If you are setting a lineup this week, it is likely either in the Semifinals of your league Championship or you are in the consolation bracket. Either way, you want to start your best lineup. There are a couple of key games that scream near matchup gold this week. The Jets and Commanders game is one that we are going to look at closely. Here are the top IDL and Edge streaming options for Week 16.
IDL and Edge Streaming Options
EDGE Jermaine Johnson, New York Jets
Matchup: Washington Commanders - Ranked 26th in Matt Bitonti's Offensive Line Rankings
Johnson has made a huge leap from his rookie season to his second year in the league. He has surpassed his tackle total from his rookie season already by over 10 tackles and has nearly tripled his sack total in three fewer games. Johnson has also shown active hands at the line of scrimmage, with five passes defended on the season. He has seemingly been able to really take advantage of poor matchups this season.
In Week 8, Johnson came away with two sacks against the Giants, and in Week 13, he had a sack-and-a-half against the Falcons. His matchup for Week 16 is about as good as it gets. The Commanders' offensive line has been better of late, but they have still allowed 59 sacks on the season, bad enough for third-most in the league. Johnson should be able to continue his ascension as the top pass rusher for the Jets.
EDGE Josh Sweat, Philadelphia Eagles
Matchup: New York Giants - Ranked 12th in Matt Bitonti's Offensive Line Rankings
Sure, Tommy Devito is all the buzz right now, winning three of his last four starts. That does not negate the fact that he has been sacked 22 times in those four games. That number is even crazier knowing that the Packers had zero against the Giants two weeks ago. Take away the Packers game, and DeVito has been sacked an average of just under seven-and-a-half times per game. This has been a trend for the Giants offensive line all season. They have allowed 76 sacks on the season, 15 more than any other team.
After three straight seasons of ascension, Sweat took a slight step back in 2023. It's not like he has fallen off, but after putting up 11 sacks in 2022, fantasy managers may have been expecting more. Still, he gets the Giants this week, which is more than enough reason to start him. Fire up Sweat with confidence.
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EDGE Boye Mafe, Seattle Seahawks
Matchup: Tennessee Titans - Ranked 32nd in Matt Bitotni's Offensive Line Rankings
Mafe went on a tear earlier in the season with a seven-game sack streak from Weeks 3-10. Since then, he has gone ice cold with zero sacks over the last five. Still, the second-year edge rusher has seen plenty of volume on the field, making him a weekly intriguing play. His matchup this week warrants consideration to start him in your lineup. Mafe gets to square off with the Titans, who just got beat up by the Texans playing without the 2023 NFL Draft's 2nd and 3rd overall picks.
The Titans just gave up seven sacks to the Texans, who were playing without Will Anderson Jr. Still, the Texans were able to apply relentless pressure both inside and out. This is a good week for Mafe to get back on track and end his cold streak.
IDL Daron Payne, Washington Commanders
Matchup: New York Jets - Ranked 29th in Matt Bitonti's Offensive Line Rankings
Payne has been a disappointment this season after a career-high 11 sacks in 2022. Payne has just four-and-a-half on the season, and two came in Week 15. The good news is that Payne can now ride the hot streak of his best game of the season into a matchup suited to be a pass-rushing bloodbath. Payne and the Commanders take on the Jets, who have been atrocious in pass-blocking this season.
The Jets have allowed the second most sacks on the season with 61. Payne and Jonathan Allen make up one of the league's top interior rushing tandem. They are going to wreak havoc on this Jets sieve-like offensive line. I expect Payne to have similar numbers to his Week 15 outburst.
IDL Christian Barmore, New England Patriots
Matchup: Denver Broncos - Ranked 8th in Matt Bitonti's Offensive Line Rankings
Barmore is on a mini hot streak for the Patriots. Over the past four games, Barmore has 14 tackles and two-and-a-half sacks. Barmore has more than doubled his previous career-high sack total already on the season and has really upped that element of his game. Barmore will look to continue this hot streak against the Denver Broncos, who have been less than stellar in keeping Russell Wilson upright.
The Broncos have allowed 40 sacks on the season, bad enough for a tie at eighth worst. Barmore has had a solid tackle floor over his last four games, just under four per game. Add his recent pass-rushing success and a solid matchup, and this could be another big week for the Patriots' big man.
Final Thoughts
In most leagues, you are off to the Championship game if you can pick up a win this week. Do not mess around with sleepers or grabbing flyers off of waivers. Start your DL1/DL2 players, if you can, and stream the matchups of your upper-level talent. These players all have matchups in their favor, and it could lead to game-changing outcomes. That is exactly what you are looking for at this stage of the season. Good luck in Week 16, and thank you again for reading.