacks per game. The Lions offensive line was horrible last week as they failed to gain positive yardage rushing the ball. They finished the game with negative three yards rushing, in addition to losing running back Kevin Jones (foot) for the season. Over the past four weeks, they are allowing 14 tackles and 3.3 sacks per game to this position. With no rushing game and an offense featuring lots of five- and seven-step drops; it could be a field day for Gbaja-Biamila and the Packers defensive line. Consider him a strong play who is a No. 2 defensive lineman this week.

Richard Seymour, New England Patriots vs. Houston Texans

Of all the games last week, the Patriots 21-0 shutout by the Dolphins had to be one of the biggest surprises. The Patriots might have had sloppy play on both sides of the ball last week, however, against the Texans this week you can expect them to rebound well, something this team has shown they can do in the Belichek-era. Seymour has four-week averages of 3.3 tackles and 0.3 sacks per game. He shouldn't find it too hard to hit those averages against a Texans offensive line that is annually among the league's worst. Over the past four games, they are allowing 23 tackles, three sacks and 0.3 fumble recoveries to the position per game. Like the rest of the team, expect Seymour to have a big week (compared to his previous efforts) and he comes recommended as a No. 3 defensive lineman who is a strong play.

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN - WEAK PLAYS

Ebenezer Ekuban, Denver Broncos at Arizona Cardinals

One might be surprised to see a Cardinals opponent comes ranked as a weak play; however, the team has been the sixth-worst offense to this position over the past four weeks. Their line play hasn't been great, and they throw the ball too much for there to be any chance of a high tackle total. Ekuban comes into the game averaging 7.3 tackles and 0.5 sacks per game over the past four weeks. With the Cardinals holding opposing lineman to only 15 tackles, 0.5 sacks and 0.3 fumble recoveries per game in that time, it will be hard for him to match his averages. He should still be used as a No. 1 or No. 2 defensive lineman; however he is a weak play.

Chris Kelsay, Buffalo Bills vs. Miami Dolphins

Kelsay entered this season as the starting left defensive end, with Denney as his primary competition at the spot. Both have performed well over the past four weeks, with Kelsay averaging 4.3 tackles per game. He has no sacks, but he has been the better of the two against the run. The Dolphins are allowing 16 tackles and 1.1 sacks per game to this position in that time. Kelsay should get more than his share of tackles, however don't expect him to reach his four-week averages this week. He comes recommended as a No. 2 or No. 3 defensive end and is a weak play.

Ryan Denney, Buffalo Bills vs. Miami Dolphins

Denney has been the more successful of the Bills two-headed defensive left end, as he is averaging 3.3 tackles and 0.5 sacks per game over the past four games. With the Dolphins allowing 16 tackles and 1.1 sacks per game, Denney could have a decent game this week but don't expect a lot. He isn't used in the defense as much as Kelsay, thus he has a decreased opportunity to make plays. He comes ranked as a No. 3 or injury replacement at the position and is a weak play.

LINEBACKERS - STRONG PLAYS

Shaun Phillips, San Diego Chargers vs. Kansas City Chiefs

It isn't hard to make a case for the Chargers being the top team in the National Football League. Their offense (see running back LaDainian Tomlinson) has given their defense a lead to work with in most games. They also possess an underrated corps of linebackers, featuring Phillips, Shawne Merriman, Donnie Edwards and Randall Godfrey. The four have combined to put up 198 fantasy points over the past four weeks. Phillips has been the second best of the four, averaging 8.3 tackles and 0.9 sacks per game since Week 11. The Chiefs are allowing 28 tackles, 1.3 sacks and 0.5 fumble recoveries to this position per game over the past four weeks. Combine those stats and Phillips comes out ranked as a No. 2 linebacker who is a strong play.

Chris Draft, Carolina Panthers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Two of the more disappointing teams meet this week as both will try to keep their dying playoff hopes alive. The Panthers haven't been able to get any consistency, both on offense and defense. Draft has averaged 6.5 tackles and 0.6 sacks per game over the past four weeks. Those numbers are solid and should get better this week. The Steelers offense comes into this game allowing 29 tackles, 2.1 sacks, 0.5 fumble recoveries and 0.8 interceptions to this position per game over the past four weeks. Draft should get a boost in his numbers this week and that makes him a strong play, however, he is still only a No. 3 linebacker.

Adalius Thomas, Baltimore Ravens vs. Cleveland Browns

This Ravens team is beginning to resemble the 2001 Super Bowl champion Ravens team more and more each week. Part of the reason for that has been strong play from their linebackers. Thomas seems to be all over the field for the Ravens and is averaging 6.3 tackles, 0.5 sacks and 0.5 fumble recoveries per game over the past four weeks. The fumble recovery he had he returned for a touchdown. The Browns have been the third-best offense to this position over the past four weeks, allowing 33 tackles, 1.4 sacks, 0.5 fumble recoveries and 0.5 interceptions per game to the position over the past four weeks. Expect Thomas and the Ravens to have a big week in this match-up of two “Cleveland” teams. Thomas is a strong play who comes ranked as a No. 3 or injury replacement at the position.

LINEBACKERS - WEAK PLAYS 

Kawika Mitchell, Kansas City Chiefs at San Diego Chargers

If the Chiefs want to have a shot at making the playoffs, this week's game against the Chargers is a must-win. That will be easier said then done. The Chargers offense is one of the best in the league and features legitimate All-Pro's at running back (Tomlinson), tight end (Antonio Gates) and quarterback (Philip Rivers), as well as one of the top offensive lines in the league. This won't make things easy for Mitchell, who is averaging 9.5 tackles per game. The Chargers are only allowing 20 tackles, 0.3 sacks and 0.3 fumble recoveries per game over the past four weeks to this position. Mitchell should be used as a No. 2 or No. 3 linebacker this week, and is a weak play.

Bradie James, Dallas Cowboys at Atlanta Falcons

After being embarrassed on Football Night in America last week, the Cowboys will be looking to bounce back against the Falcons. Linebackers have to be wary when playing the Falcons as quarterback Michael Vick is always a threat to break off a huge run, almost as much as he is to short-arm a throw to his receiver. This could go either way for the Cowboys, but with the Falcons allowing 21 tackles and only 0.8 sacks to this position per game over the past four weeks, it doesn't look like it will be a big week for James and the Cowboys' linebackers. James will put his four-week averages of 11 tackles and 0.3 fumble recoveries to the test this week. It will be a good test of whether either of these teams are legitimate playoff contenders, although don't expect a huge game from James. He comes ranked as a weak play and is a No. 3 linebacker.

Derrick Brooks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Chicago Bears

Brooks has come down from the years when he was a perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate; however, he still puts in a workman-like effort each week. Over the past four weeks, he is averaging seven tackles and 0.3 interceptions per game. Those numbers will be challenged by a Bears offense that is allowing just 25 tackles, 0.3 fumble recoveries and 0.5 interceptions per game to this position over the past four weeks. Brooks is only a No. 3 or injury replacement at the position this week and is considered a weak play.

DEFENSIVE BACKS - STRONG PLAYS

Shawn Springs, Washington Redskins at New Orleans Saints

The Saints offense has been one of the best to this position over the past four weeks (26 tackles, 0.8 sacks, 0.8 interceptions allowed per game) not only because they like to throw the ball but they also like to send running back Reggie Bush out as a receiver. They have good team speed and like to get out in the open field where they can exploit that. What does this mean for Springs, who is averaging 3.8 tackles and 0.3 interceptions per game over the past four weeks? It means he should have plenty of opportunities to make plays, something you like to hear if you are his fantasy owner. Springs should be used as a No. 2 defensive back this week, and is a strong play.

Gerald Sensabaugh, Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Titans

It should be a good matchup this week as the Jaguars will hope to put an end to the Titans four-game winning streak. The Titans are a much improved team from their 37-7 Week 8 loss to the Jaguars. Sensabaugh and the Jaguars will have the difficult task of stopping Titans quarterback Vince Young. The team doesn't throw the ball as well, but they are allowing 33 tackles, 0.1 sacks, 0.5 fumble recoveries and 0.8 interceptions per game to this position over the past four games. Part of that comes from the offense's lack of a deep threat. They are forced to stick to short passes that give them long multi-play drives, but most importantly give defensive backs a chance to rack up tackles. Sensabuagh doesn't have great numbers over the past four, averaging 5.5 tackles, 0.5 fumble recoveries and 0.5 interceptions per game in that time. He comes ranked as a No. 3 defensive back this week and is a strong play.

Richard Marshall, Carolina Panthers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

With regular starting left cornerback Chris Gamble (thigh) inactive last week, it gave Marshall a bigger role in the Panthers defense. Gamble missed the team's first practice this week on Wednesday, and is questionable to go this week. That alone should allow Marshall to improve off his four-week averages of 4.8 tackles, 0.3 fumble recoveries and 0.3 interceptions per game. The Steelers are allowing 26 tackles, 0.3 sacks and 0.8 interceptions per game to this position over the past four games. Marshall should be viewed as a No. 3 defensive back this week, and he is a strong play.

DEFENSIVE BACKS - WEAK PLAYS

Jermaine Phillips, Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Chicago Bears

The Bears scaled back their offense last week in an effort to protect quarterback Rex Grossman and help him get his confidence back. They should continue that this week, which hurts Phillips fantasy value as he will see fewer balls thrown his way. Over the past four weeks, Phillips is averaging eight tackles per game. With the Bears allowing only 22 tackles, 0.3 sacks and one interception per game to this position over the past four weeks, Phillips should be used as a No. 2 or No. 3 defensive back and is a weak play.

Artrell Hawkins, New England Patriots vs. Houston Texans

Hawkins is averaging 5.8 tackles per game over the past four weeks. The Texans only really have one legitimate threat at wide receiver, Andre Johnson, so you shouldn't expect Hawkins to get much face-time on television this week as he won't be covering him often. Opposing defensive backs are averaging 27 tackles, 0.3 sacks, 0.3 fumble recoveries and 0.5 interceptions per game against the Texans over the past four weeks. Hawkins comes ranked as only a No. 3 defensive back this week, and should be considered a weak play.

Al Harris, Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions

Despite the Packers propensity to give up big plays in the passing game, they are solid at both cornerback positions with Harris on the right side and Charles Woodson on the left. Over the past four weeks, he is averaging 5.3 tackles and 0.3 interceptions per game. However, the Lions offense has been horrible lately. They are allowing only 24 tackles, 0.3 sacks, 0.3 fumble recoveries and 1.5 interceptions per game to the position. More often than not, their passes are falling incomplete, which doesn't help Harris out too much this week. He come ranked as a weak play and is a No. 3 or injury replacement at the position.

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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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