This article is part of our IDP Analysis series.
Here's a look at IDPs who have favorable Week 16 matchups. IDP formats can be quite different, so we'll list players of varying levels. Some will be players found on the waiver wire while in other leagues players will be automatic starters.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Willie Henry, Ravens at Colts - This certainly looks like the type of game that the Ravens will look to establish the run and control the contest. With their improving rushing attack, that should work, and as a result, the Colts will likely keep their game plan on the conservative side as well, so that Jacoby Brissett isn't taking a beating from the Baltimore pass rush. That game script should work well for Henry, who has posted at least five tackles on three different occasions, but he also has a two-sack performance. He might be able to add a sack against Indy's soft interior line, giving him extra upside as well.
Malik Jackson, Jaguars at 49ers - Along with most of the Jaguars defenders, Jackson's been very productive all year. He's coming into this game having notched sacks in three straight games, which is outstanding production for an interior lineman. In this week's matchup against the 49ers, Jacksonville should be able to play with a lead, despite being on the road. While the outside pass rushers should be able to keep Jimmy Garoppolo in the pocket, Jackson should be able to wreak havoc while collapsing the interior line, which could lead to a strong performance.
Here's a look at IDPs who have favorable Week 16 matchups. IDP formats can be quite different, so we'll list players of varying levels. Some will be players found on the waiver wire while in other leagues players will be automatic starters.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Willie Henry, Ravens at Colts - This certainly looks like the type of game that the Ravens will look to establish the run and control the contest. With their improving rushing attack, that should work, and as a result, the Colts will likely keep their game plan on the conservative side as well, so that Jacoby Brissett isn't taking a beating from the Baltimore pass rush. That game script should work well for Henry, who has posted at least five tackles on three different occasions, but he also has a two-sack performance. He might be able to add a sack against Indy's soft interior line, giving him extra upside as well.
Malik Jackson, Jaguars at 49ers - Along with most of the Jaguars defenders, Jackson's been very productive all year. He's coming into this game having notched sacks in three straight games, which is outstanding production for an interior lineman. In this week's matchup against the 49ers, Jacksonville should be able to play with a lead, despite being on the road. While the outside pass rushers should be able to keep Jimmy Garoppolo in the pocket, Jackson should be able to wreak havoc while collapsing the interior line, which could lead to a strong performance.
Tyrone Crawford, Cowboys vs. Seahawks - After notching sacks in three straight weeks ending in Week 7, Crawford's failed to get another sack. This looks like a great week for him to get back on track. With the Seahawks lacking a consistent rushing attack, and Dallas having Sean Lee in the lineup, Seattle should find themselves in plenty of obvious passing situations. So as always, Russell Wilson will be spending much of the day scrambling in the hopes of breaking down the secondary in the hopes of creating big plays. While DeMarcus Lawrence deals with the most attention from the Seattle blockers, Crawford should have success getting to Wilson, especially since it wouldn't a surprise if the QB dropped back to pass well over 30 times.
Akiem Hicks, Bears vs. Lions - During the first have of the season, Hicks was one of the best IDPs, regardless of position, as he had seven sacks. Unfortunately, he had a five-game drought without a single sack before finally getting to Matthew Stafford last week. This week, he'll be at home against the Browns, who have allowed the sixth-most sacks in the league. Even though this game should be lower-scoring, the Bears should be able to hold the Cleveland rushing attack in check, and that should give Hicks opportunity pick up where he left off last week.
LINEBACKER
Tyus Bowser, Ravens at Colts - The Ravens will be in a must-win situation as they're in a fight to earn a playoff spot. Look for them to clamp down on an undermanned Colts offense and likely strangle their rushing attack. Bowser, with three sacks on the season, should get plenty of chances to take aim at Jacoby Brissett, who's been taking more sacks lately, as he often holds onto the football too long. The Indy O-line will be outmatched by the Ravens' pass rush, but when forced to add protection to slow the likes of Terrell Suggs, Bowser should have a chance to cash in with another sack.
Joe Schobert, Browns at Bears - Although Derrick Kindred has flashed more upside, his fellow LB Schobert has had plenty of big games himself. Schobert's piled up double-digit tackle totals in seven different games this year, and this is looking like it could be number eight. He'll be up against a conservative Chicago offense, and in what's expected to be a close and low-scoring game, this is looking like another upside game for the young linebacker as the Bears could run the ball upwards of 20 times.
Jarrad Davis, Lions at Bengals - The Lions have been absolutely terrible in terms of stopping the run over the last couple months. Look for the Bengals, with their recently-improved run blocking, to attack the weakest link of the Detroit defense. Once Joe Mixon (or Gio Bernard, if Mixon is unable to return from a concussion) and company get past the defensive line, Davis, as the middle linebacker, will find himself being in position to pile up a solid tackle total. With at least seven tackles in seven different games this season, he's shown his reliability as a tackler, and in this spot, he's in line for another big game.
De'Vondre Campbell, Falcons at Saints - Sure, Campbell faced this offense just a couple weeks ago, and didn't have a very productive game. However, what we did learn was that the Saints wanted to attack the Falcons with a heavy dose of Alvin Kamara in the passing game. With the success that New Orleans had early in the game, look for them to attack in a similar manner, and that will place Campbell in plenty of situations that could lead to him producing his fourth game of the year with at least eight tackles.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Jordan Poyer, Bills at Patriots - Over the course of the season, Poyer has been a very inconsistent producer, but he's shown to have excellent upside. On four different occasions, he's piled up double-digit tackles, and one of those performances came when he faced the Patriots a few weeks ago. There's no reason to expect that the Pats will attack this defense any differently, and with the heavy play volume they run, Poyer can easily post another strong stat line.
Andre Hal, Texans vs. Steelers - Although Hal has had just a pair of games with at least six tackles this year, the schedule hasn't done him many favors. The Texans have not played a large number of games against opponents that are very pass-heavy. Expect the Steelers to take full advantage of one of the Texans' main weaknesses, namely their secondary, by having Ben Roethlisberger pick them apart by throwing the football, even without Antonio Brown (calf). This is just the type of game that could find Hal flirting with a season-high tackle total.
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Packers vs. Vikings - Since the Packers are reasonably solid against the run, the Vikings are very likely to play to their strengths by passing the ball often in this divisional showdown. With their solid trio of pass catchers, Clinton-Dix will likely find himself in the middle of the action more than usual. Although he's had just three games with at least six tackles, this is a spot in which he could easily reach that level, and he's also in the mix for picking off a pass, especially against a QB that can be pressured into an occasional mistake.
Trae Waynes, Vikings at Packers - It wouldn't surprise anyone if Aaron Rodgers didn't waste his time challenging Vikings shutdown CB Xavier Rhodes often. However, the Packers will be facing an elite run defense, so they'll need to leave this huge divisional game in their QB's capable hands. Although he's improved significantly in pass coverage since last year, look for Waynes to be busy tackling the Packers' pass catchers, and he could easily have his fourth game of the year with at least six tackles.
