IDP Notes and Rankings

I hope your week 13 was successful. Here are some highlights from the defensive world as well as notes and rankings for week 14. The rankings are based on a scoring system that awards 1 point for tackles, 2 for sacks, interceptions, forced and recovered fumbles, and 1 point for a defended/deflected pass.

Patrick Willis continued his unbelievable rookie season by recording 18 tackles during San Francisco’s loss to Carolina. He actually had the exact same tackle numbers in week 12, with the addition of a half a sack. This type of performance is becoming the norm and I don’t see it changing much anytime soon as Willis gets the run heavy Vikings in week 14.

Lofa Tatupu was AJ Feely’s favorite receiver Sunday. Tatupu had 3 picks vs PHI as well as eleven solo tackles. Patrick Kerney wasn’t the playmaker I had expected, as he put up only 2 tackles and no sacks. He put consistent pressure on Feely, but pressure, unfortunately, doesn’t count in fantasy.

DJ Williams continued to prove he can handle the MLB position, notching 13 solo tackles and 3 assists. He should have a good week against Kolby Smith (or Larry Johnson) this week as well.

In the San Diego vs Kansas City game, Shawn Merriman had 3 sacks, a fumble recovery, and 6 solo tackles. On the other side of the ball, Jared Allen had 2 sacks, 2 tackles, and a receiving TD. I don’t think he’s any Mike Vrabel, but his owners will take it nonetheless.

DB Roderick Hood kept the Arizona interception machine rolling, picking off Derek Anderson twice. I don’t like him going forward, but it was a nice performance.

NOTES for DBs:
As of Wednesday, Antonie Winfield was probable and Gibril Wilson was questionable. Nate Clements has notched at least 8 tackles over his past 3 games. Rodney Harrison seems to be back at full strength for New England.

NOTES for LBs:
Patrick Willis is an absolute must start every week. Kirk Morrison doesn’t have flashy stats, but is a dependable tackler which is what I use as a guide for ranking the LBs. Arizona’s Karlos Dansby is in my opinion, one of the most overlooked IDP contributors this year. He gets me about 8-10 points a week through tackles, interceptions, and/or sacks. Antonio Pierce seems to be slowed by his injured ankle, so I left him out of the top 20. He’s currently questionable for week 14.

Notes for DLs.
It doesn’t look like Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila (9.5 sacks this season) will play in week 14. Barret Ruud has cooled off tremendously and can’t be depended on as a LB1 or LB2 right now. Shawne Merrimen could be ranked higher, as he’s had two monstrous weeks. One more game like that and he’ll shoot up the rankings again.

 
Here are my rankings for week 14. Rankings are based on this season’s performance and match ups. Good luck this week!

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