Breaking Down the NFL’s Most Disruptive Defenders vs. QBs and Their Week 13 Matchups
Alex Dunlap, Rosterwatch.com 

This is a tool to be used in roster decision tie-breakers for QBs in conjunction with the Matchup Tool. Here we take a look at the league’s most disruptive defenders against opposing QBs by adding their respective totals for QB knockdowns and hurries. We will then analyze their offensive line and QB matchup. Protection rank is comprised of opposing defender sacks/hurries and knockdowns allowed by the offensive line. We will also factor in average fantasy points to opposing WRs to gauge “DB Support” as teams with tougher WR matchups give the defenders more time to create QB pressure.  These are important variables in gauging not only IDP relevance, but also in judging which QBs are more likely to be operating under significant pressure.

1. Packers LB Clay Matthews
19 knockdowns + 12.5 hurries = 31.5
FACING: Giants QB Eli Manning 
One-on-One O Line Matchup: Giants RT Kareem McKenzie– allowed 3.5 sacks in 2011
Giants Team Protection Rank: 6th. 20 sacks, 33 hurries and 53 knockdowns
Packers DB Support: 30th– 2011 Season, 25th– Last 5 Weeks

2(t). Broncos LB Von Miller (Questionable)
23 knockdowns + 5 hurries = 28
FACING: Vikings QB Christian Ponder
One-on-One O Line Matchup: Vikings RT Phil Loadholt– allowed 7 sacks in 2011
Vikings Team Protection Rank: 32nd. 34 sacks, 42 hurries and 56 knockdowns
Broncos DB Support:  23rd– 2011 Season, 9th– last 5 weeks.

2(t). Dolphins LB Cameron Wake
16.5 knockdowns + 11.5 hurries = 28
FACING: Raiders QB Carson Palmer
One-on-One O Line Matchup: Raiders RT Khalif Barnes– allowed 2.5 sacks in 2011
Raiders Team Protection Rank: 21st. 19 sacks, 19 hurries and 54 knocdowns
Dolphins DB Support: 21st– 2011 Season, – 18th– last 5 weeks. 

4. Chiefs LB Tamba Hali
18.5 knockdowns + 9 hurries = 27.5
FACING: Bears QB Caleb Hanie
One-on-One O Line Matchup: Bears RT Lance Louis (moved over from Right Guard)- allowed 1 sack at RG in 2011
Bears Team Protection Rank: 24th. 27 sacks, 45 hurries and 57 knocdowns
Chiefs DB Support: 10th– 2011 Season, 4th– last 5 weeks. 

5. Texans LB Connor Barwin
20.5 knockdowns + 6 hurries = 26.5
FACING: Falcons QB Matt Ryan
One-on-One O Line Matchup: Falcons RT Tyson Clabo– allowed 5 sacks in 2011
Falcons Team Protection Rank: 10th. 22 sacks, 16 hurries and 57 knocdowns
Texans DB Support: 7th– 2011 Season, 2nd– last 5 weeks.

6(t.) Ravens LB Terrell Suggs
18 knockdowns + 8 hurries = 26
FACING: Browns QB Colt McCoy
One-on-One O Line Matchup: Browns LT Joe Thomas– allowed 2.5 sacks in 2011
Browns Team Protection Rank: 22nd. 27 sacks, 33 hurries and 70 knocdowns
Ravens DB Support: 11th– 2011 Season, 16th– last 5 weeks.

6(t.) Raiders LB Kamerion Wimbley
17.5 knockdowns + 8.5 hurries = 26
FACING: Dolphins QB Matt Moore
One-on-One O Line Matchup: Dolphins LT Jake Long– allowed 5.5 sacks in 2011
Dolphins Team Protection Rank: 26th. 24 sacks, 39 hurries and 69 knocdowns
Raiders DB Support: 18th– 2011 Season, 24th– last 5 weeks.

8. Cowboys LB Demarcus Ware
21 knockdowns + 4 hurries = 25
FACING: Cardinals QB Kevin Kolb
One-on-One O Line Matchup: Cardinals LT Levi Brown– allowed 10.5 sacks in 2011
Cardinals Team Protection Rank: 25th. 27 sacks, 45 hurries and 57 knocdowns
Cowboys DB Support: 13th– 2011 Season, 25th– last 5 weeks.

9/10(t.)

Patriots DE Andre Carter
21.5 knockdowns + 3 hurries = 24.5
FACING: Colts QB Dan Orlovsky
One-on-One O Line Matchup: Colts LT Anthony Castonzo– allowed 3 sacks in 7 career games
Colts Team Protection Rank: 18th. 23 sacks, 19 hurries and 51 knocdowns
Patriots DB Support: 32nd– 2011 Season, 29th– last 5 weeks.

Bears DE Julius Peppers
11.5 knockdowns + 13 hurries = 24.5
FACING: Chiefs QB Tyler Palko
One-on-One O Line Matchup: Chiefs LT Branden Albert– allowed 5 sacks in 2011
Chiefs Team Protection Rank: 23rd. 26 sacks, 24 hurries and 57 knocdowns
Bears DB Support: 14th– 2011 Season, 8th– last 5 weeks.