It's turkey time, folks.

Before we even get into me making the wrong calls (I'm kidding, of course—that has never happened) and whatnot, The Godfather would like to take a moment to wish all of you and your families a Happy Thanksgiving. Forget the origins of the day—we could all stand to take a breath and appreciate the things we have to be thankful for. We all spend far too much time lamenting the things we don't have and not nearly enough time appreciating the things we do.

What? I have thoughts and feelings and stuff.

Of course, there are other matters to attend to. This is Week 13 of the 2024 fantasy football season, and that means there are only a couple of weeks left in the regular season. For every 9-3 team angling for a first-round playoff bye and 4-8 team looking to play spoiler, there are two 6-6 or 5-7 teams fighting for a spot in the second season.

Those teams can't afford to lose. They have to score as many points as possible. Stack their lineups with as many players as possible who will blow up this week and avoid as many players as possible who will, um, just blow.

Come for the player recommendations. Stay for the clever. So much clever.

That's where IDP Studs and Duds here at Footballguys comes in. Helping you set a winning lineup in lucky Week 13.

Each week during the 2024 season, I'll point out some Individual Defensive Players who could be set to exceed expectations this week (Studs), as well as some that, for whatever reason, are riskier plays than normal (Duds).

This isn't necessarily to say that every "Stud" is a must-start (it depends on your other options) or that every "Dud" should be glued to your bench (just that the odds of a letdown week are greater than usual).

No teams are on bye this week, probably because four games will be in the book by Friday night. At least we have that to be thankful for.

Numbers in parentheses denote ranking in fantasy points allowed to that position in 2024 in The Godfather's Default IDP Scoring. 

IDP Stud of the Week: EDGE Nik Bonitto, Denver (vs. CLE) (2)

IDP managers are most assuredly thankful for Bonitto in 2024—the third-year pro came from nowhere to post 10 sacks—including at least one sack in 10 of the last 11 games. While speaking to reporters, the former Oklahoma standout was quick to give credit for his 2024 breakout to the team's coaching staff.

"Just keep following the game plan that ‘VJ' (Vance Joseph) gives us," Bonitto said. "Continue to follow the rush plan that Coach (Michael) Wilhoite and Coach Jamar (Cain) gives us every week. Just making sure we are all rushing. DBs are always going to do their job with us so just making sure we're rushing and following the game plan."

Browning has also benefitted from players around him, such as edge-rusher Jonathon Cooper and defensive tackle Zach Allen. No team in the league has more sacks this season than the Broncos. This week that NFL-best pass-rush takes on a Browns team pacing the NFL in sacks allowed. Door's open—but Bonitto may kick it in anyway.

IDP Dud of the Week: LB Jamien Sherwood, NY Jets (vs. SEA) (32)

Sherwood started the 2024 season as an IDP afterthought. But when C.J. Mosley got hurt, the fourth-year converted safety was thrust into an every-down role as the defensive signal-caller for the Jets. Sherwood has been outstanding ever since, and he told Randy Lange of the team's website that it was simply a matter of seizing an opportunity.

"It's just been a blessing in disguise; it's everything I've been working for," Sherwood said. "Sadly, when C.J. got hurt, I was the next one to get my shot. I had to be ready. Regardless, I prepare every week like I'm going to be a starter, even though I might never touch the field. That's been my goal my whole time since I've been here. From being a rookie, just sitting behind C.J., learning, him and Quincy [Williams] and Kwon [Alexander] when he was here and all the other guys we've had in the room, I was taking everything I can from everybody to be ready for this moment."

Since Week 4, there isn't a player in IDP at any position who has more points than Sherwood—he has been an absolute jackpot for those who acquired him. But this week could be where the dice come up snake-eyes—Seattle has been a terrible fantasy matchup for linebackers all season long.

Week 13 IDP Studs

EDGE Dante Fowler Jr., Washington (vs. TEN) (1): Fowler has quietly amassed his most sacks since his career year in Jacksonville in 2019. This week, the veteran journeyman faces a Tennessee team that leads the league in fantasy points per game allowed to defensive ends.

DT Chris Jones, Kansas City (vs. LV) (3): Thanks in part to constant double-teams, Jones' numbers this season have been massively disappointing. But the Raiders are an excellent matchup for defensive linemen, and Jones is past overdue to get home.

EDGE Tuli Tuipulotu, LA Chargers (at ATL) (9): Tuipulotu's quiet Week 12 was hardly unanticipated, given a bad matchup with the Ravens. This week's top-10 tilt with the Falcons is another matter—a bounceback's coming this week.

LB Cody Barton, Denver (vs. CLE) (2): Barton has gone from odd man out for the Denver linebacker corps to the every-down signal-caller due to injuries. He should post another solid stat line against a Browns team that has been a plus IDP matchup for linebackers for years.

LB Kyzir White, Arizona (at MIN) (1): White is who he is—a matchup-dependent LB3 who can challenge the top 20 if the matchup is right. On the road against a Vikings team leading the league in fantasy points per game allowed to linebackers would appear to qualify.

LB Logan Wilson, Cincinnati (vs. PIT) (8): Wilson is a better NFL linebacker than IDP option. But the Steelers have leaned pretty heavily on the run game this season, and that has led to fantasy points surrendered to linebackers—eighth-most in the league.

S Julian Blackmon, Indianapolis (at NE) (5): Blackmon hasn't maintained the gonzo level of fantasy production batterymate Nick Cross has. But he's been at least a solid matchup play who gets a top-five one this week with the New England Patriots.

S Grant Delpit, Cleveland (at DEN) (3): Delpit is coming off one of his better statistical efforts of the season—he hit 10 total tackles last week for the second time. He'll have another solid outing in a top-five fantasy matchup with the Broncos.

S Taylor Rapp, Buffalo (vs. SF) (1): Rapp has spent much of the season the sort of IDP waiver option that bounces on and off rosters—he's DB42 for the year. But no team in the league has allowed more fantasy points per game to safeties this season than the 49ers.

Week 13 IDP Duds

EDGE Yaya Diaby, Tampa Bay (at CAR) (27): Diaby has shown a flash or two this season, but he hasn't been the IDP option we hoped for in 2024. That's not especially likely to change in a surprisingly bad matchup for pass rushers with Bryce Young and the Panthers.

EDGE Myles Garrett, Cleveland (at DEN) (30): Garrett was amazing last week against the Pittsburgh Steelers, logging three sacks and forcing a fumble—all in the first half. With that said, Broncos quarterback Bo Nix has only been sacked 19 times all season long.

EDGE Byron Young, LA Rams (at NO) (31): Young has quietly had a quality season for the Rams this year. But the Saints haven't been a good matchup for edge rushers—23 sacks allowed and the second-fewest fantasy points per game given up to defensive ends.

LB Lavonte David, Tampa Bay (at CAR) (28): An ageless wonder having a top-15 fantasy season in 2024, David remains one of the game's best off-ball linebackers. But the Panthers also remain one of the NFL's worst offenses and IDP matchups for linebackers.

LB Daiyan Henley, LA Chargers (at ATL) (31): Henley has been highly productive since assuming an every-down role for the Chargers. But the Falcons have been an abysmal IDP matchup for linebackers all season long.

LB Tyrice Knight, Seattle (at NYJ) (29): With all the turnover at linebacker in Seattle this year, Knight has been thrust into the role of No. 2 linebacker as a rookie. But he's not playing in some subpackages, and the Jets have been a rotten fantasy matchup for linebackers in 2024.

S Jessie Bates III, Atlanta (vs. LAC) (32): Bates has been a rock for both the first-place Falcons and IDP managers this season. But the Chargers have spent most of the 2024 season at the bottom of the league in fantasy points per game allowed to safeties.

S Reed Blankenship, Philadelphia (at BAL) (31): For the season, Blankenship ranks just outside the top-20 defensive backs. That ranking isn't likely to climb in a terrible IDP matchup for safeties with Baltimore's buzzsaw offense.

S Kyle Hamilton, Baltimore (vs. PHI) (29): The last thing Hamilton managers want to see after last week's clunker is Hamilton facing another awful IDP matchup. Not for nothing, but that's where we are with Sunday afternoon's big showdown with the Eagles.

Gary Davenport ("The Godfather of IDP") is a two-time Fantasy Sports Writers Association Football Writer of the Year. Follow him on Twitter (Can't make him call it X) at @IDPSharks.