This is it, as in many fantasy leagues, playoffs begin with the Week 14 NFL contests (not so in strict point-accumulation leagues). It is therefore incumbent to fill your IDP rosters with defensive players that are poised to provide value, and to cut loose those who are dragging your efforts down. That being said, a week or two of bad production from your studs, whether due to matchup, scheme or minor injury, does not behoove you to make rash decisions. Think rationally and with an eye to future performance, that is all.

Elevator Going Up

Linebackers

Joe Schobert JAX

If the Jaguar LB is available on your league’s wire, and that surprisingly is the case in more than 50% of ESPN and half of Yahoo leagues currently, this would be a fine time to scoop him up. He recently had 12 total tackles (TT) against the Vikings on the road, as well as sack, two pass deflections (PD), and INT and two QB hits/hurries (QH). Five of the tackles were solos, and one was for a loss of yards (TFL). He also scored a TD against host Minnesota, but do not rely on that happening on a regular basis. With fine matchups against Tennessee and Baltimore on tap, this is the time to add him.

Tae Crowder NYG

The rookie is back from his hamstring injury, and is picking up speed once again. In Week 13, he accumulated seven TT (six solo) to go with a sack and a QH. Assuming his workload returns to starter level, with Blake Martinez potentially sidelined with a back issue, he is a fine addition to your playoff roster.

Kenneth Murray LAC

14 TT in Week 13 (12 solo, two TFL) would be enough to recommend his placement on your roster, but he also kicked in with big play value, adding a sack and a QH against the visiting Patriots. He was a lone bright spot for the Chargers in their drubbing by the Pats, and while his matchups for the next two weeks are not stellar, he is playing that way.

Todd Davis MIN

When Eric Kendricks came up with a calf pregame against the Jaguars, Davis stepped in and played every down on defense, racking up 11 TT (only three solo, however). Kendricks is still listed as questionable, making Davis a consideration in tackle-oriented scoring-system leagues. Keep an eye on the Minnesota injury report.

Avery Williamson PIT

Williamson was featured in the IDP Report twice before (Weeks 5 & 6) but that was when he was with the Jets. This is the first mention since joining the Steelers, but he has an opening with the injury to Robert Spillane and he is stepping forward. He collected nine TT against Washington (six solo) and should provide value although the next game at Buffalo is not nearly as tasty a matchup. Cincy on the schedule in Week 15 is a nice opportunity, though.

Defensive Linemen

Justin Houston DE IND

A huge game against the Texans with a trio of sacks demonstrates that his down time mid-season is done, it is hoped. He also had three QH, a forced fumble (FF) and four solo tackles (two TFL) in Houston during the Week 13 tilt. He gets a so-so matchup against the Raiders this week, but then the Texans come to Indy for Week 15.

Jabaal Sheard DE NYG

If you are looking for some tackle production from your lower level DLs, the Sheard has some luster. The 31 year-old veteran has seven TT over the past two contests (five solo) and is listed as the starting left OLB for the Giants currently, making his PT somewhat more secure (plus, always nice to get DE roster availability from a LB). He also has 1.5 sacks over the past two weeks, and has a reasonable matchup in Week 14 against the Cards at home. 

Leonard Williams DE NYG

Sheard’s teammate, Williams, collected 2.5 sacks against the Seahawks last week, to pad his other stats: three TT (two solo, two TFL), and five (!) QH. He was a multi-scheme performer and has been a great sack producer, with 8.5 on the season. 

Steven Means DE ATL 

Means has truly upped his game over the past two weeks, with three sacks over that period (two against the Saints last week), and 13 TT (nine solo) since the Week 10 bye. Week 14 finds the Chargers hosting the Falcons, and they are ranked fourth in terms of most generous offenses to opposing DEs. 

Alex Highsmith PIT (DE only in ESPN leagues, dual LB/DE in Yahoo)

The above-noted dual eligibility in Yahoo leagues makes him a value, as getting linebacker production (potentially) from a DL is sauce for the goose. Highsmith’s ability to put pressure on the passer should see some sack or QH results going forward, as he has a path to increased PT with Bud Dupree out for the season with his ACL injury. The rookie now gets a chance to show his worth as a third-round pick.

Adam Butler DT NE

The Patriots are giving Butler increased snap usage, and he is responding. He has notched a sack and PD in each of the last two games played, and also has eight TT over that span (five solo). He is providing big-play and tackle production from the DT slot for those in DT-mandatory league setups.

David Onyemeta DT NO

There was concern about Onyemata’s workload diminishing when Sheldon Rankin returned, but then his fortunes remained stable when Malcolm Brown went out after four snaps on defense. Onyemata then proceeded to collect four TT (two solo, one TFL) but also a sack and a QH. Note that Brown and Rankin are both absent from the injury report so far in Week 14, so despite his fine work at DT, his PT may diminish.

Defensive Backs

Josh Jones S JAX

Jones was put back into action in a big-time fashion, playing all 91 snaps on defense against the host Vikings, and amassing double digit tackles (seven solo, three assists). He is strictly a tackle-oriented IDP player, but is good to great week in, week out in the that role.

Jeff Heath S LVR

Heath has benefitted from an increase in PT which may continue with Jonathan Abram still listed as questionable heading into mid-week prior to the Week 14 matchup against the Colts, a superb matchup. He is coming off a couple of weeks where his tackle production has been stellar, with 18 TT (16 solo) against the Falcons and Jets on the road for both those contests. 

Chris Banjo S ARI

Banjo could be in for a starter’s snap count again with Jalen Thompson questionable to play, and that should result in good to excellent tackle production against the host Giants. He had 10 TT in Week 13 (nine solo), and similar results could be in store this week.

Troy Hill CB LAR

Hill picked off an INT this past week, his first on the season since Week 2 against the Eagles, but he does have seven PDs on the year, and has racked up 21 TT (18 solo) since the Week 9 bye, including four solo against the Cards in Week 13. He has a good couple of pending matchups against the Patriots and Jets, making him a potential injury replacement for CB-mandatory schemes. He also has scored TDs in back-to-back weeks.

A.J. Terrell CB ATL

The Falcons stole this rookie with the 16th pick of the draft, as he continues to shine on defense. He had nine TT (eight solo, one TFL) against the Saints last game, and also tacked on a PD and FF for the big-play production you want from your CB. Week 14 provides a good matchup against the host Chargers, and then a so-so contest at home against Tom Brady and the Bucs.

Escalator Going Down

Linebackers

None to speak of, save for those on the Injury Report below.

Defensive Linemen

Nothing here, except the DLs populating the Injury Report this week.

Defensive Backs

Karl Joseph S CLE

While the starting strong safety for the Browns, his production has been less that overwhelming. He plays significant snaps on defense, but is not providing great tackle production and only an occasional big play. He is in a time-share at safety in the Cleveland defensive scheme, and there are better options available to insert into your lineup.

Matchups to Exploit

Remember, the first team listed is the one to use your IDPs against. Do not go crazy, and play a LB5 against the 49ers or Washington, but certainly you will do well if you own a top LB on the Cincinnati Bengals squad, a stellar DE on the Saints, or a Dallas corner that you can plug in this week, for the most part.

Linebackers

Washington @ San Francisco

New Orleans @ Philadelphia

Dallas @ Cincinnati

Jacksonville vs Tennessee

San Francisco vs Washington

Defensive Ends

Philadelphia vs New Orleans

Atlanta @ Los Angeles Chargers 

Seattle vs New York Jets

Los Angeles Chargers vs Atlanta

Cincinnati vs Dallas

New York Giants vs Arizona

Defensive Tackles 

Dallas @ Cincinnati

Los Angeles Chargers vs Atlanta

Las Vegas vs Indianapolis

Chicago vs Houston

Cincinnati vs Dallas

Safeties

Denver @ Carolina

San Francisco vs Washington

Atlanta @ New York Giants

Chicago vs Houston

Indianapolis @ Las Vegas

Cornerbacks

Cincinnati vs Dallas

Chicago vs Houston

Dallas @ Cincinnati

Buffalo vs Pittsburgh

Philadelphia vs New Orleans

Waiver Wire Targets

This section is intended to serve as a shortened cheat sheet listing those waiver wire targets you should be considering if you need to plug a hole in your starting lineup. All these players are spotlighted above, and you can read my comments about them in the "Elevator Going Up" section of this article. This group consists of those that you may have a chance of locating on your league's waiver wire in that they are owned in significantly less than 50% of leagues. Happy claiming for your weekly matchups.

Linebackers

Joe Schobert JAX

Tae Crowder NYG

Kenneth Murray LAC

Todd Davis MIN

Avery Williamson PIT

Defensive Linemen

Justin Houston DE IND

Jabaal Sheard DE NYG

Leonard Williams DE NYG

Steven Means DE ATL 

Alex Highsmith PIT (DE in ESPN, LB/DE for Yahoo)

Adam Butler DT NE

David Onyemeta DT NO

Defensive Backs

Josh Jones S JAX

Jeff Heath S LVR

Chris Banjo S ARI

Troy Hill CB LAR

A.J. Terrell CB ATL

 

Ouch (My Aching Roster)

All the injury reports below need evaluation prior to kickoff.  Teams are notoriously sketchy about injury reports, and we often do not know a player's status until just before game time. Consider the list below as a "heads up" as to what is going on early in the week, and should not be considered definitive.

Linebackers

De’Vondre Campbell ARI ankle

Otaro Alaka BAL knee IR

Tyrel Dodson BUF hamstring IR

Shaq Green-Thompson CAR undisclosed IR-COVID

James Vaughters CHI knee

Mack Wilson CLE concussion

Derrek Tuszka DEN hamstring IR

Von Miller DEN ankle IR

Dylan Cole HOU back IR

Brennan Scarlett HOU forearm IR

Bobby Okereke IND ankle

Kamalei Correa JAX hamstring

Dakota Allen JAX ankle

Dorian O’Daniel KC ankle IR

Tanner Muse LVR toe IR-COVID

Denzel Perryman LAC back

Drue Tranquill LAC ankle IR

Kyzir White LAC undisclosed IR-COVID

Terrell Lewis LAR knee

Elandon Roberts MIA chest

Eric Kendricks MIN calf

Ja’Whaun Bentley NE groin

Brandon King NE quadriceps

Shilique Calhoun NE knee IR

Blake Martinez NYG back

Oshane Ximines NYG shoulder IR

Kyler Fackrell NYG lower leg IR

Blake Cashman NYJ hamstring IR

Davion Taylor PHI knee IR

T.J. Edwards PHI hamstring

Nate Gerry PHI ankle IR

Robert Spillane PIT knee

Ulysees Gilbert PIT back IR

Bud Dupree PIT knee-ACL IR

Mark Nzeocha SF quadriceps IR

Jadeveon Clowney TEN knee-meniscus IR

Reuben Foster WAS knee IR

Defensive Linemen

DE

Marquis Haynes CAR illness

Amani Bledsoe CIN undisclosed IR-COVID

Da’Shawn Hand DET groin

Austin Bryant DET thigh

Julian Okwara DET undisclosed IR

Trey Flowers DET undisclosed IR

Billy Winn GB triceps

P.J. Hall HOU pectoral IR

Melvin Ingram LAC knee IR

Michael Brockers LAR neck

D.J. Wonnum MIN ankle

Marcus Davenport NO concussion

Anthony Lanier NO undisclosed

Dee Ford SF neck IR

Ronald Blair SF knee-ACL PUP

Ryan Anderson WAS knee

DT

Leki Fotu ARI hip

Domata Peko Sr. knee

Rashard Lawrence ARI calf

Quinton Jefferson BUF hip

Zach Kerr CAR undisclosed IR-COVID

Derrick Brown CAR undisclosed IR-COVID

D.J. Reader CIN quadriceps IR

Eli Ankou DAL coach’s decision

Danny Shelton DET knee IR

Montravius Adams toe IR

Abry Jones JAX ankle IR

DaVon Hamilton JAX knee IR

Maliek Collins LVR hamstring IR

Byron Cowart NE back

Lawrence Guy NE shoulder

Adam Butler NE shoulder

Michael Barnett NE undisclosed IR

Chris Wormley PIT illness

D.J. Jones SF ankle

Bryan Mone SEA ankle IR-COVID

Vita Vea TB leg IR

Teair Tart TEN suspension

Defensive Backs

Charles Washington ARI groin

Jalen Thompson ARI ankle

Jordan Miller ATL oblique IR

Ricardo Allen ATL concussion

Geno Stone BAL illness IR-COVID

Jaquan Johnson BUF ankle

Shawn Williams CIN suspension

Tony Brown CIN hamstring IR

Tedric Thompson CLE undisclosed

Ronnie Harrison CLE shoulder IR

Donovan Wilson DAL groin

Steven Parker DAL ankle IR

Essang Bassey DEN knee-ACL

Trey Marshall DEN shin

C.J. Moore DET ankle

Raven Greene GB shoulder

Parry Nickerson GB hamstring IR

Khari Willis IND back

Johnathan Abram LVR knee

Myles Dorn MIN undisclosed IR

Kyle Dugger NE toe

Jonathan Jones NE neck

Justin Hardee NO groin IR

Jaquarius Landrews NYG undisclosed IR

Adrian Colbert NYG shoulder

Bennett Jackson NYJ hamstring

Ashtyn Davis NYJ foot

Bradley McDougald NYJ shoulder IR

Rudy Ford PHI hamstring

Ryan Neal SEA hip

Lano Hill SEA back IR

Chris Jackson TEN undisclosed IR-COVID

CB

Johnathan Joseph ARI neck

Kevin Peterson ARI concussion IR

Jimmy Smith BAL groin

Khalil Dorsey BAL shoulder IR

Tavon Young BAL knee-ACL IR

Cam Lewis BUF wrist IR

Trae Waynes CIN pectoral IR

Denzel Ward CLE calf

GreedyWilliams CLE shoulder IR

Anthony Brown DAL ribs

A.J. Bouye DEN suspension

Bryce Callahan DEN foot IR

Jeff Okudah DET shoulder

Desmond Trufant DET hamstring IR

Tramon Williams GB thigh

Kabion Ento GB undisclosed IR

Gareon Conley HOU ankle IR

Sidney Jones Achilles 

Isaiah Johnson LVR groin

Damon Arnette LVR concussion

Jeff Gladney MIN calf

Mike Hughes MIN neck IR

Mark Fields MIN chest IR

J.C. Jackson NE hip

Janoris Jenkins NO knee

Patrick Robinson NO hamstring

Darnay Holmes NYG knee

Ran Lewis NYG hamstring IR

Blessuan Austin NYJ neck IR

Darius Slay PHI knee

Cre’von LeBlanc PHI ankle IR

Joe Haden PIT concussion

K’Waun Williams SF ankle

Emmanuel Moseley SF hamstring 

Jamar Taylor SF knee-ACL IR

Ken Webster SF hamstring IR

Tre Flowers SEA hamstring IR

Jamal Dean TB groin

Adoree’ Jackson TEN knee

Kristian Fulton TEN knee IR

Greg Stroman WAS foot IR

As ever, good luck and Godspeed in your fantasy efforts. Make sure to read all of our great articles to help you win your fantasy match ups every week and ultimately bask in championship glory. FANation Chat is now live on the site, to help you work through your fantasy football dilemmas. Or if you have any fantasy football questions, especially about IDP leagues, you can also send a message to ia@fantasyalarm.com for a personal response from the writer of this article. Naturally, the more detail you can send about your league, such as number of teams, platform you play in (Yahoo, ESPN, etc.), scoring and roster system, the better the ability to provide accurate advice.