Week 15 was hard for many I would assume. We saw some injuries. On the other hand, we saw lack in production from our “studs”. Nonetheless, this is football. At any given week any player can have the game of their life. We have to do our best at juggling different factors that could affect a player’s performance. Even after hours of studying any week could end up being their worst week of their career. I hope if you are reading this you are still competing for the championship in your league. If you got knocked out like I did by an 8 seed (I was the #1 seed and got usurped by the #8 seed) then there is still some potential to read about some guys I am stashing on my rosters heading into off season.
Since we are in the playoffs, I want to compare my starts and sits a little differently. I want to put my starts and sits side-by-side to see what the better play was.
DL – Start – Khalil Mack (12 pts) vs Sit – Brian Burns (11 pts) – Start Wins
LB – Start – Nick Bolton (9 pts) vs Sit – Jordyn Brooks (11 pts) – Sit Wins
LB – Start – Kaden Elliss (10 pts) vs Sit – Pete Werner (9 pts) – Start Wins
DB – Start – Budda Baker (8 pts) vs Sit – Harrison Smith (14 pts) – Sit Wins
DB – Start – Jordan Fuller (7 pts) vs Sit – Richie Grant (1 pt) – Start Wins
3 out of 5 were the right play in week 15!
If you are feeling hesitant about any IDP I mention, then be sure to check out my additional start/sit options. Now let’s get into my Week 16 Starts & Sits for IDP!
START
DL – Quinnen Williams (NYJ) vs Washington Commanders (START)
The Commanders have given up the most sacks all season with 59. Furthermore, over the past 3 games, Williams has six quarterback hits. The odds of him getting a sack this game is high. He knows how to get behind the line and cause disaster to the opposing quarterbacks. In those last 3 games, he does only have 10 total tackles. But of those tackles, 7 of them were solo! There is a great possibility that he leads the defensive linemen this week.
LB – Zaire Franklin (IND) @ Atlanta Falcons (START)
Through the first 9 games played, Franklin had only one game below double digit tackles. So far, over the past 4 games he has 3 games with less than double-digit tackles. This may bring worry to some. Regardless, you kept him in your lineups. This is a favorable matchup for him. The Falcons like to run the ball. Plus, they have an ongoing quarterback issue. As mentioned, he has been in your lineups even after some bad beats. This week start him with confidence.
LB- Eric Kendricks (LAC) vs Buffalo Bills (START)
Kendricks has 27 total tackles over the last 3 games. In addition, 18 of those 27 total tackles were solo tackles. He is all over the field. Kendricks has taken the role as one of the leaders for the Chargers defense. Running back James Cook has started to emerge for the Bills. This is good news for Kendricks. If the Bills continue to utilize their running back, then the opportunity opens up greatly for Kendricks. The best thing about Kendricks is that he is making an impact all over the field, even though he is slighly below 90% of the defensive snaps. Plug him in your lineup this week.
DB – Rayshawn Jenkins (JAX) vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers (START)
Jenkins has been on fire as of late. Through the last 3 games, he has averaged just below 5 solo tackles per game (4.6). That alone gives good reason for him to be in your lineup. The Buccaneers run and pass the ball almost equally. Jenkins is the type of safety that tracks the ball down. Regardless, of where he is on the field, he finds the ball and attacks. He should be able to keep his average of 5 solo tackles this week too.
DB- Jessie Bates (ATL) vs Indianapolis Colts (START)
Bates has been one of my guys all season. The Colts can run the ball all game and Bates would make an impact. Although, the game script may be to pass the ball if their go-to running back ends up being Trey Sermon. As a result, the Colts may choose to lean on quarterback Gardner Minshew‘s arm. If that becomes the game script, then Bates would still make an impact. Over the last 3 games Bates averaged 6 solo tackles per game. He is a hard-hitting ball tracker with nice hands to get an interception. Bates has 5 interceptions on the season. In conclusion, Bates can and will make an impact.
Additional Players to consider starting:
Colts – DeForest Buckner
Bengals – Logan Wilson
Panthers – Frankie Luvu
Bears – Jaquan Brisker
Giants – Jason Pinnock
SIT
DL- Dexter Lawrence (NYG) @ Philadelphia Eagles (SIT)
Over the last 2 weeks, the Eagles have allowed only one sack. In that span, Lawrence is seeing less than 50% of snaps. That is surprising considering he was seeing over 60% of snaps before missing week 12. Maybe he has an injury lingering. The Eagles have a lot to play for. They know their quarterback’s health is important. They will do everything they can to protect him. Lawrence has not moved the needle for me since coming off the bye week. I think he is a great asset to have for your teams, but for the playoffs I am benching the uncertainty.
LB – Micah Parsons (DAL) @ Miami Dolphins (SIT)
Parsons is one of the most dominating defensive players in the league. However, during the playoffs I am benching players with uncertainty. In the past 3 weeks, he only has one sack after having four in the two prior weeks. He has 6 total tackles in that span, but only 50% of them are solo. It will be hard not to start him. But after 3 weeks of uncertainty, I am not taking the risk. I would be more upset if I start him for another poor performance than benching him to see he got his groove back.
LB – Shaquille Leonard (PHI) vs New York Giants (SIT)
Hopes were high, at least for me, when Leonard joined the Eagles. However, he has yet to see any resurgence. Since joining the Eagles, he has yet to see over 50% of snaps. He only has 2 solo tackles over the last 2 weeks. The benefit is he did see an uptick in snap percentage from 17% to 46%. I love Leonard, but for the playoffs I am benching him. *He might be one of my top buys this off season*
DB – Kamren Curl (WAS) @ New York Jets (SIT)
Over the past 3 weeks, Curl has 14 total tackles. That is good. But when you compare it to the 3 prior weeks, when he had 23 total tackles, it does not look as good. On a positive note, he does have 9 solo tackles within the past 3 weeks. On the other hand, the Jets quarterback situation is troubling enough that I could see them force the run. This would only hurt Curl’s opportunity. Bench the uncertainty is the motto. After 2 weeks of below 10 fantasy points, I am taking him out of my lineups this week.
DB – Brian Branch (DET) @ Minnesota Vikings (SIT)
From weeks 11 through 13, Branch never got below 14 fantasy points. He was looking like a must start going into the playoffs. Over the past 2 weeks, he has seen less than 75% of the defensive snaps. Plus, he has not gained over 7 fantasy points. The playoffs are no time to get spicy with your rookies. Due to him not performing over the past 2 weeks, I am keeping him on my bench. It helps that the Vikings have a strong receiving core, giving me more reason to keep Branch on the bench. If you drafted him, you are happy for the productive season he gave. Save him for your team next year and start somebody else in his spot this week.
Additional Players to consider sitting:
Seahawks – Boye Mafe
Ravens – Patrick Queen
Dolphins – David Long
Eagles – Reed Blankenship
Raiders – Nate Hobbs
That is my week 16 start/sits for the IDP positions.
Thank you for reading. Follow me on X at @ThePPRShow for more! If you need offensive start/sit advice, give @TFFGRobbie a follow for his weekly offensive start/sit articles! Peace & Love.
For additional IDP lineup advice, check out our Start/Sit Tool.