I hope everyone was successful in their playoff matchups last week (if you had one). For many fantasy leagues, this is the week that their fantasy championship game takes place (I personally have a championship game this week, wish me luck). With that being said, every little move becomes extra important this week. I have tried to come up with a good mix of solid/safe plays and risky/high reward plays for for fantasy players to use depending on how they stack up against their respective opponents.
As a side note, here is something for your enjoyment: Eagles Pound 49ers Fans With Snowballs. This is a prime example of why Eagles fans are the rudest fans in the NFL. "City of Brotherly Love" my ass.
Anyways, here are my IDP Waiver Wire recommendations for Week 16:
DL
"The Untouchables":
Jared Allen (88%)
Elvis Dumervil (67%)
Julius Peppers (65%)
Trent Cole (62%)
Justin Tuck (59%)
Mario Williams (55%)
Andre Carter (51%)
Robert Mathis (50%)
Osi Umenyiora (47%)
Darnell Dockett (44%)
1. RDE Randy Starks - Starks has started to cool off recently. However, he has the Texans this week who have given up the 4th most fantasy points to opposing defensive lineman the last 8 weeks. Starks should be able to put up 3-4 solos and a sack.
2. LDE Patrick Kerney - Kerney has been absolutely pathetic the last 3 weeks, so it's hard for me to recommend here. But, he does have the Packers this week and is worth a shot if you are desperate for a filler this week.
3. LDE Calais Campbell - This is the 3rd week in a row that I have recommended Campbell because he's had great matchups in each of those weeks. This week he plays the Keith Null led Rams. Enough said.
3. LDE Calais Campbell - This is the 3rd week in a row that I have recommended Campbell because he's had great matchups in each of those weeks. This week he plays the Keith Null led Rams. Enough said.
4. RDE Kroy Biermann - Biermann has been up and down this season but had a resurgence last week with 8 total tackles. He has a juicy matchup against the Bills this week and should be able to put up some decent numbers.
5. LDE Ray Edwards - Edwards probably isn't available in a ton of leagues, but if he is, pick him up. He's got a nice looking matchup against the Bears this week.
*The IDP Guru's Lock of the Week*DE/WLB Terrell Suggs - I really like Suggs this week. Roethlisburger seems to get sacked a ton every week and this is a big division game, so I expect the Ravens to try and pressure Big Ben quite a bit. Suggs may be available in some leagues due to him being injured during the season. If he's available, I recommend you pick him up as Suggs could be in for a monster game!
LB
"The Untouchables":
Patrick Willis (98%)
James Harrison (93%)
Ray Lewis (83%)
Jon Beason (82%)
London Fletcher (74%)
Barrett Rudd (72%)
D.J. Williams (70%)
Brian Cushing (70%)
Demarcus Ware (68%)
Kirk Morrison (61%)
Curtis Lofton (60%)
David Harris (59%)
DeMeco Ryans (58%)
Karlos Dansby (57%)
Jonathan Vilma (49%)
1. LILB Demorrio Williams - Williams has been one of the most underrated tacklers this season because he plays on a bad team and because he is the epitome of a non-big play performer (no sacks, INTs, fumble recoveries, or forced fumbles this year). He had 13 solo tackles last week against the Browns (who ran a ton) and I foresee him compiling another nice stat line this week against Cedric Benson and the Bengals, who will look to run the ball 30+ times against the crappy Chiefs run defense.
2. WLB James Anderson - After Anderson's monster performance last week, I'm sure many fantasy owners have/are looking to snatch him up off the waiver wire. If he's still there, pick him up. He has another great matchup against the Giants this week.
3. WLB Mike Peterson - Peterson is one of those linebackers that is either great or he completely sucks. It really depends on his matchup. And he has a great matchup this week in the Buffalo Bills. The Bills are starting Brian Brohm (who the hell is that?) and will therefore look to run the ball 70-75% of the time. I expect many tackle opportunities for Peterson in this game.
4. ROLB Clay Matthews - I was very tempted to suggest Matthews in my waiver wire article last week and I wish I had. He's registered 6 sacks in the last 4 weeks and is quickly becoming the best linebacker on the Packers. This guy is going to be a force in the NFL for years to come. If your in a league that rewards highly for big plays, lock into Matthews for the rest of the year.
5. LOLB Anthony Spencer - This is my deep-league pick of the week. Spencer is finally starting to play like everyone in Dallas thought he would when they drafted him 26th overall in the 2007 NFL Draft. Over the last 6 weeks, he's registered 4 sacks and has averaged almost 6.5 total tackles per game. He has a favorable matchup (sack-wise) against the Redskins this week.
WLB Lance Briggs - You may be saying that this pick is worthless because Briggs is a stud and not available in any leagues. However, because of his injury in Week 12, he is shockingly only owned in 40% of ESPN leagues. He had 13 solo tackles last week and will probably reach double digits solos again this week against the Vikings, who are very generous when it comes to giving out fantasy points to opposing linebackers.
*If you looking for a sneakier play (if Briggs' isn't available), I also like MLB Hunter Hillenmeyer in this matchup.
5. LOLB Anthony Spencer - This is my deep-league pick of the week. Spencer is finally starting to play like everyone in Dallas thought he would when they drafted him 26th overall in the 2007 NFL Draft. Over the last 6 weeks, he's registered 4 sacks and has averaged almost 6.5 total tackles per game. He has a favorable matchup (sack-wise) against the Redskins this week.
*The IDP Guru's Lock of the Week*
WLB Lance Briggs - You may be saying that this pick is worthless because Briggs is a stud and not available in any leagues. However, because of his injury in Week 12, he is shockingly only owned in 40% of ESPN leagues. He had 13 solo tackles last week and will probably reach double digits solos again this week against the Vikings, who are very generous when it comes to giving out fantasy points to opposing linebackers.*If you looking for a sneakier play (if Briggs' isn't available), I also like MLB Hunter Hillenmeyer in this matchup.
DB
"The Untouchables":
Charles Woodson (69%)
Darren Sharper (58%)
Antrel Rolle (58%)
Brian Dawkins (56%)
Brandon Meriweather (52%)
Roman Harper (52%)
Eric Weddle (51%)
Daniel Manning (48%)
Troy Polamalu (49%)
Erik Coleman (50%)
Gibril Wilson (49%)
Yeremiah Bell (48%)
Charles Tillman (46%)
1. SS James Butler - Butler has been fairly solid the last 6 weeks and he faces the Arizona Cardinals whom he had 7-1-0 with a fumble recovery against in Week 11.
2. SS Nedu Ndukwe - That name never gets old! Ndukwe has always been a fantasy favorite of mine due to his consistent tackling production. He's had two monster tackling weeks in a row and he gets the Chiefs this week. I look for the Chiefs to pound the ball with speed-burner Jamaal Charles a lot this week. Consequently, Ndukwe will probably be asked to play close to the line of scrimmage to stop the run. I like his chances for a great week.
3. SS Mike Brown - I am usually hesitant about recommending "Michelle" Brown because a) he gets injured way too much and b) he's incredibly inconsistent at times. However, it's getting late in the year and he has a fantastic matchup against the Bengals this week. I'm looking for Brown to put up Mike Brown numbers this week and not Michelle Brown numbers.
4. LCB Nick Harper - Since returning from injury in Week 11, Harper has posted some very nice tackle numbers (3 games with 9 solo tackles or more). Harper is probably available in many leagues and should be a steady source of tackles for the rest of the year. He gets Vincent Jackson and the Chargers this week, which isn't a great matchup, but he's worth a pickup nonetheless.
5. LCB Malcolm Jenkins - Rookie cornerbacks can be great fantasy players because they tend to get thrown at my opposing QBs quite often. Jenkins is a prime example of this. Since taking over for the injured Jabari Greer, Malcolm has averaged 7 total tackles per game. The matchup against the Buccaneers this week is average, but he's still worth a look.
*The IDP Guru's Lock of the Week*
SS Tanard Jackson - Jackson is what a like to call a "fringe" IDP player. He's in the upper echelon of largely available waiver wire players but not quite good enough to be an every week fantasy starter. However, this week he has a great matchup against the New Orleans Saints, so make sure and get him in your lineups. I like Jackson for 8-10 total tackles this week.
*The IDP Guru's Lock of the Week*SS Tanard Jackson - Jackson is what a like to call a "fringe" IDP player. He's in the upper echelon of largely available waiver wire players but not quite good enough to be an every week fantasy starter. However, this week he has a great matchup against the New Orleans Saints, so make sure and get him in your lineups. I like Jackson for 8-10 total tackles this week.
I hope you found this article to be helpful!
Please feel free to leave comments, questions, suggestions, or derogatory remarks!
Also, every Wednesday, I write an "IDP Starts and Sits" article for Top Fantasy Football. Make sure to stop over and check it out for more IDP advice!
Thanks!
