Eyes of the Guru IDP Info: Week 12

Adding to the normal struggles with injuries and attrition, bye-magedon is upon us! For many managers, fielding a full and competitive lineup this week will be a challenge, especially for those of us who need to win games to keep post-season hopes alive. Buckle up; this could be a rough ride.

Guru's IDP Notes: Arizona Cardinals

When we last saw the Cardinals in action, Jalen Thompson was sidelined by an ankle injury, and Dadrion Taylor-Demerson recorded over eleven points (5-1 2PD). With Arizona on bye last week, there has been no update on Thompson's status. That will come later this week when we start seeing practice reports. Whoever gets the start at safety for Arizona should be in line for a productive week. The Seahawks are giving up the third most points to the position.

Guru's IDP Notes: Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons uncharacteristically had three safeties show up with at least four tackles in week eleven. Atlanta was in a nickel or dime on over 80% of the snaps. They played three safeties on 44% and three corners on roughly 47%. Richie Grant produced four solo stops, but there is nothing to see here as he played 27 snaps.

Last week, I mentioned that Dee Alford had been passed over in favor of Clark Phillips III when Mike Hughes was down. Later in the week, it came to light that Alford was also injured, leaving the game with a hamstring issue. Hughes (neck) and Alford are uncertain for week 13, so Phillips could get the start against the Chargers. Los Angeles is not a particularly strong matchup, though they have been better in recent weeks.

Guru's IDP Notes: Baltimore Ravens

Roquan Smith had a strong outing against Pittsburgh. He was 8-5 despite having his day cut short with a hamstring injury. Smith walked off the field gingerly but under his own power. We may not get an update on the severity of this injury before mid-week, but if he's your guy, have a backup plan.

Assuming that Smith will miss some time, the backup plan might be Malik Harrison. He finished the game in Smith's place and is a good veteran backup. Harrison managed six tackles, including four solo, on 47% of the snaps. It is unclear if he would handle the lead role or if that would fall to Trenton Simpson. What we do know is that the Ravens have been fielding two off-ball linebackers over 85% of the time over the last month.  

Baltimore remains unsettled at the safety spot next to Kyle Hamilton. Over the last four weeks, we've seen them flip-flop between Marcus Williams and Eddie Jackson and then turn to Ar'Darius Washington in week eleven. Washington was 6-5 on 100% participation versus the Steelers. Considering it was the best Baltimore has looked defensively in a while, it could be his job going forward. That said, the Chargers are a horrible matchup for safeties most weeks, so look elsewhere first.

Either Tre'Davious White is being eased in as he learns the defense, or the Ravens are not planning to use him as a starter. He was on the field for 31% of the time last week.  

Guru's IDP Notes: Buffalo Bills

After looking good early in the season, Dorian Williams is fading both on the field and in the box scores. He totaled less than four points in two of the last four games. With Matt Milano closing in on a return, Williams could be back on the bench when the team returns from this week's bye.

Damar Hamlin is still looking good on the field, but his production is spiraling downward. After hitting double-digit points in six of the first nine games, he has been in single-digits in three of the last four, with three or fewer solo tackles in four of the last five. If you need to make room for a bye-week fill-in, Hamlin's roster spot is a consideration.  

Guru's IDP Notes: Chicago Bears

Since week four, Tremaine Edmunds is averaging just over seven points per game, reaching double-digits twice, with one solo stop in each of the last two games. However, there is hope if you have to start him this week. The Vikings give up the most points per game to the linebacker position.  

Guru's IDP Notes: Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals' defense can't stop anyone, and it might be even worse when they return from the bye. D.J. Turner suffered a broken collar bone and will likely join Dax Hill on IR soon. Cam Taylor-Britt had another in a long line of tough outings, so don't be surprised if Josh Newton and DJ Ivey are the starters when the team returns to action in week thirteen.

Guru's IDP Notes: Cleveland Browns

This week's early matchup provides an opportunity to play Devin Bush against a Steelers team that drafted him early but discarded him at the end of his rookie contract. Coaches sometimes play on that motivation, giving players a bigger role in these games. Even if that is not the case in this situation, Bush was 6-2 on 72% of the snaps against the Saints after going 6-2-1 in the previous game on 81%.

The Steelers are a good matchup for linebackers, so if Bush is not an option, Mohamoud Diabate and Jordan Hicks might be. Diabate was 3-4 on 80% last week, while Hicks was a disappointing 2-4 despite never leaving the field defensively.

As anticipated, the trade of Za'Darius Smith opened the door for Ogbo Okoronkwo to step into the starting lineup. He took advantage of the opportunity, going 2-2-1 with a forced fumble on a 63% play share. He should be a good play this week versus a Pittsburgh offense allowing the fourth most points per game to edge defenders.

Myles Garrett was blanked by the Saints despite playing 77% of the snaps. He is sitting out practice early this week as he continues to battle a hip injury. This guy is an iron man when it comes to suiting up, so chances are he will play. The matchup is good, so his production could come down to how much he is limited by the injury.

Guru's IDP Notes: Dallas Cowboys

Some of this week's decisions will be easy. Play whoever is not on bye. If you have options at linebacker and either Eric Kendricks or DeMarvion Overshown are among them, consider that the Commanders are a plus matchup for the position. Nakobe Dean and Zack Baun combine to go 16-8 with 2 pass breakups against Washington last week. In the Commanders' previous four games, seven opposing linebackers have reached double-digit points.

Guru's IDP Notes: Denver Broncos

Nik Bonitto keeps getting better. The 4-3-2 he dropped on the Falcons is his best production of the season and he has a sack in eight of the last nine games. He has a bye in week fourteen but before the week off, Bonitto and bookend Jonathan Cooper get the Raiders and Browns. Las Vegas has allowed the sixth most points to edge defenders while Cleveland has given up the second most.