This article is part of our IDP Analysis series.
With rosters of all shapes and sizes, IDP advice can be a bit tricky, so the purpose of this article is to point out players whose values are elevated for the upcoming week. Some of these players will be superstars, while others will be players found on many waiver wires. We'll look at team positional groupings, based on the potential for a favorable game script. Whether you're streaming IDPs each week or have a stocked roster, this "one size fits" all approach hopefully will help most everyone find a weekly edge.
Linebackers
Browns (vs. Ravens): Joe Schobert, Mack Wilson and Adarius Taylor
There are very few teams who look as "checked out" as the Browns do, and they even looked that way last week when they had playoff hopes. Whatever heart they may have had left on defense is sure to be destroyed by Lamar Jackson and the lethal Ravens' rushing attack. And when Baltimore rolls out to a lead, it could end up with upward of 40 rushing attempts this week, making the Browns' LBs solid IDP options.
Saints (at Titans): Demario Davis, A.J. Klein and Kiko Alonso (questionable)
Not only is it in the Titans' nature to run the ball as much as possible, but playing on their home field with the playoffs still a possibility for them, they'll likely cling to that identity. Fortunately, a Saints defense that was nearly impossible to run against is really banged up, and most importantly, they continue to be
With rosters of all shapes and sizes, IDP advice can be a bit tricky, so the purpose of this article is to point out players whose values are elevated for the upcoming week. Some of these players will be superstars, while others will be players found on many waiver wires. We'll look at team positional groupings, based on the potential for a favorable game script. Whether you're streaming IDPs each week or have a stocked roster, this "one size fits" all approach hopefully will help most everyone find a weekly edge.
Linebackers
Browns (vs. Ravens): Joe Schobert, Mack Wilson and Adarius Taylor
There are very few teams who look as "checked out" as the Browns do, and they even looked that way last week when they had playoff hopes. Whatever heart they may have had left on defense is sure to be destroyed by Lamar Jackson and the lethal Ravens' rushing attack. And when Baltimore rolls out to a lead, it could end up with upward of 40 rushing attempts this week, making the Browns' LBs solid IDP options.
Saints (at Titans): Demario Davis, A.J. Klein and Kiko Alonso (questionable)
Not only is it in the Titans' nature to run the ball as much as possible, but playing on their home field with the playoffs still a possibility for them, they'll likely cling to that identity. Fortunately, a Saints defense that was nearly impossible to run against is really banged up, and most importantly, they continue to be without Sheldon Rankins (IR), who was one of the most important parts of their run defense. Yes, Derrick Henry should be very busy, which should translate to a busy afternoon for the New Orleans' run stoppers.
Dolphins (vs. Bengals): Jerome Baker, Sam Eguavoen and Charles Harris
Over the past month and a half, the Bengals have turned into a running team, and they've stuck with that identity, even in games in which they were losing handily. With Cincinnati facing a decimated Miami defense that's struggled to stop much of anything this season, Joe Mixon should be set up for a monster workload, and it should also help that this is a game the Bengals could play with a lead. This should be a great day to fire up the Dolphins linebackers in a game in which they'll likely put up increased production.
Pass Rushers
49ers (vs. Rams): Nick Bosa, Dee Ford (questionable), Arik Armstead and DeForest Buckner
"Road Goff" was on full display last week against the Cowboys — holding the ball too long, throwing errant passes and being exactly what we've come to expect when he's not on his home field. If Goff and his overmatched offensive line were able to revive a dormant Dallas pass rush, then how do the 49ers look coming into this contest? Exactly, and especially after they lost a critical game to the Falcons last week, they'll have fire in their eyes with Goff being their target. This is shaping up to be a fantastic spot for this unit in fantasy championship week.
Ravens (at Browns): Matt Judon, Patrick Onwuasor and Jaylon Ferguson
As we mentioned earlier, the seemingly demoralized Browns will most likely find themselves getting blown out early, even though this is a divisional contest that usually brings increased competitiveness. With the Ravens needing to hang onto the No. 1 seed in the AFC, they likely won't take this game lightly, and they'll likely bring consistent heat against an overmatched Browns' offensive line. With it being very unlikely that Cleveland will have much success keeping Baker Mayfield clean in the pocket, there's a solid chance they put up a big number of sacks.
Texans (at Buccaneers): Whitney Mercilus, Brennan Scarlett and D.J. Reader
Not only do the Bucs have a weak running game and a below-average offensive line, but they'll be without WRs Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. There wasn't a problem for Jameis Winston having time to throw last week against the Lions, but the Texans likely will be able to get ahead on the scoreboard, which will take away any mystery as to whether Tampa Bay will be able to establish a rushing attack. With his WRs unlikely to get much separation, Winston's likely to absorb a number of sacks, and if the pressure gets too great, he even could be benched to protect his broken thumb, and Ryan Griffin may take even more sacks. Either way, it's looking like a great scenario for what's been an anemic Texans' pass rush.
Defensive Backs
Texans (at Buccaneers): Johnathan Joseph, Bradley Roby, Gareon Conley, Tashaun Gipson and Justin Reid
In addition to this being a great spot for the Texans' struggling pass rush, the defensive backs can also expect to see as much work as they can handle. After being a defense to attack through the air for half of the season, they've now been the toughest unit in the league in defending WRs over the past month and change. That said, there's little chance Bruce Arians will change his approach, and the air almost certainly will be filled with footballs. Aside from piling up strong tackle totals, Jameis Winston is always in the giving spirit of the holiday season when it comes to throwing INTs, adding even more upside to this matchup.
Bengals (at Dolphins): Darqueze Dennard, William Jackson III, B.W. Webb, Jessie Bates and Shawn Williams
If there's a team that has a weaker run game than the Buccaneers, it's the Dolphins, and as a result, we can usually count on Ryan Fitzpatrick throwing a lot of passes, regardless of game script. As this could actually be a week the Bengals have a strong offensive performance, this game can easily become a shootout, which is the best-case scenario for the Cinci defensive backs. Aside from the tackles they'll be able to pile up, it's always firmly in the range of outcomes for Fitzpatrick to throw four or five INTs as well, and although we don't count on that, it does raise potential upside for the Bengals' DBs.
Bills (at Patriots): Tre'Davious White, Levi Wallace, Taron Johnson (questionable), Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer
Despite Tom Brady being in obvious decline, the inconsistent rushing attack for New England has forced the coaching staff to have Brady throw the ball nearly 40 times per game. It's also clear that aside from Julian Edelman, the Patriots' WRs aren't on the same page as Brady, and it's forced them into far too many obvious passing downs. He'll be facing a Buffalo secondary that's been one of the better ones in the league, and they should be more than up to the task to take advantage of opportunities to reward IDP owners with strong performances in fantasy championship week.
