IDP Analysis: Week 13 Matchups

With rosters of all shapes and sizes, IDP advice can be a bit tricky, so the purpose of this article is to point out players whose value is elevated for this week. Some of these players will be superstars, while others will be players found on many waiver wires. We'll look at team positional groupings, based on the potential for a favorable game script. Whether you're streaming IDPs each week or have a stocked roster, this, "one size fits" all approach will hopefully help most everyone find a weekly edge.

Linebacker

Bills (at Cowboys): Tremaine Edmunds, Matt Milano, Lorenzo Alexander

Playing at home on a short (holiday) week has typically been a great advantage for the Cowboys, and they also are fortunate to be playing a Bills defense that is vulnerable against rushing attacks. This looks like a game in which not only will Dallas use the running attack to get out to a lead but then will  run the ball even more in the second half trying to grind out the clock. Overall, this Bills LBs could see a lot of Ezekiel Elliott and maybe even Tony Pollard.

Titans (at Colts): Jayon Brown, Rashaan Evans, Harold Landry

The Colts have proven to be a team willing to establish the run and stick with it, even if game script doesn't necessarily dictate it. In this must-win divisional game at home, it would be a shock if they didn't unleash their offensive line as run blockers and allow the running backs to consistently attack the Titans defense. It also should be noted that after Tennessee was an excellent run defense earlier in the year, it now has turned into a below-average unit the last month and a half, so Indy should have great success running the ball. This is certainly shaping up as a great week to count on the Titans' linebackers for production.

Seahawks (vs. Vikings): Bobby Wagner, K.J. Wright, Mychal Kendricks

Playing on the road against the Seahawks isn't a place in which teams want to get into a shootout, and fortunately, the Vikings have the type of running game that can consistently move the chains and limit Russell Wilson's time on the field. In addition, this isn't the Seahawks defense of old — the one that's impenetrable against the run. Look for Seattle's run stoppers to see plenty of Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison, which should lead to one of their busier games of the season.

Pass Rusher

Chiefs (vs. Raiders): Chris Jones, Frank Clark, Alex Okafor (questionable)

The Chiefs haven't put points on the scoreboard like they did last season, but fully rested coming off a bye they'll likely shred the weak Oakland pass defense this week and jump out to a big lead early. It wouldn't be a surprise if the Raiders are forced to throw all second half, and on their home field the Chiefs' pass rushers could end up with one of their better games this season.

Rams (at Arizona): Aaron Donald, Dante Fowler Jr., Michael Brockers, Clay Matthews.

As it's become clear that the offense isn't going to carry the Rams this season, it'll be Wade Phillips' defense that will have to lift the team if they hope to make it to the playoffs. They face an Arizona offense this week that isn't exactly flush with vertical options, so it would make sense if Phillips dialed up more blitzes than usual to force rookie QB Kyler Murray into making quick decisions. In games in which that's been the case this season, Murray often will take too many sacks, and that is exactly what could happen Sunday.

Cowboys (vs. Bills): DeMarcus Lawrence, Robert Quinn, Maliek Collins, Antwaun Woods

As mentioned, Dallas has a great chance to get out to lead in this home matchup on a short (holiday) week. If this goes as expected, Josh Allen will be forced to throw far more often than his coaching staff would like. Even though Allen will often take off and run, he still is prone to making bad decisions, including holding the ball too long, and he's also shown a propensity to fumble. Even though they haven't played to their talent this year, on this huge national stage, this could be just what the doctor ordered for the Cowboys' pass rush to pile up some sacks and maybe generate a takeaway or two as well.

Defensive Back

Saints (vs. Falcons): Marshon Lattimore (questionable), Eli Apple, P.J. Williams, Marcus Williams, Vonn Bell

After the Saints were beaten soundly by the Falcons a few weeks ago, the Thanksgiving night rematch looks like one in which the New Orleans offense will look to make a strong offensive statement early in the game. Facing an Atlanta defense that's been playing over its heads lately, the Saints should be able to force a shootout. As a result, the Falcons, who won't likely have any success running the ball against this defense, will have no choice but to let Matt Ryan throw  all evening. This sets up as a great matchup for the Saints DBs.

Raiders (at Chiefs): Daryl Worley, Trayvon Mullen, Nevin Lawson, Erik Harris, Lamarcus Joyner (questionable)

With a bye week to get their offense back on track, it would be a shock if the Chiefs didn't take advantage of this "get right" matchup against a struggling Oakland pass defense. It also should help that Patrick Mahomes could be fully healthy for the first time since early this season. As Mahomes throws often, the Raiders DBs will be spending their afternoon chasing down Kansas City receivers, making them improved plays in IDP leagues.

Buccaneers (vs. Jaguars): Carlton Davis, Sean Murphy-Bunting (questionable), M.J. Stewart (questionable), Mike Edwards, Jordan Whitehead

Yes, we've seen this highlighted many times in this article this season. The Bucs are a brick wall against the run, but the worst team in the league defending the pass. Yes, the Jaguars want to run, but ultimately, they'll likely struggle to do so, and once they realize that Nick Foles will have much success throwing against them, they'll largely ignore the run game. This will force the TB defensive backs to be on the run most of the day, boosting their IDP value.