Empty the Bench

Ranks Preview by Brian Spencer

As we said two weeks ago, we don’t advocate or recommend that you get cute this time of the year. You don’t bench the studs who got you this far just because they had an off week last week, but sometimes due to injury you simply can’t avoid scouring the waiver wire during the fantasy playoffs in search of a viable plug-in play/savior. To that end, the Houston Texans DEF is likely available and could be the gem defense-needy owners are looking for.

The St. Louis Rams are a wreck. They’re battered, bruised, and depleted, and at 1-12 are better off losing the rest of their games and securing the top pick in the 2010 draft than they are winning. The offense has failed to score more than 9 points for two straight weeks, with their only touchdown in this span coming on a meaningless 11-yard strike from “Keith Null” (quotes because we’re not sure this guy really exists) to Randy McMichael in their 47-7 loss to the Titans last Sunday. They’ve coughed up 6 INTs, 4 sacks, and 1 fumble, and with Kyle Boller still battling an illness it looks like “Null” will get the nod again against the visiting Texans.

This defense isn’t spectacular: they’re squarely in the middle of the league pack in points allowed (21 per) and yards allowed (329), and towards the bottom in interceptions (11) and sacks (22). Obviously, you’re getting cute if you start them, but if you’re a believer in playing matchups, this one might be worth a roll of the dice, especially since their only real offensive weapon, RB Steven Jackson, is wearing down physically and mentally.

Meanwhile, the Texans are under the gun to win out and keep their faint playoff hopes alive. Last week they ransacked the Seattle Seahawks offense, holding them to 7 points while sacking Matt Hasselbeck thrice and picking him off once. You probably have better options, but it’s something to think about.

See also:
- Week 15 QB Ranks
- Week 15 RB Ranks
- Week 15 WR Ranks
- Week 15 TE Ranks

1. Denver Broncos vs. OAK
2. Minnesota Vikings @ CAR
3. Arizona Cardinals @ DET
4. New York Jets vs. ATL
5. Green Bay Packers @ PIT
6. Baltimore Ravens vs. CHI
7. Philadelphia Eagles vs. SF
8. New Orleans Saints vs. DAL
9. Houston Texans @ STL
10. Indianapolis Colts @ JAX
11. Washington Redskins vs. NYG
12. Seattle Seahawks vs. TB
13. Pittsburgh Steelers vs. GB
14. New England Patriots @ BUF
15. San Diego Chargers vs. CIN
16. San Francisco 49ers @ PHI
17. Cincinnati Bengals @ SD
18. Tennessee Titans vs. MIA

Mario Williams Photo Credit: Icon SMI

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