Welcome to the IDP Guys’ weekly IDP game reviews and IDP waiver wire! Our team has broken down each game and the IDP takeaways for the most relevant IDP players and gives you IDP waiver wire pickup suggestions. May the fantasy gods be forever in your favor!
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Chicago Bears at Washington Commanders
By Shawn Teague (@shawn8386)
Chicago Bears IDP Stats, Snap Counts, and Scores
IDP Takeaways Chicago Bears
Three Chicago cornerbacks played at least 69% of the defensive snaps and all three had had solid stats by the end of the game. Tyrique Stevenson came away with nine tackles and a pass deflection. Rookie Terell Smith forced and recovered a fumble to go along with his six tackles. And lastly, Greg Stroman totaled seven tackles and added a sack and an interception. Good production from all three guys this week, and a good chance to repeat against the Vikings next week.
Another good day for linebackers T.J. Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds. Edwards was back up to double digits with 10 combined tackles, and blessed fantasy managers with his first sack of the season. Edmunds was right behind him with nine combined tackles. Edwards continues to be the more productive linebacker of the two, but Edmunds has a solid tackle floor every week. Next week is a harder matchup against the Vikings, but you can’t bench these two with the consistency that they have shown.
Yannick Ngakoue grabbed his second sack of the season. He has always been a boom-or-bust type of player but hasn’t been overly productive for fantasy purposes. Going forward, he is only really worth starting when the opponent is a favorable matchup. Even then expectations should be tempered as to how many points he will actually score. He could be a streaming option next week against Minnesota for deeper leagues.
IDP Waiver Wire Chicago Bears
Tyrique Stevenson has put together some decent weeks and has a good matchup against Minnesota next week. He is definitely someone worth consideration for streaming at cornerback.
Kyler Gordon is set to return from IR next week. Check your waivers to see if he is available, and grab him if he plays against the Vikings.
Also set to return next week is Eddie Jackson. If you need some safety help, check on his availability on waivers. He may not contribute much in the tackling game, but his big plays have been well documented over the years.
Washington Commanders IDP Stats, Snap Counts, and Scores
IDP Takeaways Washington Commanders
Well, it wasn’t exactly the sack party we expected from Washington’s edge rushers, but we still received some good scores from the duo. Montez Sweat contributed 1.5 sacks on his two QB hits and six tackles. That’s three out of five games in which Sweat has exactly 1.5 sacks. Chase Young looks like the disruptive pass rusher we thought he was in college, but only managed a half-sack on three QB hits. The sacks weren’t there this week, but he is getting to the QB.
Cody Barton has not missed a snap yet this season, and this game was no different. Barton had another solid day with eight tackles. He remains the only Washington linebacker worth starting in most league sizes. Jamin Davis still holds some value in deeper leagues, but he is only playing 80% of the defensive snaps.
Kamren Curl and Darrick Forrest both totaled seven tackles against Chicago. We have come to expect these numbers from Curl, but that is now three straight seven tackle games for Forrest. Another solid matchup against Atlanta awaits next week. Forrest is surprisingly projected to hit IR with a shoulder injury. Percy Butler appears to be the next man up.
IDP Waiver Wire Washington Commanders
Atlanta hasn’t been the best matchup for cornerbacks with their run-heavy offense. Benjamin St-Juste would be the one to trust the most, but it would probably be best to look elsewhere for a streaming option next week.
As already mentioned, Darrick Forrest has been on a bit of a role and would be a solid option to consider at safety if he weren't hitting IR soon. We think Percy Butler may take over his role and if he can match Forrest's production, is worth a flier on.
Jacksonville Jaguars at Buffalo Bills (LONDON)
By Shawn Teague (@shawn8386)
Jacksonville Jaguars IDP Stats, Snap Counts, and Scores
IDP Takeaways Jacksonville Jaguars
London has brought out the best of Darious Williams. He had another big game collecting 7 solo tackles, 1 forced fumble, and his second interception in as many weeks. With Gardner Minshew leading the offensive attack for the Colts next week, he has a chance to improve on the one tackle performance in Week 1.
Chad Muma was disappointing this week with only four tackles, but at least they were all solo tackles. Buffalo has been allowing the eighth most points to linebackers so the matchup was there on paper, just not the production. Perhaps it was just game flow that got in the way. It remains to be seen if Muma will get another start or if Devin Lloyd will be back next week against the Colts. Definitely a situation to keep an eye on.
Josh Allen (Jaguars) and Travon Walker were both held in check as they recorded one solo tackle each. Allen had a sack canceled due to a penalty and Walker did add a QB hit and recovered a fumble, but it was still a quiet day for the duo. Next week they get Indianapolis for the second time this year. Last time they played. Walker managed one sack and Allen was good for three sacks, so a better performance could be right around the corner for these two.
IDP Waiver Wire Jacksonville Jaguars
Tyson Campbell should already be rostered, but it doesn’t hurt to check your waivers. He had a fantastic game the last time he played the Colts in Week 1 and could be in for another big day in Week 6.
Darious Williams is worth streaming consideration, he has consecutive weeks with an interception and should get more targets with Minshew leading the Indianapolis offense this week.
Buffalo Bills IDP Stats, Snap Counts, and Scores
IDP Takeaways Buffalo Bills
Both the Bills and fantasy managers suffered a huge blow as Matt Milano will potentially miss the rest of the season with a fractured leg. It’s worth noting that Dorian Williams initially replaced Milano, but then Tyrel Dodson also rotated in. Both finished with similar stats although Dodson out-snapped Williams 55-32. This could be a messy rotational situation going forward.
Terrel Bernard continued his hot start to the season with a season-high 16 tackles. He has been an absolute gem at linebacker since being named starter right before the season kicked off. His workload won’t be getting any lighter with Milano being out, so keep him locked in as a starter.
A.J. Epenesa impressed with 4 tackles, 2 QB hits, 1 tackle for a loss, 3 pass deflections, 2 sacks, and he recovered his own forced fumble. That was a huge production on a day that Von Miller returned for 20 snaps and Greg Rousseau was inactive. Epenesa has had a nice game or two this season now, but his playing time just hasn’t been there while Rousseau is healthy. It was a nice day for IDP production, but don’t rush out to pick him up.
Ed Oliver's big day was overshadowed by Epenesa, Bernard, and the Milano injury. He was the second-highest-scoring DT with 9 tackles, 3 tackles for a loss, 2 QB hits, 1 sack, and 1 forced fumble. If by some miracle he is on the waiver wire, he is one you can rush out to pick up. Oliver has been putting together a solid season this year and he has at least a half sack in all but one game.
IDP Waiver Wire Buffalo Bills
Dane Jackson is the replacement for Tre'Davious White and should get plenty of streaming consideration against the Giants, who are surrendering the most points to cornerbacks.
Kaiir Elam had a big day against the Jaguars and would be another good streaming option if Christian Benford is out against the Giants.
If Christian Benford plays next week, he is also a solid streaming option against New York.
Dorian Williams and/or Tyrel Dodson are worth looking into with bye weeks going on. It remains to be seen if this will be a committee approach or if Buffalo will trust the role to just one of the linebackers.
Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers
By Brittney Foxworth (@bfoxworth07)
Baltimore Ravens IDP Stats, Snap Counts, and Scores
IDP Takeaways Baltimore Ravens
The lack of opportunity for the Ravens' defense came because the Steelers' offense was rarely on the field after succumbing to a lot of three-and-outs due to good coverage. Still, a couple of IDP producers were highlighted by an overall good team effort.
Roquan Smith's sideline-to-sideline movement provided him with 11 total tackles. Smith was everywhere today, making big stops and preventing the Steeler's offense from gaining momentum.
Kyle Hamilton only had 3 tackles but was also all over the field, providing excellent coverage. After not practicing most of the week after hurting his back in Week 4, expect Hamilton to ramp up against better offenses where he'll have more opportunity to make plays.
Patrick Queen and Justin Madubuike sandwiched Kenny Pickett, sacking him in the 4th quarter on a crucial third down, knocking them out of field goal range. Queen had seven tackles, and Madubuike had a solid five.
Marcus Williams returned from injury and wasn't on a snap count. He also ended the day with five tackles and looks for more opportunities against the Texans in Week 6.
IDP Waiver Wire Baltimore Ravens
Getting his first start this season after foot surgery, three-time pro-bowler Marlon Humphrey had four tackles. If he's available, he's a good stash.
Arthur Maulet didn't get a contract from Pittsburgh to come back, and he serves payback on his former team in the form of a sack on Kenny Pickett, but should not be added even in CB-required leagues.
Brent Urban also sacked Pickett, who had a wide-open Darnell Washington right in front of him on 3rd down. He also recorded four tackles, but this was just an easy matchup for the vet, who hasn't shown much any other week in limited snap opportunities. They both can stay on waivers.
With Humphrey and Williams back from injuries, Ronald Darby and Geno Stone both can be left on waivers.
Jeremiah Moon forced a fumble in the fourth quarter during a kickoff return from Steelers' Gunner Olszewski. CB Kevon Seymour recovered it, placing the Ravens in scoring position; a really exciting special teams play, but exactly just that.
Malik Harrison saw an uptick in snaps but limited production. Jadeveon Clowney and Kyle Van Noy only had a tackle each and still shouldn't be on anyone's radars, either.
Pittsburgh Steelers IDP Stats, Snap Counts, and Scores
IDP Takeaways Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers advance to first in the AFC North without signs of a viable offense. The defense (and special teams) showed up yet again to bail them out to defeat the Ravens 17-10.
T.J. Watt again shows his dominance. Watt had 2 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 QB hits, 2 TFLs, 2 passes defensed, and 1 fumble recovery against the Ravens. It was a stellar day for the elite playmaker after a quiet Week 4. His fourth-quarter sack on 4th down slammed the door on the Ravens' day and handed them their first divisional loss. After the game, coach Tomlin said that Watt suffered a finger injury, something to monitor.
Fellow playmaker Alex Highsmith had two tackles and a forced fumble before ending the game with a strip sack on Lamar Jackson that Watt recovered to close out the game. He would've had a second sack, but a Fitzpatrick holding penalty negated it.
Kwon Alexander had a bounce-back week, enforcing his will on Raven's offense, recording six tackles and a huge 3rd down sack after Watt pressured the pocket. Elandon Roberts delivers another reliable fantasy performance with eight tackles.
Cole Holcomb and Minkah Fitzapatrick's names were constantly mentioned as they made big stops all day and ended the game with nine tackles each. The Ravens, as predicted, were able to keep CBs Patrick Peterson and Levi Wallace at bay. The Ravens are very effective in shutting down CBs, and today was no different.
In the fourth quarter, Joey Porter Jr. entered the game on the corner and immediately made a big play, a massive interception in Raven's endzone to stop their scoring drive dead in its tracks. The rookie has arrived! He was blanketing Odell Beckham on perfect coverage and continues to make the case for why he deserves more playing time. He backs his interception up with two tackles with his late opportunity in the fourth.
IDP Waiver Wire Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers have a bye this week, and there were no breakout performances or injuries that would have me advise a waiver add to hold anyone through it.
Elandon Roberts has seen an increase in snaps and production, but not enough to add him through the bye week.
If Watt misses time, Nick Herbig should see increased playing time but can stay safely on waivers.
Safety Keanu Neal suffered an injury in the first quarter but could walk off on his own. He did not reenter the game and was replaced by special teams captain Miles Killebrew, who made a game-changing play for the Steelers by blocking a punt that recovered for a safety inches away from a touchdown. Monitor Neal's injury, but Killebrew isn't an add, either.
In the second quarter, Larry Ogunjobi also caused a turnover when he punched the ball loose from RB Justice Hill, which fellow teammate Damontae Kazee recovered. Neither are waiver adds.
As mentioned in previous articles, Joey Porter Jr. has yet to see a big enough snap percentage to get added to your team. Still, his strong showing during his limited playing time should continue to impress coaches and thrust him into more opportunities sooner than later. Porter can still stay on waivers as a wait-and-see if he sees a snap percentage increase after the bye when the Steelers take on the Rams.
Carolina Panthers at Detroit Lions
By Joseph Harlow (@joelow63)
Carolina Panthers IDP Stats, Snap Counts, and Scores
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