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
Darnell Dockett, DT, ARI
Career Stats vs. DET: (2 Games) 1 UAT / 3 AT / 4 TT
Dockett has been an absolute sack artist this season, as his 8.0 Sacks lead all interior defensive linemen and ranks in the Top 5 for defensive linemen overall. Twice this season, Dockett has recorded double-digit sacks in a game, and is coming off of a stellar performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 9 (10 Total Tackles, 2.0 Sacks). In addition, let’s not forget that he also has 2 Forced Fumbles to boot this year. So, as the Cardinals prepare to take on the Detroit Lions in Week 10, there is no doubt that Dockett is chomping at the bit to get things started this Sunday. Lions QB Jon Kitna has been sacked an outlandish 33 times this season, which currently leads the NFL in that category, and in four of Detroit’s eight games played this season, Kitna has been sacked 4+ times. In the end, the stats speak for themselves. Let’s not forget that Dockett also ranks third overall among interior defensive linemen in Total Tackles (35). So, whether the Lions stick with their air attack, or get frustrated and keep the ball on the ground, Dockett will see some good opportunities to make some big plays in Week 10.
Andre Carter, DE, WAS
Career Stats vs. PHI: (7 Games) 15 UAT / 6 AT / 21 TT / 0.5 Sacks / 1 PD
For the second straight week, the Eagles find themselves in another NFC East showdown, this time against the 5-3 Washington Redskins. Hoping to find their bearings in the second half of the season, there is one crucial thing that Philly must do in order to succeed – give QB Donovan McNabb time to throw the ball. Through eight games, McNabb has been sacked 28 times, which ranks only behind Detroit QB Jon Kitna for tops in the NFL. McNabb has been sacked 3+ times in five of the Eagles eight games this season, and this constant pressure has forced the veteran signal caller to throw 9 interceptions on the year as well. In their first meeting, Redskins sack leader DE Andre Carter was shut down, tallying only 3 Total Tackles and no Sacks. However, since Washington’s bye in Week 4, Carter has been playing some very good football. Over the span of five games, he has recorded 21 Total Tackles, 4.0 Sacks and a Forced Fumble. As the Redskins host Philadelphia in Week 10, look for Carter’s success to carry over and keep rolling. Against a shoddy Eagles offensive line, Carter should have no problem rushing the edge and creating havoc in the backfield.
Other Notables: Kris Jenkins, DT, CAR (vs. ATL); Elvis Dumervil, DE, DEN (vs. KC)
LINEBACKERS
Andra Davis, ILB, CLE
Career Stats vs. PIT: (11 Games) 60 UAT / 11 AT / 71 TT / 1 INT / 1 FF / 2 PD
It is amazing that QB Ben Roethlisberger can still put on a show like he did on Monday night even though RB Willie Parker leads the league in rushes per contest (23.4). Either way, though HC Mike Tomlin claimed that the Steelers would go to the air more often in 2007, he has still find time to feed the ball to his stud running back. Only once this season has Parker carried the ball less than 20 times in a game, and that bodes well for Cleveland inside linebacker Andra Davis. With the Browns second leading tackler, OLB D’Qwell Jackson, sidelined in Week 10, Davis must take his game to the next level. Throughout his career, the six-year veteran has consistently put up quality numbers against the Steelers, and this week should be no different. As always, it must be mentioned that more rushes will lead to more tackle opportunities for opposing linebackers. The Browns offense has been impressive so far this season, so there is no doubt that Pittsburgh will look to control the game clock and grind away in the running game. In turn, the 25+ carries Parker should see will lead to the opportunity for Davis to tally some solid tackle numbers on Sunday.
Mike Peterson, MLB, JAX
Career Stats vs. TEN: (9 Games) 51 UAT / 13 AT / 64 TT / 1.0 Sack / 1 PD
Tennessee HC Jeff Fisher has challenged his second-year running back by demanding RB LenDale White to rush for 100+ yards in each game for the remainder of the season. Since becoming the undisputed No. 1 running back for the Titans, White has done just that – posting three consecutive games of 100+ yards rushing. Now, White has asserted himself as a solid NFL back, as clearly shown by his 170 carries, which has him ranking third overall in rushes per contest. Couple that with the current state of the Jaguars defense, and White will undoubtedly keep things rolling into Week 10. After finishing the 2006 regular season ranked 4th overall in rushing yards per game allowed, Jacksonville currently ranks 16th, allowing 107.8 yards on the ground per game. And now with DT Marcus Stroud’s four-game suspension, someone will need to step it up on the Jags defense in order to prevent turmoil from setting in. Enter MLB Mike Peterson – a seasoned veteran leader and one of the top linebackers in the game. Without the behemoth Stroud taking up blocks and deterring offensive linemen from getting to the second level, Peterson must play that much better – and he undoubtedly has the ability to do so. Though not having an incredible year, Peterson is always solid, posting 100+ tackles in every full season that he has played (six of eight years). He had a good showing in the two teams’ first meeting and has always played well against Tennessee. Peterson must take things into his own hands this weekend and lead this defense back to an elite status. He will certainly have the opportunity to make his presence felt as the Titans feed White the ball this weekend, however, the question remains – will Peterson be able to bring his teammates along with him for the ride?
Thomas Howard, OLB, OAK
Career Stats vs. CHI: N/A
Fresh off of a bye, HC Lovie Smith is claiming that Chicago will once again commit to the run in the second half of the season. That is a smart move by Smith, as the Bears have been most successful this season when RB Cedric Benson has seen his fair share of carries. This is no coincidence though, since QB Brian Griese has been less than serviceable after taking over as starting quarterback. In only five games, Griese has thrown an astounding 10 interceptions (tied for the league lead), and in three of those five games, he’s thrown multiple interceptions, with 4 against Detroit most recently. Nevertheless, the Bears cannot entirely abandon the passing game, and in turn, mistakes will be made on Griese’s part. The one player who can surely capitalize on both racking up tackles in the run game and making big plays against a suspect passing game is Oakland LB Thomas Howard. This second-year weakside backer currently ranks second for the Raiders in Total Tackles (53) and is tied with Tennessee MLB Keith Bulluck for the most Interceptions by a linebacker (4). Howard has quietly been having a tremendous season, and has shown versatility against both the run and the pass. Therefore, no matter what direction the Bears decide to take their offense in on Sunday, Howard will have the opportunity to put up yet another phenomenal stat line.
Other Notables: Channing Crowder, OLB, MIA (vs. BUF); Antonio Pierce, MLB, NYG (vs. DAL)
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Ed Reed, FS, BAL
Career Stats vs. CIN: (16 Games) 60 UAT / 2 AT / 62 TT / 1 INT / 1 FF / 13 PD
What has happened to the Cincinnati Bengals? In what was supposed to be a very competitive AFC North, a division in which preseason consensus suggested that Cincy would be a strong Wild Card contender, the Bengals (and to an extent, the Ravens as well) have disappointed this season. A large part of that can be attributed to Cincy’s porous defense, however, the Bengals offense has been off all season as well. QB Carson Palmer is currently tied for the league lead in interceptions thrown with 10 through eight games, after only throwing 13 all of last season. Clearly, something is awry in Cincinnati. Typically, in this sort of situation, one name undoubtedly comes to mind when looking for a potential playmaker going against Cincy’s questionable offense this week – safety Ed Reed. Of course, Reed should obviously be in any fantasy IDP team’s starting lineup each and every week, however, Week 10 should present a multitude of opportunities for Reed which cannot be overlooked. Reed has an incredible knack for making big plays (his 5 Interceptions leads the team), and he is not afraid to stick his nose into the mix for a tackle. In addition, he is tied with partner in crime CB Chris McAlister (injured) for the team lead in batted balls (7). Though he took a shot in Monday night’s game against Pittsburgh, Reed should be good to go in Week 10 and is definitely a solid play.
Antoine Bethea, FS, IND
Career Stats vs. SD: N/A
Another quarterback who has not been living up to expectations this season is second-year starter Philip Rivers. After putting a lot of stock into Rivers and surrounding him with the right weapons, the Chargers have yet to see the return that they were hoping for in their investment. Rivers has thrown for over 200 yards in only three contests thus far, all while throwing 8 interceptions through Week 9 after only being picked off 9 times all of the 2006 season. With the way the Chargers have been playing recently, coupled with the juggernaut that is the Indianapolis Colts offense, Rivers & Co. will undoubtedly be going to the air consistently in Week 10. Factor in that the Colts have really stepped things up over the last few weeks in defending the run, and all signs point to the Chargers relying heavily on the passing game this weekend. Coming off of back-to-back games in which he has posted an Interception, this could lead to some big things for Indy safety Antoine Bethea. Though only in his second year, Bethea has already solidified himself as a staple in a Colts secondary that is ranked 3rd overall in the NFL. He is quickly becoming one of those ball-hawking Ed Reed-type (see above) safeties, as Bethea has seemed to have had his best games against some of the toughest competition this season. On a big stage, going against an Indy team with a bad taste left in their mouths from the loss to New England, Philip Rivers will make a mistake – and Bethea will be there to clean things up for him.
Mike McKenzie, CB, NO
Career Stats vs. STL: (2 Games) 11 UAT / 11 TT
The Week 10 contest between the Saints and the Rams has shootout written all over it. Though St. Louis has been a huge disappointment and New Orleans has now just begun to get their season on track, think about the match-up… two quarterbacks who can air it out, two pass-catching running backs, two sets of solid wide receivers, and two defenses that have allowed nearly 350 total yards and around 25 points per game a piece. All in all, the key to this game will come down to which team can make the fewest mistakes. Saints QB Drew Brees seems to have gotten things under control, being intercepted just once over the last four games after throwing 9 picks in the Saints first four contests. On the other hand, Rams QB Marc Bulger’s problems continue to linger, as he has been intercepted 8 times in six games, while only throwing 3 touchdown passes. Since Bulger and the Rams air attack seem to have yet to find their groove, New Orleans corner Mike McKenzie should be primed and ready to cause Bulger to continue down the same beaten path. McKenzie has undoubtedly been the lone standout in a Saints secondary that has been less than stellar this season. Not only does he rank 5th on the team in Total Tackles, McKenzie also has tallied 2 Interceptions (one of which went for a touchdown) and 10 Pass Deflections. Unless something drastic can occur on Sunday for St. Louis and they are able to right their ship, watch for McKenzie to capitalize on the mistakes of the woeful Rams.
Other Notables: Sammy Knight, SS, JAX (vs. TEN); Charles Woodson, CB, GB (vs. MIN) |
