DEFENSIVE LINEMEN - STRONG PLAYS

Brett Keisel, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cincinnati Bengals

After an embarrassing 31-7 loss to the Ravens last week, Keisel and the Steelers will get the chance to make up for it against the Bengals. It is a good matchup for Keisel, as the Bengals have been giving up 25 tackles, 1.5 sacks and 0.5 fumble recoveries per game since Week 13 to the position. For Keisel, who has been averaging 4.8 tackles and 0.6 sacks per game over the past four weeks, it means he should get a spike in his four-week averages. There is also a chance Bengals offensive tackle Willie Anderson (foot) will not play. Even if he does, he could be limited by a foot injury. Keisel comes ranked as only a No. 3 lineman this week; however, he is a strong play.

Darrion Scott, Minnesota Vikings vs. St. Louis Rams

Scott and the Vikings playoff hopes ended last week with a 9-7 loss to the Packers; however, they can end the Rams playoff hopes this week with a win. Scott is averaging 4.8 tackles and 0.5 sacks per game since Week 13. The Rams are allowing 20 tackles and 2.8 sacks per game to this position in that time. Since the loss of offensive tackle Orlando Pace (triceps) earlier this season, the offensive line has failed to protect quarterback Marc Bulger well. Scott comes recommended as a No. 3 or injury replacement at the position and a strong play.

Jacques Cesaire, San Diego Chargers vs. Arizona Cardinals

Cesaire might be listed behind defensive end Igor Olshansky, but he should make it into the game for a significant portion as the Chargers have almost wrapped up home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. Cesaire has been averaging only 3.3 tackles and 0.5 sacks per game since Week 13 in what has been largely a backup role. The Cardinals offensive line continues to be the team's weakness, and they are allowing 19 tackles and one sack per game to opposing defensive linemen. Cesaire should have his best game of the season (at least from a fantasy perspective) and comes recommended as a No. 3 or injury replacement and a strong play.

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN - WEAK PLAYS

Charles Grant, New Orleans Saints vs. Carolina Panthers

The Panthers might be missing some of their top offensive linemen, but that doesn't mean Grant will have a big week this week. Grant is averaging 5.3 tackles, 0.3 sacks and 0.3 fumble recoveries per game since Week 13. The Panthers offense could be getting a boost from the return of quarterback Jake Delhomme. Grant might also see less playing time as the team has locked up their playoff spot and could try to avoid injuries to key players. The Panthers are allowing 16 tackles and 1.4 sacks per game to this position over the past four weeks. Grant comes recommended as a No. 2 or No. 3 lineman this week, but he is also a weak play.

Ryan Denney, Buffalo Bills at Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens offensive line could set the team's record for fewest sacks allowed in a season this week, which tells you what Denney will be up against. Denney is only averaging 5.3 tackles, 0.5 sacks and 0.3 fumble recoveries per game over the past four weeks. He will find it hard to surpass those averages against an offense allowing only 21 tackles and 0.1 sacks per game to this position in that time. Denney should be used as a No. 3 lineman this week, and he is a weak play.

Cory Redding, Detroit Lions at Dallas Cowboys

The Lions gave the Bears a scare last week, with wide receiver Mike Williams dropping an end zone pass that would have won the game for the Lions in the final moments of the game. This week they are up against a Cowboys team that looks ready to fall apart. That could be good for the Lions; however, Redding shouldn't expect a spike in his numbers this week. He is averaging three tackles and 0.5 sacks per game over the past four weeks. The Cowboys offense is giving up only 14 tackles, 1.8 sacks, 0.3 interceptions and 0.3 forced fumbles to this position over the past four weeks. Redding should only be used as an injury replacement this week, and he is a weak play at that.

LINEBACKERS - STRONG PLAYS

Brandon Moore, San Francisco 49ers at Denver Broncos

With plenty of snow expected in Denver this weekend, it looks like both team's running backs could see a lot of action this week. Moore, who is averaging 9.8 tackles and 0.3 sacks per game over the past four weeks, could be in on a lot more tackles if the weather is bad. The Broncos are already giving up 30 tackles, one sack and 0.5 fumble recoveries per game to this position over the past four weeks. Those numbers, especially the tackle total could go up this week. Moore should be used as a No. 2 or No. 3 linebacker this week, and he is a strong play.

Clint Ingram, Jacksonville Jaguars at Kansas City Chiefs

Ingram benefits from having two former Pro Bowl defensive tackles playing in front of him in Marcus Stroud and John Henderson (although Stroud has been battling an ankle injury most of the season). Because they pick up blockers so well, it leaves Ingram free to make more plays. Over the past four weeks, Ingram is averaging 7.8 tackles and 0.1 sacks per game. The Chiefs offense is based largely around establishing the run, which should provide a boost to Ingram's tackle totals. The Chiefs are allowing 35 tackles, 2.4 sacks, 0.5 fumble recoveries and 0.3 interceptions to this position over the past four weeks. Ingram should be viewed as only a No. 3 linebacker this week, but he is a strong play. 

Kamerion Wimbley, Cleveland Browns at Houston Texans

The Texans offense has had trouble dealing with linebackers since Week 13, allowing 31 tackles, 0.8 sacks and 0.3 fumble recoveries to the position in that time. This week, Wimbley, who is averaging 6.8 tackles, 0.9 sacks and 0.5 fumble recoveries per game over the past four weeks, should benefit from that. With his combination of size and speed, Wimbley could be covering either Texans tight ends Owen Daniels or Jeb Putzier this week. The Texans offense likes to make use of that position and it could give his value a boost. He should be used this week as a No. 3 or injury replacement at the position and is a strong play.

LINEBACKERS - WEAK PLAYS

Cato June, Indianapolis Colts vs. Miami Dolphins

June remains the only linebacker on the Colts who hasn't embarrassed himself completely over the past six weeks (when the Colts run defense has been among the worst in NFL history), although he isn't playing up to his standards. Over the past four weeks, June is averaging 11 tackles per game. The Dolphins offense is giving up 27 tackles, 0.6 sacks and 0.3 interceptions per game to this position. The Colts might be able to get on track against this rush defense, although the Dolphins did welcome back running back Ronnie Brown last week. June should find it hard to surpass his four-week averages and because of that, he is a weak play this week, although still a No. 2 linebacker.

Shawne Merriman, San Diego Chargers vs. Arizona Cardinals

Merriman appears to be in the running for Defensive Player of the Year, despite an early season suspension for steroids. Over the past four weeks, he has been a beast for the Chargers. In that time, he is averaging seven tackles, 1.8 sacks and 0.3 fumble recoveries per game. It will be tough for him to reach those numbers this week, as he is against an offense allowing just 22 tackles, 0.5 sacks and 0.3 interceptions per game to this position since Week 13. Merriman should be used as a No. 2 or No. 3 linebacker this week, but keep in mind he is a weak play.

Ernie Sims, Detroit Lions at Dallas Cowboys

Sims has stood out this year in what could be one of the best rookie linebacker classes in a long time (Texans linebacker DeMeco Ryans and Packers linebacker A.J. Hawk are two others having solid seasons.) Sims has been a tackling machine for the Lions over the past four weeks, averaging 12 tackles per game since then. However, the Cowboys have been tough on this position in that time, and they rank as the worst defense for opposing linebackers to face. They are allowing only 17 tackles, 0.3 sacks and 0.3 interceptions to this position since Week 13. Sims comes recommended as a No. 3 linebacker this week, and he is a weak play.

DEFENSIVE BACKS - STRONG PLAYS

Chris Harris, Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers

You can expect the Bears to come out fired up as they could end their division rivals playoff hopes this weekend. Harris has been averaging 8.3 tackles and 0.3 interceptions per game over the past four weeks. The Packers are among the league leaders in passing attempts, and as many can attest, quarterback Brett Favre has never seen a throw he didn't like. Over the past four weeks, they are allowing 32 tackles, 1.5 interceptions and 0.3 fumble recoveries to this position per game. Harris comes ranked as a No. 1 defensive back this week and is a strong play.

Dexter Jackson, Cincinnati Bengals vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

The former Super Bowl MVP should be in line for a big week against the Steelers. Jackson is averaging 7.8 tackles, 0.4 sacks and 0.3 interceptions per game over the past four weeks. The Steelers offense is allowing 28 tackles, 0.8 sacks, 0.3 fumble recoveries and 0.5 interceptions per game to this position. With those kind of numbers allowed, it shouldn't be hard for Jackson to hit his four-week averages. Because of that, he comes ranked as a strong play as a No. 2 defensive back.

Ken Hamlin, Seattle Seahawks at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Seahawks secondary will be banged up this week as they lost cornerback Marcus Trufant (ankle) to a high ankle sprain. Luckily, they are up against one of the worst offenses in the league this week. Hamlin is averaging 5.8 tackles per game. The Buccaneers offense is allowing 28 tackles, 0.8 sacks, 0.3 fumble recoveries and 0.8 interceptions per game over the past four weeks. Hamlin should get an increased role as he could provide more cover for cornerback Kelly Jennings who has been moved into the starting lineup. Hamlin comes ranked as a No. 2 defensive back and a strong play this week.

DEFENSIVE BACKS - WEAK PLAYS

Sean Jones, Cleveland Browns at Houston Texans

With Houston having only one real threat at the receiver position (Andre Johnson), it is unlikely Jones will be in position to make a lot of plays. Over the past four weeks, Jones is averaging 9.5 tackles per game. The Texans are allowing 22 tackles, 0.3 sacks and 0.8 interceptions per game to this position in that time. Jones should still be used as a No. 1 or No. 2 defensive back, but he is a weak play this week.

Domonique Foxworth, Denver Broncos vs. San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers have been the worst offenses for opposing defensive backs to face over the past four weeks. In that time, they are allowing just 16 tackles, 0.3 sacks, 0.5 fumble recoveries and 1.3 interceptions per game to the position. Foxworth comes into this game averaging 9.8 tackles. With such a low total of tackles allowed by the 49ers, it will be hard for Foxworth to reach his four-week averages. That means he is a weak play this week, although he should still be used as a No. 2 defensive back.

Anthony Henry, Dallas Cowboys vs. Detroit Lions

Henry and the Cowboys need to get some momentum going after an embarrassing 23-7 loss to the Eagles last week. They are assured a playoff spot, and could still wrap up a division title, but they need some help to do that now. Henry has been averaging 5.5 tackles and 0.3 interceptions per game over the past four weeks. The Lions offense has been allowing only 22 tackles, 0.3 sacks, 0.3 fumble recoveries and 1.5 interceptions to this position since Week 13. Henry comes ranked as a No. 2 or No. 3 defensive back this week, 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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