Week 7 IDP Matchups to Exploit & Streaming Options

Oct 15, 2025

Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

Ideally, you drafted a set-it-and-forget-it IDP roster, rendering this column useless to you all season long, but that's not how life works. The Waiver Wire column should help as well, but I want to use this space weekly to highlight some of the best matchup spots on the slate, along with any corresponding defenders who are in line to benefit.

Sometimes, I'll reference a player who's nearly universally rostered across all IDP leagues, which might help you with a potential start/sit decision you were wrestling with.

There's a lot of variance in how defensive players score fantasy points, but the most bankable skill set is tackles. It provides a projectable floor for all players when other categories like interceptions and touchdowns are so hard to predict year-to-year, let alone week-to-week. But there's a subjectivity to exploit that doesn't exist with other statistics.

For example, a reception is a binary outcome. A catch either happens or it doesn't. But a tackle and who's credited with it in the box score is entirely at the discretion of the official scorekeeper for that game. Was that a solo tackle or assist? That presents an exploitable opportunity for IDP gamers.

In this space, the weekly targets will range from individual players and positional groups to entire defensive units. IDP leagues are like snowflakes, so if you have specific questions, jump into our subscriber Discord, find the IDP channel, and tag me with any questions you have. Some of you play in leagues where all of these players are already owned, and some of you play in IDP leagues where only 3-4 players are rostered on each team, so the players listed below might not even be on your radar, so don't be afraid to reach out.

More IDP: Week 7 IDP Rankings | Week 7 IDP Waiver Wire | Team v. Position Tackle Data

Still not a 4for4 Subscriber? Use Code NOONAN50 for 50% off your first month!

Week 7 IDP Matchups to Exploit

Pittsburgh Steelers Pass Rush vs. Cincinnati Bengals

The Steelers have the league's best trio of edge rushers, along with a strong interior presence led by vet Cam Heyward. Even though Joe Flacco is doing a good job at getting the ball out quickly, this Bengals offensive line is struggling, and there are above-average matchups all over the place here for the Steelers. You're starting T.J. Watt, and even on a lesser snap share, Alex Highsmith should be in your lineup too. Nick Herbig has earned more snaps here, too, and is coming off an eight-pressure performance, with five of the eight pressures on the day being quick pressures (less than 2.5 seconds), which resulted in two full sacks.

Los Angeles Rams Pass Rush vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars' offensive line allowed a 50% pressure rate in Week 6's matchup against the Seahawks, and they'll have their hands full again in Week 7 against the Rams' defensive line depth. Jared Verse (1st), Byron Young (6th), and Kobie Turner (25th) are among the league leaders in true pass set pressures per PFF. Start them with confidence.