Real football isn't all about the offensive players. Why should fantasy football be any different? Every week here in Reading the Defense, we're looking back at the fantasy week that was and offering help for the week that's to come.
Game Balls
Defensive line: Derek Shelby has taken over for the injured Cameron Wake, but unsurprisingly hadn't been able to match Wake's production. But that changed for one week when Shelby deflected a Matt Schaub pass and took it into the end zone for a score. The play simultaneously sent football Twitter into hysterics over the combination of the weekly Schaub pick-six and a "fat guy touchdown" all at once. Good times.
Linebacker:Derrick Johnson is putting together another strong season and had a huge day in the Week 13 win over the Raiders. Johnson made 14 total tackles (13 solo) with a sack and a forced fumble. His 15 points on Sunday matched his combined total for the previous two weeks. It also vaulted him to the sixth spot at his position. Next up is a matchup against the San Diego Chargers and their patchwork offensive line. Another big week could be in the offing.
Defensive back: Anytime you're able to grab an interception off Tom Brady, it puts you in the running for a game ball. But when you take that pick 99 yards to the house, well ... it's pretty much a lock. Enter Malcolm Jenkins, who completed that feat in Sunday's surprising win over the Patriots. Jenkins added six solo tackles for good measure. We'll see if he can stay hot against the Bills next week.
What went wrong
» Cliff Avril has been one of the cornerstones of the Seahawks defense this season, but was absent from the stat sheets on Sunday. In a game that was dominated by Seattle, Avril failed to register a single tackle. That goose egg wasn't what you were looking for if you were fighting for a playoff spot. Hopefully this week's matchup against the Ravens will help him get back on the right track.
» This wasn't a good week for Karlos Dansby to post his lowest weekly total of the season. The Browns linebacker logged just a pair of tackles in a blowout loss to the Bengals. Dansby has been a reliable fantasy linebacker all season but wasn't much of a playmaker in Week 13. We'll see if he can turn it around this week against a newly-frisky 49ers offense.
Week 14 boomer
NaVorro Bowman, LB, San Francisco 49ers: In his return season from a horrific knee injury, Bowman has returned to form as a stud among linebackers. He leads the team in tackles and should be called upon to help shut down a woeful Browns run offense this week. Bowman hasn't offered IDP managers much beyond his ability to rack up tackles, but when you lead the NFL in that category what else do you need to provide?
Week 14 buster
Everson Griffen, DL, Minnesota Vikings: Griffen is putting together another quality season along the front line for the Vikings and has been just outside of the top 10 among defensive linemen all season. But this is a week to avoid Griffen if possible. The Cardinals aren't in the business of allowing sacks, which pretty much saps Griffen's value. With injuries all over the Minnesota defense, Arizona can also devote more resources to neutralizing the Vikings pass rusher.
Week 14 sleeper
Earl Thomas, DB, Seattle Seahawks: Maybe it seems strange to see such a big name defensive player in the sleeper category, but Thomas hasn't been the IDP playmaker that you might expect. The Seahawks safety sits 81st in scoring at his position. That's not a typo. This week, the 'Hawks face the Ravens. More imporantly, they face Matt Schaub. That's right ... we're putting Earl Thomas on Pick Six Alert. Let's go!
Four downs
First down: The New York Jets continue to monitor Darrelle Revis' status. The star cornerback continues to work through the NFL's concussion protocol which caused him to miss last week's game against the Giants. Revis still hasn't taken part in practice and his chance to play against the Titans this week is still undetermined. With Marcus Williams also dealing with an injury, the Jets are getting thin in the secondary.
Second down:Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr could miss Thursday's game against the Cardinals as he deals with a groin injury. Barr has played through injuries this season, most notably a broken hand. Regardless, the UCLA standout has been a playmaker all season long leading the Vikings defense in tackles and forced fumbles. Barr's absence could mean more snaps for Jason Trusnik.
Third down:Cary Williams is a Seahawk no more. The team cut the embattled cornerback on Monday after listing him as a healthy scratch each of the past two weeks. Playing opposite Richard Sherman, Williams was continually picked on by offenses and he eventually ceded his starting job to DeShawn Shead. The Seattle defense is starting to look strong in recent weeks and the change at cornerback is one of the reasons why.
Fourth down:Bills cornerback Stephon Gilmore suffered a shoulder injury on Sunday against the Texans and while the issue does sound serious, the early indications are that it won't be season-ending. That diagnosis might not be good enough in the week-to-week situation that IDP managers will encounter in the playoffs. The injury will put more pressure on Ronald Darby to return to the form that made him a fantasy darling early in the season.
In the latest episode of the NFL Fantasy LIVE podcast the gang welcomes the return of the Hall of Famer, discusses Week 14 waiver targets and tries to work through a little fantasy recency bias. Don't forget to subscribe and listen in HERE!
Marcas Grant is a fantasy editor for NFL.com. Follow him on Twitter @MarcasG.
