Fire up the Chicago Bulls intro music, because it is GO TIME! Week 15 is here, and so are the fantasy football playoffs. Different sports, but the adrenaline-pumping feeling in which that music induces, and the thrill of being in the fantasy football playoffs, compare only to a few experiences in life. Most of which are illegal or not appropriate for an IDP Report. It was another smashing success for Fantasy Alarm, and the results do not lie. 

Weekly Grade: A-. Every IDP from last week put forth outstanding effort, and the effort paid off. Robinson only had one tackle in the game; fortunately, it was a sack, strip, and fumble. He earned double-digit points on one play. Fantasy life of a defensive lineman. Landman and Lassiter each had an interception with two passes defended. Lassiter added five solo tackles, earning the best performance of the week.

An A- grade because there were only 9 combined tackles, but with over 45 combined fantasy points, it is another excellent week for the Fantasy Alarm IDP Report.

 

 

 

Fantasy Football IDP Risers Week 15

Jalyx Hunt is a second-year NFL defensive lineman for the Philadelphia Eagles. He comes from the small school of Houston Christian University, but is making a big impact for the Eagles this season. He’s a big-play defensive lineman in much the same way Chop Robinson is. 

One big play can make all the difference, and Hunt has 4.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and 2 interceptions. With the Eagle sputtering, Hunt and the rest of the IDPs must rise to the occasion. Keep an eye on this riser and snag him up if a defensive lineman is needed.

Owen Pappoe is a third-year linebacker for the Arizona Cardinals, and he is going to be available in every IDP fantasy football league. He played his first defensive snaps of the season last week, and Pappoe made the most of it. He earned 6 solo tackles, 4 assisted tackles, and 1 pass defended. 

Double-digit points in his first real action is a good sign. Akeem Davis-Gaither only played one defensive snap, and this could be a trend going forward. The Cardinals are eliminated and looking at young talent. Dynasty league managers should get Pappoe for free on the waiver.

Avonte Maddox is a defensive back for the Detroit Lions. Although he only played two snaps in the past three combined games, he will see a massive uptick going forward. In fact, once Brian Branch went down last week, he played 80 defensive snaps.

Branch will be out for the remainder of this season, and likely most of the next, with a torn Achilles. Maddox earned 6 solo tackles, 2 assisted tackles,1 pass defended, and 1 forced fumble. He could be a playoff darling for IDP managers in need of a free-agent defensive back. Pick him up and start him in week 15 and beyond

 


 

Fantasy Football Week 15 IDP Waiver Wire Targets

Tommy Togiai, Defensive Lineman, Houston Texans

Tommy Togiai is getting his first mention of the season, but he has put together some good games recently. Togiai has 0.5 or more sacks in two of his last four matches and has 22 combined tackles in that time. 

With so much attention on Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter, Togiai can take advantage of one-on-one matches. He also has a very favorable playoff schedule: Arizona Cardinals, Las Vegas Raiders, and Los Angeles Chargers. Look for him to have a big play in multiple playoff games. Pick this IDP up from the week 15 waiver wire.

Drue Tranquill, Linebacker, Kansas City Chiefs

Tranquill has been sneakily good over the past few weeks. He earned 10 combined tackles against the Houston Texans last week and has 25 combined tackles in his last four games. That is an average of 6.25 per game. He plays the Los Angeles Chargers, Tennessee Titans, and Denver Broncos the next three weeks, and has value for the fantasy football playoffs.

The tackles should be there, and a few of them for losses. Tranquill has 8 tackles for loss this season. The Chargers have a bad offensive line, and Tranquill could sack the injured Justin Herbert. Trust Tranquill with a high floor in week 15.

C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Defensive Back, Chicago Bears

C.J. Gardner-Johnson started his season with the Houston Texans. Then made his way to the Baltimore Ravens practice squad, but has been with the Chicago Bears since late October. He is an important member of their defense and has good volume for an IDP. He earned ten tackles last week against the Green Bay Packers and has 2 sacks with a forced fumble since arriving in Chicago. 

The Bears play the Cleveland Browns and Packers at home the next two weeks. Gardner-Johnson could be a hot waiver wire pick-up that puts up double-digit fantasy football points in weeks 15 and 16. Pick him up off the waiver wire and put him in the lineup.

 

 


 

NFL Week 15 IDP Matchups To Capitalize On

Atlanta Falcons vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers Thursday 8:15 PM ET

The wily veteran is not the IDP he once was, but he is still serviceable in reality and fantasy football. Some may hesitate to start him after two weeks with less than 8 fantasy points, but he should have a great game this week. Bijan Robinson, Kyle Pitts, and Tyler Allgeier are the only players who get any volume for the Atlanta Falcons. David will be matched up on all three this Thursday night.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are still in first place in the NFC South, but they must keep winning to keep control. David is the leader of the team, and he will up his performance against a familiar veteran quarterback. Look for a high number of tackles and a big play from the 14-year veteran.

Washington Commanders vs New York Giants Sunday 1:00 PM ET

A 15-year veteran cracks the week 15 IDP matchups to capitalize on, too. It’s an unc convention, and Von Miller is going to bring the heat. The Washington Commanders are eliminated from the playoffs, and that should free up Von Miller for more snaps. The former Super Bowl 50 MVP is chasing something beyond postseason success. He’s chasing glory.

He is currently 13th all-time in total sacks with 135.5. He is 0.5 sacks behind Hall of Fame member Jared Allen, and 2 sacks behind Hall of Fame members Richard Dent and John Randle. He’s 3.5 sacks behind Terrell Suggs and 4 sacks behind Hall of Fame member and 2006 AP defensive player of the year Jason Taylor. 

Four sacks in four games might be a stretch, but 2.5 sacks to move into the top ten all-time is not. Look for the 2011 second overall pick to get more snaps and earn a sack against rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart in week 15. Play him with confidence in IDP lineups.

Indianapolis Colts vs Seattle Seahawks Sunday 4:25 PM ET

Nick Emmanwori just had a heck of a game in week 14. He has had two strong games in the past four weeks, and the expectation is he will have another in week 15. The Seattle Seahawks are hosting the suddenly troubled Indianapolis Colts. The Colts are bringing in 44-year-old quarterback Philip Rivers for a tryout this week. He was last spotted at Antonio Gates' Hall of Fame induction and hasn’t played in the NFL since the 2020 season. 

Regardless of who is at quarterback for the Colts, it will not be pretty. The Seahawks will likely jump out to a lead and maintain it throughout the game. That will force more passes from Indianapolis and lead to another big play from Emmanwori. The rookie has 6 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 9 passes defended, and 1 interception.  Let’s not forget the 53 combined tackles, and he’s only started seven games. Emmanwori is playing for an all-rookie team from the AP, and to get Seattle the first seed. Play the rookie with confidence in week 15. 

 

Bet Smart, Be Lucky - Iggy -