Defense wins championships… don’t miss this fantasy option!

Given the fact that you can still add them in roughly 90 percent of Yahoo! leagues, it's clear that fantasy owners haven't clued in to the recent success of the Lions defense, a unit that ranks second in Yahoo! Default scoring among fantasy defenses/special teams over the past two weeks. In those games, the Lions have tallied seven sacks, two interceptions and two touchdowns. And looking ahead at the next two weeks of the fantasy playoffs, no DST unit has a more advantageous schedule that Detroit, who will host Baltimore (fifth in QB sacks allowed, third in interceptions thrown) this week, followed by another home date with a New York Giants squad that has coughed up the most fantasy points to opposing defenses. If you are in search of a fantasy defense that you can ride to the playoffs promised land, Detroit needs to be squarely on your radar.

Staying in the NFC North, Minnesota rookie Cordarrelle Patterson also has the potential to help owners advance in the fantasy postseason. Still available in 65 percent of Yahoo! Leagues, Patterson makes for an excellent flex play in Week 15 against a Philly defense that has allowed the most fantasy points to the WR position. Patterson is coming of his bet game of the year, topping 140 receiving yards and scoring a TD at Baltimore. With Adrian Peterson expected to be sidelined with a foot injury against the Eagles, Patterson will represent the team's most dynamic offensive weapon. Expect the Vikings to be creative and determined in their use of Patterson on Sunday.

Follow Brandon Funston on twitter @1befun.