IDP: Week 12 matchups to watch

• For more from Antonio D’Arcangelis, go to RotoExperts.com

With three matchups popping off on Thanksgiving, it’s important to take note of a few significant injuries. Brian Dawkins(notes) is listed as questionable for the night game between the Giants and Broncos, so he’s been taken off my studs list. Aaron Kampman(notes) has been removed as well, but he’s out for the rest of the season with a torn ACL. I’ve added Bills LB Paul Posluszny(notes), who’s been producing at a very high, very consistent level, and Rams rookie James Laurinaitis(notes), who’s now the 10th-best LB in fantasy. Another DB having an excellent year is Bengals CB Johnathan Joseph(notes), who joins fellow Cincy corner Leon Hall(notes) on the studs list. Joseph has 15 tackles, nine PD and an INT over his last three games.

Leigh Bodden’s(notes) big triple-triple day (three solos, three PD and three INT – one of which he returned for a score) also lands him on the studs list. The game may have been a fluke, but in his previous three games he had 13 tackles, five PD and an INT, and in Week 5 at Denver he had 11 tackles and 2 PD. Bodden is clearly a playmaker worthy of an every-week start in deeper IDP formats. I’ve added tiers to the format this week (studs should be considered on par with Tier 1), and I’m paring down my summaries. If you’re looking for specific information on who to start, make sure you shoot me an e-mail or post a comment. Remember – be as specific as possible if you’re looking for one-on-one advice.

Studs (this could change from week-to-week, so pay attention)

DL: Jared Allen(notes), Elvis Dumervil(notes), Andre Carter(notes), Aaron Schobel(notes), Julius Peppers(notes), Jason Taylor(notes), Robert Mathis(notes), Trent Cole(notes), Will Smith(notes), Justin Tuck(notes), Dwight Freeney(notes)

LB: Patrick Willis(notes), Brian Cushing(notes), Jon Beason(notes), David Harris(notes), Curtis Lofton(notes), D.J. Williams(notes), Keith Bulluck(notes), Ray Lewis(notes), Barrett Ruud(notes), Lance Briggs(notes), Chad Greenway(notes), London Fletcher(notes), James Laurinaitis, James Harrison(notes), David Hawthorne(notes), Kirk Morrison(notes), Paul Posluszny

DB: Darren Sharper(notes), Charles Woodson(notes), Jairus Byrd(notes), Leon Hall, Johnathan Joseph, Leigh Bodden, Antoine Bethea(notes), Antrel Rolle(notes), Daniel Manning, Eric Weddle(notes), O.J. Atogwe, Ed Reed(notes), Tyvon Branch(notes)

Defensive Linemen – 10 matchups to watch in Week 12:

Tier 1
Cliff Avril(notes), DET vs. GB – Avril’s best game of the season was against the Packers; he’s nearly universally available and should post solid stats.

Ray Edwards(notes), MIN vs. CHI – Probably the second-best DE in the NFC North, and the other is on his team.

Randy Starks(notes), MIA @ BUF – Has luxury of playing on an underrated defense; rarely draws double-teams.

Patrick Kerney(notes), SEA @ STL – Veteran defender poised for another big day versus a porous line.

Shaun Ellis(notes), NYJ vs. CAR – Best Jets DL in a favorable matchup; Panthers are throwing more and Jets can defend the run.

Tier 2
John Henderson(notes), JAC @ SF – Coming on strong with 11 tackles, three sacks in last four games; San Francisco’s line is weak.

Leonard Little(notes), STL vs. SEA – Seattle doesn’t allow huge games from DL, but Little can be both crafty and overpowering.

Dwan Edwards(notes), BAL vs. PIT – A Week 12 sleeper who’ll be used in pass rush with LB/DE Terrell Suggs(notes) still out.

Brian Orakpo(notes), WAS @ PHI – Rookie is a sack specialist who’ll pressure Donovan McNabb(notes) all day.

Darnell Dockett(notes), ARI @TEN – A versatile DL on a defense that needs to step up and stymie Titans RB Chris Johnson.

Linebackers – 15 matchups to watch in Week 12:

Tier 1
Larry Foote(notes), DET vs. GB – One of the best value LBs in fantasy, and Thursday’s early matchup is to die for.

Jerod Mayo(notes), NE @ NO – One of a handful of 3-4 ILBs who play like 4-3 MLBs; Saints need to run to botch a win.

Nick Barnett(notes), GB @ DET – Easily the hottest LB in Green Bay; Kampman’s injury means more time on field, frequent blitzes.

Gary Brackett(notes), IND @ HOU – When healthy, he’s a stud; look for him to help in coverage and make plays.

DeMarcus Ware(notes), DAL vs. OAK – The Raiders are throwing enough to justify a start, but he’s boom-or-bust.

Tier 2
Lawrence Timmons(notes), PIT – Ready to start dominating, and Ravens running game will offer opportunities.

Jonathan Vilma(notes), NO vs. NE – Must help the backup CBs on scads of short Wes Welker(notes) routes.

Will Witherspoon(notes), PHI vs. WAS – No longer the starting MLB, but Witherspoon is a versatile playmaker who’ll focus attention on Rock Cartwright(notes).

Karlos Dansby(notes), ARI @ TEN – With Kurt Warner(notes) woozy, he’s the No. 1 reason the Cards can beat the Titans; without him, they’d be toast.

Stephen Tulloch(notes), TEN vs. ARI – Whether it’s Tim Hightower(notes) or Beanie Wells(notes), Tulloch will be hounding the ball carrier.

Tier 3
Andra Davis(notes), DEN vs. NYG – An effective tackler who’ll be needed in both run defense and pass coverage against the Giants.

Hunter Hillenmeyer(notes), CHI @ MIN – Vikings, Rams, Packers and Ravens are all going to run right at this guy.

Dhani Jones(notes), CIN vs. CLE – Not a top option this week because the Browns won’t run, but hard to sit after so many consistently strong weeks.

Gerald Hayes(notes), ARI @ TEN – Another Cards LB who could be in for a long day in Tennessee.

Stephen Cooper(notes), SD vs. KC – The best tackler on the Chargers – and the most consistent IDP performer.

Defensive Backs – 15 matchups to watch in Week 12:

Tier 1
Champ Bailey(notes), DEN vs. NYG – Giants will throw, and Bailey stands to benefit from Eli Manning’s(notes) newfound confidence and occasional inaccuracy.

Brandon Meriweather(notes), NE @ NO – Saints frequently use the middle of the field – which is Meriweather’s stomping ground.

Louis Delmas(notes), DET vs. GB – Jarring tackler who spends lots of time on field and makes his presence felt.

Malcolm Jenkins(notes), NO vs. NE – If Jabari Greer(notes) can’t go, the talented young Jenkins will get picked on – and respond.

Bernard Pollard(notes), HOU vs. IND – The Texans’ mid-season acquisition plays with intensity of a LB, where the team is very strong.

Tier 2
Cortland Finnegan(notes), TEN vs. ARI – Underrated IDP star who plays under-the-radar and always keeps his team in the game with big stops.

George Wilson(notes), BUF vs. MIA – Despite Donte Whitner’s(notes) return, still producing in Bills secondary.

Erik Coleman(notes), ATL vs. TB – “The Cooler” is a tackling machine – 83 tackles on the season and more to come.

Reed Doughty(notes), WAS @ PHI – Equally adept at defending pass or run, Doughty is ready for this NFC East matchup.

Abram Elam(notes), CLE @ CIN – A few quiet weeks, but Bengals possession game will free him up for monster day.

Tier 3
Tanard Jackson(notes), TB @ ATL – The second-best fantasy DB in Tampa Bay, he’s a tad luckier than Aqib Talib(notes).

Mike Brown(notes), KC @ SD – Lots of time on field, aggressive tackling boost his growing value.

Dashon Goldson(notes), SF vs. JAC – Goldson producing, but matchup doesn’t bode well for tackle-heavy corners.

Dawan Landry(notes), BAL vs. PIT – Landry is the “other guy” in the Ravens secondary; Pittsburgh problems at QB could mean big day for him or Reed.

Cedric Griffin(notes), MIN vs. CHI – Cutler’s INT propensity is a plus, but there’s no guarantee Griffin will reach his usual tackle count.

Antonio can be reached at Antonio@rotoexperts.com.