Each week, we’ll take a look at some of the key match-ups for Individual Defensive Players (IDP) in fantasy football. You may see some names that you know… you may not. Just like everyone knows to start LaDainian Tomlinson each week on their fantasy squad, players like Brian Urlacher don’t necessarily need mentioning – because you just know to start him regardless of the match-up. Therefore, we’ll highlight some players who may be flying under the radar to note of for the coming week’s match-ups. Some are plug-and-play guys, others may be gaining momentum. Nevertheless, these are the names you should know for this coming week in IDP.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
Tommie Harris, DT, CHI
Career Stats vs. DAL: (1 Game) 5 UAT / 5 TT
Often overlooked, one of the main stories on the defensive side of the ball so far in the 2007 season has been Harris’ ability to bounce back from injury and re-establish himself as a force along the Bears defensive line. In last week’s game against the Chiefs, Harris looked like a man possessed – tallying 5 Total Tackles and 2 very impressive sacks. The Cowboys, who rank atop the NFL in points per game through two weeks (41), will try to throw (and run) everything that they can at this defense. As he looks to continue his progression back into the group of the league’s elite defensive tackles, Harris’ ability to make plays in both rushing and passing situations should result in some excellent numbers this week.
Mike Patterson, DT, PHI
Career Stats vs. DET: N/A
Among the NFL’s top defensive tackles, Patterson ranks second only to Jacksonville’s Marcus Stroud in Total Tackles thus far in 2007. At 6’0’ and nearly 300lbs., Patterson is the perfect hole-clogger against opposing rushing attacks. He can take on blockers to allow the Philly linebackers to roam free, but can also shed offensive linemen to make tackles on inside runs. Though this week’s opponents, the Detroit Lions, have been relying on their passing game, questions surrounding QB Jon Kitna’s availability to play in Week 3 should force Detroit to use their ground attack more often. In turn, this should lead to a decent amount of opportunities for Patterson to pile up tackle numbers along the interior.
Julius Peppers, DE, CAR
Career Stats vs. ATL: (10 Games) 25 UAT / 3 AT / 28 TT / 5.0 Sacks / 3 PD / 1 DefTD
This one is a no-brainer. Of course Peppers is by no means a “sleeper” or an “under-the-radar” type of player, however, if there were any week to have him in your starting IDP lineup, then this is it. The Falcons offensive line has allowed QB Joey Harrington to be sacked an amazing 13 times so far this season. To put that into perspective, think back to how disastrous the situation was in Houston for QB David Carr in 2005… he was sacked 13 times in the first two weeks as well. Peppers has the uncanny ability to change the course of a game in a single play, and against an NFC South division rival, that could very much be the case in Week 3.
Other Notables: Bryant Young, DE, SF (vs. PIT); Haloti Ngata, DE, BAL (vs. ARI)
LINEBACKERS
Paul Posluszny, MLB, BUF
Career Stats vs. NE: N/A
In his first NFL season, Posluszny sits amongst the league leaders in Total Tackles through two weeks with 22 TT. “Linebacker U.” seems to have produced another prodigy with a nose for the ball. Unfortunately for Buffalo as a team, New England will most likely go up early in this contest, as they rank 2nd overall in the NFL in points per game (38). However, this is a good thing for fantasy owners of Posluszny. After solidifying a healthy lead, the Patriots will look to eat time off the clock, which means more rushing attempts – and we all know that rushing attempts mean tackle opportunities for opposing linebackers. The name of the game in IDP fantasy leagues is accumulating tackles points, so Posluszny looks to be a solid option in Week 3.
Bart Scott, OLB, BAL
Career Stats vs. ARI: (1 Game) 1 AT / 1 TT
Time and time again, the point will be made in this column that more rushing attempts for an offense results in more tackle opportunities for opposing linebackers. The Cardinals have constantly been feeding the ball to RB Edgerrin James throughout the first two weeks of the season, in hopes that he returns to dominance. Yet, the more Arizona uses its ground game this Sunday, the more tackles Scott will be able to rack up. Playing on the second level behind the likes of DT Kelly Gregg and DE Haloti Ngata, who will eat up offensive linemen and not allow them to scrape off to block linebackers, Scott should have a lot of room to roam free. Though he won’t necessarily have to “pick up the slack” for an injured MLB Ray Lewis, Scott will definitely need to step things up to keep the Cardinals rushing attack at bay.
Kirk Morrison, MLB, OAK
Career Stats vs. CLE: (2 Games) 12 UAT / 2 AT / 14 TT
Morrison has quietly racked up 17 Total Tackles and 2 interceptions over the first two weeks of the 2007 season. He has clearly established himself as a dominating force in Oakland’s defensive second level. Morrison’s versatility to stuff the run and drop back into coverage will only pay dividends this week, as the Raiders face a Cleveland team who undoubtedly feels rejuvenated from an astonishing offensive performance in Week 2 (albeit against the league’s 3rd worst ranked defense overall). Whether it be on the ground or through the air (both of which the Browns will look to establish this week while riding last week’s high), Morrison has shown that he has all of the necessary tools to be one of the top ball-hawking linebackers in the league.
Other Notables: Napoleon Harris, MLB, KC (vs. MIN); Landon Johnson, OLB, CIN (vs. SEA); Patrick Willis, OLB, SF (vs. PIT)
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Sean Taylor, FS, WAS
Career Stats vs. NYG: (6 Game) 28 UAT / 10 AT / 38 TT / 2 FF / 5 PD
Coming off of a huge 2006 campaign, in which he recorded 114 Total Tackles, Taylor looks to lead the fairly young Redskins secondary to a divisional win against the Giants this week. The Giants are currently in total disarray and desperately searching for their first victory of the 2007 season. However, with QB Eli Manning’s bum shoulder and starting RB Brandon Jacobs still sidelined, things are not looking too good for the G-Men. The shoulder injury suffered by Manning has certainly limited New York from going downfield, which will allow Taylor to step down into the box more often. In turn, watch for him to rack up huge tackle numbers and be in perfect position to undercut any passes in the Giants short-game.
Ty Law, CB, KC
Career Stats vs. MIN: (3 Games) 13 UAT / 4 AT / 17 TT / 1 PD
For as many comparisons to a young and healthy Donovan McNabb that football pundits want to make about Vikings QB Tavaris Jackson, the stats are plain and simple – through two games, Jackson has thrown 5 interceptions (tied for the league lead). Chiefs CB Ty Law is a seasoned veteran who feeds of off inexperienced quarterbacks’ mistakes, which is made apparent by his 50 career interceptions. In 4 of the last 6 seasons, Law has picked off at least one ball before the fourth game of the year – this is Week 3, and history is in Law’s favor.
Asante Samuel, CB, NE
Career Stats vs. BUF: (6 Game) 18 UAT / 2 AT / 20 TT / 3 INT / 8 PD
Buffalo’s offensive line has been very suspect through the first two weeks of play this season. QB JP Losman has already been sacked 6 times, and the Bills rank in the bottom half of the league in rushing yards per game. Coupled with the Patriots incessant pressure up front, Losman will be rushed in passing situations – and the Bills will undoubtedly have to pass in this contest. Why? New England currently ranks 2nd overall in points per game (38) which equates to a lot of time playing from behind for Buffalo, forcing the Bills to go to the air. In the last contest between these two teams in Week 7 of the 2006 season, Samuel recorded his 3rd interception in his sixth career game against the Bills. This week, Samuel has the upper hand, as he looks to pick up right where he left off last season in this series between AFC East rivals.
Other Notables: Erik Coleman, FS, NYJ (vs. MIA); Eric Wright, CB, CLE (vs. OAK); Chris Gamble, CB, CAR (vs. ATL) |
