All praise our new messiah.
This article series will be set up exactly the same as last year’s was. For the Thursday night games, I will be tweeting the start or sit on Twitter (@Orangeman3142). This article will publish weekly on Saturday morning and will cover all of the Sunday games and the Monday night game as well.
Last year I was writing four thousand word articles describing the thought process behind all these “decisions” (start or sit and what tier of expected production). In an effort to cover every IDP relevant player and every matchup and team I’ve cut that part of this process out, for the record though I use past production, playing time, expected game flow and trends of the offense each IDP player is going up against as well as gut instinct and projections from places such as MFL, Yahoo, ESPN and Sleeper to inform these decisions.
If you’re looking for an explanation for a particular player feel free to DM me on Twitter, @Orangeman3142.
This is year sixteen of IDP for me so I’m not just throwing darts here and the two articles and one podcast I do weekly take more than enough time so this is what it’s going to be, if you’re looking for more detail for as to why certain players are starts or sits I’m sure there are articles out there that do that, it just won’t be this one. Also, I’m doing this for free and because I enjoy it so I’m going to have fun with it if you can’t handle jokes I would abort mission now, no harm no foul.
These start or sit decisions are only suggestions and in the end, the responsibility for your lineup is ultimately yours and yours alone. I’ll do my best to be as accurate as possible each week. These decisions I’m recommending are the same ones I’m making in my own lineups so we sink or swim together if you do decide to take any of this advice. Good luck in your matchups this week. Let’s get that hardware.
Every single game, team and IDP relevant player will be covered in this article series all year from start to finish. The production will be divided into categories like last year, this is how it looks:
Tier 1 Production: These players have the best matchups based on their playing time, past production, talent level, and opportunity. They have the most solid floor and a terrific ceiling. If you need guaranteed production these players are the best bet to get that for you. These will likely be obvious most of the time.
Tier 2 Production: These players will get you some points but are missing something that makes them your best choice. This could be a lack of playing time, talent or some other factor that hurts their chances at an outstanding performance. These players are usually a good option in deeper leagues with large rosters or all IDP leagues.
Tier 3 Production: These players are a shot in the dark. These are starts you will likely only make in larger leagues with huge rosters or during bye weeks or for short term injury replacements. There’s a chance it could work out but not a great one due to any number of factors including lack of playing time, talent or ideal matchup. This tier is as close to “sit” as you can get while still having some value. These players are mostly used in larger leagues with huge rosters and in all IDP leagues.
Sit: Pretty easy, sit em. For any number of reasons from a nagging injury to lack of playing time, talent or ideal matchup these players should NOT be started this week. I will be wrong on these occasionally throughout the season but at the time of publishing the players in this category are far more likely to bust and get you nothing rather than have a good or great week.
***Player situations change due to injury and other factors, this article was written days before Sunday so please pay attention and adjust your lineup accordingly ***
***If I don’t mention a player they are a sit or just not on my radar yet which likely means they should be a sit. If a player is inactive or injured after this article is published please use common sense and sit them. Check the inactive list at 11:40 AM eastern time and 3:40 PM eastern time on ESPN and NFL websites to check for surprise inactives each Sunday***
Last week I made approximately 228 “decisions” (start or sit) and got 171 of them correct or in the ballpark and 57 incorrect or not even close for a 75% correct rate. My average for all of last season was 74% correct overall and through this week we are holding at 74.5% correct for this season. Let’s dive into this week’s games.
***For any “EDGE” players listed the rule of thumb is to drop them a level in expected production from where they are listed if you start them as a regular linebacker instead of in a specific “Edge” or “OLB” slot in your league. This is due to the inconsistent nature of production for these players being sack dependent for the majority of their points. If your league has an “Edge” or “OLB” slot to plug them in to then everyone takes the same risk putting those players in that slot each week, however if you choose to use these players in a regular linebacker slot there’s a good chance they don’t get a sack and you end up with little to no points from them.
They are a boom or bust option when used in a regular linebacker slot. Keep that in mind as you play Shaq Barrett or Whitney Mercilus, there will be weeks where they don’t have any sacks and it won’t be pretty if you started them in a regular linebacker slot and your opponent started a guy like KJ Wright in that same slot when KJ gets his usual 4-8 tackles and you’re down that many fantasy points in just that one player to player matchup. We’ve already seen a multiple week stretch where both Mercilus and Barrett did nothing at all and if you played them in a regular linebacker slot it might have cost you a win. Buyer beware.***
Damon Harrison squats and takes a shit on the field in front of tens of thousands of shocked and horrified fans, Detroit USA circa 2019
Lions @ Bears
Detroit Lions
Tier one starts: Tracy Walker (S) *If healthy, Tavon Wilson (S) as tier two if inactive*
Tier two starts: Will Harris (S) Jarrad Davis (LB) Christian Jones (LB) Trey Flowers (DE)
Tier three starts: Lions Cornerbacks *This is just an OK matchup to start or stream Lions corners, preferably Slay and Coleman* Devon Kennard (LB) Jahlani Tavai (LB) A’Shawn Robinson (DT) Romeo Okwara (DE) Damon Harrison (DT)
Sits: NA, all others
Chicago Bears
Tier one starts: Bears Cornerbacks *This is an ideal matchup to start or stream Bears corners, preferably Fuller then Amukamara* Danny Trevethan (LB) Khalil Mack (EDGE)
Tier two starts: Eddie Jackson (S) Roquan Smith (LB) Leonard Floyd (EDGE)
Tier three starts: Ha Ha Clinton Dix (S) Bilal Nichols (DT) Roy Robertson Harris (DT) Nick Williams (DT)
Sits: Goldman (DT) Urban (DE) Lynch (LB) *Playing time for all*
Nick Vigil has a perfect matchup this week.
Ravens @ Bengals
Baltimore Ravens
Tier one starts: NA, too much inconsistency and not enough playing time for guys like Onwuasor at the moment
Tier two starts: Chuck Clark (S) Earl Thomas (S) Matt Judon (EDGE) Patrick Onwuasor (LB)
Tier three starts: Ravens Cornerbacks *This is just an OK matchup to start or stream Ravens corners, preferably Peters & Humphrey*
Sits: LJ Fort (LB) Josh Bynes (LB) *Playing time for both*
Cincinnati Bengals
Tier one starts: Shawn Williams (S) Nick Vigil (LB) Jessie Bates (S)
Tier two starts: Bengals Cornerbacks *This is a good matchup to start or stream Bengals corners, preferably Kirkpatrick or Dennard, if they are inactive I want no part of this and neither should you* Sam Hubbard (DE) Geno Atkins (DT) Carlos Dunlap (DE)
Tier three starts: Preston Brown (LB)
Sits: Germaine Pratt (LB) *Playing time*
Tremaine Edmunds has been hot lately, can he keep it up?
Bills @ Browns
Buffalo Bills
Tier one starts: Jordan Poyer (S) Matt Milano (LB) Tremaine Edmunds (LB)
Tier two starts: Bills Cornerbacks *This is a good matchup to start or stream Bills corners, preferably Wallace & White* Micah Hyde (S) Jerry Hughes (DE) Trent Murphy (DE) Jordan Phillips (DT)
Tier three starts: Shaw Lawson (DE) Star Lotuleilei (DT) Lorenzo Alexander (LB) Ed Oliver (DT)
Sits: NA, all others
Cleveland Browns
Tier one starts: Joe Schobert (LB) Damarious Randal (S,CB) *Tier one as CB, two as S, might not be healthy* Myles Garrett (DE) Larry Ogunjobi (DT)
Tier two starts: Mack Wilson (LB) Morgan Burnett (S) Olivier Vernon (DE)
Tier three starts: Browns Cornerbacks *This is just an OK matchup to start or stream Browns corners, preferably Ward & Williams* Sheldon Richardson (DT)
Sits: NA, all others, Jermaine Whitehead (S) *Stupidity*
Jayon Brown flew too close to the sun and now we’re stuck with Woodyard this week.
Chiefs @ Titans
Kansas City Chiefs
Tier one starts: Frank Clark (DE) Chris Jones (DT)
Tier two starts: Chiefs Cornerbacks *This is a decent matchup to start or stream Chiefs corners, preferably Fuller if healthy, then Ward then Breeland in that order* Tyrann Mathieu (S) Anthony Hitchens (LB) Damien Wilson (LB) Emmanuel Ogbah (DE) Tanoh Tpassagnon (DE) *Tier three if Clark plays*
Tier three starts: Juan Thornhill (S) Derick Nnadi (DT) Reggie Ragland (LB)
Sits: Ben Niemann (LB) Darron Lee (LB)
Tennessee Titans
Tier one starts: Kevin Byard (S) Titans Cornerbacks *This is an ideal matchup to start or stream Titans corners, preferably Ryan then Jackson*
Tier two starts: Kenny Vaccaro (S) Harold Landry (EDGE) Rashaan Evans (LB) Wesley Woodyard (LB)
Tier three starts: Da’Quan Jones (DT) Jeffrey Simmons (DT)
Sits: Cameron Wake (EDGE) *Playing time* Kamalei Correa (LB) *Flash in the pan* Jayon Brown (LB) *Injured and out*
Deion Jones needs to finish strong the second half of the season.
Falcons @ Saints
Atlanta Falcons
Tier one starts: Devondre Campbell (LB) Grady Garrett (DT) Deion Jones (LB)
Tier two starts: Ricardo Allen (S) Falcons Cornerbacks *This is a good matchup to start or stream Falcons corners, preferably Oliver then Sheffield & Breh-Wilson* Damontae Kazee (S) Tyeler Davison (DT)
Tier three starts: Falcons “Pass Rush” (Mckinley, Beasley, Bailey, Clayborn)
Sits: Kemal Ishmael (S) *Playing time*
New Orleans Saints
Tier one starts: Saints Cornerbacks *This is an ideal matchup to start or stream Saints corners, preferably Apple & Lattimore* Cameron Jordan (DE)
Tier two starts: Vonn Bell (S) Marcus Williams (S) Demario Davis (LB) Chauncey Gardner Johnson (S) Marcus Davenport (DE)
Tier three starts: AJ Klein (LB) Sheldon Rankins (DT) Kiko Alonso (LB)
Sits: NA, all others
Jamal Adams has been treated worse than I treat my underwear after Chipotle this season.
Giants @ Jets
New York Giants
Tier one starts: Antoine Bethea (S) Jabrill Peppers (S) Alec Ogletree (LB)
Tier two starts: Markus Golden (EDGE)
Tier three starts: Giants Cornerbacks *This is just an OK matchup to start or stream Giants corners, preferably Jenkins then Baker* Lorenzo Carter (LB) Dexter Lawrence (DE) Leonard Williams (DE,DT) Dalvin Tomlinson (DT) David Mayo (LB)
Sits: NA, all others
New York Jets
Tier one starts: Jamal Adams (S) Neville Hewitt (LB) *If healthy*
Tier two starts: Jets Cornerbacks *This is a decent matchup to start or stream Jets corners, preferably Roberts then Poole and Hairston* James Burgess (LB) Brandon Copeland (LB)
Tier three starts: Marcus Maye (S) Quinnen Williams (DT)
Sits: NA, all others
JPP hopes to blow up this week, he’s been explosive since returning from injury this season, can he detonate in the box score this week?
Cardinals @ Buccaneers
Arizona Cardinals
Tier one starts: Jordan Hicks (LB) Budda Baker (S) Chandler Jones (EDGE) Cardinals Cornerbacks *This is an ideal matchup to start or stream Cardinals corners, preferably Murphy & Peterson*
Tier two starts: Joe Walker (LB)
Tier three starts: Terrell Suggs (EDGE) Corey Peters (DT) Rodney Gunter (DE) Jalen Thompson (S) Deonte Thompson (S) Haason Redick (LB)
Sits: Haason Redick (LB) is a VERY risky tier three start, I’d just sit him personally, he lost his job to Joe Walker (LB) who is our new messiah
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tier one starts: Lavonte David (LB) Devin White (LB) Shaq Barrett (EDGE)
Tier two starts: Jason Pierre Paul (DE) Jordan Whitehead (S) N’Damakong Suh (DT) Andrew Adams (S)
Tier three starts: Vita Vea (DT) Tampa Bay Cornerbacks *This is just an OK matchup to start or stream Tampa corners, preferably Hargreaves and Murphy-Bunting*
Sits: Carl Nassib (DE) *Playing time*
Darius Leonard, well known shirker, has been playing football recently and shocking us all.
Dolphins @ Colts
Miami Dolphins
Tier one starts: Jerome Baker (LB) Reshad Jones (S) *If healthy*
Tier two starts: Taco Charlton (DE) Davon Godchaux (DT) Christian Wilkins (DE) Raekwon McMillan (LB)
Tier three starts: Bobby McCain (S) Vince Biegel (LB) Dolphins Cornerbacks *This is just an OK matchup to start or stream Dolphins corners, and I have no idea who they will be this week* Sam Eguavoen (LB)
Sits:
Indianapolis Colts
Tier one starts: Darius Leonard (LB) Justin Houston (DE)
Tier two starts: Colts Cornerbacks *This is a decent matchup to start or stream Colts corners, preferably Moore & Ya-sin* Jabal Sheard (DE) Anthony Walker (LB) Clayton Geathers (S)
Tier three starts: Malik Hooker (S) Denico Autry (DT) Khari Willis (S) Margus Hunt (DT) Bobby Okereke (LB)
Sits: Al Quadin Muhammed (DE) *Playing time*
Luke Kuechly and the Panthers have been quietly winning this season.
Panthers @ Packers
Carolina Panthers
Tier one starts: Shaq Thompson (LB) Eric Reid (S) Luke Kuechly (LB)
Tier two starts: Panthers Cornerbacks *This is a good matchup to start or stream Panthers corners, preferably Jackson then Cockrell then Bradberry* Mario Addison (DE)
Tier three starts: Tre Boston (S) Brian Burns (EDGE) Bruce Irvin (EDGE) Gerald McCoy (DT) Dontari Poe (DT)
Sits: NA, all others
Green Bay Packers
Tier one starts: Blake Martinez (LB)
Tier two starts: Darnell Savage (S) Adrian Amos (S) Preston Smith (EDGE) Za’Darius Smith (EDGE) Kenny Clark (DT)
Tier three starts: Packers Cornerbacks *This is just an OK matchup to start or stream Packers corners, preferably King & Alexander*
Sits: Keith Fackrell (LB) Rashaan Gary (EDGE) All others *Playing time, production*
Aaron Donald looks to continue clapping cheeks this week.
Rams @ Steelers
Los Angeles Rams
Tier one starts: Cory Littleton (LB) Taylor Rapp (S) Aaron Donald (DT)
Tier two starts: NA
Tier three starts: Rams Cornerbacks *This is just an OK matchup to start or stream Rams corners, preferably Ramsey then Robey* Eric Weddle (S) Dante Fowler (EDGE) Samson Ebukam (LB) Marqui Christian (S) Micheal Brockers (DE)
Sits: Troy Reeder (LB) *Playing time, 12% of snaps last week*
Pittsburgh Steelers
Tier one starts: Minkah Fitzpatrick (S) Devin Bush (LB) TJ Watt (EDGE) Cameron Heyward (DT)
Tier two starts: Terrell Edmunds (S) Bud Dupree (EDGE) Steelers Cornerbacks *This is a decent matchup to start or stream Steelers corners, preferably Haden & Nelson*
Tier three starts: Marc Barron (LB) Vince Williams (LB) Javon Hargrave (DT)
Sits: NA, all others
Danielle Hunter has been a monster all season.
Vikings @ Cowboys
Minnesota Vikings
Tier one starts: Eric Kendricks (LB) Harrison Smith (S) Danielle Hunter (DE)
Tier two starts: Anthony Harris (S) Anthony Barr (EDGE) Everson Griffen (DE) Vikings Cornerbacks *This is a decent matchup to start or stream Vikings corners, preferably Rhodes & Waynes*
Tier three starts: Shamar Stephen (DT)
Sits: Linval Joseph (DT)
Dallas Cowboys
Tier one starts: Leighton Vander Esch (LB) *If healthy, Sean Lee (LB) if inactive, same tier* Jaylon Smith (LB) Demarcus Lawrence (DE)
Tier two starts: Cowboys Cornerbacks *This is a good matchup to start or stream Cowboys corners, preferably Awuzie & Jones* Robert Quinn (DE) Micheal Bennett (DE) Maliek Collins (DT)
Tier three starts: Xavier Woods (S) Jeff Heath (S)
Sits: NA, all others
KJ Wright is having a career season.
Seahawks @ 49ers
Seattle Seahawks
Tier one starts: Bobby Wagner (LB) KJ Wright (LB) Jarran Reed (DT)
Tier two starts: Marquis Blair (S) Jadaveon Clowney (DE)
Tier three starts: Seahawks Cornerbacks *This is just an OK matchup to start or stream Hawks corners, preferably Flowers & Griffin* Bradley McDougald (S) Mychal Kendricks (LB) Ezekiel Ansah (DE)
Sits: NA, all others
San Francisco 49ers
Tier one starts: Fred Warner (LB) Deforest Buckner (DT) Nick Bosa (DE)
Tier two starts: Jaquiski Tartt (S) Jimmy Ward (S) 49ers Cornerbacks *This is a decent matchup to start or stream 49ers corners, preferably Moseley & Sherman*
Tier three starts: Dre Greenlaw (LB) Arik Armstead (DT) Dee Ford (EDGE) Solomon Thomas (DE)
Sits: Kwon Alexander (LB) *Out for season*
***Please make sure to check the inactives that come out each Sunday before the games start to make sure your players aren’t a surprise inactive due to a surprise injury. Obviously, if I have any of these guys listed as a start of any kind and they are inactive DO NOT START THEM. This article is written usually days before the games and surprise injuries can and will happen, make sure you stay up to date to avoid getting a surprise zero in your lineup***
***These are only suggestions ultimately it’s your decision who you start or sit. If a player gets hurt or has a bad game it happens it’s part of the game and not the result of me using a voodoo doll with your fantasy team’s name on it. I wish you all nothing but the best and hope you win all your matchups this and every week. Take home that hardware.***
Keep an eye out for my instant reaction and defensive waivers article dropping during the week next week, likely Thursday morning. I’ll be covering all the production and playing time from every single IDP relevant player and giving you options for defensive waivers. We’ll go over the week’s results and make sure you are ahead of the curve for getting any of those surprise studs AKA Darius Leonard last year. The next week’s start or sit will drop next Saturday morning and the Thursday night games start or sit will be in Tweet form (@Orangeman3142). Also, make sure and catch our weekly podcast on all your podcatching sites dropping Tuesday night or Wednesday morning all season long. Idpguys.org will continue to be your one-stop-shop for all things IDP.
Thank you for reading and good luck in this week’s matchups. Make sure you’re following @IDP_Dude and @JoeythetoothIDP to make sure you’re covered from all angles in regards to waivers, starts and sits and general IDP information, the three of us handle the Lions share of the IDP writing here at the site.
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