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

Frostee Rucker, Cincinnati Bengals vs. St. Louis Rams

Matchup	Gm	Solo/G	Asst/G	Sks/G	Fum Rec/G	INT/G	TD/G
Rucker	1	3.0	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
Rams	4	17.8	3.8	2.2	0.0	0.2	0.0

Rams running back Steven Jackson has the third-most utilizations for running backs with 110 in the past four weeks (27.5 per game). The Rams have also allowed 40 sacks this year, the fourth most in the league. That all adds up to a big week for Rucker, who is a strong play as a No. 2 defensive lineman this week.

Robert Mathis, Indianapolis Colts at Baltimore Ravens

Matchup	Gm	Solo/G	Asst/G	Sks/G	Fum Rec/G	INT/G	TD/G
Mathis	4	2.0	1.0	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
Ravens	4	16.5	4.2	1.5	0.2	0.0	0.0

The Ravens almost pulled off a huge upset last week against the Patriots. Running back Willis McGahee played a huge part in that game as he had 34 utilizations. If the Ravens want a chance at beating the Colts, they will need another big game from McGahee to take pressure off quarterback Kyle Boller and keep the Colts offense off the field. Mathis should have plenty of tackling opportunities this week; he has a strong play matchup and is ranked as a No. 2 defensive lineman.

Jarvis Green, New England Patriots vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Matchup	Gm	Solo/G	Asst/G	Sks/G	Fum Rec/G	INT/G	TD/G
Green	3	1.7	1.3	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
Steelers	4	24.0	10.0	3.1	0.2	0.0	0.0

Only four running backs have had a larger percentage of their team's offense than Steelers running back Willie Parker (40.32 percent). The Steelers could emulate the Ravens' frequent running game from last week and will need Parker to be at his best in giving them a strong running attack. Thus, Green should see plenty of action along the line and is ranked as a No. 3 defensive lineman with a strong play.

Defensive Linemen - Weak Plays

Rod Coleman, Atlanta Falcons vs. New Orleans Saints

Matchup	Gm	Solo/G	Asst/G	Sks/G	Fum Rec/G	INT/G	TD/G
Coleman	2	1.5	0.0	1.0	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	4	13.0	4.5	1.0	0.2	0.2	0.0

Saints running back Reggie Bush has 78 utilizations in the past month, but the team generally tries to keep him away from the middle of the line and get him out into space. That doesn't bode well for Coleman at the center of the Falcons' defensive line. He's a weak play as a No. 3 defensive lineman.

Darryl Tapp, Seattle Seahawks vs. Arizona Cardinals

Matchup	Gm	Solo/G	Asst/G	Sks/G	Fum Rec/G	INT/G	TD/G
Tapp	4	2.0	0.8	0.2	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
Cardinals	4	10.5	2.8	1.0	0.5	0.0	0.0

The Cardinals will give running back Edgerrin James his touches, but they will likely try to attack the Seahawks through the air this week. Even if wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (groin) does not play, they have a solid backup in wide receiver Bryant Johnson. The Cardinals offensive line has also done a good job protecting quarterback Kurt Warner this year, allowing only 17 sacks. Tapp comes recommended as a No. 3 defensive lineman with a weak play.

Adam Carriker, St. Louis Rams at Cincinnati Bengals

Matchup	Gm	Solo/G	Asst/G	Sks/G	Fum Rec/G	INT/G	TD/G
Carriker	4	1.5	0.5	0.2	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
Bengals	4	13.2	4.2	0.5	0.0	0.0	0.0

Bengals wide receivers Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh have had 48 and 43 targets, respectively, in the past four weeks. That should give you an impression of how they want their offense to run. Don't expect much from Carriker and he should be used only as a No. 3 defensive lineman if you are desperate. If not, keep him on the bench.

Linebackers - Strong Plays

Takeo Spikes, Philadelphia Eagles vs. New York Giants

Matchup	Gm	Solo/G	Asst/G	Sks/G	Fum Rec/G	INT/G	TD/G
Spikes	4	6.5	1.5	0.2	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
Giants	4	24.0	7.8	1.0	0.0	0.5	0.2

The Giants have given their running backs 25.8 rushing attempts per game over the month. Tight end Jeremy Shockey also has the third-most targets for tight ends over the past month with 35. Spikes should find himself with plenty of chances for tackles this week. He should be utilized as a No. 1 or No. 2 linebacker that is a strong play.

Ian Gold, Denver Broncos vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Matchup	Gm	Solo/G	Asst/G	Sks/G	Fum Rec/G	INT/G	TD/G
Gold	4	5.0	0.8	0.2	0.5	0.2	0.0
Matchup	Gm	Solo Allw/G	Asst Allw/G	Sks Allw/G	Fum Rec Allw/G	INT Allw/G	TD Allw/G
Chiefs	4	24.2	6.2	2.0	0.5	0.0	0.2

The Chiefs are averaging 26.2 rushing attempts per game. The Broncos defense has given up 130.8 rushing yards on average to opposing running backs this season. That could result in the Chiefs emphasizing the rushing game this week, especially with a suspect pass attack and the Broncos' solid pass defense. Consider Gold a strong play as a No. 2 linebacker this week.

Hunter Hillenmeyer, Chicago Bears at Washington Redskins

Matchup	Gm	Solo/G	Asst/G	Sks/G	Fum Rec/G	INT/G	TD/G
Hillenmeyer	4	5.2	0.8	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
Redskins	4	23.2	8.2	0.8	0.2	0.0	0.0

Redskins running backs rank third in the league with 29.0 rushing attempts per game over the past month. Tight end Chris Cooley is also tied for the most targets in that time with 38. The team does not utilize their downfield passing that often, instead choosing to keep it closer to the line of scrimmage with a midrange passing game. That makes Hillenmeyer a strong play as a No. 3 linebacker this week.

Linebackers - Weak Plays

Morlon Greenwood, Houston Texans vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Matchup	Gm	Solo/G	Asst/G	Sks/G	Fum Rec/G	INT/G	TD/G
Greenwood	3	6.3	1.7	0.0	0.0	0.3	0.0
Matchup	Gm	Solo Allw/G	Asst Allw/G	Sks Allw/G	Fum Rec Allw/G	INT Allw/G	TD Allw/G
Buccaneers	3	17.7	5.3	0.7	0.3	0.0	0.0

With Greenwood on the strong side, he could be covering Buccaneers tight end Alex Smith this week. Smith has just 10 targets in the past four weeks, which hurts Greenwood's value. Buccaneers running back Earnest Graham has just 73 utilizations in the past four weeks, ranking him 21st in the league. Greenwood should be used as a No. 1 or No. 2 linebacker this week, but consider him a weak play.

John DiGiorgio, Buffalo Bills vs. Miami Dolphins

Matchup	Gm	Solo/G	Asst/G	Sks/G	Fum Rec/G	INT/G	TD/G
DiGiorgio	4	6.5	1.2	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
Dolphins	4	17.5	3.5	0.8	0.8	0.0	0.0

The Dolphins are averaging only 22.5 rushing attempts per game, which limits the value of opposing linebackers. Their offense is on the field for just 28 minutes and 34 seconds on average per game, which ranks them 28th in the league. With their offense not staying on the field, DiGiorgio will have fewer opportunities to make plays. With his weak play matchup, he should be used as a No. 2 linebacker.

Michael Boley, Atlanta Falcons vs. New Orleans Saints

Matchup	Gm	Solo/G	Asst/G	Sks/G	Fum Rec/G	INT/G	TD/G
Boley	4	4.8	1.0	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
Saints	4	17.2	3.8	0.2	0.0	0.5	0.0

Saints running back Reggie Bush has just 78 utilizations over the past four weeks, with most of that coming in the flats or on the outside of the field where there is space for him to work. The team oftentimes likes to work him onto the weak side of the field, where there are fewer defenders. That should work this week against Boley, who is a weak play as a No. 3 linebacker.

Defensive Backs - Strong Plays

Leigh Bodden, Cleveland Browns at New York Jets

Matchup	Gm	Solo/G	Asst/G	Sks/G	Fum Rec/G	INT/G	TD/G
Bodden	4	4.5	0.5	0.0	0.2	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	3	21.0	3.0	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7

The Jets do not have the great matchups you would typically look for in defensive backs, but Jets quarterback Kellen Clemens has been turning the ball over frequently to opposing defenses. They have not been able to establish a running game and could look to pass more often against the Browns, who are giving up 245.5 passing yards per game. Bodden comes recommended as a No. 2 defensive back with a strong play.

Marcus Trufant, Seattle Seahawks vs. Arizona Cardinals

Matchup	Gm	Solo/G	Asst/G	Sks/G	Fum Rec/G	INT/G	TD/G
Trufant	4	4.0	0.5	0.0	0.0	0.2	0.0
Matchup	Gm	Solo Allw/G	Asst Allw/G	Sks Allw/G	Fum Rec Allw/G	INT Allw/G	TD Allw/G
Cardinals	4	22.8	3.0	0.8	0.5	0.8	0.0

Trufant should be matched up against the Cardinals' top receiver this week. Regardless of whether that is Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin (toe) or Johnson, he figures to see a lot of action. Arizona wide receivers are averaging 16.0 receptions per game over the past month, good for sixth in the league. Trufant comes ranked as a No. 3 defensive back with a weak play matchup.

Daven Holly, Cleveland Browns at New York Jets

Matchup	Gm	Solo/G	Asst/G	Sks/G	Fum Rec/G	INT/G	TD/G
Holly	4	3.8	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	3	21.0	3.0	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7

Like Bodden, Holly will not be matched up against a high-powered offense; however, with the numbers the Jets are allowing to opposing defensive backs, he should be used this week. Consider him a strong play as a No. 3 defensive back, but only if you are desperate.

Defensive Backs - Weak Plays

C.C. Brown, Houston Texans vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Matchup	Gm	Solo/G	Asst/G	Sks/G	Fum Rec/G	INT/G	TD/G
Brown	3	5.7	1.0	0.0	0.3	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
Buccaneers	3	21.3	3.0	0.0	0.0	0.3	0.3

Brown could find himself matched up against either tight end Alex Smith (10 targets in four weeks) or one of the Buccaneers wide receivers (averaging 7.0 receptions per game) in this Week 14 matchup. Neither represents a great option and Brown should be used as a weaker No. 1 defensive back.

Cedric Griffin, Minnesota Vikings at San Francisco 49ers

Matchup	Gm	Solo/G	Asst/G	Sks/G	Fum Rec/G	INT/G	TD/G
Griffin	4	5.8	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
49ers	4	11.0	1.2	0.8	0.0	1.0	0.2

The 49ers' wide receivers are averaging just 7.2 receptions per game. Their No. 2 receiver, wideout Arnaz Battle, is averaging eight targets per game. However, San Francisco running back Frank Gore had a big game last week and should be utilized more in Week 14. Griffin is considered a weak play as a No. 1 or No. 2 defensive back this week.

Mike Lehan, Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills

Matchup	Gm	Solo/G	Asst/G	Sks/G	Fum Rec/G	INT/G	TD/G
Lehan	4	3.8	0.2	0.2	0.2	0.0	0.2
Matchup	Gm	Solo Allw/G	Asst Allw/G	Sks Allw/G	Fum Rec Allw/G	INT Allw/G	TD Allw/G
Bills	4	18.0	1.5	0.0	0.5	0.8	0.2

Lehan should be matched up against either Bills wide receiver Lee Evans or Bills wideout Josh Reed this week. However, with Bills running back Marshawn Lynch (ankle) considered probable this week, they could scale back their offense and give him more touches. This could hurt Lehan's value in Week 14, and he is a weak play as a No. 2 or No. 3 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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