Here we are in championship week. Anyone reading this probably had a good week 16. Mine was rather rough. After making the playoffs in 9 of 12 leagues and advancing in 7 of 9, I was 2-5 last week with three losses by a combined 9 points. Alas, this is how the game goes, and at least I am still in the fight.

In their infinite wisdom, the NFL has blessed (or cursed) us with a pair of Christmas day games. While nothing is better than feasting with family and watching football, the holiday falling on a Wednesday blows up our normal weekly schedule. Thus, this week's column will be earlier than normal.    

Guru's IDP Notes: Arizona Cardinals

Now that they have been eliminated from the playoff hunt, the Cardinals are looking to 2025. With Mack Wilson Sr. sidelined, second-year linebacker Owen Pappoe had an increased role against the Panthers. The 25 snaps he played were his second most of the season after seeing 37 in week nine. For an idea of how productive he might be with a starting role, on those 62 snaps, which is about the normal number a starting linebacker might see in a game, he totaled six tackles, four assists, a forced fumble, and a pass defended. It will be interesting and possibly telling to see if Pappoe plays more in the next two weeks.

Guru's IDP Notes: Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons still hold post-season aspirations, but they are also getting a look at a young linebacker. Troy Andersen may be the future if he can stay healthy, but D.J. Bertrand could also be a factor, especially if Andersen's injury struggles continue. Bertrand split time almost equally with Nate Landman in week 16, significantly outproducing the veteran.

Guru's IDP Notes: Baltimore Ravens

Malik Harrison was a disappointment. He continued to have a significant role, recording a mere 1-2 on a 60% share of the action. Chris Board (1-4) picked up the other 40% of the playing time in the second linebacker role. Trenton Simpson saw no snaps on defense.

Guru's IDP Notes: Buffalo Bills

Matt Milano, Damar Hamlin, and Taylor Rapp were inactive against New England. All three players were limited practice participants last week, so there is optimism about their availability. What we need to know is that if they are out again, Cole Bishop and Cam Lewis will be the starting safeties. Last week, the duo posted 6-2 and 3-1 with an interception, respectively. Bishop would be the first replacement if either Hamlin or Rapp sit.

Buffalo used a combination of Dorian Williams (48 snaps) and Baylon Spector (27 snaps) to cover for Milano's absence. However, if Milano is out for week 17, Williams is in line for a full-time role as Spector is week-to-week with a calf injury. 

Guru's IDP Notes: Carolina Panthers

Jordan Fuller was a surprise healthy scratch on Sunday. Demani Richardson made the start and went 3-3 with an interception. The Buccaneers are a good matchup for safeties, so if you are in need, Richardson could be a good play in this one.

Carolina gives us a deep sleeper at linebacker as well. With three players on IR, the Panthers went way down the depth chart for Jacoby Windmon. He answered the call by posting 4-4-1 with a pass breakup on a 76% play share.   

Guru's IDP Notes: Chicago Bears

Jonathan Owens moved into the lineup after Elijah Hicks was injured. The expectation was that Hicks would re-claim the job once healthy. The two safeties split playing time 55%-45% in week 15. Last week, it was Owens out-snapping Hicks 50-15. One thing that has not changed over the last five games is the production by Owens. He has at least nine fantasy points in each of those outings, with 18 tackles, 3 assists, and an interception over the last three. Jaquan Brisker will be back for 2025, but Owens could help us win one more this year.

Guru's IDP Notes: Cincinnati Bengals

During their week twelve bye, the Bengals decided to move on from Vonn Bell and make Jordan Battle the starting strong safety. Battle's playing time has gradually increased from 75% in week 13 to 97% in week sixteen. His production is on the upswing as well. Battle gave us a 19-point game in week fifteen and followed it with 17 points versus the Browns. He is 11-6 with an interception and a fumble recovery in those two games and has a solid matchup with Denver on Saturday.

Both rookie tackles made an impact against Cleveland, with Kris Jenkins Jr. going 2-0-2 and McKinnley Jackson 1-0-1. As my readers know, I am high on Jenkins as a potential future star.

Joseph Ossai is another Bengal that could make an impact next year. He's been stuck behind Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard since being drafted in 2021. With Hubbard's injury, Ossai got his opportunity. With four sacks in the last five games, he has not disappointed. Ossai is coming off his best game of the season at 4-1-1 with a forced fumble. The horrible matchup with Denver will make it tough to keep up the trend in the short term. When it comes to next season, however, there could be a path for Ossai to stay in the lineup. Hubbard and Hendrickson have one year left on their contracts. However, Hendrickson asked for a trade last offseason, and Hubbard did not play well even before the injury. Not to mention that he had been seeing some time on the inside in passing situations.

Guru's IDP Notes: Cleveland Browns

Second-round pick Mike Hall Jr. had his first NFL sack on Sunday. It won't be his last. One thing the Browns defense has been missing recently is an impact player at the interior line positions. The rookie second-round pick spent most of this season on the sideline due to injuries, but he has the talent and opportunity to become an impact player. 

Guru's IDP Notes: Dallas Cowboys

Eric Kendricks was a surprise inactive. The game's late start time left many managers hanging and cost plenty of managers a chance to move to the finals. Kendricks had been a regular on the injury reports but had not missed a start since week six. If you had him and survived, be prepared this week, just in case. Nick Vigil got the start and put up good numbers at 5-5 on a 96% play share.

DaRon Bland had a big game on Sunday Night, going 7-1 with a forced fumble, a recovery, and a pass breakup against the Buccaneers. Much of his production came from shadowing Mike Evans. Bland went 6-3 with a pass breakup in week 13 while following Malik Nabers. This week, he will likely draw coverage on A.J. Brown, which could spell another big game for Bland.

Guru's IDP Notes: Detroit Lions

The injury woes of the Lions defense are well documented, but there is a positive story to be found here. Ifeatu Melifonwu made his season debut against Chicago and wasted no time getting back in the splash play columns. He took over the slot role and was on the field for 80% of the snaps, going 2-2-1 on the day. For many of us, there were high expectations for Melifonwu before the injury kept him out for 15 weeks.  

Guru's IDP Notes: Green Bay Packers

Eric Wilson played every snap at middle linebacker against the Saints. He put up decent numbers at 3-6 and has a great matchup this week against the Vikings. While Wilson could make an impact in championship week, those looking at next season need to pay more attention to Edgerrin Cooper, who will be a star. His numbers have been strong, including the 8-2 he tallied on Monday night, but his play on the field has been even better. Cooper is not seeing every-down action as a rookie, but the way he is performing, I can't see the coaching staff taking him off the field in year two. 

Guru's IDP Notes: Houston Texans

Jimmie Ward was carted off with a foot injury. Eric Murray moved to the strong safety role, finishing the game with a season-high 8-2. Murray should be in that role again this week versus Baltimore.

Christian Harris returned in week fifteen. In week sixteen, he was back in an every-down role, logging  97% of the snaps. Harris should be in for a productive day versus the Ravens.

Guru's IDP Notes: Indianapolis Colts

With E.J. Speed inactive, Jaylon Carlies got the start at linebacker. He performed well on the field and in the box score, where he was 6-4 on 98% of the snaps. With Speed's week 17 in doubt, Carlies could be in line for another start.

Guru's IDP Notes: Los Angeles Chargers

Marcus Maye suffered an ankle injury early in last week's game, eliminating any potential for a time-share with Tony Jefferson. Jefferson went on to play every snap, totaling a respectable 4-3. His numbers were not impressive, but it is worth mentioning because this week's matchup with the Patriots could boost them significantly. Despite their record, New England has allowed the most points to safeties since week ten by a wide margin of over two per game. He's not a long-term answer for the team but we only need one good week.

Denzel Perryman was back on the field last week but did not see much action. Junior Colson's role increased to 56% but he is no threat to Daiyan Henley, who is a must-start in this one. The Patriots are the third-best matchup for linebackers since week ten. 

Guru's IDP Notes: Miami Dolphins

No Miami defenders exceeded four solo tackles against San Francisco. The good news is that Anthony Walker Jr. and Jordyn Brooks were on the field for every snap. They should fare much better this week against the Browns, who are a top-ten matchup for the position. 

Guru's IDP Notes: Minnesota Vikings

The Seahawks are a poor matchup for linebackers, but no one told Blake Cashman, who went off to the tune of 9-3 and a pass breakup. Cashman is on a streak of four consecutive games with at least 12 fantasy points. This would not be noteworthy except that three of those four games were against opponents ranking among the ten worst matchups for the position. This is good news for those of us who need to start him this week since the Packers have not been such a strong matchup, either.  

Guru's IDP Notes: New Orleans Saints

Will Harris has become a dependable option for us down the stretch. He has at least five combined stops in each game since week ten, with at least five solo stops in each of the last four. All against opponents who were mediocre matchups. There is not much big play upside with Harris but he is 13-4 over the last two games.

Guru's IDP Notes: New York Giants

Micah McFadden left last week's game with a neck injury. Ty Summers took over to finish the game at 3-4 on the final 29 snaps. If McFadden misses week 17, Darius Muasau would likely have the lead role with Summers number two. The Giants have fielded two linebackers on more than 80% of the snaps in every game, so playing time is not likely to be an issue. That said, the Colts are a below-average matchup on most weeks. With the state of the Giants at this point, it is doubtful that matchup will be an issue.

Guru's IDP Notes: New York Jets

The Jets lost two starters in their secondary last week. Safety Tony Adams left with an ankle injury, and corner Sauce Gardner was unable to finish with a hamstring. Ashton Davis took over at safety, with Brandin Echols finishing at corner. If Gardner misses week 17, look for D.J. Reed to be the lead corner and match up with Puka Nacua.   

Guru's IDP Notes: San Francisco 49ers

Fred Warner broke out of his slump in week fifteen. His production carried over to week sixteen when he was 6-5. A matchup with the Lions should mean another solid outing for Warner, but the team's second linebacker situation is murky. Dre Greenlaw could be shut down for the season after his short return to the lineup resulted in soreness and swelling. The team suspended De'Vondre Campbell when he refused to play, so it looks like Dee Winters will be the man in that role to finish the season. Winters went 6-2 with a pass breakup last week on a 76% play share.

Guru's IDP Notes: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Christian Izien turned in a big game at 9-4. He worked on 93% of the snaps, seeing most of his action as the slot defender. Meanwhile, Tykee Smith 73%, Kaevon Merriweather 52%, and Mike Edwards 52% covered the safety positions. If only we could count on the Buccaneers playing it the same way two games in a row. If you are an underdog and looking to roll the dice on the upside, Izien is an option.  

J.J. Russell made the start as the second linebacker, going 3-1 with a pass breakup on 73% of the snaps. If the Panthers get Chuba Hubbard going, Russell should make a few more tackles, but his upside is limited.

Guru's IDP Notes: Tennessee Titans

Kenneth Murray Jr. and Otis Reese IV started last week's contest. Murray left early with a wrist injury, and Reese hurt his ankle. Cedric Gray and James Williams finished the game. Williams had good numbers, going 4-2 on just 39 plays, but the rookie was nothing short of impressive. Gray was everywhere, totaling 9-6 on 35 snaps. We will have to watch the injury report to see who suits up this week. If Gray is in the Titans lineup, don't hesitate to put him in yours. Gray's long-term stock took a big jump from the performance. Dynasty managers may want to slip him onto their rosters for safekeeping.  

Guru's IDP Notes: Washington Commanders

Marshon Lattimore left last week's game with a hamstring. If anyone is surprised that he is hurt again, you have not been paying attention for the last couple of years. If Lattimore is out, Benjamin St-Juste will return to the lineup. 

At 8-1 with a pass defended, Bobby Wagner had his best game of the season in terms of solo stops. It was the first time he had more than 5 since week six. The numbers suggest that Atlanta is a poor matchup for linebackers. As I mentioned last week, we can't rely on old numbers when looking at matchups this late in the season. The Falcons have two excellent runners and a rookie quarterback under center. They are not the same offense that was previously the 6th-worst matchup for linebackers.

That's a wrap for the 2024 season. Have a wonderful Christmas or whatever it is that you celebrate, and best of luck to you in your championship games. I'll be back with early projections right after the draft and the EOTG will return for season 31 in June. Enjoy the break, short as it may be, and remember, it is never too early to start working on next year's championship.  

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