Taking a look at the NFL Week 12 from a IDP perspective; notes on what our writer @Orangeman3142 saw this weekend.

What happened and why, what we got right and what we got wrong and more importantly how to move forward and get better next week. We look at possible waivers and trends, snap counts and issues that affect production for your IDP team.

Part four will cover the last 5 games of week twelve. Make sure you caught parts one, two and three from earlier in the week and keep an eye out for my IDP start or sit article dropping Sunday morning as well as our start or sit live show on Periscope, Twitter and Youtube kicking off Sunday morning at 11am with Gary Van Dyke and me answering all your IDP questions before kickoff!

Let’s get back into it.

Los Angeles Chargers @ Arizona Cardinals

Chargers: It was the standout rookie safety Derwin James (S) leading the way for the Chargers this week with 7 combined tackles, 2 PD and 1 INT playing 100% of snaps this week, he remains a tier one auto start every week. Jatavis Brown (LB) continues to be a nice waiver wire add with another solid week consisting of 7 combined tackles and 1 TFL playing 87% of snaps, he’s a solid tier two option for the rest of the season.

Joey Bosa (DE) is finally healthy and playing significant snaps this season and the production has followed, this week he had 5 combined tackles, 2 sacks and 2 TFL playing 70% of snaps, he’s a tier one auto start defensive end. Melvin Ingram (DE) had a down week with only 2 combined tackles playing 85% of snaps but should improve with Bosa on the other end of the line eating up double teams.

Adrian Phillips (S) and Jahleel Addae (S) both had down weeks this week but are getting the playing time and opportunity to put up numbers it just wasn’t an ideal matchup playing against a terrible Arizona offense that got crushed in time of possession and was blown out easily. Phillips remains a decent tier two safety option while Addae is a spotty short term guy in my eyes, there are better options though if you need a spot start so I’m not real interested in him.

Cardinals: With middle linebacker Josh Bynes (LB) suffering a thumb injury and going to IR the door was open for replacement Gerald Hodges (LB) to soak up some of that production from here on out, he took advantage recording 10 combined tackles playing 67% of snaps this week, since Bynes played part of this game before the injury I fully expect that playing time to increase next week so he may end up being a decent waiver wire option if you need linebacker help.

Hasaan Reddick (LB) had a solid day as well with 8 combined tackles playing 100% of snaps this week, he may benefit as well from the Bynes injury but I’m not sold yet he’s been spotty all year that doesn’t change just because another guy got injured. Robert Nkemdiche (DT) is healthy once again and had a monster game this week with 7 combined tackles, 2.5 sacks and 4 TFL playing 52% of snaps, he’s back to being a solid tier two option at defensive tackle if you need help in that department.

Antoine Bethea (S) had a nice game as well with 7 combined tackles and 1 PD playing 100% of snaps, he’s one of the “Killer B’s” and has been rock solid all year just outside of tier one for safety production, keep playing him with confidence. Tre Boston (S) is healthy again as well and had 4 solo tackles this week playing 100% of snaps, he’s been good all year but spotty lately so I’ve come off playing him weekly.

Chandler Jones (DE) had a down game with just 3 combined tackles and 0.5 sacks playing 86% of snaps, he’s still a solid tier one defensive end. Patrick Peterson (CB) had a down game in an ideal matchup but should fine most games against solid passing offenses and Markus Golden (DE) had a clunker as well but is still best used as a short term guy or spot start at defensive end.

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Denver Broncos

Steelers: It was Terrell Edmunds (S) leading the way for the massively unpredictable Steelers IDP production this week with 9 combined tackles playing 96% of snaps this week. He’s too spotty for me. Same thing with Vince Williams (LB), Jon Bostic (LB), TJ Watt (LB, EDGE) and Sean Davis (S). I don’t play any of them and I wouldn’t suggest you play them either the odds are too good they crap the bed during a playoff game and knock you out due to lack of consistency.

Cameron Heyward (DE, DT) is the one Pittsburgh player I play consistently and had a serviceable game this week with 3 combined tackles, 0.5 sacks and 1 PD playing 79% of snaps this week. He’s a great tier two producer with eligibility for both DT and DE in Yahoo so he’s worth his weight in gold during bye weeks when you need flexibility. Stephon Tuitt (DE) was injured and out this week but is playable as an end of tier two defensive end when healthy.

Broncos: The career season continues for Todd Davis (LB) with another monster week consisting of 10 combined tackles playing 82% of snaps this week, he’s been a nice surprise this year keep playing him with confidence. Not shocking at all so see Justin Simmons (S) right behind Davis on the box score with 8 combined tackles on 100% of snaps played, he’s been a reliable and consistent tier one guy all year.

Chris Harris Jr (CB) had an ideal matchup and took advantage posting 6 solo tackles, 2 PD and 1 INT playing 97% of snaps this week, I’m comfortable playing him against teams like the Steelers that pass often and pass well. Josey Jewell (LB) got some play this week putting up 6 combined tackles playing only 41% of snaps so while it was a decent stat line the snap percentage still isn’t ideal as far as starting him weekly, pass for now.

Bradley Chubb (DE, LB), Von Miller (LB, EDGE) and Derek Wolfe (DE) all had down games this week but will all be fine in their respective roles. Chubb as an up and coming defensive end and a risky play at linebacker, Miller as a great linebacker play if you have specific OLB or EDGE slots in your league and Wolfe as a decent spot start or short term play at defensive end.

Miami Dolphins @ Indianapolis Colts

Dolphins: There’s a new sheriff in town at safety for the Dolphins and it’s not Reshad Jones (S), who had his first good week in like a month and a half with 8 solo tackles and 1 PD on 99% of snaps, or Minkah Fitzpatrick (S) who had 3 solo tackles on 99% of snaps this week, TJ McDonald (S) is the safety to own on the Dolphins this season, down the line I’m sure Fitzpatrick will establish himself as a top tier option once Jones is run out of town but for now McDonald is the man.

This week he had 11 combined tackles playing 100% of snaps and has been ridiculously hot lately, grab him if you can. Raekwon McMillan (LB) continues to outproduce Kiko Alonso (LB) the past few weeks and it’s disturbing. McMillan had 7 combined tackles playing only 68% of snaps this week while Alonso put up 6 combined tackles and 1 TFL playing 100% of snaps. The playing time has fluctuated for McMillan all year while Alonso plays every snap every game like clockwork but somehow McMillan has been outproducing him lately, I don’t get it.

I’m moving on from Alonso in some leagues where other nice options are available on the waiver wire but for most people you’re stuck with him, he’s definitely slowed down since his scorching start to the season let’s hope he can find that rhythm again.

Xavien Howard (CB) had a monster game at corner with 5 solo tackles, 3 PD and 2 INT on 99% of snaps and was an excellent IDP corner all last season but has been far more spotty this year so proceed with caution. Davon Godchaux (DT) had another crappy week but is still a nice futures option in dynasty.

Colts: Darius Leonard (LB) led the way for the Colts once again this week with 10 combined tackles, 1 sack and 1 TFL playing 91% of snaps this week. He’s the best IDP linebacker in the NFL hands down. Anthony Walker (LB) was next on the box score with 9 combined tackles, 2 TFL and 1 PD playing only 77% of snaps this week.

Skai Moore (LB) continues to steal snaps from him and he continues to have a roller coaster season with monster weeks and crappy weeks and no real way to predict which one it will be every week, proceed with caution. Clayton Geathers (S) has remained healthy for a few weeks now and is back to his tier one producer ways recording 6 combined tackles and 1 TFL playing 100% of snaps this week, he’s a great option as long as he can stay healthy. None of the Colts defensive line IDP options had a good game this week but I’m still on board with playing Jabaal Sheard (DE) weekly and that’s about it.

Kenny Moore (CB) has had a great season but had a bad matchup against a Miami team that can’t pass the ball well at all so his poor production this week was not a surprise, he’s still a great option against teams that can pass the ball well.

Green Bay Packers @ Minnesota Vikings

Packers: Business as usual in Green Bay with Blake Martinez (LB) leading the way with 12 combined tackles playing 100% of snaps this week, he’s a tier one auto start. Jaire Alexander (CB) had an ideal matchup and took advantage recording 7 combined tackles and 1 TFL playing 100% of snaps this week, he’s starting to remind me of Denzel Ward (CB) as far as IDP corner goes, he’s becoming a great option against teams that throw the ball effectively.

Antonio Morrison (LB) had a nice game this week but sucks overall and only played 66% of snaps so that production is not sustainable with that kind of playing time so steer clear. Kenny Clark (DT) is having a great season and had another outstanding game with 4 combined tackles, 1 sack and 1 TFL playing 94% of snaps this week, he’s a nice tier two weekly start for me. All of the Packers safeties had bad games this week in an ideal matchup so that’s not a great sign for their IDP value rest of season and Mike Daniels (DT) was injured and out this week but remains a nice option at defensive tackle this season.

Vikings: It was the other IDP relevant defensive tackle with a monster game this week for the Vikings, Sheldon Richardson (DT) recorded 7 combined tackles, 2 sacks and 2 TFL playing 72% of snaps this week, he’s been a nice tier two option at defensive tackle all season with a good floor and this as a ceiling. Eric Kendricks (LB) had a nice game with 7 combined tackles playing 100% of snaps and is a rock solid tier two linebacker who will never screw you over but also usually never has a monster game for you, he’s safe.

Harrison Smith (S) came back to earth with just 4 solo tackles playing 100% of snaps this week and remains a spotty tier one guy who reminds me of Kevin Byard (S) with the way he can have ridiculous games some weeks and total bags of flaming crap other weeks with no real consistency or pattern to it. Danielle Hunter (DE) had a down game for him with 4 combined tackles playing 77% of snaps this week but is still a tier one auto start at defensive end. Everson Griffen (DE) had a serviceable game with 1 solo tackle, 1 sack and 1 TFL playing 81% of snaps and is still trying to knock off the rust from his leave of absence for mental health reasons and return to his tier one form.

Linval Joseph (DT) had a crappy week with just 1 solo tackle playing 64% of snaps this week but remains a mid tier one option at defensive tackle. Trae Waynes (CB) had a serviceable game with 4 solo tackles and 1 PD on 100% of snaps but should’ve done better in this ideal matchup against the pass happy Packers.

Tennessee Titans @ Houston Texans

Titans: I was shocked to see cornerback Logan Ryan (CB) on top of the Titans box score by a decent margin this week, especially when you remember how much the Texans ran in this game and the day Lamar Miller (RB) had. Ryan had 11 combined tackles playing 98% of snaps and is a decent option at corner, for me though there are far too many Indians and not enough chiefs on this team.

You’ve got Adoree Jackson (CB), 2 solo tackles on 94%, Malcolm Butler (CB), 2 solo tackles on 17%, Ryan and two studs at safety (Byard and Vaccaro) on this team, the entire secondary is productive so they all steal from each other and it’s impossible to predict who’s going to have a big week so I just stay away from their entire secondary. Kenny Vaccaro (S) had a nice week with 8 combined tackles and 1 sack playing 100% of snaps and is a decent spot start or end of tier two option at safety. Kevin Byard (S) had 4 combined tackles playing 100% of snaps and is super spotty but can have massive weeks for you so that choice is all yours, I don’t play him though.

Wesley Woodyard (LB) and Jayon Brown (LB) both had nice games this week with Woodyard recording 6 combined tackles playing 100% of snaps while Brown had 6 combined tackles and 0.5 sack playing 74% of snaps this week, give me Woodyard all day every day he’ll be fine this was a down week and he still had a decent game. Brown has lost snaps since Woodyard returned from injury so buyer beware. Jurell Casey (DT) had a monster game with 5 combined tackles, 1 sack and 1 TFL playing 75% of snaps and remains a tier one auto start at defensive tackle.

Texans: The two IDP relevant linebackers on this team both had great weeks with Bernardrick McKinney (LB) leading the way with 10 combined tackles and 1 TFL playing 76% of snaps while Zach Cunningham (LB) had 7 combined tackles and 1 TFL on 75% of snaps this week. Cunningham is returning from injury and will be back to an end of tier one option at linebacker shortly when his snap count returns to normal while McKinney remains a solid tier two option at linebacker with a great ceiling. JJ Watt (DE) had a massive game with 9 combined tackles, 1.5 sacks and 1 TFL playing 84% of snaps this week, he’s a tier one auto start as long as he remains healthy.

Tyrann Mathieu (S) had a down game this week with 5 combined tackles playing 87% of snaps but has had a tier one season and remains a tier one option at safety. JaDaveon Clowney (DE, LB) had a serviceable week with 3 combined tackles and 0.5 sacks playing 85% of snaps and remains a tier one option at defensive end and a roll of the dice at linebacker and a serious risk with playoffs looming. Justin Reid (S) came back to earth with a bad week, he’ll be fine he’s had a great season at safety keep playing him and DJ Reader (DT) continues to suck after his scorching start to the season.

Make sure you read parts one, two and three from earlier this week and keep an eye out for my start or sit article dropping Sunday morning. My bad habit of going too far into detail means this article is in multiple parts instead of one novel.

If you have any questions or need some advice feel free to hit me up on Twitter (@OrangeMan3142) or use the “Contact Us” box on our website (idpguys.org) to reach us. Our team of writers has over 100 combined years of experience in IDP fantasy football and we are always accessible and transparent with both our hits and misses.

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