Defensive Team By Waiver Wire: Week 2
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. Cardinals (12 fantasy points, DT9)
2. Browns (4 FP, DT27)
3. Chiefs (-1 FP, DT30)
4. 49ers (27 FP, DT1)
Well, I think it's safe to say that DTBWW was all over the place in Week 1. Owners ending up with the Cardinals or 49ers were happy (Ted Ginn, Jr!), while the Browns and Chiefs both laid unexpected eggs at home.
Let's look ahead to Week 2:
Lions (vs. KC)
Detroit is available in just over 36% of ESPN leagues, so they are technically not eligible, but it's my article, dammit! I don't want fantasy owners passing on the Lions this week if they are available. The Chiefs have struggled offensively since Charlie Weiss left and Detroit did a nice job of limiting the Bucs in W1.
49ers (vs. DAL)
Normally I wouldn't recommend a defense going up against a potent Cowboy offense, but Dez Bryant didn't look right in the second half of W1 and Tony Romo isn't exactly wowing anyone with his decision making right now. Throw in the threat of Ted Ginn and we have a pretty good play in the 49ers.
Cowboys (@ SF)
The 49ers offense was reasonably solid against the Seahawks, but the Cowboys' defense is better and they desperately need a win in W2. Alex Smith is always a threat to turn the ball over.
Browns (@ IND)
The Browns looked dreadful against Cincy last week, but in a week where there aren't a lot of great DTBWW matchups, Cleveland isn't a bad play against Kerry Collins and the struggling Colts' offense.
Broncos (vs. CIN)
The combination of Andy Dalton and Bruce Gradkowski fared pretty well against Cleveland in W1, but I'm not sold on the Bengals. The Broncos should be able to create some havoc against a shaky Cincy offense.
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