It is the start of the fantasy football playoffs, at least for most leagues. If you made it this far in your leagues, congratulations. Now is the time to put your best lineups out there. Throughout the season, I used this article to help you find off-the-radar, deeper streaming options. For the fantasy playoffs, my main focus will be to help you make the decision to play players who are on the cusp of weekly starters but have great matchups. Here are the top IDL and Edge streaming matchups for Week 15.
IDL and Edge Streaming Matchups
EDGE Harold Landry III, Tennessee Titans
Matchup: Houston Texans - Ranked 21st in Matt Bitonti's Offensive Line Rankings
Landry got off to an incredibly slow start, at least in the sack column. It was a bit to be expected coming off of a lost season in 2022, but he upped the ante in Week 14. Landry blew up in Week 14 with five tackles and three sacks. It was the performance that Landry managers had been waiting for. He almost doubled his sack total in one week. Landry has plenty of skill, and he seems to have his full explosiveness back.
The matchup against the Texans is an almost must-start for Landry managers. The Texans started the season as one of the better offensive lines in the NFL, though they have recently failed miserably at protecting the quarterback. They have allowed 14 sacks in the last three games, and franchise quarterback C.J. Stroud was knocked out of the last contest with a concussion. Stroud currently sits in concussion protocol. If he cannot go this week, the Texans will play Davis Mills. The matchup against the Texans is already great, if Mills plays, Landry is a must start.
EDGE Carl Granderson, New Orleans Saints
Matchup: New York Giants - Ranked 16th in Matt Bitotni's Offensive Line Rankings
Granderson was in last week's article and was a hit. Due to his modest sack totals, Granderson is not considered a must-start. He is getting there. Granderson provides a great tackle floor playing on the Edge. He already has 63 tackles on the season and has added six-and-a-half sacks. He has a terrific matchup for the playoffs.
The Saints play the Giants, who have allowed the most sacks in the NFL...and by a wide margin. In the Giants' Week 14 win over the Packers, they ran the ball 34 times and threw just 21 pass attempts. This limits Granderson's pass-rushing attempts, though his run defense and high tackle floor make up for it. Even though the drop-backs for the Giants are limited, they are still a leaky offensive line at best. Granderson goes into Week 15 with a high floor and a high ceiling.
Continue reading this content with a ELITE subscription.
An ELITE subscription is required to access content for IDP (individual defensive players) leagues. If this league is not a IDP (individual defensive players) league, you can edit your leagues here.
EDGE Byron Young, Los Angeles Rams
Matchup: Washington Commanders - Ranked 29th in Matt Bitonti's Offensive Line Rankings
Young has had a phenomenal rookie season. So far, he has compiled 52 total tackles, six sacks, and two forced fumbles. The Rams have a complete lack of depth at the edge position, which has provided great volume for the rookie. He has played an absurd 86% of the Rams' defensive snaps. Those are crazy numbers for a rookie. Though not known for his run defense, Young has provided a decent tackle floor every week.
The Week 15 matchup is one that has defensive linemen champing at the bit. The Commanders have allowed the second most sacks in the league with 58, and Sam Howell has attempted the most passes in the NFL with 509. More pass attempts equal more pass-rushing opportunities. Young has a chance to blow up in Week 15.
IDL Zach Sieler, Miami Dolphins
Matchup: New York Jets - Ranked 31st in Matt Bitotni's Offensive Line Rankings
Sieler is having a great year lining up next to Christian Wilkins on the interior of the Dolphins defense. The duo has done a phenomenal job collapsing the pocket this season. The duo has combined for 14 sacks and has wreaked havoc all season. Sieler himself has already eclipsed his previous career-high in sacks (thee-and-a-half) with six-and-a-half sacks so far on the season.
The Jets offensive line does not have much to offer. They have allowed the third most sacks in the league with 55 and have been running a carousel at quarterback this season since Aaron Rodgers went down. It seems that Zach Wilson has reclaimed the starting role in New York. His pocket presence is nearly non-existent. The interior pass rush of the Dolphins should easily overwhelm the Jets offensive line.
IDL Kobie Turner, Los Angeles Rams
Matchup: Washington Commanders - Ranked 29th in Matt Bitonti's Offensive Line Rankings
Turner is another rookie on the Rams defensive line that has been excellent. So far on the season he has 47 tackles and five-and-a-half sacks. Turner has really turned it up recently with 24 tackles and three-and-a-half sacks in his last five games. In good matchups, Turner has been a beast, and he won't get a matchup much better than against the Commanders.
As mentioned earlier, the Commanders give up the second most sacks and attempt the most passes in the NFL. This provides an enormous ceiling for anybody on the opposition with any pass-rushing acumen. Turner has been an IDL1 over the last five weeks and should be able to provide ample production in Week 15.
Final Thoughts
As I did last week, I left out sleepers. This is not the time to get cute; it's the playoffs. These are not your high-end Edge1 or IDL1 defenders, but in great matchups, they can provide production like they are. These are the IDL and edge streaming matchups for Week 15; exploit them and get your win! Good luck in Week 15, and thanks again for reading.