Only four teams remain standing in the 2012 NFL playoffs, so the pool of available Individual Defensive Player (IDP) talent is getting pretty shallow, and last week's upset of the Green Bay Packers by the New York Giants likely cost many fantasy owners quite a few players they were hoping to save for this week's lineup.
However, upsets or no, we have to keep on keeping on, so let's get down to the business of getting down to business and take a look at this week's IDP rankings.
That said, we're still playing in a different format than "usual" here, using the scoring and rules for the BTR Listeners League sponsored by Fantasy Sharks and run by FSWA Hall of Famer Greg Kellogg, who I have the distinct pleasure of co-hosting Kellogg's Komments with twice a week on Fantasy Sharks Radio. If you haven't given a listen, you absolutely should, as Greg, Mike Pisani and Chris Nunes are damned near capable of drowning my drivel out.
Well, almost.
These rankings are based on the scoring for that contest, which awards one point for solo tackles, ½ point for assisted tackles, two points each for fumbles forced and recovered, three points for interceptions and sacks, six points for defensive touchdowns, four points for safeties, and one point for passes defensed, as well as return yardage for picks and fumbles, but those are fluke points best not chased.
It's also a "one and done" format, which means that once you use a guy he's through, so what may look like a great play this week may also involve a player you want to save for the Super Bowl. That makes it more important that you try to balance scoring and who you think will advance, so keep in mind that my rankings may reflect biases you may not share, and a bit of "bet-hedging."
No need to go more than 10 deep, so without further ado ...
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
1.) Jason Pierre-Paul -- New York Giants at San Francisco
2.) Terrell Suggs -- Baltimore at New England
3.) Justin Tuck -- New York Giants at San Francisco
4.) Justin Smith -- San Francisco vs. New York Giants
5.) Haloti Ngata -- Baltimore at New England
6.) Osi Umenyiora -- New York Giants at San Francisco
7.) Brandon Deaderick -- New England at Baltimore
8.) Mark Anderson -- New England at Baltimore
9.) Chris Canty -- New York Giants at San Francisco
10.) Ray MacDonald -- San Francisco vs. New York Giants
LINEBACKERS
1.) Ray Lewis -- Baltimore at New England
2.) Patrick Willis -- San Francisco vs. New York Giants
3.) NaVarro Bowman --...