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 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
Jets (at Bills): James Burgess, Neville Hewitt, Brandon Copeland and Jordan Jenkins
In a contest in which the Bills have nothing to play for, there's a great chance they simply try to run the ball as much as possible to shorten the game. In addition, they'll most likely give some of their skill-position players some valuable time off before playing next week in the Wild-Card round. Assuming this scenario works out, the New York run stoppers should be in line for a productive afternoon regardless of game script.
Steelers (at Ravens): Vince Williams, Mark Barron, Bud Dupree (questionable) and T.J. Watt
As much as the Ravens hate the Steelers, they're unlikely to put Lamar Jackson in a position to take a lot of unnecessary hits as they embark upon a postseason they hope ends in a Super Bowl performance. Also, with Mark Ingram spotted in a protective boot after the Week 16 game, look for
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 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
Jets (at Bills): James Burgess, Neville Hewitt, Brandon Copeland and Jordan Jenkins
In a contest in which the Bills have nothing to play for, there's a great chance they simply try to run the ball as much as possible to shorten the game. In addition, they'll most likely give some of their skill-position players some valuable time off before playing next week in the Wild-Card round. Assuming this scenario works out, the New York run stoppers should be in line for a productive afternoon regardless of game script.
Steelers (at Ravens): Vince Williams, Mark Barron, Bud Dupree (questionable) and T.J. Watt
As much as the Ravens hate the Steelers, they're unlikely to put Lamar Jackson in a position to take a lot of unnecessary hits as they embark upon a postseason they hope ends in a Super Bowl performance. Also, with Mark Ingram spotted in a protective boot after the Week 16 game, look for Baltimore to ride Gus Edwards and Justice Hill early and often, making the Pittsburgh LBs solid IDP options.
Titans (at Texans): Jayon Brown, Rashaan Evans, Harold Landry and Reggie Gilbert
The Texans are another team with little to play for, as they're locked into a home playoff game next week, regardless of how they fare this weekend. As a result, there's a strong chance we see a lot of Joe Webb at QB, and there are very few QBs who run as often as he does. In addition, they'll have little need to be aggressive on offense, so it seems likely they'll run the ball as often as possible. Add it all up, and the Titans' LBs look like strong plays this week.
Pass Rushers
Patriots (vs. Dolphins): Jamie Collins, Dont'a Hightower, Lawrence Guy and Kyle Van Noy
This is a massive game for the Patriots, as more than any of their playoff teams in the past, they need to lock down a bye and a home game in the Divisional Round. Knowing this, they should be very aggressive on defense, and since the Dolphins have one of the worst rushing attacks in the league, they'll be forced to keep the ball in Ryan Fitzpatrick's hands. Facing a one-dimensional offense, the pass rush is set up to potentially post big sack numbers.
Eagles (at Giants): Derek Barnett, Brandon Graham, Tim Jernigan and Fletcher Cox
Although beating the Cowboys was a big deal last week, the Eagles need to win against the Giants to ensure they capture the NFC East title. With the Philly run defense having been much improved lately, they should be able to put New York in plenty of obvious passing situations, and knowing their secondary is vulnerable, they'll need to put as much pressure as possible on Daniel Jones, which could include more blitzing than usual. This is shaping up as a good spot for the Eagles' pass rushers.
Chiefs (at Chargers): Chris Jones, Frank Clark, Tanoh Kpassagnon and Derrick Nnadi
Although it's likely that they settle in as the third seed, the Chiefs still could earn a bye week by beating the Chargers and with a Patriots loss. With that knowledge, the Chiefs should be able to run out to a lead on their division rivals, forcing them to go to a pass-heavy approach. Since the Chiefs have actually had one of the best secondaries in the league over the past couple of months, Philip Rivers likely will be forced to hold the ball longer than he'd like as WRs try to get open, which should result in more pressures and sacks than usual for the Chiefs.
Defensive Backs
Patriots (vs. Dolphins): Jason McCourty (questionable), Patrick Chung, Devin McCourty, Stephon Gilmore and J.C. Jackson
As mentioned earlier in this article, the Dolphins are fairly one dimensional on offense due to their lack of a quality running game. In addition, the Patriots are in a must-win situation to earn the all-important bye week, so they should be able to get a lead early in this game, and that should result in Ryan Fitzpatrick throwing 40 passes as his floor. As a result, the NE secondary should make plenty of tackles, and an INT or two certainly could be in the cards as well.
Falcons (at Buccaneers): Isaiah Oliver, Kendall Sheffield, Blidi Wreh-Wilson, Ricardo Allen and Damontae Kazee
With the Buccaneers likely trying to get Jameis Winston the record for most passing yardage in a season, a team that's focused on the pass on a regular basis may throw the ball even more than usual. As the Bucs consistently drop back with Winston, the Falcons' pass rush will have plenty of opportunities to take aim at the QB, and that should turn into more sack opportunities than usual.
Saints (at Panthers): Marshon Lattimore, Eli Apple (questionable), Marcus Williams (questionable), Vonn Bell (questionable) and Janoris Jenkins
With the uncertainty of how the seeding will shake out in the NFC, the Saints will consider this a must-win game because they have a chance to earn home field advantage throughout the playoffs. For a team with Super Bowl aspirations, playing at home is an important part of helping them reach their goals, so look for the offense to attack and light up the scoreboard. As the lead grows, the Panthers will be forced to abandon the run, and rookie QB Will Grier will find himself under siege for most of the afternoon. This is looking like another smash spot for the New Orleans pass rush.
