Sack leaders | INT leaders | Tackle leaders
As good of a week as it was to own Steelers defensive players, Houston's defenders outperformed them. Such is life in Fantasy Football when it comes to players on the other side of the ball -- being on the losing end sometimes means winning big statistically.
Two Steelers linebackers, James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley, turned in outstanding performances as they not only helped cripple the Texans' soft run game, but also got to quarterback Matt Schaub four times combined. They were both in the Top 10 among IDPs in leagues that count tackles in Week 1.
But Houston boasted a pair of studs in defensive end Mario Williams (two sacks) and linebacker DeMeco Ryans (12 total tackles) as well as a Fantasy newcomer in Zach Diles, a second-year strong-side linebacker who matched his 2007 tackle total of 13 in Week 1. The former seventh-round pick won the gig in the preseason after the club let go of Rosevelt Colvin. All three Texans were Top 20 IDPs.
Why were those Texans so successful for Fantasy owners? Simply put, the Steelers built a lead using a balanced offensive attack and then ran the ball down the Texans' throats. Pittsburgh totaled 37 running plays (not including two kneel-downs) vs. 18 pass plays. Anytime your linebackers and defensive linemen face a run-pass ratio like that, they're bound to do well.
The key is to see it coming before it happens: Look for the blowouts. Anytime an offensively charged team with an all-around solid defense meets a club that is the opposite, the blowout has some potential. In Week 1, we expected a couple of blowouts, including the Texans-Steelers and Rams-Eagles. Problem is, we didn't think the Cowboys-Browns game would be a blowout, nor the Broncos-Raiders or Redskins-Giants, and we thought the Lions-Falcons and Bears-Colts games would be blowouts the other way.
In Week 2, some blowouts that might surface include the Giants over the Rams, the Steelers over the Browns, the Cardinals over the Dolphins and the Chiefs over the Raiders. Starting linebackers for St. Louis, Cleveland, Miami and Oakland might provide an extra punch to your Fantasy team.
As might these players ...
DL matchups
Bills vs. Jaguars offensive line: Jacksonville's front five took
a huge hit when they lost guards Vince Manuwai
and Maurice Williams to major injuries
in Week 1. Not only did the club's run game suffer, but David Garrard was sacked seven times at Tennessee last week. Uche Nwaneri and Tutan Reyes are
expected to fit in for this game, but the club is obviously thin there,
and the Bills will take advantage as they did last week against
Seattle's O-line.
DLs to check out: Aaron Schobel, Chris Kelsay, Marcus Stroud, Kyle Williams
Titans vs. Bengals offensive line: Of course, if the Titans got
to Garrard seven times, then they should have some success against the
Bengals this week, too. Cincy only gave up a pair of sacks to Baltimore
last week, but the offensive line was on the field for 23 minutes. The
ball-controlling Titans might also dominate the clock, but they should
be all over the Bengals' suspect offensive line in an attempt to take
down Carson Palmer.
DLs to check
out: Kyle Vanden Bosch, Albert Haynesworth, Jevon Kearse
Vikings vs. Colts offensive line: It sort of goes without saying
that the Vikings' D-line will be tough, but consider this a gentle
reminder that Indy's starting guards and center were a big reason why
Manning looked tenative and the Colts couldn't run against the Bears.
Manning's surgically repaired knee has made him as statuesque as ever,
creating an easy target for the Vikings to put in their sights.
DLs
to check out: Jared Allen, Ray Edwards, Kevin Williams, Pat Williams
LB matchups
Ravens vs. Texans' run game: After the Steelers' linebackers set
up shop in the Houston backfield, expect the Ravens to follow suit with
their own 3-4 defense. The Texans won't get help from their running game
for the second week in a row, and the Ravens' linebackers might be in
line for some sacks.
LBs to check out: Ray Lewis, Bart Scott, Terrell Suggs
Panthers vs. Bears' run game: The Bears' confidence in their run
game is high following Matt Forte's
dominant game against the Colts. And because they don't have a
consistent pass attack to go with him, they're going to continue to lean
on him. The Panthers will know this, resulting in a lot of plays made by
their linebackers. Those same defenders will also be asked to pitch in
on covering tight ends Greg Olsen and Desmond Clark on passing downs, so they should have a solid week.
LBs
to check out: Jon Beason, Thomas Davis, Na'il Diggs
Raiders vs. Chiefs' run game: You're going to hear a lot this
week about Larry Johnson's dominance
over Oakland his entire career. With the Chiefs expected to run him (and Jamaal Charles) quite a bit, the Raiders should deploy linebackers to
fill in the gaps on the line and stuff Johnson. They'll struggle, but
they should get a lot of tackles.
LBs to check out: Kirk Morrison, Thomas Howard
49ers vs. Seahawks' run game: With no reliable receivers to speak
of, Seattle is going to be forced to lean on Julius Jones to grind out yards and Matt Hasselbeck to hit his remaining receivers for short-area gains.
That plays right into the 49ers' hands as they'll be able to load up
against the run. Patrick Willis won't be
the only star for San Fran's defense this week.
LBs to check out: Patrick Willis, Jeff Ulbrich, Parys Haralson, Manny Lawson, Takeo Spikes
Cardinals vs. Dolphins' run game: Ditto the above -- the
Dolphins' receivers aren't reliable and the club will make an effort to
move the chains with Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown. The Cardinals didn't do so well vs. Frank Gore last week but could do better at home.
LBs to check
out: Gerald Hayes, Karlos Dansby, Clark Haggans, Chike Okeafor
DB matchups
Eagles vs. Cowboys pass game; Cowboys vs. Eagles pass game: Each
of these teams have three solid cornerbacks, and each of these teams
like to put the ball in the air. Probably can't go wrong with any of
them in what should be a high-scoring affair.
DBs to check out: Brian Dawkins, Asante Samuel, Sheldon Brown, Lito Sheppard; Anthony Henry, Terence Newman, Adam Jones
Redskins vs. Saints' pass game: Washington's corners were
embarrassed by the Giants in its opener, but they didn't allow many deep
completions and no passing touchdowns. Washington's cornerbacks came
close to picking off Eli Manning more
than the one time they did. The Saints thrive on those, but they also
put the ball in the air a lot. The Redskins' DBs are underrated.
DBs
to check out: LaRon Landry, Carlos Rogers
Jets vs. Patriots' pass game: With Matt Cassel under center for New England, you can expect the Jets to
clamp down on the New England run and blitz the snot out of the unproven
quarterback. The Pats' offensive line should cut down on the number of
sacks, but the secondary could come up with some picks until Cassel can
eliminate the wounded-duck look from all of his passes.
DBs to
check out: Kerry Rhodes, Darrelle Revis
Do you have an IDP question? Send your thoughts to DMFantasyFootball@cbs.com and we'll post the best responses. Be sure to put Attn: IDP in the subject field. Include your name, hometown and state.