If you, like me, are the lucky few who has made it to the fantasy football playoffs this year, then you should start preparing for the next two or three weeks of battle. While most of your lineup should be solidified at this point, there is one place where it usually varies week to week: defense. I have changed my defense nearly every week, and I've made it this far, so I don't see why I should stop. You pick a defense based on a couple of things: 1) strength of the defense, 2) weakness of opposing offense, and lastly, which may be the sneakiest aspect, 3) strength of defense's offense to keep the defense off of the field.

Right now, there are really only a couple of great defenses that you should play regardless of the matchup: San Francisco and Baltimore. Aside from that, any team can be exposed, and you should be careful. My play for next week, and possibly the following week, is the Seattle Seahawks. Why? Next week, they take on St. Louis, a pretty paltry offense, at home. Enough said. But, the sneaky play is the following week, when they go to Chicago. Yes, Chicago, the powerhouse, the playoff contender! Well, not anymore. With Jay Cutler out, and now Matt Forte out, this offense is going to be one of the worst in the league. They just scored 3 points against the Chiefs, losing 10-3. Caleb Hanie is not a threat, and Marion Barber isn't either. 

If you want to make a real run, make sure your x-factor is the best it can be. In this case, it's the Seahawks that will help make your run in the playoffs a real one.