If you haven’t already, it’s time to start looking to the playoffs, as they begin Week 14 in most leagues. I hope you’re all poised for a championship, but even if you aren’t, I hope you’re trying your best to play spoiler for your league mates. This week is yet another instance of four teams on bye, including the Browns, Packers, Panthers, and Titans. There is some real star power missing this week, such as Myles Garrett, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, De’Vondre Campbell, Adrian Amos, Brian Burns, Shaq Thompson, Jeremy Chinn, Harold Landry, Jayon Brown, and Kevin Byard, among others. Let’s take a look at a couple players who can provide a lift down the stretch.
To qualify for this article, player must be under 50% rostered on Fantrax.
Defensive Line/EDGE
Rashan Gary, Green Bay Packers
Yes, I know, the Packers are on a bye this week. But like I said above, we have to start looking to the playoffs, and who can help you take down the trophy. Rashan Gary isn’t being talked about enough, but he’s been on a tear lately, and he’s finally showing the level of production that Green Bay expected when they selected him in the 1st Round in 2019.Â
Gary has recorded 5 sacks over his past 5 games, and is now on a three game sack streak. This comes after only 1.5 sacks over the first 6 weeks. All in all, he’s recording 6.5 sacks (his career high) with 5 games to play. Considering the bye this week, he may continue to fly under the radar on the waiver wire, but if he continues this level of play moving forward, he could provide a massive boost for your playoff run. He’s only rostered in 21% of leagues.
Linebacker
Alex Anzalone, Detroit Lions
The Detroit defense is not a place that you’d typically want to be looking for IDP stars, but don’t worry, Alex Anzalone is no star. What he is though, is a steady performer who you can trust me be on the field and make tackles every single week. He’s not going to a LB1 most weeks, but he’s not a guy who’ll drop a 0 and lose you a week.
Anzalone has played 100% of snaps in every game but one this season, and in that game he played 94%. He is as trustworthy as they come in that regard. Now with a full-time role he never had in New Orleans, Anzalone is having the best statistical season of is career. His 73 combined tackles rank 40th in the league overall, and 29th among LBs. He doesn’t typically have those huge boom weeks, so he’s been overlooked for much of the season. He’s reach 9 tackles twice over his last 3 weeks though, so you can definitely do worse if you need some help at the LB position. He’s still available in 71% of leagues!
Thanks for checking in, and as always you can find me on Twitter @CantALoupe_FF. Good luck in Week 13!
