Stay focused

I don’t care what you’re doing, performing surgery or just signing your own name, if you’re not locked in I promise the outcome’s going to be less than what you wanted. You can practice for hours, study until your eyes burn, try to perfect every angle of your craft… but when it’s go time? If your focus isn’t there, it will show up sooner or later.

And harnessing that focus over a long stretch? Sometimes that’s tougher than the task itself. One of my other passions is pool. I’ve played since I was a kid. I love it just as much as the next person. But catch me at a tournament at 2 a.m., I promise that focus hits different than it did when we started. It’s a fight to stay sharp.

That’s the point. Stay with me now

We’re reaching the end of the regular season, and this is where it matters the most. This is where the details separate contenders from pretenders. Anybody remember Khaleke Hudson? Ugo Amadi? P.J. Locke? I do. And I’m sure a few of my league mates remember too. This is the part of the year where the unsung heroes step into the light and help you win those crucial matchups.

Keep an eye on injuries. Track snap percentages. Watch for struggling teams giving that young guy a shot just to see what they’ve got. All of it matters. All of it is relevant when you’re making your push toward the postseason.

Stay P.J.-locked in. (Could not resist the dad joke opportunity there)

*This is in reference to FantasyPros Week to Week Rankings & using a platform that allows dual designation*





⚡ Green Light – DL: Dallas Turner vs.
(Season Rank: DL49 through Week 11)

The Vikings have had us waiting to see what Turner really looks like with a full workload, and even now this still feels like a bit of a swing. But last week was the best game of his young NFL career, and it only happened because Greenard’s injury opened the door. Turner answered with an over-DL4 finish in Week 11 — that’s real momentum, not noise.

If he can carry that into Week 12, the matchup sets up well. Green Bay has allowed the 8th-most tackles to opposing DLs, giving Turner a strong floor if the snaps hold. The key variable here is Greenard: if he suits up, we re-evaluate. Keep an eye on injury reports because that will determine just how green this light truly is.

Snap Share (Last 3 Weeks): 22% → 39% → 89%

Bottom Line: If Greenard sits again, Turner is a momentum-backed rookie stepping into a plus matchup with a skyrocketing snap share. If Greenard returns, pump the brakes and reassess. This play is all about opportunity meeting trajectory.

⚡ Green Light – LB: Blake Cashman vs.
(Season Rank: LB64 through Week 11)

Alright, I promise I’m not a Vikings homer its just this matchup is just too good to ignore. This won’t be the hottest take of the season, but it checks every box. Cashman missed time earlier in the year, which tanked his season-long rank, but since returning in Week 7 he’s been performing like a top-five LB.

You’ve already seen what this Packers offense gives up to opposing DLs… it’s even more generous to linebackers. Green Bay is allowing the 4th-most tackles to the position, and Cashman’s role couldn’t be more secure. With three straight weeks of a full snap load and an every-down assignment, this is as clean of a green light as you’ll get.

Snap Share (Last 3 Weeks): 100% → 100% → 100%

Bottom Line:
Cashman is locked into a full workload against a tackle-friendly offense. You can roll him out with confidence as the floor is high, and the ceiling is right there with it.

⚡ Green Light – DB: Chamarri Conner vs.
(Season Rank: DB19 through Week 11)

I’ve made it a point not to feature the same player twice in this series, but I’m making an exception here. My Week 7 IDPendent Matchups article was the first of the series, and I felt flat-out cheated. I green-lit Conner that week, only for Kansas City to throttle the Raiders 31–0, bench starters, and blow the entire game script to pieces. Nobody was getting usable volume in that mess.

Now, I’ll be the first to admit that outside of that week, Conner’s season has had its ups and downs. But coming off the Week 10 bye, he bounced back with a spike performance, finishing DB8 in Week 11. And now he gets a matchup tailor-made for what he does best.

The Colts rank top five in tackles allowed to opposing DBs, and that’s exactly where Conner makes his living. The role is stable, the usage is elite, and the matchup lines up perfectly.

Snap Share (Last 3 Weeks): 100% → 100% → 100%

Bottom Line: If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to trust Conner again, this is it. Elite usage against a tackle-heavy matchup gives him one of the strongest DB floors of the week.






🛑 Pump the Brakes – DL: Byron Young vs.
(Season Rank: DL5 through Week 11)

Trust me, I’m not enjoying this one. I literally just traded for Byron Young in my main league gearing up for a playoff push so this one hurts to write. But we’ve got to call it how we see it.

Young has been on an absolute tear this season, but like everything in this game, it’s all “What have you done for me lately?” And lately? It hasn’t been pretty. Over the last three weeks he’s been borderline unplayable, finishing as DL65 during that stretch. This is exactly why we don’t overpay for defenders gang (yeah, I’m talking to myself here).

And it gets worse. Tampa Bay is nearly dead last in tackles allowed to opposing DLs so the matchup doesn’t offer much of a floor, let alone upside. None of this has me revving the engine, more so more so coming to a full stop at the yellow light right at the most inconvenient time.

Snap Share (Last 3 Weeks): 78% → 78% → 76%

Bottom Line: Elite season or not, Young’s cold streak and a brutal matchup make him a risky Week 12 play. Temper expectations, this isn’t the spot to bet on a bounce-back.

🛑 Pump the Brakes – LB: Demario Davis vs.
(Season Rank: LB12 through Week 11)

What an absolute unit. Fourteen seasons deep and still sitting at LB12 and not many players will be able to say that. Ole reliable is still getting it done, but this week I want to stop, look both ways, and make sure we actually have the right of way before rolling him into lineups.

Over the last three weeks, things have shifted. Davis has posted LB59 production during that stretch, and when you pair that with the Falcons being in the bottom third of the league in tackles allowed to opposing LBs, the metrics just don’t line up in our favor. It’s not a bench-at-all-costs situation, but it’s definitely one where you double-check before hitting “start.”

Snap Share (Last 3 Weeks): 100% → 100% → 100%

Bottom Line: Davis is a legend, but recent production and a low volume matchup create real problems. You can still play him if you must, but don’t expect his season average this week.

🛑 Pump the Brakes – DB: Kevin Byard vs.
(Season Rank: DB7 through Week 11)

Kevin Byard isn’t the flashiest name in IDP, but if he’s on your roster you’ve been more than happy with the return. And to be fair, his last three weeks haven’t even been bad – he’s been a top-25 DB in that window. The problem isn’t Byard. It’s the matchup.

The Steelers are one of the worst teams you can draw right now if you’re a defensive back. Their passing attack is limited, and that’s translated into them being a bottom-five team in tackles allowed to opposing DBs. That’s the wrong kind of volume for someone who thrives on steady tackle production.

Snap Share (Last 3 Weeks): 100% → 100% → 100%

Bottom Line: Byard’s been solid, but the matchup is all downside. If you’ve got a comparable option with a better tackle environment, don’t hesitate to swap him in for Week 12.






Connect with Me
Want to talk more IDP, bounce around trade ideas, or just chat fantasy football? You can find me here:

Come hang out, share your takes, and let’s keep building those championship rosters together!



References
– Tackles Allowed by Team/Position: PFF – Macri
– Rankings: FantasyPros Week-to-Week Leaders
– Snap %: https://www.footballguys.com/