The fantasy regular season is approaching its end. This is when it gets real. But it's also the time to start building your roster for the postseason. As we move closer to the fantasy postseason, Reading the Defense will start taking a look at some of the guys who could go boom or bust in the playoffs. Let's get to it.
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Calais Campbell, DL, Arizona Cardinals: Campbell is putting together a Pro Bowl season, something that would have been hard to imagine considering the losses Arizona has suffered on defense this season. Nonetheless, Arizona's playmaking lineman has racked up five sacks in the past three games and faces a fairly tantalizing matchup down the stretch. With the Cardinals still chasing the division title, they'll need Campbell to continue to play well.
Playoff schedule: vs KC, at STL, vs SEA
Sio Moore, LB, Oakland Raiders: Moore gained unwanted attention for his ill-timed celebration in the win over Kansas City. But that shouldn't overshadow the play of a man who has quietly put together a nice season for the Silver and Black. He'll end it with three matchups that look a lot more favorable now than they did at the start of the season.
Playoff schedule: vs SF, at KC, vs BUF
T.J. McDonald, DB, St. Louis Rams: It's probably gone unnoticed in many quarters, but McDonald is having quite the IDP season. Like many of his Rams teammates, McDonald has improved as the season has progressed. Things should only get better as St. Louis lines up against a trio of teams with definite deficiencies in their passing games to end the season.
Playoff schedule: at WAS, vs ARI, vs NYG
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Willie Young, DL, Chicago Bears: Young had a quick start to the season, racking up seven sacks in Chicago's first five games. Since then, things have slowed considerably. Young has notched just one sack since Week 7 and will face some frustrating offensive line matchups through the fantasy postseason. Time to get bearish on this Bear.
Playoff schedule: vs DAL, vs NO, vs DET
Paul Worrilow, LB, Atlanta Falcons: Worrilow had a break out season in 2013 and has followed it up with an even stronger campaign in 2014 -- all while playing in the midst of one of the NFL's worst defenses. However Worrilow will need to be Superman to singlehandedly chase down some of the offensive weapons he and the Falcons will face over the final few weeks.
Playoff schedule: at GB, vs PIT, at NO
Adam Jones, DB, Cincinnati Bengals: The Bengals secondary has not been as formidable as in seasons past, which could eventually take its toll on Jones' production. In addition, Cincinnati faces a trio of teams that have been fairly efficient in the passing game, including a Browns team that has Josh Gordon back in action.
Playoff schedule: vs PIT, at CLE, vs DEN
Four downs
» The Browns got Josh Gordon back in their lineup, but now it appears that they will have to go without their best playmaker on defense. Tashaun Gipson, who leads the NFL with six interceptions, suffered an MCL sprain and is expected to miss the remainder of the regular season. Gipson's absence is likely to thrust Jordan Poyer into a larger role. Poyer, in his second NFL season, has yet to start a game in his career and has recorded only nine tackles this year.
» It seems that we were premature in proclaiming big things for Jadeveon Clowney in 2014. The No. 1 overall pick has been limited by injuries all season long and says he's still not at 100 percent. We've seen Clowney pick things up in the couple of games since his return but it looks like we're going to have to wait until next season to see him get closer to his potential. At least there's always J.J. Watt.
» Giants linebacker Jameel McClain left Sunday night's loss to the Dallas Cowboys with a knee injury and was set to undergo an MRI on Monday. The good news is that the injury doesn't appear to be serious and McClain could suit up and play in Big Blue's Week 13 contest at Jacksonville. That's good news for a player who has been able to rack up tackles at the middle linebacker position after the loss of Jon Beason to injury.
» The Denver Broncos could have linebacker Danny Trevathan back in action as soon as Week 14 as he recovers from a cracked bone in his knee. The move could leave questions as to what happens with Brandon Marshall. The third-year linebacker has played very well and currently sits as the fourth-best IDP linebacker. It's hard to think Trevathan's return will completely push Marshall out of the lineup.
Marcas Grant is a fantasy editor for NFL.com. Follow him on Twitter @MarcasG.
