NFL Football - Football

I am declaring week 14 the week of the fantasy defense!! You could have plugged in 18 different teams last week for your fantasy squad and you would have finished with at least 10 points scored. There were 5 teams that locked in over 20 points and 9 teams that scored at least 17. It was a festivus of fantasy points for team defense and almost every good match up did not disappoint for their owners.  The Jaguars had the score of the week with 35 points followed by the Lions, Eagles, Chargers and Packers who all scored at least 21 fantasy points. I think my disappointment of the week was the 49ers defense that still locked down 10 points but when you see all the production throughout the league you can’t help but be upset.  Week 15 is here and if you are still reading these it means that you are playing in your fantasy playoffs, kudos to you for making it this far. This is an important week for matchups and a good week to exploit the Bengals/Rams game as well as the Titans @ the Colts.

1. 49ers (vs. Steelers) The Niners get a home game on the Monday Night stage and they will be defending a beat up Ben Roethlisberger who has injuries to his throwing hand and now his ankle. This game has a low score on the horizon and the 49ers have been fantasy gold this season. If you own them they got you this far, you start them.
2. Ravens (@ Chargers) The Ravens have been awesome this year and have still been putting up big points without Ray Lewis. The Chargers have shown some life lately but this defense will put their new found mojo to the test this weekend.
3. Bengals (@ Rams) The Rams are brutal on offense this season and the Bengals are coming off a heartbreaking loss in week 14 but it was a solid day for them in fantasy. This is one of the best matchups this week and if you have the Bengals they will be worth a spot start in your semi-finals matchup.
4. Packers ( @ Chiefs) The Packers are still perfect this year and they travel to Kansas City to keep their streak alive. Kyle Orton should be at center for the Chiefs and it will be the first game without recently unemployed Todd Haley. This game is going to be a one sided affair and the Packers should dominate the Chiefs on both sides of the ball.
5. Titans (@ Colts) The Colts are still winless and it looks like much of their core has packed it in weeks ago.  Jim Caldwell’s job is on the line and he will be fired if the Colts finish the season without a victory. I wouldn’t expect inspired ball at this point in the season from such a defeated team and expect the Titans to spank the Colts. If you own them they are worthy of a top 10 play this week with definite upside.
6. Bears (vs. Hawks) The Bears may be without any of their start playmakers on offense but the defensive unit is still one of the best and they will be hungry to win one for their offense. This could be a sexy play this week and other than Marshawn Lynch the Hawks team isn’t a scary opponent.
7. Steelers (@ 49ers) The Steel play on Monday Night and this game will be low scoring. The Steelers are always a top 10 play and if you made it this far with them you start them on Monday and don’t look back.
8. Lions (@Raiders) The Lions defense came up huge last week and will be looking to build off their performance against a Raiders team who now find themselves looking up at Tebow in the standings. If they blow this game they will have dropped three straight and moved to 7-7 overall. This is a huge game for both squads and they will be playing for their chances to make the playoffs.
9. Cowboys (@ Bucs) I like to think the Cowboys will be able to shake off that 4^th quarter meltdown that they had last week against their rivals, The New York Giants. The Bucs have been inconsistent at best this season and the Cowboys should play this one with a chip on their shoulder. Look for them to have a good day on the gridiron and solid fantasy production against the Bucs.
10. Seahawks (@ Bears) The Hawks have been a solid unit over the last month or so and they travel to Chicago to play a depleted Bears offense. Marion Barber is going to have to hold onto the ball tight in this one if he doesn’t want the tough Chicago media to tear him a new one. This game has the recipe for a low score and that should help everyone involved using them as their fantasy defense this week.
11. Giants (vs. Skins) The G-Men get a home game against the Skins and with sexy Rexy’s tendencies to turn over the ball, the Giants could be a solid little play when the dust settles in week 15.
12. Jets (@Eagles) The Jets are a good play but the Eagles did look alive last week against the Dolphins. I am not in love with this pick but the Jets are still a mean defense that can put up some fantasy gold at any given time.
13. Texans (vs. Panthers) The Texans will be without their defensive master mind Wade Phillips this week who is taking a couple of weeks off to have a surgery. He has been a game changer this year in Texas but I see this unit having trouble containing Cam Newton and company this week and can see them playing mediocre without their defensive boss on the sidelines.
14. Falcons (vs. Jags) The Falcons have a pretty solid run defense and the Jags are only good at running the ball. If the Falcons can get out to a lead and put the Jags into come back mode they can end up holding a respectable fantasy score.
15. Dolphins (@Bills) Tony Sparano is out as head coach and the Dolphins will finish out their miserable season under their new interim coach. I am not excited about this game and would avoid using them if I have any of the other top 14 options on my bench.
16. Cards (vs. Browns) The Browns are offensively challenged and if Colt McCoy doesn’t go this Sunday you can move the Cards up the boards to around number 12 or 13 overall.
17. Eagles (vs. Jets) They put up big time fantasy points last week and could explode for a 20 point game against anyone. It is consistency that has been their problem this year so they are a tough team to gamble on this late in the fantasy season.
18. Patriots (@ Broncos) The Broncos never seem to do a whole lot offensively in the first three quarters of games so it is safe to say the Pats should still be able to hold 10 fantasy points in this road battle with Tim Tebow. Tebow might be doing God’s work but Tom Brady sold his soul to the devil years ago. This is the eternal battle for our heart and souls and I can’t wait to tune in to the 4^th quarter of this one.
19. Browns (@ Cards) They are capable of holding up 10 points if you are desperate but they are not a recommended start this week. If Kevin Kolb is out they might be worth playing but look for other options.
20. Saints ( @ Vikings) The Saints are in Minnesota but they appear to be healthy on offense and are also not a recommended play this week.

Disclosure from last week

Actual

1. Ravens             8

2. Jets                   6

3. 49ers               18

4. Steelers           11

5. Broncos           10

6. Packers             4

7. Hawks               6

8. Pats                  12

9.Bears                 11

10. Texans          17

11. Lions               2

12. Dolphins        12

13. Bengals           9

14. Jags                  1

You can follow me on Twitter @FD_Rocs

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