Guru's IDP Notes: Arizona Cardinals
Despite the stellar matchup, Budda Baker, Jalen Thompson, and Dadrion Taylor-Demerson all put up disappointing numbers versus the Colts. Baker is among the biggest IDP disappointments of the season, having not reached double-digit fantasy points in a game since week one. It's hard to let go of a player that was likely drafted as a DB1, but the upcoming schedule does not look good either, so if there is a better option available, it might be time.
In last week's Guru and the Godfather piece, I called out Josh Sweat as a player who could crash and burn based on an ugly matchup. He was not able to overcome the matchup, ending a strong string of quality outings. The Packers are not as poor a matchup, but they are far from a good one. Green Bay is giving up less than two sacks a game and one per to the edge position on average. Edge defenders do tend to put up decent tackle totals against them, though.
Arizona's safeties were less productive than expected because the linebackers made more plays. Mack Wilson Sr. was 6-3 with an interception, and Akeem Davis-Gaither was 4-4 with a pass breakup. Both could be in line for another good week. The linebacker position averages just shy of 20 tackles per game against Green Bay.
Guru's IDP Notes: Atlanta Falcons
With the return of A.J. Terrell Jr. and Billy Bowman Jr., sidelined by knee and hamstring injuries, Dee Alford slipped into the nickel corner role against Buffalo and had a big game. At 5-2-1 with a pick and three passes defended, he was the fantasy game's top corner for the week. Unfortunately, this is likely to be a one-week splash. Bowman was questionable right up to game time and is likely to return in week seven.
Guru's IDP Notes: Baltimore Ravens
Teddye Buchanan (3-6-.5) and Trenton Simpson (4-5-.5 PD) have put up good numbers in the absence of Roquan Smith. That party could be over, at least for Simpson. The Ravens get a much-needed bye this week and could have Smith back when they return in week eight.
When Baltimore traded for Alohi Gilman, it was generally believed to be because of the Kyle Hamilton injury, but there may have been more to it than that. With both starting safeties available in week six, the Ravens turned to a big nickel as their base defense, fielding three safeties on 82% of the snaps.
Guru's IDP Notes: Buffalo Bills
The bye couldn't have come at a better time for the beat-up Bills' defense. Among the wounded are Matt Milano, who aggravated his pectoral injury during the practice week, and DaQuan Jones, who suffered a strained calf during warmups. Christian Benford came up lame with a strained Achilles early in the game, and Terrell Bernard sprained his ankle just before half. The team hopes to at least get Bernard and possibly Milano back after the bye week.
On the positive side, Ed Oliver was able to suit up and picked up right where he left off, going 2-1-1, and Shaq Thompson (5-5 PD) filled in nicely at linebacker, playing every snap after Bernard left.
Guru's IDP Notes: Carolina Panthers
Despite the plus matchup for several positions, corner Mike Jackson led the team in fantasy points with 5 solo tackles.
Carolina swapped the roles of Christian Rozeboom and Trevin Wallace in week five, with Wallace taking over the lead role and playing every snap. They rolled with that plan again in week six, telling us it was not a fluke and is probably the way it will remain going forward. Wallace has not performed well on the stat sheet at any point in his young career, including the last two games when he played every snap.
Guru's IDP Notes: Chicago Bears
The service that provides snap counts says that T.J. Edwards played every snap in his return from injury on Monday night. From what I saw, it looked like Noah Sewell got the start, and Edwards came on when Sewell was hurt early in the game. Either way, Edwards is back and was a respectable 4-5 on the night. That is not bad considering that the Commanders were a poor matchup on paper. Look for him to get on a roll over the next month plus. Four of Chicago's next five opponents are top ten matchups for linebackers, and all five are top fifteen.
Guru's IDP Notes: Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals are providing one of those opportunities for fantasy managers to land a good linebacker in week seven. I've been talking about rookie Barrett Carter since the draft, pointing out several times that he is a starting talent at the pro level. From that perspective, it was no surprise to see him in the starting lineup against Green Bay, though it happened much earlier than anticipated. Carter not only started, but played every snap at middle linebacker, putting up a rock-solid 7-3 on the day. The defense played much better football, and Carter was all over the place, so there is no reason to think they will go back to Wilson. If Carter is available or if you were one of those dynasty managers to stash him on the taxi squad, it's time to get him on the active roster.
On the other side of the situation are the managers who have now lost a starter with Wilson's benching. This is a good football player whom I have been very high on in recent years. I have to admit, however, that he had not been performing well since late last season, almost as if he had lost the fire. If you have the roster space to sit on him for a minute, I would suggest doing so, at least until the NFL trade deadline. There are contending teams out there with needs at the position, and if the Bengals were to release him, Wilson would be scooped up immediately.
Trey Hendrickson left in the third quarter with a back injury. Updates suggest it is a minor issue, and he could be available for week seven.
Guru's IDP Notes: Cleveland Browns
When the Browns trade for Tyson Campbell, my knee-jerk reaction was, there goes one of the few dependable fantasy corners. As it turns out, Cleveland may not be a killer for Campbell's value after all. With just a few practices under his belt, Campbell played every snap, going 3-2 with a forced fumble and two pass breakups. Granted, it was just one game, but it is a good sign.
Guru's IDP Notes: Dallas Cowboys
While it has not yet been confirmed by the team, after shining performances in back-to-back games, expectations are that Shemar James will remain the starting middle linebacker for the Cowboys when Jack Sanborn returns. At some point, possibly before the end of this season, the Dallas linebacker situation could go from suspect to a team strength with youngsters James and DeMarvion Overshown headlining. James missed a few plays in week six while being checked for a concussion. He returned to finish 6-5 on 90% of the snaps after blowing up in week five.
Guru's IDP Notes: Denver Broncos
Eight Broncos, including five defensive linemen, got in on the sack parade against the Jets. Denver currently leads the league with 30, which is ten more than Seattle and Pittsburgh, who are tied for second. For managers with Nik Bonitto, Jonathon Cooper, or Zach Allen, these players have to be in our lineups. That said, don't expect the big numbers against the other New York team this week. In the two games since taking over the starting quarterback job for the Giants, Jaxon Dart has been sacked twice.
Guru's IDP Notes: Detroit Lions
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