Ballhawkin': Defense Wins Championships

So, you're feeling good about your defense, especially after Ballhawkin' sleepers Bryan Scott, Dhani Jones and Michael Boley racked up double digit tackle numbers last week, with Scott also kicking in a sack. You should absolutely hang on to these three players and use them again, but it would be pretty boring if I featured the exact same players each week. So, anyone still playing one of the multitude of leagues that have Scott, Jones or Boley still in free agency, you need to rectify the situation immediately.

Also from last week's column, the completely unowned Craig Dahl came through with a nice seven-tackle game, and Trevor Scott came through on my prediction of a sack while totaling five tackles on the day. Only Manny Lawson flopped -- and we'll see if we can do one better and go six-for-six this week.

Linebackers

1. Lawrence Timmons, Steelers. His team's stock may be plummeting, but Timmons's fantasy worth has skyrocketed over the last month. He's totaled at least seven tackles in four of their last five losses, adding three sacks and two forced fumbles over that span. Last week's seven solo tackles were his highest in that category all season. Green Bay's line has played better recently, with Aaron Rodgers only suffering six sacks in his last four games. The tackle total should be enough to make Timmons useful though, even if he can't manage to reach Rodgers.

2. Demorrio Williams, Chiefs. In his 13 games this season, Williams has recorded at least seven tackles in nine of them. That alone should raise his ownership numbers above the level that currently has him available in 19 of every 20 leagues. Sure, the potential for a huge game isn't there, but that's just because Williams hasn't recorded any sacks, fumbles or interceptions. If you play in a league that gives weight to tackle numbers, then his lack of big-play ability shouldn't matter. Pick him up and hope for another 8-10 tackles this week against the Browns.

3. James Anderson, Panthers. Since taking over a starting linebacker role for the Panthers, Anderson has both a nine-tackle and a ten-tackle game on his resume. He also benefits from playing a team that surrenders a lot of fantasy points to opposing linebackers (currently the second-best matchup in the league for the position). The Minnesota gameplan will likely involve a heavy dose of Adrian Peterson, especially with their receiving corps pretty banged up. This should give Anderson plenty of opportunities to score.

Defensive Backs

1. William James, Lions. This cornerback usually gets plenty of tackle opportunities, considering the Lions defense really can't stop anyone. James was able to secure 11 tackles against the Packers in Week 12 and nine tackles against the Ravens last week. Between those two games, he had a low tackle total against the Bengals but did manage an interception. He should see many tackles again this game, as the Cardinals give up plenty of points to DBs despite allowing no sacks to TDs to the position this year. Ergo, those points are coming from a high number of tackles.

2. Marcus Trufant, Seahawks. Trufant didn't see game action until after Seattle's Week 7 bye, and it's taken a while for him to make a mark in IDP leagues. His seven-tackle performance in Week 13 was tied for his best game in the category this season. In Week 14, he did even better, notching nine tackles and an interception. He could very well have another interception or two in this week's game against Tampa Bay, a team handing out interceptions in bunches. Could Trufant take one to the house?

Defensive Lineman

1. Brian Orakpo, Redskins. While Scott was a perfectly fine pick last week, Orakpo actually had one of the best games you'll ever see from a DL-eligible players, sacking the QB four times while forcing one fumble and totaling six tackles. The potential Defensive Rookie of the Year now has 11 sacks on the season, and if last week's game was any indication, he's figuring out this NFL thing pretty fast. Orakpo is a boom-or-bust pick, as we'll need a sack from him to make him worth playing. He didn't manage a sack in his first game against the Giants, but we'll give him a pass, since that was his first ever professional game.