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IDP: Strong Plays, Weak Plays - Week 16

December 20, 2007 @ 15:29:20

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

Igor Olshansky, San Diego Chargers vs. Denver Broncos

Matchup	Gm	Solo/G	Asst/G	Sks/G	Fum Rec/G	INT/G	TD/G
Olshansky	4	3.0	1.2	0.4	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
Broncos	4	16.8	3.0	2.2	0.5	0.0	0.0

The Broncos are averaging 30.0 rushing attempts per game, which puts them at eighth in the league. That has resulted in strong games for opposing defensive lineman and should help Olshansky in Week 16. He's a strong play as a No. 2 defensive lineman.

Vince Wilfork, New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins (2)

Matchup	Gm	Solo/G	Asst/G	Sks/G	Fum Rec/G	INT/G	TD/G
Wilfork	4	3.8	0.8	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
Dolphins	4	14.2	3.0	2.5	0.5	0.0	0.0

The Dolphins will likely try to get the ground game established for a chance at keeping the score close this week. That should help Wilfork's value by boosting his tackle chances. Even if the Dolphins start throwing the ball, Wilfork should be able to line up and tee off on Dolphins quarterback Cleo Lemon as the team has not done a good job protecting him. Consider Wilfork a strong play as a No. 2 defensive lineman this week.

Adam Carriker, St. Louis Rams vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Matchup	Gm	Solo/G	Asst/G	Sks/G	Fum Rec/G	INT/G	TD/G
Carriker	4	1.8	0.5	0.2	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
Steelers	4	18.5	6.8	2.6	0.0	0.0	0.0

The Steelers have not been running the ball as much over the past month; however, part of that comes from playing catch-up as they fell behind early in games against the Patriots and Jaguars the past two weeks. Steelers running back Willie Parker still ranks third in the league for utilizations and only one other running back (Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson) has been utilized on a greater percentage of their offensive plays (40.82). Consider Carriker a strong play as a No. 3 defensive lineman this week.

Defensive Linemen - Weak Plays

Kelly Gregg, Baltimore Ravens at Seattle Seahawks

Matchup	Gm	Solo/G	Asst/G	Sks/G	Fum Rec/G	INT/G	TD/G
Gregg	4	5.5	1.0	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
Seahawks	4	11.2	2.0	0.8	0.2	0.0	0.0

The Seahawks have all but abandoned the run this late in the season, averaging only 22.5 rushing attempts per game over the past month. Gregg could have a chance at more sacks than usual, but his tackle totals should be down this week. Use him as a No. 1 defensive lineman with a weak-play matchup.

Will Smith, New Orleans Saints vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Matchup	Gm	Solo/G	Asst/G	Sks/G	Fum Rec/G	INT/G	TD/G
Smith	4	3.5	1.2	0.5	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
Eagles	4	11.5	2.8	1.2	0.0	0.0	0.0

The Eagles do a great job giving running back Brian Westbrook space to work. He has the most utilizations of any running back over the past month with 114. Normally, that would be good news for a defensive lineman; however, the Eagles like to get Westbrook out into the flats and let him work in space. They are also good at occupying lineman and letting him get to the second level of the defense. Thus, the Eagles don't allow a lot of fantasy points to opposing lineman. Use Smith as a No. 1 defensive lineman that is also a weak play.

Alex Brown, Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers

Matchup	Gm	Solo/G	Asst/G	Sks/G	Fum Rec/G	INT/G	TD/G
Brown	4	3.5	1.0	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
Packers	4	11.2	1.2	0.0	0.5	0.0	0.0

Although their running game has improved in the second half of the season with running back Ryan Grant, the Packers are still a passing football team. Over the past month, they are averaging just 23.8 rushing attempts per game. That makes Brown a weak play this Sunday as a No. 2 defensive lineman.

Linebackers - Strong Plays

Scott Fujita, New Orleans Saints vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Matchup	Gm	Solo/G	Asst/G	Sks/G	Fum Rec/G	INT/G	TD/G
Fujita	4	5.0	0.8	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
Eagles	4	19.0	3.0	1.0	0.0	1.0	0.0

While the Eagles' Westbrook is not a great matchup for opposing lineman, he is a dream matchup for opposing linebackers (at least for those viewers who own the linebackers). Westbrook has received the most utilizations (114) of any running back over the past month, and that has resulted in strong games for opposing linebackers. This makes Fujita a strong play as a No. 2 linebacker in Week 16.

Daryl Smith, Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Oakland Raiders

Matchup	Gm	Solo/G	Asst/G	Sks/G	Fum Rec/G	INT/G	TD/G
Smith	4	4.2	1.2	0.4	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
Raiders	4	24.2	5.5	0.2	0.2	0.0	0.0

The Raiders have finally found a running game late in the season. Before he was lost for the season, running back Justin Fargas (knee) had the seventh-highest utilization total among running backs (106 utilizations) over the past month. The team as a whole is averaging 34.2 rushing attempts per game in that stretch. With their quarterback situation still messy, the Raiders might still continue to keep the football on the ground. Consider Smith a strong play this week as a No. 3 linebacker.

Julian Peterson, Seattle Seahawks vs. Baltimore Ravens

Matchup	Gm	Solo/G	Asst/G	Sks/G	Fum Rec/G	INT/G	TD/G
Peterson	4	3.8	0.2	0.2	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
Ravens	4	23.8	6.0	0.6	0.5	0.5	0.0

The Ravens are averaging 31.2 rushing attempts per game and don't expect that to get any lower with quarterback Troy Smith starting in Week 16. Expect Ravens running back Willis McGahee to build off the 26.5 utilizations per game he has been getting for the past month. This should make Peterson a strong play as a No. 3 linebacker this Sunday.

Linebackers - Weak Plays

Karlos Dansby, Arizona Cardinals vs. Atlanta Falcons

Matchup	Gm	Solo/G	Asst/G	Sks/G	Fum Rec/G	INT/G	TD/G
Dansby	4	6.5	2.0	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
Falcons	4	14.0	1.5	0.8	0.0	0.2	0.0

The Falcons looked hopeless last Sunday as they fell 37-3 to the Buccaneers. The running game has been non-existent when it has needed to be to keep pressure off quarterback Chris Redman. They are only averaging 22.2 rushing attempts per game in the past month, ranking them 30th in the league. They are also often playing from behind (allowing 28.0 points per game), which does not help their running game. All of that hurts Dansby's value as a fantasy linebacker this week, making him a weak play as a No. 1 linebacker.

Dhani Jones, Cincinnati Bengals vs. Cleveland Browns

Matchup	Gm	Solo/G	Asst/G	Sks/G	Fum Rec/G	INT/G	TD/G
Jones	4	4.0	3.2	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
Browns	4	17.8	4.2	0.2	0.0	0.0	0.0

The last time these two teams squared off, the Browns prevailed in a 51-45 shootout. That game featured 328 passing yards for Browns quarterback Derek Anderson. The Browns have been running the ball more in recent weeks; however, they should be able to attack the Bengals' pass defense this week (they are allowing 236.1 passing yards per game this season). Jones shouldn't be in on as many plays this week and comes recommended as a No. 2 or No. 3 linebacker that is a weak play.

Lance Briggs, Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers

Matchup	Gm	Solo/G	Asst/G	Sks/G	Fum Rec/G	INT/G	TD/G
Briggs	4	4.8	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
Packers	4	13.8	2.8	0.8	0.0	0.0	0.0

As stated above, the Packers are not rushing the ball a lot (23.8 attempts per game in the past month) despite the emergence of Grant. That will hurt Briggs' value this week and he comes recommended as a No. 3 linebacker with a weak-play matchup.

Defensive Backs - Strong Plays

Nick Harper, Tennessee Titans vs. New York Jets

Matchup	Gm	Solo/G	Asst/G	Sks/G	Fum Rec/G	INT/G	TD/G
Harper	4	4.8	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
Jets	4	19.8	2.8	0.5	0.8	0.8	0.8

The Jets took to the air last week as quarterback Chad Pennington attempted 38 passes against the Patriots. Part of that was out of necessity as they were unable to get a good ground game going. They should have similar problems against a Titans defense that is playing better with the return of defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth in the second half of the season. Expect more passing from the Jets, and that should help Harper this week to put solid numbers. Consider Harper a strong play as a No. 2 defensive back.

Atari Bigby, Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears

Matchup	Gm	Solo/G	Asst/G	Sks/G	Fum Rec/G	INT/G	TD/G
Bigby	4	3.2	0.8	0.0	0.0	0.8	0.0
Matchup	Gm	Solo Allw/G	Asst Allw/G	Sks Allw/G	Fum Rec Allw/G	INT Allw/G	TD Allw/G
Bears	4	21.5	3.0	0.6	0.5	1.0	0.0

One key for the Bears in beating the Packers this week will be keeping the Packers offense off the field. To do that, they will have to improve on the 24.0 rushing attempts per game they have averaged over the past month. That should help Bigby, who is often brought up into the box on rushing downs. Even if they do throw the ball as they have shown they like to do with a league-leading 42.0 passing attempts per game in the past month, it should help a defensive back such as Bigby. Consider him a strong play as a No. 2 or No. 3 defensive back this week.

Hamza Abdullah, Denver Broncos at San Diego Chargers

Matchup	Gm	Solo/G	Asst/G	Sks/G	Fum Rec/G	INT/G	TD/G
Abdullah	4	3.8	1.0	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
Chargers	4	27.8	6.0	0.2	0.0	0.8	0.0

The Chargers are not a great passing team, but when they do throw the ball this week, they will likely try and avoid throwing to Broncos cornerbacks Champ Bailey and Dre' Bly. The Chargers also have the right kind of target for throws over the middle in tight end Antonio Gates, who has been under-utilized with just 24 targets in the past month. The Broncos are also giving up the second-most passing yards to the tight end position over the past month with 64.5 passing yards allowed per game. When Gates goes down the middle, Abdullah will likely be brought up from the strong safety spot to help cover him. Consider Abdullah a strong play as a No. 3 defensive back this week.

Defensive Backs - Weak Plays

Fred Bennett, Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts

Matchup	Gm	Solo/G	Asst/G	Sks/G	Fum Rec/G	INT/G	TD/G
Bennett	4	5.8	1.0	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
Colts	4	17.8	3.0	0.0	0.0	0.5	0.0

The Colts are locked in at the second spot for the playoffs and should be resting some of their starters for part of the game this week. They are no longer running the ball as much as they did earlier in the season with just 24.8 rushing attempts per game; however, they are also not throwing the ball as much with just 30.5 pass attempts per game. The Colts' gameplan could revolve around attacking a Texans defense that is allowing 111.0 rushing yards per game. Consider Bennett a weak play as a No. 1 defensive back this Sunday.

Terrence Holt, Arizona Cardinals vs. Atlanta Falcons

Matchup	Gm	Solo/G	Asst/G	Sks/G	Fum Rec/G	INT/G	TD/G
Holt	4	5.2	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
Falcons	4	16.0	0.5	0.0	0.2	1.2	0.5

The Falcons' struggles are not just limited to their rushing game; they have also struggled to throw the ball over the past month. Despite attempting 35.8 passes per game in that time, they are averaging only 221.0 passing yards per game. They rank 18th in the league with just 18.5 passes completed per game. Don't expect that to improve much with Redman remaining as the starter at quarterback. Last week he completed just four of 15 passes for 34 yards and two interceptions. Consider Holt a weak play as a No. 2 or No. 3 defensive back this week.

Jermaine Phillips, Tampa Bay Buccaneers at San Francisco 49ers

Matchup	Gm	Solo/G	Asst/G	Sks/G	Fum Rec/G	INT/G	TD/G
Phillips	4	5.0	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
49ers	4	18.8	5.2	0.4	0.0	0.8	0.2

49ers wide receiver Darrell Jackson may have had a big game last week, but No. 1 option Arnaz Battle has just 18 looks in the last month. The lack of targets for wide receivers hurts the value of the Buccaneers' secondary and makes Phillips a weak play as a No. 2 or No. 3 defensive back this week.

Author Bio

Bryce McRae
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.