If you take your league's IDP crown this season, you have to be willing to sell out for Week 16. Assuming your championship is played this week and that you're not in a keeper league, every move you make should be made to maximize your roster's potential for this week and this week alone. Even if you've been comfortable playing a given defensive back over the course of the season that happens to play Miami or Washington this week, think about dropping them, as there's little chance you'll be lucky enough to get an interception. Same goes for any defensive linemen that face the likes of New Orleans, Denver or Indianapolis in Week 16, as Drew Brees, Jay Cutler and Peyton Manning simply do not take many sacks. The following is a handful of guys, all of whom are likely available in your free agent pool, that could be in line for big weeks.
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Shaun Phillips, OLB, Chargers: The rushing linebacker in San Diego does not get a ton of IDP love despite logging 27 sacks from 2005-07, including 6.5 this season. He's a fine play for Week 16 against Tampa Bay and is an even better one if Jeff Garcia's calf causes him to miss another game and the Bucs are forced to go with Brian Griese, who was sacked four times last week. Phillips also has gotten better at posting decent tackle numbers, already having come up with a career-high 69 on the year.
Will Smith, DE, Saints: Smith is a player that was most likely drafted at the beginning of the season but has been let go in the vast majority of leagues given his lack of production, as well a looming suspension. While the sacks haven't been there this season (3), he still has the ability to add one or two more before the season's end. In addition, he's remained relatively useful over the past five weeks despite just one sack, having compiled 31 tackles over the span. Don't be surprised if he's able to take advantage of the Lions who allow an average of 3.5 sacks per game.
Sabby Piscitelli, SS, Buccaneers: Jermaine Phillips is out again with a broken arm and Piscitelli will again fill his vacant spot in the lineup. He should see plenty of tackle opportunities facing LaDainian Tomlinson and the Chargers in Week 16 and he may even be able to get his hands on a ball from Philip Rivers.
Scott Shanle, OLB, Saints: It's no coincidence that two Saints find their names on this week's list given their matchup against Detroit. Shanle was great in 2006 but regressed in 2007, coming up with just 68 tackles without a single sack. The former Cornhusker has looked more like his 2006 form this season and has been on a roll over the last four weeks, posting a nifty 33 tackles while adding a sack over that span. Look for him to rake in another load of tackles in Week 16.
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Jacques Reeves, CB, Texans: Reeves has two interceptions and a forced fumble over the past four weeks to go along 19 tackles, not bad for a cornerback. He could be good for his fifth interception of 2008 this week against a Raiders offense that has given up four interceptions over the past two weeks, three by JaMarcus Russell and one by Andrew Walter.
Tyler Brayton, DE, Panthers: Brayton has started all 14 games for Carolina this season and could end up with the best campaign of his six-year career. He's sacked Jeff Garcia and Jay Cutler over the past two weeks, two quarterbacks that are very hard to take down, and will look to make it three straight weeks with a sack against the Giants on Sunday night. It seems like a good time to face New York, as Eli Manning is coming off last Sunday night's eight-sack debacle.
Danny Goldin is a writer for RotoWire. For more information, check out rotowire.com.
