Defensive Team By Waiver Wire (DTBWW): Week 13

Nov 26, 2013

For those 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. The strategy is also called streaming defenses.

I have been writing a DTBWW feature for four years -- offering readers several available-on-the-waiver-wire DT picks each week -- and they averaged DT5, DT6, DT7 and DT10 numbers from 2009 to 2012. DT10 may not sound impressive, but I have been offering more picks each week which may account for the decline. Still, generating top 10 DT numbers off the waiver wire allows fantasy owners to basically ignore the position on draft day, instead focusing on more important areas.

Generally, defenses have to be available on the waiver wire in at least 40% of ESPN fantasy leagues to be eligible. This ensures that we are talking about defenses that are readily available.

Last week, I recommended the Ravens (17.5 fantasy points, DT3), Packers (8, DT12), Browns (0, DT28), Saints (10.5, DT9), Cowboys (10, DT10) and Cardinals (13.5, DT5). Hopefully owners avoided the Browns, because otherwise DTBWW had a very good week with five of the top 12 defenses on the week.

On the season, DTBWW is averaging 9.9 FP, which equates to DT9 numbers.

We’ll get to this week’s picks, but first a few housecleaning items…

- I wouldn’t want to play the Chiefs this week in a bad matchup against the Broncos. They were dreadful at home against the Chargers, especially after losing pass rushers Justin Houston and Tambi Hali. Hali is iffy for Week 13 and Houston is likely out. They do have a couple of nice matchups coming up on the road (WAS, OAK), but I’d feel comfortable streaming the rest of the way if roster spots are tight.

- I’m continuing to start the Panthers, who will face Mike Glennon at home this week. They take on New Orleans in Week 14 (road) and Week 16 (home) but play the Jets in Week 15, so I’m planning to stream in Week 14 and then play the Panthers in Weeks 15-16.

- Due to their ownership levels, the Ravens are no longer eligible for DTBWW, but I’m holding and playing Baltimore against the Steelers and Vikings the next two weeks.

- For more detail on targeting the Jaguars and the Jets, click here.

- Complete defensive rankings can be found here.

Let's take a look at the top picks for Week 13:

Cowboys (vs. OAK)
The Cowboys don’t really have a good defense, but they have a knack for scoring fantasy points, as evidenced by their #5 ranking in that category and the five 9+ point outings in their last six games. I like their chances to score a defensive touchdown at home on a Thursday against the inexperienced Matt McGloin.