If you subscribe to the Draft Sharks way of doing things, you grab a defense with one of your last few picks and then work the waiver wire throughout the course of the season so that you’re always using a defense with a favorable matchup. I’ve been highlighting low-end defenses with strings of juicy opponents all year. Time for one more edition for the crucial weeks of the fantasy football playoffs:

Miami Dolphins

Here’s a defense that could play a pivotal role in a championship run. The Dolphins D has been solid all season, currently ranking 5th in total defense, 8th in points allowed, and 7th in sacks. OLB Cameron Wake has been a breakout sensation, tallying a league-leading 14 sacks. The Fins run D has been rock solid too, anchored by DT Randy Starks. You won’t find a more favorable Week 15-16 schedule, as Miami hosts the Bills and Lions in the final 2 rounds of most leagues’ fantasy playoffs. They’re a sure-fire top-10 play in both of those matchups.

Dallas Cowboys

From broken collarbones to fired coaches, it’s been a tumultuous season in big D. And let’s be honest – the defense has been pitiful. Heading into Week 15, the Cowboys rank 25th in yards allowed and 31st in scoring defense. Brutal. Their forte in past seasons has been getting to the QB, but they haven’t even been able to do that this year, ranking just 20th in sacks. All that being said, this unit has been making plays lately. 2 weeks ago, they picked off QB Peyton Manning 4 times, returning 2 of them for scores. They added 2 more INTs against the Eagles last week. Granted, they’ve still been giving up loads of points and yards, but those takeaways are big points in most fantasy leagues. Expect more of that the next 2 weeks against the Redskins and Cardinals.

New England Patriots

The Patriots defense has taken a lot of flak this season, but it’s a young unit that is improving by the game. They quietly rank 9th among team defenses in standard-scoring leagues, thanks in large part to 4 TDs. That’s a bit fluky, but their 20 INTs – 2nd-most in the league – sure aren’t. This is a ball-hawking secondary led by stud rookie CB Devin McCourty. Look for New England to add to its takeaway totals in the next couple weeks against the Aaron Rodgers-less Packers and the Bills.