“It’s beginning to look a lot like Championshipmas, everywhere you go.
Only two teams are left per league. There’s drama and intrigue.
And rhyming lines that really rather blow.”
OK, I’ll stop now.
In the vast majority of IDP leagues, this is the final week of the 2016 fantasy campaign. By this time next week, one fortunate team per league will have earned an extra Christmas gift – a championship.
I’m not going to browbeat you with advice or words of wisdom here. Obviously you have a pretty good idea what you’re doing, or you wouldn’t have gotten this far to begin with.
But it’s worth pointing out that this week is different from any other. This is truly a one-shot deal for all the marbles. And as such, this week’s matchups are more important than at any time during the season. It might seem counter-intuitive or even crazy to consider benching one of the defensive stars who helped get you here for a lesser-known player with a better matchup.
But there’s a thin line between brilliance and lunacy. This isn’t to say that you should or shouldn’t sit a player this week. There’s no easy answers or blanket policy here. Just look at your roster, your players’ matchups, your opponent’s lineup…
And be prepared to live with the decisions you make.
Now it’s time for a Championship Week look around IDP Nation, beginning with a few players desperate owners might be able to plug in this week to fill injury holes.
THE IN CASE OF EMERGENCY BREAK GLASS WAIVER PLAYS
Corey Liuget – DE, San Diego Chargers: To say that Liuget’s spent this season on a milk carton is an understatement – the 26-year-old hasn’t registered so much as half a sack this season, But Liuget’s playing essentially a full-time role and faces a Cleveland offensive line this week that’s made every pass-rusher look like Reggie White in 2016.
Sio Moore – ILB, Arizona Cardinals: It’s been an eventful past couple of months for Moore, who has gone from looking for work to playing every down for the Arizona Cardinals. Moore erupted for 11 solos in last week’s loss to the New Orleans Saints, and there should be plenty of tackle opportunities on Christmas Eve in Seattle.
Anthony Harris – S, Minnesota Vikings: With http://www.nbcsports.com/edge/player/NFL/4322/Harrison-SmithHarrison Smith on the shelf with an ankle injury, Harris has stepped into the starting lineup for the free-falling Vikings. That’s led to some prolific production from the second-year pro (22 stops the past two weeks) – production that should continue in Week 16 against the surging Green Bay Packers.
WEEK 16 IDP INJURY REPORT
Stephone Anthony – ILB, New Orleans Saints (Knee – IR): Anthony worked his way out of the doghouse and onto the field for all of one big game before suffering a knee injury that ended the second-year pro’s snakebitten 2016 season.
Nick Bellore – ILB, San Francisco 49ers (Elbow – IR): Bellore was every IDP owner’s favorite terrible linebacker. But the fun’s over for the waiver wire darling – Bellore’s done for the year after hurting his elbow against the Atlanta Falcons.
http://www.nbcsports.com/edge/player/NFL/5530/Michael-Bennetthttp://www.nbcsports.com/edge/player/NFL/1157/Michael-Bennetthttp://www.nbcsports.com/edge/player/NFL/11192/Michael-BennettMichael Bennett – DE, Seattle Seahawks (Neck): Bennett returned from a knee injury only to jack up his neck against the Rams. The veteran end took part in practice on Tuesday, however, and is tentatively expected to be a go against the Arizona Cardinals Saturday.
De’Vondre Campbell – OLB, Atlanta Falcons (Concussion): Campbell’s IDP value had already taken a hit courtesy of a reduction in snaps. Now he’s also in the NFL’s concussion protocol courtesy of the San Francisco 49ers.
Jonathan Casillas – OLB, New York Giants (Knee): The surging Giants suffered a host of injuries on defense last week, but a limited practice session Tuesday raised hopes that Casillas will be able to take the field Thursday against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Will Compton – ILB, Washington Redskins (Knee): Compton was sorely missed by the Redskins Monday night against the Carolina Panthers, but it’s unknown if his sprained PCL has healed enough for a Week 16 return to be in the cards.
Janoris Jenkins – CB, New York Giants (Back): Jenkins appears to have dodged a bullet after taking a knee to the back last week, with tests revealing no organ damage. His status for Thursday’s NFC East showdown with the Eagles is truly questionable.
Karl Joseph – S, Oakland Raiders (Toe): Joseph still has yet to participate in a practice since injuring his toe in a home win over the Buffalo Bills. Barring an unforeseen turnaround, Nate Allen will start again at strong safety when the Raiders play the Indianapolis Colts in Week 16.
Luke Kuechly – ILB, Carolina Panthers (Concussion): Kuechly reportedly wants to get back on the field before the 2016 season ends, but the Panthers are going to “play it safe” with their star linebacker. In other words, don’t hold your breath. You’ll turn Carolina blue.
DeMarcus Lawrence – DE, Dallas Cowboys (Back): Lawrence sat out Sunday night’s win over Tampa Bay with the same back issues that have bothered him all season long. He hopes to play in Week 16, but with Dallas playing Monday night he’s a risky bet at best.
http://www.nbcsports.com/edge/player/NFL/3653/Brandon-MarshallBrandon Marshall – ILB, Denver Broncos (Hamstring): A reeling Denver run defense could no doubt use Marshall back on the field, but he hasn’t so much as practiced since injuring his hamstring back in Week 13 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Byron Maxwell – CB, Miami Dolphins (Ankle): Maxwell told Miami reporters Tuesday that the ankle injury that forced him from last week’s win over the New York Jets is getting better, but he allowed that he’s unsure if he’ll play against the Buffalo Bills on Christmas Eve.
Jason McCourty – CB, Tennessee Titans (Chest/Shoulder); It’s never a good sign when two body parts are listed, but that’s the case with McCourty, who sprained his shoulder and bruised his chest in last week’s huge win over the Kansas City Chiefs.
T.J. McDonald – S, Los Angeles Rams (Wrist): After spraining his wrist in last Thursday’s loss to the Seattle Seahawks, McDonald’s Week 16 status is unknown. The veteran safety is considered “day to day.”
http://www.nbcsports.com/edge/player/NFL/4322/Harrison-SmithHarrison Smith – S, Minnesota Vikings (Ankle): There was news last week that Smith’s balky ankle was improving, but given the severity of the injury and the Vikings rapidly fading playoff aspirations the team is running out of reasons to rush Smith back onto the field.
Stephon Tuitt – DE, Pittsburgh Steelers (Knee): The good news is that Tuitt avoided significant structural damage to his knee. The bad news is that knee is probably still going to sideline him in Sunday’s pivotal NFC North tilt with the hated Ravens.
GUYS I LIKE IN CHAPIONSHIP WEEK
Cliff Avril – DE, Seattle Seahawks (vs. AZ): Whether it’s Avril, Mike Bennett (assuming he plays) or even Frank Clark, it’s start ‘em if you’ve got ‘em this week for Seattle linemen against a Cardinals team that leads the NFC in fantasy points allowed to defensive linemen.
Joey Bosa – DE, San Diego Chargers (at CLE): I don’t just like Bosa this week against the hapless Cleveland Clowns. I love him. The Browns offensive line has been truly offensive in 2016. It’s the gift that keeps on giving.
DeForest Buckner – DE, San Francisco 49ers (at LA): Buckner may not pile up the 10 solos and two sacks here he had against the New York Jets two weeks ago, but the matchup’s so good it ain’t out of the question he will, either.
Darron Lee – ILB, New York Jets (at NE): Lee’s production has picked up late in the season, and this iteration of the Patriots hearkens back to early in Tom Brady’s career – they have been winning with the ground game.
Benardrick McKinney – ILB, Houston Texans (vs. CIN): Looking for the perfect gift for your IDP squad this year? Get McKinney in your starting lineup in a great matchup against the Bengals Saturday night. Plus it’s an excuse to bail on wassailing to watch the game for a few.
Malcolm Smith – OLB, Oakland Raiders (at IND): Outside Cory James’ short stint starting at MIKE, none of the Oakland LB have been reliable IDP options this season. But the Colts have been making linebackers look good all season long.
Vonn Bell – S, New Orleans Saints (vs. TB): For the second straight week the Saints are involved in a fantasy matchup that should be a goldmine for defensive backs – this time it’s Jameis Winston and a desperate Buccaneers squad.
Keith Tandy – S, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at NO): Despite Chris Conte being healthy the Buccaneers stuck with Tandy last week against the Cowboys, and no team has been kinder to defensive backs this year than the Saints.
Steven Terrell – S, Seattle Seahawks (vs. AZ): If you believe that the Cardinals will be playing from behind or smell a Carson Palmer interception or two cooking then Terrell becomes an interesting play for streamers in the secondary.
GUYS I DON’T LIKE IN CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK
Jurrell Casey – DE, Tennessee Titans (at JAX): Casey was back at it for the Titans last week against the Chiefs, but the Jaguars have been a surprisingly poor pass-rush matchup in 2016. Don’t spend Christmas feeling like Gus Bradley. OK, that was mean.
Olivier Vernon – DE, New York Giants (at PHI): The Eagles are 27th in fantasy points allowed the defensive linemen, with JPP out the Eagles can key on Vernon, and I’ll freely admit I cannot freaking stand Thursday night games. The color rush uniforms are as bad as the level of play.
Leonard Williams – DE, New York Jets (at NE): The first time these teams met this season, Williams managed just two solos. That’s a reasonable expectation for his production in the rematch too – I blame Tom Brady’s hair.
Eric Kendricks – ILB, Minnesota Vikings (at GB): Last week, Kendricks was on my nice list in a great matchup. This week though trusting him against the Packers (31st in FPPG allowed to LB) will likely get you a fat lump of coal.
Sean Lee – ILB, Dallas Cowboys (vs. DET): Monday night’s finale in Big D may well decide more than a few league titles. Sadly for Lee’s IDP owners, it comes against a Lions team that has given up the third-fewest fantasy points to linebackers in 2016.
Bobby Wagner – ILB, Seattle Seahawks (vs. AZ): Benching the NFL’s leading tackler takes guts. But consider last week’s seven-assist game at home. Then add in the fact no team allows fewer fantasy points to linebackers than the Redbirds.
Jahleel Addae – S, San Diego Chargers (at CLE): Addae has had his moments in 2016 when the matchup’s right. This matchup is the opposite of that. It’s so wrong. So horribly wrong. It’s Aunt Gladys’ fruitcake wrong.
Jaquiski Tartt – S, San Francisco 49ers (at LA): The Niners’ injuries at ILB make their safeties appear more attractive at first glance. A second glance should be enough to remind you that the Rams offense rather sucks.
T.J. Ward – S, Denver Broncos (at KC): Ward has spent most of the season as an IDP DB1, but the Chiefs rank 31st in FPPG allowed to defensive backs. When these teams met in Week 12 Ward had only three solos – his second-worst statistical outing this season.
THE SCRAP-HEAP STREAMING CORNERBACK PLAY OF THE WEEK
In recent years the number of dependable weekly fantasy starters at the cornerback position has dwindled to just about zero. So as a service to those hearty souls who play in IDP leagues that require them, each week I’ll point out a player at that position available in many leagues who should serve as a fine streaming option.
B.W. Webb, New Orleans Saints (vs. TB): With Delvin Breaux sidelined by a shoulder injury Webb has been pressed into action as the nominal top cornerback for the Saints’ admittedly leaky pass defense. If Breaux sits again in Week 16 (a very real possibility) Webb will be tasked with covering Mike Evans – who just so happens to be the NFL’s most targeted receiver. Every one of those targets is a tasty opportunity for opposing corners to produce.
IDP Nation will be back in Week 17 with some info for you weirdos who play championship games then and a look back at the best and worst that was the 2016 fantasy season. It’s been an honor and a privilege to tour the Nation with you here at Rotoworld, and I hope you all have the happiest of holiday seasons.
