ARIZONA
The Cardinals continued to use both inside linebackers as pass rushers often last week. This still isn't the scheme used by Ray Horton, but it's aggressive enough for both Daryl Washington and Karlos Dansby. Defensive coordinator Todd Bowles hasn't always fit his scheme to his personnel, but he's clearly recognizing that his best pass rushers may be his interior linebackers. That will put more stress on the safeties to make tackles should the pass rush not get there and it should boost the tackle numbers of Yeremiah Bell. The added interior pass rush will also be a value add to the stat line of Calais Campbell, who's had two strong weeks since Washington's return. Rashad Johnson played last week, but only a handful of snaps. Tyrann Mathieu's tackle count dropped off a hair in Week 5, but he's weathered a stretch of so-so matchups very well.
ATLANTA
The Falcons were on bye last week. There's no word yet on the health of Akeem Dent or how Atlanta might choose to deploy their linebackers this week. For now, there's not a strong enough mix of talent and opportunity anywhere in this group, with Joplo Bartu continuing to be the only likely every-down player. Paul Worrilow remains the player to watch. It's possible that the team could've spent the bye week coaching Worrilow up to take over base middle linebacker duties over Omar Gaither if Dent is unable to play.
BALTIMORE
Last week, I argued that it was now time to consider a handful of all-around rush outside linebackers as every week LB2+ options in nearly every scoring setup. Terrell Suggs with another nice tackle line. That line was buoyed by an assist heavy home crew that gave the Ravens 42 assisted tackles against just 27 solos. That's an issue that seems to infected every crew in the AFC North now. Despite hoping to see Arthur Brown play a much bigger role as the presumptive nickel backer against Green Bay last week, he played only a handful of snaps. Instead Josh Bynes was the nickel backer in shorter down-and-distance situations, with Brown playing only when the Packers went to a spread set or on third and very long.
BUFFALO
There were a handful of shocking stat lines for the Bills last week. Kiko Alonso was credited with 22 total tackles by a Cincinnati stat crew that's now giving lots of solo and assisted tackles. There were 67 plays that could have ended in a tackle for Buffalo. The Cincinnati stat crew awarded 62 solos and 40 assisted tackles. Insanity. Also somewhat shocking was the monster day from Da'Norris Searcy. The Bills didn't list Searcy as a starter on the pre-game flip card with Stephon Gilmore and Jairus Byrd back and active. But Searcy and Jim Leonhard played more snaps than anyone in the secondary. Something has to give with Gilmore and Byrd likely to play every down soon. It's hard to bench Searcy right now but there's a risk you'll be left holding the bag in a coming week. Jerry Hughes also had a very strong game after Manny Lawson went down to injury. And Nigel Bradham was back in a heavy rotation with Arthur Moats.
CAROLINA
Robert Lester sat with a hamstring injury last week, leaving the Panthers no choice but to use both Mike Mitchell and Quintin Mikell at the same time. We'll see which one keeps the position when Lester returns. Don't worry too much over Luke Kuechly. The Panthers have had below average tackle opportunity over the past three games and Kuechly's numbers have suffered. He's still playing a strong all-around game and the schedule gets better during the second half of the season. The same holds for Charles Johnson and Greg Hardy. Both have been disruptive enough to expect more consistency as the season progresses.
CHICAGO
Jon Bostic will be the Bears' middle linebacker after a torn pectoral muscle ended the season of D.J. Williams last week. Whether he plays every down will depend on the status of James Anderson, who is dealing with a back injury. Bostic was up and down during the preseason, so expect some variance in his stats. The injuries are also likely to help the value of both Major Wright and Chris Conte. As we discussed on the podcast last week, Corey Wootton will be an excellent fit at defensive tackle. He didn't get credit for a sack but had multiple pressures and narrow misses. His tackle numbers are going to be high variance, but he's a nice play in sack-heavy leagues. Shea McClellin still struggles with consistency against the run, but he's going to get the bulk of the snaps at defensive end with Wootton inside.
CINCINNATI
Three things are evident in Cincinnati. Geno Atkins is back to his usual tricks, the defensive end rotation will continue to be statistically inconsistent regardless of the caliber of their play and Vontaze Burfict is the only player worth rostering in the back seven.
CLEVELAND
After a strong Week 5 performance, Paul Kruger disappeared again last week. If Barkevious Mingo can develop quickly enough, Kruger may be relegated to rotational duty when Jabaal Sheard finally returns from injury. Craig Robertson is another example of why opportunity, though important, can't make up for a lack of talent. Robertson is an every-down player but has very little fantasy value.
DALLAS
Bruce Carter's exile didn't last long. He was back playing every down last week. I continue to be flummoxed by the consistent elite numbers of Barry Church, but there's no sign that his carriage will turn into a pumpkin anytime soon. George Selvie is starting to wear down already, but he won't be getting a break with Demarcus Ware at risk of missing multiple weeks with a quad strain. Kyle Wilber will see extended playing time if Ware can't play but isn't likely to be a strong fantasy option.
DENVER
Paris Lenon and Nate Irving saw 30+ snaps each against Jacksonville last week, with Danny Trevathan the lone every-down linebacker. That will change this week as the Broncos get Von Miller back off suspension. Miller may not play in all packages in his first week back, but he should be considered an immediate starter in sack-heavy leagues. If Wesley Woodyard is able to play this week, Trevathan could see his snap count drop in subpackages. The return of MIller could help the secondary put up more big plays, especially as Champ Bailey continues to get back into condition in future weeks.
DETROIT
Ezekiel Ansah's poor week was no surprise. The Browns' Joe Thomas is among the worst pass rushing matchups in the league. It won't get any easier against Andrew Whitworth this week, though Ansah and his linemates will get the benefit of playing at home. Glover Quin is clearly not going to be an every-week, matchup-independent safety this year. It's disappointing given his run support - coverage - surrounding cast profile, but the trend can no longer be ignored.
GREEN BAY
Next man up. We've seen it with Desmond Bishop and Brad Jones. We may now be seeing it from Jamari Lattimore, the third stringer who impressed the Packers enough during the preseason to let Terrell Manning go and filled in well for Jones last week. Lattimore didn't play in supbackages -- that was A.J. Hawk as suspected -- and will be back in a reserve role when Jones returns. But file his name away for the future. Mike Neal filled in for Clay Matthews. There's still potential in Neal, but the transition from defensive end to linebacker hasn't always gone smoothly for him.
HOUSTON
J.J. Watt wasn't injured last week. Though he played nearly every down, he was only on the field for 39 snaps against St. Louis. And the Rams' offensive line double-teamed him on the interior more often than other teams have. Watt was still in the backfield at times, but was handled better than any other time this year. Depending on the position, Kansas City's offensive line has been either very good or very bad. Watt lines up all over the formation and will have a strong chance to get back into the box scores heavily this week.
INDIANAPOLIS
It's still not clear why Kavell Conner was on the inactive list on Monday night. After seeing his role and snap count increase over the past three weeks, Conner was scratched in Week 6. After Jerrell Freeman left with a concussion, the Colts rotated Pat Angerer (who still doesn't look like the run stuffer he did during the preseason), Mario Harvey (who made tackles but offered nothing on defense) and Kelvin Sheppard (who failed to inspire once again in extended action). If Freeman cannot go, it's hard to see any Indianapolis linebacker holding value against Denver. It should be a nice matchup for Antoine Bethea and either LaRon Landry or Delano Howell.
JACKSONVILLE
Ugh. Aside from a shockingly athletic play in coverage by Paul Posluszny, there wasn't much to like about the Jaguars again this week. The biggest news of the week was that Jason Babin may be available in trade. In the right situation, Babin may find value yet this year.
KANSAS CITY
The Chiefs had double digit sacks against the Raiders last week, with nearly everyone getting into the act. Tamba Hali and Justin Houston continue to pressure the pocket on every third or fourth pass rush. That's an amazing number and, with Derrick Johnson and Eric Berry and Dunta Robinson providing pass rush options around the formation, the Chiefs should continue to be full of every-week fantasy values in big play leagues.
MIAMI
Hopefully, the bye week has allowed Cameron Wake to get back to health. He'll be four weeks removed from the MCL sprain that has seriously slowed him recently. If he's fully practicing, he's safe to put back in your lineup. You'll also want to watch the practice participation reports for news on Dannell Ellerbe, who is battling a shoulder injury. Ellerbe told reporters he was playing, but we could see a mix of Jason Trusnik and Jelani Jenkins again this week. Jenkins will be worth monitoring, but there's no value here. I'm also interested to see if Dion Jordan earns more than a situational role coming out of the bye.
MINNESOTA
Desmond Bishop finally worked his way into the starting lineup last week, then tore his ACL. There was already concern with his ability to run after last season's hamstring tendon rupture. The ACL tear will make it still more difficult for him to return to NFL-ready form. Bishop hadn't displaced Erin Henderson from subpackages, and Henderson's poor stat line against Carolina will likely prove more fluke than trend. With Harrison Smith battling turf toe, there may be more pursuit chances for Chad Greenway.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Jerod Mayo, the lone trustworthy Patriots' linebacker, is likely out for the year with a pectoral tear. Brandon Spikes continued to see some nickel snaps last week, with Dont'a Hightower a base defender only. But there's no guarantee either becomes an every-down player. Deep league redraft owners should roster one or both and see what develops. In the past, Bill Belichick has used veteran Dane Fletcher heavily, but we could see rookie Jamie Collins see more snaps. Neither will have much value.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
David Hawthorne saw his highest snap percentage of the year last week. Surprisingly, his increased role came against New England. Not surprisingly, he struggled terribly in coverage. Don't expect Hawthorne to stay in that role, especially when Roman Harper returns from his knee injury.
NEW YORK GIANTS
We may finally have some clarity -- and a fantasy option or two -- in the New York linebacker group. Jon Beason moved into the starting middle linebacker role on Thursday night and looked very good between the tackles. He also played nearly every down alongside Spencer Paysinger. Expect Beason's value to be higher against run-heavy teams and Paysinger to do better in coverage. As long as those two are playing effectively, Ryan Mundy's numbers will be inconsistent. Will Hill's role decreased with the return of Terrell Thomas to the secondary mix, but we could see Hill cut into Mundy's snaps and production soon.
OAKLAND
Nick Roach hasn't been impressive on the field, but he's been a LB2 in fantasy leagues in more weeks than not. That should continue given the inconsistent play of the rest of the back seven. Lamarr Houston's stat line featured three quarterback hits, but just two solo tackles. Jason Hunter wasn't on the injury report last week, but looks to still be struggling through a leg injury.
PHILADELPHIA
Patrick Chung started last week, but made it through only a handful of snaps before leaving again. He's reportedly dealing with a nerve condition. If that's accurate, expect to see lots of Earl Wolff for the rest of the season. Cedric Thornton continues to play well in a starting role and Fletcher Cox showed more signs of life last week. Thornton is a much safer bet for fantasy value for now. DeMeco Ryans is competing with DeAndre Levy for this year's veteran who looks much better in the box score than on the field award.
ST. LOUIS
Jo-Lonn Dunbar started but Alec Ogletree remained the every-down outside linebacker. Ogletree's long interception return may have won last week's game single-handedly for many fantasy owners. His run support angles and consistency shedding blocks continue to leave something to be desired but his tackle numbers are tremendous. Michael Brockers has come on very strong in the box scores over the past three weeks but he's been good all year. He's an every-week starter in DT-required leagues.
SAN DIEGO
The San Diego offense controlled the ball so effectively that Indianapolis didn't provide enough opportunity to gauge how the Chargers' inside linebacker value would work out. It didn't help that Donald Butler continues to struggle with a groin injury and was inactive. Unfortunately, San Diego used a three-man rotation against the Colts. Given the previous week's gameplan, it made sense to bet on Reggie Walker as a likely every-down player with Butler out, but Andrew Gachkar got the start next to Manti Te'o, with Walker taking subpackage duty only. All bets are off for this week's matchup against Jacksonville, who has been one of the worst tackle matchups to date.
SAN FRANCISCO
Eric Reid hasn't filled up the boxscores, but he's been the best on-field talent of the deep rookie safety group this year. Patrick Willis was back in a near every-down role and reportedly suffered no setbacks after the game. Unfortunately, the next two matchups for the Niners -- Tennessee and Jacksonville -- are not favorable for tackles. Willis and NaVorro Bowman are every week starters. But they may need a big play to reach their elite ceiling. The matchups look better after San Francisco's Week 9 bye.
SEATTLE
Early indications had Heath Farwell replacing Bobby Wagner, who reportedly has a high ankle sprain, in the middle. Instead, it was K.J. Wright moving inside and Malcolm Smith getting another shot at weak side linebacker and playing every down. The opportunity wasn't great, but both backers showed some potential. The matchup in Arizona, away from the Seattle stadium crew, may give Wright LB2 value if Wagner isn't ready to return. All the Seattle pass rushers will be rotated to keep them fresh. They're viable options in sack-heavy leagues only.
TAMPA BAY
Nothing of note with the Bucs. It appears that the free safety could have some added value against the Eagles, so don't necessarily overreact to DaShon Goldson's strong week.
TENNESSEE
The worm may be turning in Tennessee. Zach Brown was back in an every-down role last week, giving up only a small handful of long coverage snaps to George Wilson. That could continue against a San Francisco offense that doesn't spread the field too much with multi-wide receiver personnel. Colin McCarthy is also back in the starting lineup and in an every-down role with Moise Fokou out at least one week with a knee injury. Deeper league owners might consider adding and starting McCarthy immediately, but don't use him over any established option yet. McCarthy's tackling fundamentals and shedding of blocks have been poor in his limited playing time this year.
WASHINGTON
Washington's run of strong matchups continues this week with Chicago at home. Though they had less than expected opportunity against Dallas, the home stat crew should give a nice boost even if Washington limits their chances once again against the Bears.
Subscribe to The Audible on iTunes or download our weekly IDP podcast here every Thursday for injury updates, player analysis and matchup discussion. Check my article page on Sunday morning for notes on every team's key injuries, depth chart changes and IDP expectations. Follow and ask questions on Twitter @JeneBramel.
