Sack leaders | INT leaders | Tackle leaders

As good of a week as it was to own Steelers defensive players, Houston's defenders outperformed them. Such is life in Fantasy Football when it comes to players on the other side of the ball -- being on the losing end sometimes means winning big statistically.

Two Steelers linebackers, James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley, turned in outstanding performances as they not only helped cripple the Texans' soft run game, but also got to quarterback Matt Schaub four times combined. They were both in the Top 10 among IDPs in leagues that count tackles in Week 1.

But Houston boasted a pair of studs in defensive end Mario Williams (two sacks) and linebacker DeMeco Ryans (12 total tackles) as well as a Fantasy newcomer in Zach Diles, a second-year strong-side linebacker who matched his 2007 tackle total of 13 in Week 1. The former seventh-round pick won the gig in the preseason after the club let go of Rosevelt Colvin. All three Texans were Top 20 IDPs.

Why were those Texans so successful for Fantasy owners? Simply put, the Steelers built a lead using a balanced offensive attack and then ran the ball down the Texans' throats. Pittsburgh totaled 37 running plays (not including two kneel-downs) vs. 18 pass plays. Anytime your linebackers and defensive linemen face a run-pass ratio like that, they're bound to do well.

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The key is to see it coming before it happens: Look for the blowouts. Anytime an offensively charged team with an all-around solid defense meets a club that is the opposite, the blowout has some potential. In Week 1, we expected a couple of blowouts, including the Texans-Steelers and Rams-Eagles. Problem is, we didn't think the Cowboys-Browns game would be a blowout, nor the Broncos-Raiders or Redskins-Giants, and we thought the Lions-Falcons and Bears-Colts games would be blowouts the other way.

In Week 2, some blowouts that might surface include the Giants over the Rams, the Steelers over the Browns, the Cardinals over the Dolphins and the Chiefs over the Raiders. Starting linebackers for St. Louis, Cleveland, Miami and Oakland might provide an extra punch to your Fantasy team.

As might these players ...

DL matchups

Bills vs. Jaguars offensive line: Jacksonville's front five took a huge hit when they lost guards Vince Manuwai and Maurice Williams to major injuries in Week 1. Not only did the club's run game suffer, but David Garrard was sacked seven times at Tennessee last week. Uche Nwaneri and Tutan Reyes are expected to fit in for this game, but the club is obviously thin there, and the Bills will take advantage as they did last week against Seattle's O-line.
DLs to check out: Aaron Schobel, Chris Kelsay, Marcus Stroud, Kyle Williams

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Titans vs. Bengals offensive line: Of course, if the Titans got to Garrard seven times, then they should have some success against the Bengals this week, too. Cincy only gave up a pair of sacks to Baltimore last week, but the offensive line was on the field for 23 minutes. The ball-controlling Titans might also dominate the clock, but they should be all over the Bengals' suspect offensive line in an attempt to take down Carson Palmer.
DLs to check out: Kyle Vanden Bosch, Albert Haynesworth, Jevon Kearse

Vikings vs. Colts offensive line: It sort of goes without saying that the Vikings' D-line will be tough, but consider this a gentle reminder that Indy's starting guards and center were a big reason why Manning looked tenative and the Colts couldn't run against the Bears. Manning's surgically repaired knee has made him as statuesque as ever, creating an easy target for the Vikings to put in their sights.
DLs to check out: Jared Allen, Ray Edwards, Kevin Williams, Pat Williams

LB matchups

Ravens vs. Texans' run game: After the Steelers' linebackers set up shop in the Houston backfield, expect the Ravens to follow suit with their own 3-4 defense. The Texans won't get help from their running game for the second week in a row, and the Ravens' linebackers might be in line for some sacks.
LBs to check out: Ray Lewis, Bart Scott, Terrell Suggs

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Panthers vs. Bears' run game: The Bears' confidence in their run game is high following Matt Forte's dominant game against the Colts. And because they don't have a consistent pass attack to go with him, they're going to continue to lean on him. The Panthers will know this, resulting in a lot of plays made by their linebackers. Those same defenders will also be asked to pitch in on covering tight ends Greg Olsen and Desmond Clark on passing downs, so they should have a solid week.
LBs to check out: Jon Beason, Thomas Davis, Na'il Diggs

Raiders vs. Chiefs' run game: You're going to hear a lot this week about Larry Johnson's dominance over Oakland his entire career. With the Chiefs expected to run him (and Jamaal Charles) quite a bit, the Raiders should deploy linebackers to fill in the gaps on the line and stuff Johnson. They'll struggle, but they should get a lot of tackles.
LBs to check out: Kirk Morrison, Thomas Howard

49ers vs. Seahawks' run game: With no reliable receivers to speak of, Seattle is going to be forced to lean on Julius Jones to grind out yards and Matt Hasselbeck to hit his remaining receivers for short-area gains. That plays right into the 49ers' hands as they'll be able to load up against the run. Patrick Willis won't be the only star for San Fran's defense this week.
LBs to check out: Patrick Willis, Jeff Ulbrich, Parys Haralson, Manny Lawson, Takeo Spikes

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Cardinals vs. Dolphins' run game: Ditto the above -- the Dolphins' receivers aren't reliable and the club will make an effort to move the chains with Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown. The Cardinals didn't do so well vs. Frank Gore last week but could do better at home.
LBs to check out: Gerald Hayes, Karlos Dansby, Clark Haggans, Chike Okeafor

DB matchups

Eagles vs. Cowboys pass game; Cowboys vs. Eagles pass game: Each of these teams have three solid cornerbacks, and each of these teams like to put the ball in the air. Probably can't go wrong with any of them in what should be a high-scoring affair.
DBs to check out: Brian Dawkins, Asante Samuel, Sheldon Brown, Lito Sheppard; Anthony Henry, Terence Newman, Adam Jones

Redskins vs. Saints' pass game: Washington's corners were embarrassed by the Giants in its opener, but they didn't allow many deep completions and no passing touchdowns. Washington's cornerbacks came close to picking off Eli Manning more than the one time they did. The Saints thrive on those, but they also put the ball in the air a lot. The Redskins' DBs are underrated.
DBs to check out: LaRon Landry, Carlos Rogers

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Jets vs. Patriots' pass game: With Matt Cassel under center for New England, you can expect the Jets to clamp down on the New England run and blitz the snot out of the unproven quarterback. The Pats' offensive line should cut down on the number of sacks, but the secondary could come up with some picks until Cassel can eliminate the wounded-duck look from all of his passes.
DBs to check out: Kerry Rhodes, Darrelle Revis

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