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Bills, Eagles are keys picks in Defense category

Mathew Straessley of Pittsburgh is the winner of the Defense section of the Fantasy Index Open, and he got there on the backs of the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles.

To outperform 170 other contestants, one must zig whether others zag in a couple of key spots. For Straessley, who works in retail, his key choices were the Bills and Eagles.

The Eagles were the runaway No. 1 defense in this scoring system, which ignores shutouts, points and yards (sorry, Seahawks), instead going with 6 points for touchdowns, 2 for safeties, 2 for each takeaway and 1 for every sack. Philadelphia finished with 171 points in this format. The Bills were No. 3, with 140 points.

Straessley had the foresight to rank Buffalo 4th on his board. Of all of the other entries, only one person (Jason Pilon of Minnesota) ranked the Bills 3rd, and only one other person put them in the top 4. So Straessley generated points there relative to the vast majority of the field.

Similarly with the Eagles, who were lightly regarded by most. Straessley ranked them 10th. Only four people ranked them higher, top by Michael Murillo (who writes a column for this website), who had them 6th. So again, Straessley generated value relative to almost everyone else with that pick.

We grade these, recall, on a wildly complex scoring system, multiplying the player’s rank against what they actually do on the field. The higher one ranks a player, the more he counts towards your score. In the case of the Bills, for example, Straessley ranked them 4th, earning him 3,080 points (22 x 140).

We’re using a descending 25-6 scale this year. In the past we’ve tried 20-1 and 30-11 scoring systems, which don’t seem quite as strong. With the 20-1 scale, the picks in the late teens don’t mean enough. With the 30-11 scale, too much of a premium is placed on simply identifying guys who stay healthy and in the lineup. So it’s 25-6 this year.

The top two finishers in this competition win berths to participate in the 2015 Fantasy Index Experts Poll, competing against 18 industry analysts in the magazine.

The overall winner captures an impossibly large trophy from the team at Affordable Trophies.

FANTASY INDEX OPEN, DEFENSES (top 20)
Rk EntryOccupationDef
1.Mathew StraessleyRetail35,329
2.Mark BeckerMarketing35,300
3.Moishe SteigmannRabbi35,275
4.Joe PizzicaTeacher34,926
5.Michael McIlraithFilmmaker34,919
6.Tom DeskovitzAdvertising Executive34,864
7.John MooreReal Estate Agent34,859
8.Dan MartinezAttorney34,848
9.Scott SachsHeadhunter34,745
10.Norm FoisyReal Estate34,730
11.Andy NollFinancial Manager34,627
12.Michael KoltonTeacher34,625
13.Stephen McKenzieBooks Are Fun Salesman34,619
14.Michael LivengoodPage Designer34,609
15.Michael O'BrienFingerprint Examiner34,600
16.Kevin WeaklandIt34,574
17.Rocky PetrellaBuyer34,571
18.Sean ChiAttorney34,566
19.James GeistBartender34,541
20.Mike NeaseFantasy Sports Writer34,540

After the first two rounds of the competition, the only two guys over 70,000 points are the two who won the first two positions – Straessley and James Geist (who kickers yesterday).

FANTASY INDEX OPEN, OVERALL STANDINGS (PK & Def)
RkNameLoctionPoints
1.Mathew StraessleyPittsburgh, Pa.71,231
2.James GeistOverland Park, Kan.70,618
3.Moishe SteigmannMilwaukee, Wis.69,613
4.Rusty StephensAtlanta, Ga.69,537
5.Jim CoventryChicago, Ill.69,259
6.Greg ResinSanta Barbara, Calif.69,248
7.Scott LilesRussellville, Ark.69,247
8.Dan MartinezYuba City, Calif.69,064
9.Rich WolffSan Diego, Calif.69,032
10.Sean SampsonLiberty, Mo.68,939
11.Paul McCannMoon Twp., Pa.68,936
12.Mike TaylorMeridian, Idaho68,925
13.Kevin E. SmithPhiladelphia, Pa.68,922
14.Mike NeaseWest Chicago, Ill.68,899
15.Richard JacksonSan Francisco, Calif.68,884
16.Scott SachsCanton, Ohio68,881
17.Richard FechterMiami, Fla.68,801
18.Zach LeavittHighlands Ranch, Colo.68,743
19.Kevin WeaklandTracy, Calif.68,699
20.Kyle SoppeRochester, N.Y.68,638
FANTASY INDEX OPEN, DEFENSES (alphabetical)
NameLoctionDefRk
Aaron WeaverBuffalo, N.Y.33,436104
Adam HoltzRochester, Minn.34,50622
Adam RenzoniBuffalo, N.Y.34,36825
Adam TaylorMedia, Pa.33,174124
Adam ThygesonPortland, Ore.33,55995
Andy GoughDallas, Texas33,73379
Andy NollOakdale, Minn.34,62711
Andy RichardsonPort Chester, N.Y.33,175123
Andy WaxmanFlower Mound, Texas33,95654
Ben MacLeodManchester, N.H.33,265115
Bill D'AllesandroHuntington, N.Y.32,991144
Bill ZulloMount Laurel, N.J.33,89860
Billy FriedrichRaleigh, N.C.33,90159
Bob HenryWhite Lake, Mich.33,292114
Bob TeccaBuffalo, Minn.33,442102
Brack VarnonHouston, Texas33,024139
Brad HendersonLouisville, Ken.34,09739
Bradley WolfrumAlpharetta, Ga.33,71083
Brent MilesPasco, Wash.33,59492
Brian SauberHighlands Ranch, Colo.33,67587
Brian StainesMars, Pa.33,222120
Calvron WachterNashville, Tenn.32,836151
Chris HertzbergAustin, Texas33,74077
Chris VansantFairfield, Pa.33,169125
Chris WhitneySan Jose, Calif.34,23230
Chris WinderSan Ramon, Calif.33,66989
Cory J. BoniniSan Diego, Calif.33,007141
Craig LeedySacramento, Calif.33,67288
Dan MartinezYuba City, Calif.34,8488
Dan SchneierNew York City, N.Y.33,094132
Dana DuffieldRochester, Minn.34,10237
Daniel BowmanLiberty, Mo.33,51697
Daniel OlsenJacksonville, Fla.34,29326
Daniel WilliamsMurrieta, Calif.33,69186
Dave CohenBrooklyn, N.Y.32,852149
Dave PrattGeneva, Ill.33,93657
David "Mojo" SmithWalls, Miss.33,045137
Dish AdamsLos Angeles, Calif.33,130129
Don PavelkaPlainview, Minn.32,550166
Ed WeissParsippany, N.J.33,421106
Eddie TietchenSicklerville , N.J.33,82468
Eric GustitusExeter, Pa.32,775156
Eric HotzFremont, Ohio33,82867
Eric ScolnickRedmond, Wash.33,235119
Gary AllenCharleston, S.C.33,91758
Geoff MalemanRedondo Beach, Calif.32,247169
Greg HeminwaySacramento, Calif.33,025138
Greg ResinSanta Barbara, Calif.34,09838
Henry GoersBartlett, Ill.33,75774
Ian Allan (Corrected)Seattle, Wash.32,781154
Ian Allan (Official)Seattle, Wash.32,781155
Ian MacEwenSeven Hills, Ohio32,725160
James GeistOverland Park, Kan.34,54119
Jared SmolaRochester, N.Y.33,246118
Jason FlatleyCohoes, N.Y.32,689162
Jason MatternWintersville, Ohio32,837150
Jason PilonColumbia Heights, Minn.34,04743
Jay WimmersLincolnton, N.C.34,02246
Jeff AlbertsSturgeon Bay, Wis.34,15234
Jeff FossettNewburgh, Ind.33,256117
Jeff FriedrichGreenville, N.C.33,73578
Jeff SlawsonBuffalo, N.Y.32,863148
Jeffery LebeoufCrowley, La.33,97052
Jeremy SchwartzEdison, N.J.33,72180
Jim BukowskiChicago, Ill.34,19932
Jim CarvinMount Laurel, N.J.34,02247
Jim CoventryChicago, Ill.33,72181
Jim HerouxNeenah, Wis.33,81969
Joe PizzicaWynnewood, Pa.34,9264
John D. SmithWillow Grove, Pa.33,77870
John DugginsPiedmont, S.C.33,261116
John MooreSea Isle City, N.J.34,8597
John RuppeFort Myers, Fla.32,694161
John StolzmannLas Vegas, Nev.33,365110
John WilkinsonSan Carlos, Calif.34,00248
Jon HansenReno, Nev.32,762157
Jonathan KlanderudShrewsbury, Pa.34,07842
Jonathan MickSanta Maria, Calif.33,163126
Jonathan MoraMiami, Fla.33,85464
Joseph MichelangeloOceanside, N.Y.33,70185
Josh JacksonLincoln, Calif.32,359168
Josh SmithOlympia, Wash.33,068135
Juan Novo Miami, Fla.32,459167
Keith BurdickSan Diego, Calif.33,415107
Kenneth JonesNew Orleans, La.32,648164
Kenneth YuenArlington Heights, Ill.33,212121
Kevin CuozzoConcord, Mass.33,424105
Kevin E. SmithPhiladelphia, Pa.33,403108
Kevin WeaklandTracy, Calif.34,57416
Kirk KennedyBeulaville, N.C.34,09440
Kyle SoppeRochester, N.Y.34,21231
Mark BeckerNew York City, N.Y.35,3002
Mark MaloneyAndover, Minn.34,42624
Mary Mulholland-GoersBartlett, Ill.33,83666
Mathew StraessleyPittsburgh, Pa.35,3291
Matthew KenerlyFresno, Calif.33,305113
Michael CrowOrion, Ill.34,00149
Michael DesarioLas Vegas, Nev.32,832152
Michael KnorowskiWesley Chapel, Fla.33,71282
Michael KoltonGreen Bay, Wis.34,62512
Michael LivengoodWard, Ark.34,60914
Michael McAninchNaperville, Ill.32,911147
Michael McIlraithLos Angeles, Calif.34,9195
Michael MurilloTampa, Fla.34,08341
Michael O'BrienBrighton, Colo.34,60015
Michael StancoSunrise, Fla.33,76371
Miguel TamesMiami, Fla.33,75275
Mike ClayFleetwood, Pa.32,918146
Mike CraigKokomo, Ind.32,997143
Mike McClearyRoseville, Calif.33,94456
Mike NeaseWest Chicago, Ill.34,54020
Mike RickelIra, Mich.33,58593
Mike TaylorMeridian, Idaho34,11136
Mike ToddOtis, Ore.33,079134
Mike WellsGood Thunder, Minn.32,762158
Moishe SteigmannMilwaukee, Wis.35,2753
Monte McDonaldLas Vegas, Nev.33,091133
Nathan KlineTopton, Pa.34,23728
Nathan PriestWaynesboro, Pa.33,61591
Nathan RobertsLucasville, Ohio33,50898
Norm FoisyWalnut Creek, Calif.34,73010
Pat ThormanBoston, Mass.32,731159
Paul HazenGranada Hills, Calif.33,58294
Paul McCannMoon Twp., Pa.33,88862
Paul OwersWest Palm Beach, Fla.33,158127
Pete CollinsOrland Park, Ill.33,107130
Peter OwersWest Palm Beach, Fla.33,63790
Peter SteinkeRedmond, Wash.33,98050
Rey DiazMiami, Fla.33,85963
Rich WolffSan Diego, Calif.34,23629
Richard FechterMiami, Fla.33,94755
Richard JacksonSan Francisco, Calif.33,97651
Richard MeadorsSeymour , Ind.34,46023
Richard MeyersGurley, Ala.32,919145
Rob DammersRingwood, N.J.34,04344
Rob ReiberRandolph, N.J.33,329111
Rocky PetrellaPhiladelphia, Pa.34,57117
Roger HallquistHiawatha, Iowa32,634165
Rusty StephensAtlanta, Ga.33,74376
Sam HendricksLynchburg, Va.33,76272
Scott KopischkeMenomonee Falls, Wis.33,004142
Scott LilesRussellville, Ark.34,13835
Scott RigsbySaint Anne, Ill.33,49899
Scott SachsCanton, Ohio34,7459
Scott YannichValencia, Calif.33,452101
Sean ChiFlushing, N.Y.34,56618
Sean SampsonLiberty, Mo.33,76273
Shane ScottToronto, Ont.34,52321
Stephen FisseMandeville, La.33,494100
Stephen McKenzieNew Richmond, Wis.34,61913
Steve BlenkerSloan, N.Y.33,55596
Steve HoytBuffalo Grove, Ill.33,020140
Steve MoyerOakland, Calif.33,70284
Steve TortoraWallingford, Conn.33,143128
Tim TravisGlendora, Calif.32,805153
Tim WandlingRohnert Park, Calif.33,439103
Todd BlinnObetz, Ohio33,381109
Todd HinesleyWeston, Fla.33,060136
Todd VoorheesChula Vista, Calif.33,83765
Tom DeskovitzSouth Lyon, Mich.34,8646
Tom MorandeChicago, Ill.33,96353
Tom OverbergerBedminster, Pa.34,03245
Tony ZellerDundalk, Md.34,27927
Travis GrayWellington, Fla.33,321112
Treavor PhippsSalem, Ind.33,102131
Victor KitzesMaple Valley, Wash.33,178122
Will SayreSacramento, Calif.32,651163
Zach LeavittHighlands Ranch, Colo.34,19333
Zach NizolekKansas City, Mo.33,89561

Fantasy Index