IDP Weekly: Sit'em and Start'em
There were some inspiring performances in week 8, Julius Peppers and Demarcus Ware have been red-hot as of late and seem to be back to their stud production levels, while Jairus Byrd (BUF, DB) is showing some incredible consistency making big plays on defense for his club.
This week we have a few names you should be watching throughout the next couple of weeks, these guys are primed for a breakout performance in week 9. Start of the week goes to Dumervil, who has been on a torrid sack pace this year. Elvis is in the building and gets to feast on Ben Roethlisberger this week.....enough said!
Let's get started!
Start of the week: Elvis Dumervil, LB, DEN!
Start'em:
1) Trent Cole (DE): Trent Cole has proven to be a force at the DE position, this week he has a favorable match-up against Tony Romo and the Dallas Cowboys. With the Eagles and Cowboys ability to score points through the air, both teams should be poised for defensive production throughout the campaign. Start Trent Cole with high expectations to get pressure on the QB, and he could just prove to be a beast this week against a division rival.
2) Clay Mathews JR. (LB): Mathews is proving to be a force from the OLB position, his ability to wreak havoc with his speed and strength on the outside should prove to be a force against a woeful TB front that's had problems all over the field. Josh Freeman will be the QB under center when these two faceoff on Sunday, it should be quite a game for Mathews who will look to put Freeman on his back all game.....or at least most of it!
3) Lawrence Jackson (DE/DL): Lawrence Jackson isn't a huge IDP name yet, but he is getting points on a consistent basis and seems to have a favorable match-up with the Detroit Lions. If you have a Jared Allen or Calvin Pace on a bye week, then your best bet is to pick up Jackson who has four sacks in seven games this season. With his ability to get pressure, he should be a good bet to see Stafford in the backfield at some point during their meeting.
4) Antrell Rolle (DB): Rolle has been on a roll lately, turning himself into one of the hottest DB's in fantasy football. The switch from corner-back to safety is paying huge dividends for his fantasy value, this week he gets a turnover-prone Jay Cutler. With the Bears throwing the ball more than usual these days, Rolle and the rest of the secondary should have plenty of opportunities to make plays on the ball. This game should prove to be a battle through the air, with Chicago's running-game looking less than stellar.
5) Antoine Bethea (DB): Bethea has been showing tons of potential, and his match-up is always favorable when your team leads every game. With Manning leading the offense this game should prove to be an aerial contest, and what's better for an IDP safety than constant opportunities to make plays? Schaub's main focus is to get the ball to Andre Johnson, so Bethea will be challenged to make plays all game. Start him with confidence this week.
Sit'em:
1) Julius Peppers (DE): If you happened to get a glimpse of my last weeks IDP article, I chose to sit Peppers against Arizona.....how did that work out? Not very good, as Peppers lit up Arizona's front line and even got an INT for a TD. Could I be making the same mistake this week against New Orleans? Peppers is one of the most elite DE's in the game and should be in the top five for IDP lineman, but you have to take into account that New Orleans doesn't give up many fantasy points to DE's. Last week I told you to sit Abraham against New Orleans.....which turned out to be a good sit, as Abraham had trouble trying to get to Brees all game. It's not too far fetched to think this beast gets Brees, but it's a tough match-up.
2) Brandon Meriweather (DB): Meriweather is usually a really good IDP DB, but not this week. Miami has proven they can run the ball consistently against even the best of defenses, this week will be no different as Brown and Williams will combine to rush the ball as much as possible and keep Brady and the Patriots offense off the field for most of the game. Miami gives fantasy points to LB's more than DB's and that trend should continue throughout the rest of the regular season. Sit Meriweather and get yourself a replacement for this week.
3) James Harrison (OLB): This seems kind of like the Julius Peppers situation, amazing talent with a tough match-up. Harrison will find life very tough this week against that mauler Ryan "don't even think about it" Clady. Clady is easily one of the best tackles in football (just ask Cutler if he misses him yet!) and Harrison will find that out very shortley. This is going to be the best match-up this week, while everyone else will be focusing on Kyle Orton and Roethlisberger, I will be watching these two freak athletes go head to head. If you are just a plain old fashion fan of football, this is the best match-up to watch this week....by far!
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