Should you play matchups with defenses?

[jeru]

I have Tennessee as my defense, which is clearly at best a borderline top 10 defense. Is it a good idea to play the matchups each week, and drop one defense for another matching up against a week offense?

For example, in week 1, Tennessee is facing Oakland, so I really don't want to use them for that week. Should I instead drop Tennessee for either San Francisco (facing Chicago) or Jacksonville (facing Carolina)?

[LeftyQB]

Team defenses are really tough to predict. If you play the drop and add game every week, you may find yourself with a bottom tier D, while someone else picks up your number 1 D. I wouldn't take a chance on dropping a roster player for a defense either. Personally I'd stick with Tennessee, unless you see a matchup you have to take advantage of and want to take the risk.

[jeru]

Well, are the 49ers against the Bears or the Jags against the Panthers favorable enough matchups to warrant dumping the Titans D? How much worse are either of those Ds than Tennessee anyway?

[9er Fan]

If you use that strategy, you really should use two roster spots for defenses. Use one for your #1 D (Tenn in your case), and the other for your waiver pickup.

[The Guru]

Last year I played the matchup game with my Defenses. I used 2 roster spots and picked up the best D available on the waiver wire. Last year any defense playing Houston put up good points b/c they gave up the NFL record for sacks.

If your in a smaller league like 8 or 10 playing the matchup game is more productive b/c very few teams have 2 defenses on their roster, so weekly the waiver wire will have good defenses in it.

Also look at what teams are available on the waiver wire and look art there shedules, try to predict which teams you will be picking up in upcoming weeks.