Analyzing IDP Trends From Week 16

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It's championship time! Here are a few quick trends to help get you the edge you need to win this week:

Las Vegas LB Denzel Perryman is out for the season with a shoulder injury.

With Divine Deablo and Jayon Brown already on IR, the full-time starter mantle falls upon Luke Masterson. In Week 16, Masterson played a season-high 84% of defensive snaps and earned 10 tackles with a tackle efficiency of 18%. His rate on the season is over 19%, significantly higher than the league average. Managers should expect Masterson to step into a full-time workload in Championship Week and contribute to a fantasy title in any league where all other three-down linebackers are starting.

Cleveland LB Reggie Ragland played 61% of defensive snaps in Week 16.

Once again, the Browns continue their trend of being highly unpredictable with their linebacker usage. Having just joined the team, Ragland came off a Week 15 performance where he played just two snaps and didn't touch the ball. This week, he played over Deion Jones and earned 10 tackles at a 30% rate. While regression to the mean is almost certainly inevitable, managers might still be interested in taking a chance on Ragland in their championship matchup if they are desperate for some upside in a deep league. In Week 17, the Browns face the Washington Commanders, who have been the fourth-best matchup for linebackers this season.