KFFL brings you "Strong Plays, Weak Plays" for leagues that feature individual defensive players (IDP). Leagues of this nature can be quite competitive, and any extra edge is a huge advantage. We will canvas the league to find players that are in better situations that others to perform, and we are not talking about the no-brainer players. IDP owners know that most players are quite interchangeable from week to week, so let's see which players can help you out his go-around.

Defensive Linemen - Strong Plays

Matt Roth, Miami Dolphins at New York Jets

Matchup	Gm	Solo/G	Asst/G	Sks/G	Fum Rec/G	INT/G	TD/G
Roth	2	4.5	0.5	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
Matchup	Gm	Solo Allw/G	Asst Allw/G	Sks Allw/G	Fum Rec Allw/G	INT Allw/G	TD Allw/G
Jets	2	17.0	5.5	1.8	0.0	0.0	0.0

Roth could be in line for a boost in tackles as the Jets will likely be running the ball more often against a suspect Dolphins defense. With a beast in the middle (defensive tackle Keith Traylor), the Jets will likely bounce it to the outside more often, putting Roth in prime position to pick up tackles. That is why he comes recommended as a No. 1 or No. 2 defensive lineman and a strong play this week.

Elvis Dumervil, Denver Broncos vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Matchup	Gm	Solo/G	Asst/G	Sks/G	Fum Rec/G	INT/G	TD/G
Dumervil	2	2.0	0.0	1.0	0.0	0.5	0.0
Matchup	Gm	Solo Allw/G	Asst Allw/G	Sks Allw/G	Fum Rec Allw/G	INT Allw/G	TD Allw/G
Jaguars	2	13.0	0.0	3.5	0.0	0.0	0.0

The Broncos are giving up a lot on the ground (156 rushing yards/game), which likely means the Jaguars attack will focus heavily on the rushing game. That will partially be by default as their passing game, headed by quarterback David Garrard, has failed to find much success. That means Dumervil will likely be in on his fair share of tackles, making him a strong play as a No. 2 defensive lineman this week.

Aaron Schobel, Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots

Matchup	Gm	Solo/G	Asst/G	Sks/G	Fum Rec/G	INT/G	TD/G
Schobel	2	2.0	0.5	0.5	0.0	0.0	0.0
Matchup	Gm	Solo Allw/G	Asst Allw/G	Sks Allw/G	Fum Rec Allw/G	INT Allw/G	TD Allw/G
Patriots	2	26.5	8.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0

The Bills will be in tough waters trying to stop the Patriots both through the air and on the ground this week. They have arguably one of the most balanced attacks in the league. You don't need any videotape to understand the Bills run defense has been weak (178 rushing yards/game) this season. That should mean a lot of carries for Patriots running backs Laurence Maroney and Sammy Morris. This should also put Schobel in position to pick up a decent amount of tackles. He comes rated as a No. 3 lineman this week and is a strong play.

Defensive Linemen - Weak Plays

Robert Geathers, Cincinnati Bengals at Seattle Seahawks

Matchup	Gm	Solo/G	Asst/G	Sks/G	Fum Rec/G	INT/G	TD/G
Geathers	2	2.5	1.0	0.5	0.0	0.5	0.0
Matchup	Gm	Solo Allw/G	Asst Allw/G	Sks Allw/G	Fum Rec Allw/G	INT Allw/G	TD Allw/G
Seahawks	2	10.5	2.5	1.0	0.0	0.0	0.0

The Seahawks love to the run ball behind offensive tackle Walter Jones; which should benefit those defensive players on the right side. For owners of Geathers, however, that means a lot of plays ran to the opposite side of the field. If opportunity is half the battle in IDP leagues, then Geathers figures to lose that half this week. He still comes recommended as a No. 1 or No. 2 lineman but is a weak play in Week 3.

Trent Cole, Philadelphia Eagles vs. Detroit Lions

Matchup	Gm	Solo/G	Asst/G	Sks/G	Fum Rec/G	INT/G	TD/G
Cole	2	2.0	2.5	0.8	0.0	0.0	0.0
Matchup	Gm	Solo Allw/G	Asst Allw/G	Sks Allw/G	Fum Rec Allw/G	INT Allw/G	TD Allw/G
Lions	2	9.0	0.5	1.8	0.5	0.0	0.5

If the Lions are to win in Week 3, they must get their passing game going as that is the basis for their offense. When they do get their running game working, it will likely be up the middle or with trap plays, trying to get Cole and defensive end Jevon Kearse pushed up the field. Regardless, the passing game figures to be focal point of the Lions offense, taking Cole out of play. He comes ranked as a No. 2 or No. 3 defensive lineman this week and is a weak play.

Kalimba Edwards, Detroit Lions at Philadelphia Eagles

Matchup	Gm	Solo/G	Asst/G	Sks/G	Fum Rec/G	INT/G	TD/G
Edwards	2	1.0	1.5	1.2	0.5	0.0	0.0
Matchup	Gm	Solo Allw/G	Asst Allw/G	Sks Allw/G	Fum Rec Allw/G	INT Allw/G	TD Allw/G
Eagles	2	15.0	4.5	0.8	0.0	0.0	0.0

The Eagles have not been giving up much to this position so far this year, and that might not change this week. The Eagles running game is not the power-running type game that benefits linemen so much. With Eagles running back Brian Westbrook looking to get outside and move in space, Edwards will likely be taken out of the play quite often. He could get a sack or two as the Lions tackles, Shaun Rogers and Cory Redding, are both good at taking up blockers. However, as far as tackles go, don't expect as much from Edwards. He comes recommended as a No. 3 or injury replacement this week.

Linebackers - Strong Plays

Paris Lenon, Detroit Lions at Philadelphia Eagles

Matchup	Gm	Solo/G	Asst/G	Sks/G	Fum Rec/G	INT/G	TD/G
Lenon	2	5.5	5.5	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
Matchup	Gm	Solo Allw/G	Asst Allw/G	Sks Allw/G	Fum Rec Allw/G	INT Allw/G	TD Allw/G
Eagles	2	20.5	4.0	1. 0	0.5	1.0	0.0

This ranking comes based on the matchup, as well as the solid numbers Lenon is putting up so far this year. With Lenon working the middle of the field, he will often times be called upon to shadow Eagles running back Brian Westbrook, who figures to get a significant amount of touches in the offense. Tight end L.J. Smith is also a good receiver, and anything he catches will likely come down the seam and over the middle, which is right in Lenon's area of the field. Because of that, Lenon comes ranked as a No. 1 or No. 2 linebacker and is a strong play this week.

Chad Greenway, Minnesota Vikings at Kansas City Chiefs

Matchup	Gm	Solo/G	Asst/G	Sks/G	Fum Rec/G	INT/G	TD/G
Greenway	2	4.0	4.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
Matchup	Gm	Solo Allw/G	Asst Allw/G	Sks Allw/G	Fum Rec Allw/G	INT Allw/G	TD Allw/G
Chiefs	2	20.0	2.5	1.0	1.0	0.0	0.0

The Vikings have one of the top rushing defenses in the league behind defensive tackle Pat Williams and defensive end Kevin Williams. That should shut down the Chiefs running game and force them to rely on their passing attack. The key point of their passing attack will likely be tight end Tony Gonzalez, who will most likely be covered by Greenway, or will at least be in his area. That means Greenway should be given ample opportunity to rack up tackles this week. He comes ranked as a No. 2 or No. 3 linebacker and is a weak play.

Keith Bulluck, Tennessee Titans at New Orleans Saints

Matchup	Gm	Solo/G	Asst/G	Sks/G	Fum Rec/G	INT/G	TD/G
Bulluck	2	4.5	1.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
Matchup	Gm	Solo Allw/G	Asst Allw/G	Sks Allw/G	Fum Rec Allw/G	INT Allw/G	TD Allw/G
Saints	2	23.5	3.0	0.0	0.5	1.0	0.0

The Saints will likely look to spread the ball around and open up the field this week in order to give their players room to work. Even though they are 0-2, they still have some of the most explosive players in the league on offense. By spreading out their offense, Bulluck will be called upon to make plays in the open field, especially against Saints running back Reggie Bush. If the Titans are to have a chance at winning, their linebackers will need to have a good game. This means Bulluck comes ranked as a No. 3 linebacker this week and is a weak play.

Linebackers - Weak Plays

Julian Peterson, Seattle Seahawks vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Matchup	Gm	Solo/G	Asst/G	Sks/G	Fum Rec/G	INT/G	TD/G
Peterson	2	6.0	1.0	1.0	0.5	0.0	0.0
Matchup	Gm	Solo Allw/G	Asst Allw/G	Sks Allw/G	Fum Rec Allw/G	INT Allw/G	TD Allw/G
Bengals	2	17.0	5.5	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0

The Bengals have gone away from the running game lately, giving running back Rudi Johnson just 23 carries last week. That means Peterson might not be given many chances to rack up tackles. He will likely be moved around a fair bit in order to create mismatches. Wide receivers T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Chad Johnson are both in the top four for targets this season, which shows where most of the offense is coming from. What that adds up to is Peterson being recommended as a weak play this week, although he is still a No. 1 or No. 2 linebacker.

Scott Fujita, New Orleans Saints vs. Tennessee Titans

Matchup	Gm	Solo/G	Asst/G	Sks/G	Fum Rec/G	INT/G	TD/G
Fujita	2	6.0	1.5	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
Matchup	Gm	Solo Allw/G	Asst Allw/G	Sks Allw/G	Fum Rec Allw/G	INT Allw/G	TD Allw/G
Titans	2	16.0	3.5	0.2	0.5	0.0	0.0

Fujita could be taken out of the action this week as the Titans do not make good use of their tight end and like to hit their receivers on the outside of the field. Both areas hurt Fujita's value. Fujita is also not a big linebacker and is easily taken out of the play if his defensive line can't occupy blockers. The Titans have not been giving up much to this position, and that figures to continue this week. Fujita comes recommended as a No. 2 linebacker and is a weak play.

Keith Brooking, Atlanta Falcons vs. Carolina Panthers

Matchup	Gm	Solo/G	Asst/G	Sks/G	Fum Rec/G	INT/G	TD/G
Brooking	2	5.0	2.5	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
Matchup	Gm	Solo Allw/G	Asst Allw/G	Sks Allw/G	Fum Rec Allw/G	INT Allw/G	TD Allw/G
Panthers	2	16.0	3.5	0.0	1.0	0.0	0.0

Unless you are covering Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith (which Brooking surely won't be doing), there is not many targets to go around in this offense. The Panthers will likely try to get the running game established early this week, which could get Brooking in on a few more plays. He has not been great at shedding blockers, and unless the defensive line can occupy players, Brooking could be taken out of too many plays. Brooking comes ranked as a No. 2 or No. 3 linebacker this week, although he is a weak play.

Defensive Backs - Strong Plays

Von Hutchins, Houston Texans vs. Indianapolis Colts

Matchup	Gm	Solo/G	Asst/G	Sks/G	Fum Rec/G	INT/G	TD/G
Hutchins	2	7.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
Matchup	Gm	Solo Allw/G	Asst Allw/G	Sks Allw/G	Fum Rec Allw/G	INT Allw/G	TD Allw/G
Colts	2	22.0	6.0	0.0	0.5	0.5	0.5

It's no secret the Colts like to throw the ball, and that is why Hutchins comes ranked as a strong play this week. The Colts like to utilize tight end Dallas Clark down the seam, and that could draw in Hutchins. He will also find himself helping out on Colts wide receivers Reggie Wayne and Marvin Harrison. This should put him in position to make plays and rack up the tackles. He comes ranked as a No. 1 or No. 2 defensive back and is a strong play.

Kelly Jennings, Seattle Seahawks vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Matchup	Gm	Solo/G	Asst/G	Sks/G	Fum Rec/G	INT/G	TD/G
Jennings	2	5.0	1.0	0.0	0.5	0.0	0.0
Matchup	Gm	Solo Allw/G	Asst Allw/G	Sks Allw/G	Fum Rec Allw/G	INT Allw/G	TD Allw/G
Bengals	2	20.5	2.0	0.0	1.5	0.5	0.0

Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer threw for 401 yards and six touchdowns last week. Although the Bengals could run the ball more this week, their passing offense is still too strong to ignore. With top receivers T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Chad Johnson, it could be for a long game for Jennings. However, he should be in line to put up good stats. He comes recommended as a No. 2 defensive back and is a strong play.

Cortland Finnegan, Tennessee Titans at New Orleans Saints

Matchup	Gm	Solo/G	Asst/G	Sks/G	Fum Rec/G	INT/G	TD/G
Finnegan	2	4.0	1.5	0.0	0.0	0.5	0.0
Matchup	Gm	Solo Allw/G	Asst Allw/G	Sks Allw/G	Fum Rec Allw/G	INT Allw/G	TD Allw/G
Saints	2	31.0	9.0	0.0	0.0	0.5	0.5

The Saints offense is predicated on getting their players out in the open field and giving them room to work. The Titans will likely use some aggressive formations and different blitz packages in order to confuse the Saints offense, which could mean Finnegan is left alone on either Saints receivers Marques Colston or Devery Henderson. The Saints are also a different team when they are at home and can feed off the energy of the home crowd. This could be the weak they break out and Finnegan could have a front-row view of that. He comes recommended as a strong play as a No. 2 or No. 3 defensive back this week.

Defensive Backs - Weak Plays

Antoine Winfield, Minnesota Vikings at Kansas City Chiefs

Matchup	Gm	Solo/G	Asst/G	Sks/G	Fum Rec/G	INT/G	TD/G
Winfield	2	6.0	1.0	0.0	0.5	0.5	0.5
Matchup	Gm	Solo Allw/G	Asst Allw/G	Sks Allw/G	Fum Rec Allw/G	INT Allw/G	TD Allw/G
Chiefs	2	17.5	2.5	0.0	0.0	0.5	0.0

It is no secret Chiefs head coach Herman Edwards likes to run the ball, although that is easier said than done against the Vikings. Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez is the only legitimate threat in the Chiefs passing game and will likely see most of the action if the Chiefs decide to throw the ball. However, don't expect them to throw that much, and they should instead rely on the legs of running back Larry Johnson. That means Winfield will not likely be in on many plays and is a weak play this week as a No. 1 defensive back.

Sean Jones, Cleveland Browns at Oakland Raiders

Matchup	Gm	Solo/G	Asst/G	Sks/G	Fum Rec/G	INT/G	TD/G
Jones	2	5.0	1.5	0.0	0.0	0.5	0.0
Matchup	Gm	Solo Allw/G	Asst Allw/G	Sks Allw/G	Fum Rec Allw/G	INT Allw/G	TD Allw/G
Raiders	2	16.5	3.5	0.0	0.0	1.5	0.0

With Raiders quarterback Josh McCown expected to remain the starter in Week 3, don't expect much from any of the Browns cornerbacks. The Raiders are just not a great team throwing the ball and don't have any weapons (aside from wide receivers Ronald Curry and Jerry Porter) in the passing game to make the Browns defensive backs a decent play. Both Porter and Curry have talent, but the protection and the man getting them the ball has not done a great job. Jones should still have a decent game and is a No. 1 or No. 2 defensive back this week, but keep in mind he is also a weak play.

Leigh Bodden, Cleveland Browns at Oakland Raiders

Matchup	Gm	Solo/G	Asst/G	Sks/G	Fum Rec/G	INT/G	TD/G
Bodden	2	4.5	0.0	0.0	0.5	0.5	0.0
Matchup	Gm	Solo Allw/G	Asst Allw/G	Sks Allw/G	Fum Rec Allw/G	INT Allw/G	TD Allw/G
Raiders	2	16.5	3.5	0.0	0.0	1.5	0.0

Bodden might be lined up against Curry or Porter this week, but for the same reasons that Jones is not a great play, Bodden is also not a great play. Although the Browns pass defense was torched last week, there is a huge difference between Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer and McCown. Bodden comes recommended as a No. 2 defensive back this week, but 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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