As we approach the fantasy playoffs, the magnitude of wins and losses are amplified over these final few weeks. As Scott Hanson mentions during his “Witching Hour” portion of the Red Zone, this is the time of year that wins become playoff spots, and losses become playoff misses.
So with that, I give you my Favorable IDP Matchups.
Daron Payne-Washington Football Team
Another @WashingtonNFL X-stunt, this time between the NT (Tim Settle) and the 3-tech DT (Daron Payne)
— J.Wallusch 🌹 (@J52Wallusch) December 4, 2021
⏱️ Q1, 1min 45sec#WashingtonFootball#NFL pic.twitter.com/gXZW5U3PWr
Many considered the Football Team to be a less formidable defensive line, with the loss of Chase Young. While it is safe to say that any team would be worse for wear without Young, I don’t think the WFT defensive line gets enough credit. Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen deserve our attention, but only one is my Favorable IDP Matchup.
Allen has been a beast on the season, ranking in the top 5 among interior linemen in pressures, but this weeks’ favorable matchup will come at the expense of the right side of the Vegas offensive line. Yes, I have beaten up on Alex Leatherwood and Brandon Parker a lot on the season, but it isn’t without substance. Leatherwood and Parker have a combined 32 pressures allowed over the past 3 weeks. Look for the WFT to create havoc, and see Payne with a sack under his belt. The Raiders like to run over the RG, so the upside for 4+ tackles to complement the sack upside is enticing.
Nick Vigil-Minnesota Vikings
#Vikings LB Anthony Barr calls the defensive signals. If he can’t play on Sunday, Nick Vigil would continue being next in line for that role. Mike Zimmer said after that Troy Dye is the number three guy for calling the signals.
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) December 3, 2021
The Minnesota Vikings might be lucky to be playing the Lions this week, considering the number of players missing Week 13 due to injury. The most recent addition to this list is Eric Kendricks. The loss of Eric Kendricks will be amplified if Anthony Barr can’t suit up either. Since Barr is the play-caller on the Vikings’ defense, his absence would mean that Vigil would wear the green dot and be in line for 100% of the snaps. This combination is the epitomy of a Favorable IDP Matchup.
If Barr were to play, I could still see Vigil producing an LB3 type of week, but without Barr, Vigil has a chance to replicate his Week 1 numbers where he had 11 tackles and a sack. In addition to the increased snaps, the fact that Michael Pierce and Dalvin Tomlinson are both playing should give him a little more real estate to work with. Finally, I can see a situation where the Lions are actually able to take advantage of the Vikings’ injuries to their defense and keep Vigil and Co. on the field for longer than normal.
Brandon Facyson-Las Vegas Raiders
I don’t feel that the CB position gets enough love, so here you go! Brandon Facyson, brought in from the Chargers’ practice squad has actually been a fixture in the Raiders’ secondary. While you will see mixed reviews when it comes to his play, his fantasy output is undeniable as of late.
Since Week 7, Facyson has no less than 6 tackles in a game and has 6 passes defended to go along with the tackles. In the 6 games that he has played on the season, he has double-digit fantasy points in each! The Raiders will face the Washington Football Team in Week 13, and Facyson looks to get the lucky assignment of Terry McLaurin. Expect plenty of targets in Facyson’s direction.