FantasyNFL

Your Best Plug-And-Play Defensive Options For The Fantasy Football Playoffs

by Scott Engel | 2:55 pm, December 6th, 2012

We’ve got a late edition of waiver wire pickups this week. And while most of you are either out of the playoffs at this point, or have a spot sewn up, there are still those precious few whose Week 14 matchup will decide their fate. This week, since many of the best skill players have already been scooped, Scott Engel is focusing solely on defenses you can add through free agency. To the wire we go.

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1.Defensive Add No. 1: Buffalo Bills

Mario Williams is playing well again, they have 11 sacks in their past three games and face the Rams, Seahawks and Dolphins the rest of the way.

2.Defensive Add No. 2: New York Jets

They face the Jaguars, Titans and Chargers. This is still a very good unit that has not allowed the offensive issues to overwhelm them. They have also nicely survived the loss of Darrelle Revis.

3.Defensive Add No. 3: Cincinnati Bengals

They are winning, and defense is a big reason, including DE Carlos Dunlap and the secondary. They can get you sacks and turnovers against Dallas and Philadelphia in their next two games.

4.Defensive Add No. 4: St. Louis Rams

Rookie DE Michael Brockers is becoming a force, and James Laurinaitis is a steady beast at middle linebacker. With Buffalo and Minnesota upcoming, they are a strong Fantasy playoff unit.

5.Defensive Add No. 5: Miami Dolphins

The turnovers haven’t been there recently, but with FS Reshad Jones on the rise and a solid front seven, you have to like upcoming matchups against the 49ers, Jaguars and Bills.

6.Defensive Add No. 6: Cleveland Browns

Lots of owners added them last week for the matchup against the Raiders, and they get the Chiefs this week. They are somehow still available in a few leagues, and look much better with Joe Haden and Phil Taylor back in the mix.

7.Defensive Add No. 7: Green Bay Packers

There is still no Clay Matthews, but Charles Woodson could be back in Week 15, and matchups against the Bears and Titans after this week look pretty good -- especially after they held the Vikings down.

8.Defensive Add No. 8: Carolina Panthers

They allowed 27 points to the Chiefs this past week and they are not getting enough sacks. But they face the Chargers and Raiders in Weeks 15 and 16, and there will be turnover possibilities for sure in those games.

9.Defensive Add No. 9: Washington Redskins

They held the Giants to 16 points, and have matchups against Joe Flacco, Brandon Weeden and Nick Foles ahead. This could lead to some additional sacks and turnovers.

10.Defense Not to Add: Indianapolis Colts

They face Tennessee in Week 14 and Kansas City in Week 16. But picking a good defense is not just about the matchups. The Colts have not been useful against most opponents this year and can be exploited: some units are not recommended no matter who they face, and this is one.

11.Defense you may have to cut soon: Seattle Seahawks

Defense you may have to cut soon: Seattle Seahawks – Keep them active this week, as they face the Cardinals at home, and cornerbacks Richard Sherman and Brandon Browner are still expected to play. But if those two get suspended after this week, there’s no way you can trust Seattle without both of its starting corners.

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