No expert here. I have the Jets, the Cards, and the Dolphins. On the wire are NE and Hou who have both been mentioned here. Without bombing you with our league's scoring for defensive teams, it's pretty standard with considerations for fumbles, interceptions and defensive TD's, of course, and points and yardage against. I don't remember which week Oakland changed it's coach, but I went back to week 10. To my surprise, (Scoring systems are relative.) these are the defensive scores each week vs Oakland:
week 10 - Panthers D scores - 17 points
11 - @Miami D scores - 15
12 - @ Denv D scores 3
13 - KC - 15
14 - @ SD - 18
15 - NE - 13
Here's where you have to trust my analysis, but I'm pretty happy with 9 or 10 points, minimally. In my league the top defense (Ravens) this year averaged almost 14 points per week, with the Steelers and Eagles closer to 13. The 12th highest D (Cards) averaged almost 11 for whatever average is worth. The Texans scored a bit more than 8 per week. The bottom team, the Lions, have averaged a tad more than 6 per week. I'm starting to like Houston with its offense clicking vs Oakland. Now do I have the ballz to play them?
Check these Defensive scores in your own leagues.
I love your analysis here and just to give another perspective from my league which doesnt count yardage:
Week 10 -Panthers D scores -18 pts against Raiders (1FF, 5 sacks, 2 Ints, 6pts allowed)
Week 11: Miami D scores 9 points (6 sacks, 15 pts allowed) yes, six sacks...
Week 12: Denver scores ZERO (Denver D is raked 32nd Def/ST in my league)
Week 13: KC D scores 17 points (1 Def TD, 2 Fumble Rec, 13pts allowed_
Week 14: SD scores 18 points (3 Ints, 1 Forced Fumble, 3 sacks, 7 points allowed)
Week 15: NE scores 12 points ( 1 Def TD, 1 Int, 2 Sacks, 1 Blocked Extra Pt, 26 pts allowed)
I must thank Boss Superman, for as I just broke down defenses against the Raiders,
I can see clearly that
I WILL start Houston D in the Superbowl, and IMO, you should too.