Defensive Team By Waiver Wire: Week 11
John Paulsen, Contributing Editor
For those of you new to Defensive Team By Waiver Wire (DTBWW), the strategy goes like this: Each week, you target a mediocre defense on the waiver wire, looking for a good matchup, preferably at home. You will typically get good defensive production without having to burn a semi-valuable pick on draft day. Or if you do draft a DT and they start to disappoint, you can use DTBWW the rest of the way.
I have been writing this feature for a couple of years (at another site) and in 2009, my top three weekly picks averaged DT5 numbers. In 2010, they averaged DT6 numbers. So the system works pretty well.
To be eligible, defenses have to be available on the waiver wire in at least 40% of ESPN fantasy leagues. This ensures that we are talking about defenses that are readily available.
Let's see how we did last week:
1. Browns (9 fantasy points, DT14)
2. Dolphins (11 fp, DT10)
3. Chargers (5 fp, DT21)
4. Jaguars (18 fp, DT5)
5. Rams (8 fp, DT16)
6. Chiefs (4 fp, DT22)
So three solid picks (CLE, MIA and STL), one great pick (JAX) and a couple of clunkers (SD, KC). Apparently, it's not a no-brainer to start any defense against Tim Tebow.
On the season, DTBWW is averaging 10.2 fantasy points per game, which is equivalent to DT9 numbers.
Let's take a look at the top picks for Week 11.
Patriots (vs. KC)
The Pats D showed up against the Jets, scoring 21 fantasy points against Mark Sanchez and Co., so given the Chiefs' issues at QB, New England is looking like a good start this week. KC has given up 31 points over the last three weeks to opposing DTs and it will likely be Tyler Palko's first start.
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