Eyes of the Guru IDP Info: Week 15

Guru's IDP Notes: Arizona Cardinals

Jalen Thompson played all 64 snaps against Seattle but somehow turned a stellar matchup into just two tackles and four assists. Budda Baker turned the same matchup into a game-winner for many managers with an 18-tackle day that included 8 solos. Dadrion Taylor-Demerson turned in a tackle and two assists on only twelve plays. While it is unfortunate for fantasy managers that the Cardinals coaching staff is not yet ready to trust the rookie with a starting job, Arizona's game with New England could produce another great game for Baker. The Patriots are the best matchup in the game for safeties since week eight.

Interestingly, New England has allowed the most points to linebackers since week eight as well. Over their last seven games, opponents' linebackers have averaged 11.6 tackles, 8.7 assists, and 1 splash play per game. Start Kyzir White for sure and maybe even Mack Wilson Sr. in a pinch.

Guru's IDP Notes: Atlanta Falcons

Time is almost up for anyone still clinging to hope for Troy Andersen. The good news is that he did see more action against the Vikings. The bad news is that he was still slightly short of a 50% play share. Andersen recorded two tackles on 48% of the action versus the Vikings while Nate Landman saw his role reduced again, going 0-3 on 33%.

When Matthew Judon opened the season with a sack and a half and twelve combined stops in the first two games, it looked like he might overcome the curse of the Falcons' edge defenders. Then he vanished, scoring no more than six points in any of the next eight games. Judon has shown signs of life recently with a sack in two of the last three games. Hopefully, no one still alive in week fifteen is looking for stream options at the edge position. For anyone who is, Judon might be an option this week versus a Raiders offense that has given up good tackle numbers to the position, along with 3.6 sacks per game since week seven.   

Guru's IDP Notes: Baltimore Ravens

The Giants are a mediocre matchup for safeties, but I wanted to remind everyone that Ar'Darius Washington has been working in the strong safety role for the last few games, with Kyle Hamilton lining up deep much of the time. If Hamilton is going to make a fantasy impact this week, he may have to do it in the big play columns.

Guru's IDP Notes: Buffalo Bills

It is feast or famine with Greg Rousseau this year, especially over the last few games. He has at least 15 fantasy points in three of the last five games. In the other two, he combined for one assist. The Lions tend to allow good tackle totals to edge defenders, but Jared Goff remains one of the least sacked quarterbacks in the game.

Damar Hamlin (7-6) and Taylor Rapp (8-5) spun a bad matchup (on paper) into a great day in a shootout with the Rams. Don't count on a repeat against the Lions. Detroit is a mediocre matchup when it comes to tackle totals, but they run a tight ship in terms of splash plays by safeties. 

If Taron Johnson is your guy, keep an eye on his status late in the week. He had a strong outing against the Rams but was banged up late in the game.

Guru's IDP Notes: Carolina Panthers

Two Carolina defenders must be in fantasy lineups this week. The Panthers coaching staff recently discovered that Josey Jewell can rush the passer. He has at least twelve fantasy points in five of the last six games with three and a half sacks since week twelve. Dallas has been a solid matchup for linebackers all season and particularly strong over the two games since finally figuring out that Rico Dowdle can be leaned on with success.

The other must-start, if you have the option, is A'Shawn Robinson. Robinson is on fire with six consecutive double-digit scores and an average of almost thirteen points per game since week eight. Dallas is a poor matchup for tackles, but don't let that scare you off. Robinson racked up 19 points versus Denver in week eight and 11 against Tampa Bay in week thirteen. Those teams rank 28th and 27th in points surrendered to the tackle position.    

Jaycee Horn left last week's game with a groin injury. If he is not available, look for Dane Jackson to get the start against Dallas. 

Guru's IDP Notes: Chicago Bears

Jonathan Owens has not been able to sustain a starting role over his seven NFL seasons, but when called into action, he puts up numbers. Since taking over for Elijah Hicks in week twelve, Owens has 24 tackles, 3 turnovers, and a pair of pass breakups in three starts. Hicks did not practice last week and had not returned to the field as of press time, so Owens is in line for another start versus the Vikings.

I am still not sure what happened to Gervon Dexter Sr in week fourteen. He was off to a strong start, going 1-1 on 13 snaps before vanishing from the field. I have not yet had time to review that game and, thus, have not been able to confirm an injury. Dexter is an every-week start for those in tackle-required leagues, so look for some explanation when the practice reports come in later in the week. 

Guru's IDP Notes: Cincinnati Bengals

With Logan Wilson out for the season, Akeem Davis-Gaither has taken over the starting role. He lacks the big play potential and is not as physical a run defender as Wilson, but Davis-Gaither is stepping up nicely in the tackle columns with 21 combined stops in two starts. He has a plus matchup in weeks 15 and 16 against Tennessee and Cleveland.

Jordan Battle has all but completely taken over the Bengals' strong safety position. He was a modest 4-1 versus Dallas on Monday night while playing 52 of a possible 60 snaps. 

Guru's IDP Notes: Cleveland Browns

Cleveland had 21 players with defensive stats last week. None with more than 4 solo tackles and only Myles Garrett with 2-1-1 and a fumble recovery, had more than 7.5 fantasy points. There are no grand expectations for Browns' defenders this week either, but I do like the chance of Grant Delpit having a solid day. There is the Kelce factor, which recently has become the Kelce/Gray factor and the fact that the Chiefs are a different offense with Isaiah Pacheco in the backfield. Delpit has no big games this year but has a safe floor with at least six combined stops in all but two games. I like his chances of reaching double-digit tackles in this one.   

Guru's IDP Notes: Dallas Cowboys

The Monday night game gave us a sad reminder of how physical and dangerous this game can be and why players make the kind of money they do. DeMarvion Overshown was rolled up by an offensive lineman and suffered an ugly knee injury. The Tuesday update confirmed that he tore the ACL, MCL, and PCL. In a statement, owner Jerry Jones said he was pessimistic about Overshown's availability for the 2025 season.

Damone Clark is the most likely replacement to finish the year. He and Overshown were sharing time early in the season. However, Clark was inactive for Monday's game, so Marist Liufau picked up the extra snaps, going 1-1-1.5 on 23 plays. He could receive consideration for a bigger role as well.    

Guru's IDP Notes: Denver Broncos

The Colts are neither a great nor horrible matchup for any position. That said, it will not be surprising if the Broncos shut down the Anthony Richardson-led offense. What we do want to see is the role of Drew Sanders. He has been practicing long enough to be ready and should see some action. The question is, at whose expense will it come? Once healthy, Sanders should be the team's best linebacker, yet it is doubtful that he will have a big enough role to impact the fantasy game. The Broncos may try to get him up to speed in time for the NFL playoffs, though.     

Guru's IDP Notes: Detroit Lions

How does the Lions' defense continue to play well? Detroit had 15 defensive players on IR or out with injury in week 14. They have one pass rusher left, three of their top four linebackers are on IR, and their best interior lineman is in concussion protocol.

If you are looking for one of the replacement linebackers to step up and claim the job, don't hold your breath. Kwon Alexander played 17 snaps against the Packers, David Long Jr 16, and Zeke Turner 17. Even Jamal Adams got in the mix with a few snaps as a nickel linebacker.

Guru's IDP Notes: Green Bay Packers

The Packers took a beating at the safety position, losing Evan Williams to a concussion and Javon Bullard to an ankle injury within a few plays. Zane Anderson finished the game, totaling a modest 2-2 on 53 plays. Bullard left the stadium on crutches and is week-to-week. With ten days between games, there is a chance that Williams will be available. He is not on the practice field early in the week, though. Green Bay was without Jaire Alexander, Corey Ballentine, and Edgerrin Cooper in week 14 as well. The mounting injuries in the secondary are particularly concerning since the Seahawks throw a lot. They are a plus matchup for safeties and corners, so keep an eye on this situation later this week.  

Guru's IDP Notes: Houston Texans

Christian Harris is expected to start practicing this week. It is far too late for this to matter for us, but see if Neville Hewitt is available. With the three-game suspension upheld for Azeez Al-Shaair, Hewitt is in line to finish the fantasy season in the highly productive role. He played a lot in week six when Al-Shaair was hurt and started the next three. Hewitt played 70% of the snaps last week, coming on when Al-Shaair was ejected. He reached double-digit points in all six of those games with a high of 24 against the Packers in week seven. The Dolphins, Chiefs, and Ravens are all solid matchups over the next three weeks.