Eyes of the Guru IDP Info: Week 14

In most leagues, there are three or four teams that are mathematically eliminated and three or four more that have locked up spots in the postseason. That leaves four to six teams still fighting for two or possibly three tickets to the dance. If you are among the eliminated, be sure to enter a competitive lineup because your game likely matters to someone. If you have locked up a spot, don't relax. Keep looking to improve your roster. There is bad karma that comes with backing into the playoffs.

For the rest of us, which included me in about five leagues, the best advice I can give here is due diligence, but don't overthink. It's really easy to talk yourself into something regrettable or talk yourself out of something good.

Guru's IDP Notes: Arizona Cardinals

Josh Sweat's 3-1-2 with a forced fumble came against a Buccaneers offense that has not been a good matchup for the position. He now has 11 sacks, matching his career best set in 2022. With five games to go, it's a safe bet that Sweat will set a new mark, but I wouldn't bet on it happening this week. Since week seven, the Rams have allowed two and a half sacks to the edge position over the last seven games. If he doesn't get a sack, there is not much chance he will make up for it in the tackle column either. Since week seven, the position has averaged fewer than three tackles and three assists against Los Angeles.  

Jalen Thompson's 2-0 with a couple of pass breakups was a disappointment in what was a plus matchup last week. Then, backup Kitan Crawford showed up at 3-2. There is nothing to see here. Thompson played every snap, so the poor outing was just one of those things that gives us grey hair. Crawford only saw 14 snaps.

Guru's IDP Notes: Atlanta Falcons

After three strong games, Jessie Bates III turned in a semi-stinker at 3-1 against the Jets. There is no reason to panic here. Xavier Watts was even worse at 1-1 with a pass breakup, but most importantly, the roles were the same as the previous few games. The poor numbers were a result of the game script.

Jalon Walker looked to have arrived when he blew up in consecutive games back in weeks nine and ten. Walker has one sack in three games since, and one tackle in each of the last two. Were the two big games a mirage? Probably not. It is more likely that he is hitting the rookie wall. We are near the end of the college season, when it is not uncommon for new players to feel the fatigue of playing more football than they ever have in one year. Whatever the reason, don't expect a rebound from Walker this week. The Seahawks have been a stingy matchup for the position.

Guru's IDP Notes: Baltimore Ravens

Marlon Humphrey saw a lot of Ja'Marr Chase last week, resulting in a big game at 7-2-1. The Steelers have no Ja'Marr Chase. The corner position averages nearly a takeaway per game versus Pittsburgh, so there is a reasonable chance that Humphrey will come through there. However, Aaron Rodgers spreads the ball around, so we should not count on him to bail us out with a lot of tackles.  

Nate Wiggins missed time against the Bengals with a foot injury. He is considered day-to-day but could miss week 14. Chidobe Awuzie stepped into the lineup after Wiggins left.

Guru's IDP Notes: Buffalo Bills

We knew going into last week's games that the Steelers were a poor matchup for pretty much all positions. How bad were they? The entire Buffalo defense was credited with 17 solo stops. Shaq Thompson led the way, going 5-4 on 93% participation. The only other Bill with more than two solo stops was Jordyn Poyer at 3-3. There will be many more opportunities this week versus the Bengals.

Joey Bosa left Sunday's game with a hamstring injury. All we know about it so far is that he did not return, and his availability for week 14 is in question.

Guru's IDP Notes: Carolina Panthers

Lathan Ransom got the start for the suspended Tre'von Moehrig and did not disappoint. Ransom led the team with eleven tackles (only two were solo, though), adding a sack. As well as he played in this game, Ransom's bid for a bigger role may have ended for a bit when he came out of the game with a thumb injury. That said, Ransom is a great target for dynasty managers looking to add players for the future. Nick Scott is on a one-year deal and will be a free agent.

Guru's IDP Notes: Chicago Bears

We didn't get much from D'Marco Jackson (2-3) or Amen Ogbongbemiga (2-0 PD) last week, but if you have Jackson, don't be too quick to let him go. The Eagles are not much of a matchup for linebackers, so I'm not sure that Tremaine Edmunds would have been much better. What we did learn is that Jackson will be the every-down guy until someone returns from injury. Ogbongbemiga, on the other hand, is waiver fodder, having played about half of the snaps. The Bears used extra defensive backs to fill the void. Both T.J. Edwards and Noah Sewell are closing in on a return.  

Guru's IDP Notes: Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals' defense has been playing much better football over the last few weeks. Nowhere is that more evident than in the pass rush. They are still not getting home for a bunch of sacks, but there is pressure. After going 3-1-2 with a forced fumble against Baltimore, Joseph Ossai has 16 tackles and 3 sacks over the last four games. Myles Murphy has 19 tackles, a sack, and 2 forced fumbles over that span, as well as several pressures.

Early in the year, a matchup with Buffalo was one to avoid for edge defenders. That is not so much the case lately. The Bills have given up at least two sacks in five of the last seven games, with an average of 2.7 per game since week seven. The position also puts up decent tackle totals in this matchup. They wouldn't be my first choice, but if you are in a pinch, take a look at Ossai or Murphy.

Guru's IDP Notes: Cleveland Browns

Myles Garrett had Cleveland's only sack against San Francisco, but it was enough to extend his lead over Brian Burns for the league lead. Garrett could add a few more this week against a Titans offense that has struggled in all facets, including pass protection. They have surrendered 22 sacks since week seven, with at least three in every game.

With Alex Wright missing time, the next most feared pass rusher on the roster is Maliek Collins, who was carted off with a knee injury on Sunday and is done for the year. The good news for the team is that Alex Wright could be back soon.

Guru's IDP Notes: Dallas Cowboys