It takes thousands of computers and multiple executives to make the NFL schedule, and it is a disaster. Only computers would load up on a bye week so crucial to the fantasy football community. A lack of respect for an $11 billion dollar industry in the United States alone, is not wise, but one we all must deal with.

There is nothing we can do about it either, and Fantasy Alarm is a staff of fixers not fussers. The Week 14 Fantasy Football IDP Report said last week to plan for the Week 14 bye as much as possible. This week is a win-and-in scenario for several fantasy football managers, a prepared manager would have covered a week 14 bye with players that can play this week. 

 

 

 

You are obviously a prepared manager by subscribing and looking to get the most out of your weekly lineups. But for teams with players they cannot afford to drop, for those that are in Fantasy Football IDP leagues with shallow benches, and for those in one and done leagues these are players to take note of.

2024 Fantasy Football Week 14 IDP Overview

There are six teams on a bye during the last regular season week of most IDP fantasy football leagues. Those teams are; Baltimore Ravens, Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots, and Washington Commanders. Of those six teams, four of them are teams with winning records, and currently in the playoffs.

There is no reason to panic though, The Week 14 Fantasy Football IDP Report has you covered with risers, waiver wire selections, and matchups to take advantage of. 

Fantasy Football IDP Risers Week 14

Will McDonald is a defensive end for the New York Jets, and the second-year man from Iowa State is rising up the rankings. New York may have had a terrible game, but McDonald did not. He earned two sacks on two tackles against the Seattle Seahawks which is a great game from any player.

He has games against the Miami Dolphins, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Los Angeles Rams coming up. Teams that allow quarterback pressure, and McDonald could add to his 10 sacks this season. Possibly even challenge the league for most sacks of the season. Keep an eye on him as he rises up the board.

Byron Murphy is a cornerback for the Minnesota Vikings, and he is not getting the credit he deserves from the Fantasy Football IDP community. He has 58 tackles this season, and is an important piece in Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores defense. 

The Minnesota Vikings are on a roll, and have 10 wins on the season. A win total that would be leading every other division in the NFC, but is only one game above third in the NFC North. The Vikings cannot let up, and Murphy will continue his ball hawking ways.

He has 5 interceptions this season and could add more with two home games against the Atlanta Falcons and Chicago Bears. Keep an eye on him and if you need a defensive back for week 14 grab him off of your waivers.

Daryl Worley is currently on the Tennessee Titans as a defensive back. He has only played with the team for four games, but his snaps and stats have increased in every game. Last week against the Washington Commanders he tallied 17 combined tackles which was the most of any player.

The Tennessee Titans host the Jacksonville Jaguars and Cincinnati Bengals over the next two weeks. Two teams that have a heavy passing volume and will put pressure on bad secondaries. 

There is a great opportunity for Worley to have a great couple of weeks. He is rising up the rankings but if you need a plug and play for week 14 get Worley. He could be a difference maker.

 

 

 

Fantasy Football Week 14 IDP Waiver Wire Targets

Isaiah McDuffie, Linebacker, Green Bay Packers

Isaiah McDuffie could have been a one week fill in last week. He recorded 63 snaps, 10 combined tackles, and forced a fumble for a fantastic Fantasy Football IDP scoring week. Rookie star Edgerrin Cooper has been seen practicing this week and could return to the lineup which would alter his snap count.

However McDuffie will also earn snaps regardless if Cooper returns. He has proved he has the trust of the Packers coaching staff, and is capable of being a reliable linebacker. The Packers have a Thursday night match against their division rival, the Detroit Lions. 

Both teams played last Thursday for Thanksgiving, and with the Lions high volume of runs and short passes, McDuffie could be due for a big game. If you are short at linebacker, take a look at McDuffie on a week with several bye weeks, and for deep benches put a FAAB bid on him.

Troy Dye, Linebacker, Los Angeles Chargers

Troy Dye has taken advantage of the Denzel Perryman injury and may have played himself into a starting position. The former Minnesota Viking was a special teams stud, but could be used as a linebacker going forward for the  Los Angeles Chargers.

Los Angeles plays their divisional rival, the Kansas City Chiefs, this week. Arrowhead is a difficult place to play, but the defense should have an advantage of the crowd not setting record decibel noise while the home team is on offense.

Dye had 14 tackles last week in a hard fought victory that was largely won by the defense. The Chargers are currently fifth in the AFC, and with running back JK Dobbins going down much will be asked of their defense. The question becomes who steps up?

Dye is a waiver wire candidate that could be a plug and play IDP with a favorable playoff schedule. The Chargers host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Denver Broncos, then have a week 17 match against the New England Patriots and a week 18 match against the Las Vegas Raiders. There is potential for big games from Troy Dye who is available in almost most Fantasy Football IDP leagues.

Akeem Davis-Gaither, Linebacker, Cincinnati Bengals

Akeem Davis-Gaither made the most of his opportunities with Logan Wilson out of the lineup. Wilson is the Bengals leading tackler, and his loss is not easily replaced. Yet Davis-Gaither looked like a natural filling in.

He crushed his season high tackle total by ten and finished with 13 combined tackles against the Pittsburgh Steelers last week. While the Cincinnati Bengals are essentially eliminated from the playoffs, they could shut down their captain linebacker. This would benefit Davis-Gaither with a starting role for the remainder of the season.

A starting linebacker on a week with six teams on bye is valuable. He could see a spike in FAAB for teams that need a linebacker, and if that is the situation you are in, keep that in mind on the waiver wire this week.

 

 

 

NFL Week 14 IDP Matchups To Capitalize On

Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions, Thursday 8:15 PM ET

Quay Walker has been an absolute monster over his last four games. During that span he has 37 tackles, 1 sack, and 2 passes defended. He has a match against the Detroit Lions in a game that could bring the NFC North race much closer. 

The Lions have two great running backs they utilize, and Quay Walker should be matched on them throughout the game. They also put Sam LaPorta and Amon-Ra St. Brown in short passes, which Walker can be involved in defending.

Walker had 12 combined tackles in his match against the Lions earlier this season. There is every opportunity for him to have that high of a number again this week. He is a great IDP start this week against a great offensive team.

Seattle Seahawks vs. Arizona Cardinals, Sunday 4:05 PM ET

Mack Wilson had a major week 13 game with 7 combined tackles, and 2 sacks in the loss against the Minnesota Vikings. He is up against the Seattle Seahawks this week, in a pivotal NFC West match up. 

The Seahawks enjoy a game advantage over the Cardinals and Arizona will need a big game from their defense in order to beat Seattle. Just a few weeks ago Wilson was able to have four combined tackles and a quarterback hit against the Seahawks. However the Cardinals last that game, if they lose this game they would be down 2.5 games due to losing both their games against Seattle.

With such a short turnaround in their games against each other, neither team will be able to make major adjustments to their rosters or game scripts. Wilson should have several tackles and a possible big play in a game the Cardinals really need to win. 

Buffalo Bills vs. Los Angeles Rams, Sunday 4:25 PM ET

Von Miller is well past his best playing days; however he still has enough juice to have a great game or two. MIller earned a sack in each of the first three games of the season, but he has had only one sack since then and does not have a game with more than two tackles.

That does not stop us from playing him this week against the Los Angeles Rams. Miller is familiar with Matthew Stafford as two of the oldest players in the league. Miller is one of the oldest Fantasy Football IDPs in the league, and his experience will help him bring down Matthew Stafford this week.

MIller is the only active player in the all-time top twenty sack total. He has 127.5 and would move into sixteenth with one more sack. If he gets 10 more to add to his magnificent career, he will be tied with Richard Dent and John Randle for 10th all-time. That is an achievable number for the Super Bowl 50 MVP, and he should get at least one this week if not more. 

Thanks for reading make sure to check out Fantasy Alarm’s Week 14 offensive waiver wire, and injury report to help you prepare for a chaotic week. The slightest of advantages can go a long way in the last week of the regular season.

 

 

 

Bet Smart, Be Lucky 
-Iggy Gilbert-