"What Sleeper Defenses
do you have for the Fantasy Football Stretch
Run?"
If you took our advice a few
weeks ago, hopefully you snagged the (better
than everyone is led to believe)
Patriots-Defense for their upcoming 4-week
run facing Orlovsky-Grossman-Tebow-Moore
(facing MIA in the cold/home). Plus, you also
received the bonus play of the Tyler Palko
early-Christmas gift two weeks ago...you're
welcome America!
However, you aren't asking this
question if you do already have the
Patriots-Defense. Most of the questions
coming in are from Fantasy GMs that are either
do-or-die the next two weeks, or on
cruise-control...and are just looking ahead to
the playoffs.
Here are a few under-the-radar
Fantasy Football Defenses to consider (or not):
DENVER = the Tebow
24/7 media coverage has spilled over into talk
of how great the Broncos-Defense has
been, and it is true...but maybe a touch
over-played. They are very good, especially
against the run...but more importantly they have
a favorable schedule ahead with Ponder
(we like, still a rookie), Hanie, Brady
(no-go) and Fitzpatrick (maybe, could be
messy conditions weather-wise).
The Denver play makes some sense,
but it's been so over-discussed that you may get
beat to it on the free-agency claim this week.
ATLANTA = The
Falcons have been excellent against the run,
internally they are our 3rd-toughest run-defense
for a Fantasy Football RB to face right now (SF,
BAL ahead of). They are OK/susceptible on the
pass. However, look at the next three games --
T.J. Yates, Cam Newton, Blaine Gabbert...three
rookies in-a-row, which means higher probability
for turnovers/pick-6's (and Cam is turning very
turnover prone).
The Falcons have held 5 of their
last 6 opponents under 20 offensive points in a
game, including holding the Colts to zero
offensive points (the Colts did score on a
pick-6).
If you need a little spark on
defense, and/or need to gamble a bit...looking
for a pick-6 potential, the Falcons may fit the
bill...
JACKSONVILLE = A
little sketchy, because they don't have much to
play for...but the coaching/ownership change may
provide a bit of a boost. The Jags are a decent
play for the next two weeks versus
Rivers-Freeman (again we say...who would
think we would be saying that, Rivers is a
favorable match-up). The SD game is at home, and
on Monday Night Football off the coaching
change...it may work.
The Jags have quietly been a top
defense all season, holding opponents to 17.3
offensive points per game this year...and have
held two more recent opponents to single digit
scoring offensively (BAL, CLE).
TENNESSEE = The
Titans-Defense is probably the best Fantasy
Football playoff play among the "sleepers," they
are staring at Orlovsky-Gabbert in Weeks
15-16. The Titans have been a solid Fantasy
Football Defense all season, with 5 games this
season where they have posted 12+ Fantasy
Football points in a game (vs. BAL, CLE, CIN,
ATL, TB). The Titans have held 7 of 11 opponents
this year to under 20 offensive points each
game.
If the Titans are still in the
real NFL playoff race in Weeks 15-16, they are
looking at two easy wins...and also looking at
what should be two great Fantasy Football
defensive opportunities.
