It is Week 14, the week before the fantasy football playoffs. Getting your matchups right this week is more imperative than ever, especially if you are on the cusp of advancing to the championship rounds. All season we have provided actionable advice on both steaming and sleeper options at the IDL and Edge positions, and hopefully, it has aided in building a complete IDP lineup week to week. This is the last article of the regular season, and there is a slew of teams on their BYE week. Here are the top IDL and Edge streaming options to help fill the gaps of players in their Week 14 BYE.
Week 14 IDL and Edge Streaming Options
Edge Azeez Ojulari, New York Giants
Matchup: Philadelphia Eagles - Ranked 1st in Matt Bitonti's Rankings
Ojulari looked great in his first game back returning from IR. He finished with a sack and seven pressures while staying on the field for 58% of the team's snaps. In three games this season, he has 10 pressures and two sacks. Ojulari is an incredibly explosive player off the edge. Here are his seven pressures from Sunday.
Azeez Ojulari had 7 pressures, along with the strip sack, against Washington in his first action since Week 4
— Nick Falato (@nickfalato) December 6, 2022
Here are those plays pic.twitter.com/ApM6QCeZPP
He takes on the Eagles for Week 14. The Eagles are one of the best offensive lines in football, though are susceptible to allowing sacks with Hurts' high rushing floor. The Giants will need Ojulari's athleticism to help contain Hurts.
Edge George Karlaftis, Kansas City Chiefs
Matchup: Denver Broncos - Ranked 21st in Matt Bitonti's Rankings
Karlaftis has really turned it up in the past two games. He has a sack in consecutive weeks now and seems to be hitting his stride. Karlaftis earned a 69.5 average pass-rush grade over those two weeks. He is not an elite athlete, but Karlaftis is technically refined. Watch his snap timing here as he knifes into the backfield.
Nice burst by George Karlaftis to slice through & defeat the TE from cutting off his backside pursuit! pic.twitter.com/5PhylagolF
— Full-Time Dame 💰 (@DP_NFL) October 3, 2022
Karlaftis gets the Broncos in Week 14. The Broncos are one of the biggest disappointments of 2022, and their offensive line is partly to blame. They have allowed the fourth-most sacks in the NFL with 38. Karlaftis could get a sack for his third consecutive week.
IDL Bilal Nichols, Las Vegas Raiders
Matchup: Los Angeles Rams - Ranked 31st in Matt Bitonti's Rankings
Nichols has looked great recently. He has a pass-rush grade of 68.8 over his last three games. During that span, he has posted 12 tackles, one sack, and 10 pressures. Watch his dominant bull rush here.
Bilal Nichols was dominant in pass rush on this drive pic.twitter.com/jFZCLrnRuZ
— Mahky Mahk (@mahky_maak) October 26, 2022
Nichols and the Raiders take on a disheveled Rams team. The Rams have allowed the third-most sacks in the NFL with 42. Whoever starts for the Rams will likely have Nichols in their face all day.
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IDL J.J. Watt, Arizona Cardinals
Matchup: New England Patriots - Ranked 15th in Matt Bitonti's RAnkings
Watt looks a lot like his former self this year. He has eight tackles for a loss, six and a half sacks, five passes defended, and 42 pressures in the 11 games he has played this season. Watt is boasting a 70.1 pass-rush grade per PFF so far I'm 2022. He is still super quick off the ball; watch him pick up the sack here.
RT .@AZCardinals: 46 QBs have now unfortunately been sacked by JJ Watt
— Bill Porter (@BMack764) November 28, 2022
Sorry to them all. pic.twitter.com/mk9NyNzU7Y
Watt gets to attack a leaky Patriots line and an immobile Mac Jones. I expect Watt to hit home in Week 14.
Week 14 IDL and Edge Sleeper Options
Edge Alex Wright, Cleveland Browns
Matchup: Cincinnati Bengals - Ranked 8th in Matt Bitotni's Rankings
Wright has played 51.3% of the team's snaps since Week 3. He has shown potential in spurts, though not always consistently. He is coming off a strong Week 13 performance where he posted four tackles and a pass defended. Wright has the propensity to get his crane-like arms up at the line of scrimmage. He has four passes defended on the season. He also is a strong edge setter and explosive behind the line.
Alex Wright (@AlexWright_16) takes the air out of his gap, gets in the hip pocket of the puller & makes the TFL! #stoptherun #browns pic.twitter.com/amnUhSrCZN
— DLineVids (@dlinevids1) October 25, 2022
Wright takes on the Bengals in Week 14. They have allowed the 8th most sacks on the season with 38. The Bengals are also top 10 in points allowed to Edge defenders. It is a good recipe for Wright.
IDL D.J. Reader, Cincinnati Bengals
Matchup: Cleveland Browns - Ranked 3rd in Matt Bitonti's Rankings
Reader has played very well in the three games since his return from injury. He has seven pressures over that span and has played 73.5% of the team's snaps over the past two games. Reader is averaging three tackles per game, providing a strong floor while mixing in recent pass-rushing success. He currently has an 80.1 pass-rush grade per PFF. Reader has a fire-hot motor. Watch this play he makes in pursuit
Look at the motor on DJ Reader to get involved in this stop. THAT'S A NOSE TACKLE. pic.twitter.com/1nqvpeoWcu
— Mike (@bengals_sans) December 6, 2022
Reader gets to use his high tackle floor against the ground and pound rushing attack of the Browns in Week 14. Watson looked shaky at best, and Reader could make it a long day for him.
Final Thoughts
These are some really solid matchups for a week where you likely need help at your IDL and Edge positions with a group of teams on their BYE week. It is a really tough time to be trying to fill your BYE gaps but this article should definitely aid in making it easier. I thank everybody who has read this article series throughout the season, and hopefully, it has helped put you in a position for the playoffs. Good luck in all of your Week 14 matchups.