Fantasy Football Week 6 waiver wire: Top 5 Team Defense pickups

Oct 6, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts outside linebacker Erik Walden (93) sacks Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during the first half at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Pat Lovell-USA TODAY Sports /

Fantasy football defenses are about the matchup which is why so many experienced owners rotate them in and out on a weekly basis. If you’ve been rolling with that strategy so far this season, these are the top five to target for this week.

All of these options are available in more than half of ESPN leagues (ownership percentages included in parentheses). All scoring references are to ESPN Standard scoring-make sure to adjust to your league as necessary.

These D’s are in a good place to succeed this week based on how they’re playing and who they are playing against.

1. Indianapolis Colts (30.2%)

The Colts D has put up three straight weeks of double-digit points and allowed a total of 10 points in their last two road games. This week they face the Chargers who rank in the middle of the pack in D points allowed per game, but gave up 18 last week to Oakland while turning the ball over five times.

2. Minnesota Vikings (7.7%)

Sep 29, 2013; London, UNITED KINGDOM; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) is pressured by Minnesota Vikings linebacker Erin Henderson (50) in the NFL International Series game at Wembley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

The Vikings face the Panthers and Cam Newton who gave up 20 points to the Cardinals last week in Arizona. Minnesota had put up double-digit points in every game this season before a poor performance in London. Minnesota is back in the dome

3. Detroit Lions (6.0%)

The Browns allow the 11th most points per game to opposing defenses, but in the two games Brandon Weeden started they allowed double digits each time. The Lions D has struggled at times but got five sacks last week against Aaron Rodgers and forced the Bears into a bad week in week 4. Weeden makes them a good start this week.

4. New York Jets (3.3%)

If you watched Monday Night Football, you don’t need much convincing to pick up the Jets D. The fact that they’re playing the Steelers who allow the third-most points to opposing D’s makes them an even better option for week 6.

5. Philadelphia Eagles (4.1%)

Oct 6, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) is sacked by Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Bennie Logan in the fourth quarter during the game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports /

The Eagles D faces the Bucs who allow the fifth-most points to opposing D’s and Mike Glennon their rookie QB. Phily will have their own new starter under center as Nick Foles takes over for the injured Michael Vick. The D will need to step up and did make some plays last week forcing four turnovers against the Giants. They’re just a matchup play, but a decent one if you can’t get any of the top 4 options on this list.

This list of D’s is part of my weekly waiver wire focus. If you need further help constructing your team, check out my top ten waiver wire picks of the week as well as my top waiver targets at each of the following positions: QB, RB, WR, TE.

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