The end of the fantasy regular season is always somewhat chaotic as we deal with injuries and all the usual situational issues that NFL teams go through at this point in the season. The exclamation point in week thirteen was the upside-down matchup results. Teams that have been terrible matchups all season like the Titans, suddenly became strong ones, while those that had been great matchups, like Denver, were anything but. As frustrating as it may be, there is no way to identify things like that ahead of time. All we can do is make the best decisions based on what we know and hope luck and karma don't stick it to us at the worst possible time.
Arizona Cardinals
It took a while but Josh Woods is finally starting to put up the kind of numbers you would expect from an every-down inside linebacker. He fell just short of double digits in week eleven with a respectable 6-1, then had his first double-digit total of the season versus the Steelers last week at 5-6. Arizona is on their bye but will finish up with San Francisco, Chicago, and Philadelphia, who are all pretty solid matchups.
Despite their struggles in week twelve, the Cardinals stuck with Kei'Trel Clark and Divaad Wilson as their starting corners against Pittsburgh. The results were much better this time around. The matchup had a lot to do with it but there is a good chance we will see the same duo in the lineup when they return after the bye.
Atlanta Falcons
A.J. Terrell left Sunday's game after suffering a concussion in the first quarter. Interestingly, it was not Tre Flowers or even Mike Hughes who replaced him, instead, it was Clark Phillips III who had seen action in just one other game previously. Phillips came on to play 96% of the snaps and finished with four solo stops.
DeMarcco Hellams continues to see his playing time increase. He went 3-1 on 74% of the snaps versus New York. This time, however, there might have been extenuating circumstances. Richie Grant (1-1-1 FF) had the same role and virtually the same amount of playing time as he did in week twelve. Hellams' extra snaps came from Nate Landman who left the game with a knee injury. The update on Landman suggests that he avoided a serious injury, but he is unlikely to go this week.
Baltimore Ravens
At this stage of the season, I generally like to go with player value over matchups. The Titans and Broncos swapping places as matchups go last week is a perfect example of why. That said, it is worth mentioning that since week six, the Rams have allowed the fewest points to linebackers. That's not a great sign for those of us with Patrick Queen or Roquan Smith.
Buffalo Bills
Kansas City has been a poor matchup for linemen, a mediocre matchup for linebackers, and a solid matchup for defensive backs in general. If you are looking for a potential standout at corner this week, Taron Johnson might be your guy, as nickel/slot defenders have been particularly productive versus the Chiefs.
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers had both Jaycee Horn and CJ Henderson available in week twelve. Both players saw action, but neither was a full participant. Horn played 32 of 62 snaps against the Buccaneers, posting a solid 4-1 with a pass breakup. He should see more action in his second game back and could return to the full-time role against the Saints. Henderson was starting earlier in the year because Horn was injured, so part-time might be the norm for him going forward.
After going off in week one, Brian Burns has been a wildly inconsistent disappointment all season. He had one tackle before being ejected last week, but most significantly, Burns totaled two assists in his first meeting with the Saints, who are a horrible matchup for pass rushers. This is not the week to roll the dice on Burns.
Jeremy Chinn returned to action, but despite Vonn Bell being sidelined with a shoulder injury, Chinn had no significant role and played seven snaps. Alex Cook got the start at strong safety and made just one tackle despite playing all 62 snaps. Bell did not practice last week and may not be ready for week 14. It's a shaky situation, but the Saints have allowed the second most points to safeties since week six.
Chicago Bears
Through the first eleven weeks of the season, Tyrique Stevenson was the most targeted corner in the league, and his tackle numbers showed it. He was knocked out of week twelve with a foot injury that could keep him out a few games. That opened the door for fellow rookie Terell Smith to rack up eight solo stops versus the Vikings and potentially put up big numbers against the Lions this week. Detroit has allowed the sixth most points to corners since week six.
Cincinnati Bengals
Cam Taylor-Britt landed on IR on Monday. That makes rookie DJ Turner the starter opposite Chidobe Awuzie for at least the rest of the games that matter to us. Turner totaled eight solo stops against Jacksonville and should be busy against the Vikings in week 15 and the Chiefs in week 17. He could be a surprise in weeks 14 and 16 as well, but the Colts and Steelers are unfavorable matchups. Indianapolis has allowed the fourth fewest points to corners since week six.
Cleveland Browns
Somehow, the Browns managed to have no linebacker with more than five fantasy points in a game where the Rams ran the ball or threw underneath to running backs or tight ends 29 times. Jacksonville is a middle-of-the-pack matchup for linebackers, so Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah is an option. But only if you are desperate.
Myles Garrett played 57 of 64 snaps despite the sore shoulder. He was not the dominant player we are used to seeing. Garrett is battered and has played through a plethora of injuries all season. This one seems to have finally slowed him down. He was shut out by the Rams, giving Garret a total of two tackles over the last two games, going into a below-average matchup with the Jaguars.
Dallas Cowboys
Damone Clark had a banner day at 8-3 when the Cowboys and Eagles met in week nine. So we should start him, right? Before you do that, consider these facts. Clark played 92% of the snaps in that game. He's reached an 80% play share in one game since. Over the first half of the season, the Eagles were a great matchup for linebackers. Over the second half, not so much. In the last six weeks, only the Rams, Packers, and Seahawks have given up fewer points to linebackers.
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