Welcome to Top Fantasy Football's Week 13 edition of "IDP Starts & Sits" brought to you by "The IDP Guru."
For each position (DL, LB, DB), I will recommend 3 Starts and 2 Sits in addition to my "Start of the Week" and "Sit of the Week." Also, for each position, I have listed players that I consider to be every week starters or, in other terms, "matchup independent."
Here are my IDP recommendations for Week 13:
Starts
*The IDP Guru's Start of the Week*
WLB/FS Bryan Scott - This one is a no-brainer. Scott is playing most downs as the Bills WLB and the Bills have a great matchup this week against the Jets. Even if Scott goes back to his normal position in the secondary, the Jets still give up the 2nd most points to DBs. Between Thomas Jones running the ball a ton and Sanchez's unique ability to throw interceptions, Scott should be in for a outstanding day. He's a must start.
DEFENSIVE LINEMAN
Every Week Starters:
Jared Allen
Julius Peppers
Elvis Dumervil
Justin Tuck
Trent Cole
Mario Williams
Robert Mathis
Andre Carter
Dwight Freeney - INJURED (QUESTIONABLE)
1. RDE Will Smith - I recommended Smith last week and produced for me by registering 1.5 sacks. That makes the 5th game in a row in which Smith has had a sack. Smith has a very juicy matchup this week against the Redskins. Expect Smith to "get jiggy with it" and registering at least one sack in this game, if not more.
2. LDE Shaun Ellis - I typically don't recommend 3-4 defensive lineman, such as Ellis, because they typically just don't produce from a fantasy standpoint. However, Ellis faces the Bills this week, who are the 3rd most sacked team in the NFL and that matchup is just too good to pass up.
3. LDE Patrick Kerney - Kerney performed as expected last week against the Rams by going 4-0-1. This is what I love about Kerney: he's predictable. He produces when he's suppose to produce. With that being said, who does Kerney play this week? None other than the San Fransisco 49ers. Kerney will be facing the 49ers RT Adam Snyder, who leads the league in sacks allowed. Look for Kerney to replicate his stat line from last week and possibly more.
LINEBACKERS
Every Week Starters:
Patrick Willis
James Harrison
Jon Beason
Barrett Rudd
London Fletcher
D.J. Williams
Curtis Lofton
Kirk Morrison
Brian Cushing
David Harris
1. MLB Jonathan Vilma - Vilmaaaaaaaaaa!!!! Although he may not be available in a ton of leagues, his ownership is way less than it should be. Vilma posted 132 total tackles last year and because of his slow start this year, he has been dropped in many leagues. However, over the last 6 games Vilma has really come on (53 total tackles). He's got a fantastic matchup this week against the Redskins and should be in for a great fantasy day.
2. MLB Paul Posluszny - I've recommended Posluszny the last 4 weeks, and for good reason. He is still only owned in about 1/4 of ESPN leagues and he has another solid matchup this week against the Jets. You should expect his usual 7-10 total tackles and a decent chance for an interception against Mark Sanchez, who usually has a better chance of completing a pass to the opposing team than to his own players.
3. RILB Jerod Mayo - Mayo has fallen through the waiver wire cracks this year, due in large part to the knee injury he suffered in Week 1, which kept him out 3 weeks. Last year, Mayo posted 100 solo tackles and won defensive rookie of the year. Nobody else in New England's front seven really competes for tackles, so that leaves Mayo with a bulk of New England's tackle opportunities. He has a great matchup with Miami and their wildcat offense this week. The last time Mayo played the Dolphins, he had a season high 12 tackles. You should expect the same production this week.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Every Week Starters:
Eric Weddle - INJURED (OUT)
Charles Woodson
Troy Polamalu -
Darren Sharper
Roman Harper
Daniel Manning
Erik Coleman
1. SS Tanard Jackson - Honestly, I think Jackson is a tad overrated. However, he has a superb matchup this week against the Panthers, who give up the most points to opposing DB's. You can expect Jackson to be playing close to the line in order to stop the Williams/Stewart combo this week. FYI, the last time Jackson played Carolina, h e went 4-1-0 with INT for a TD.
2. SS Bernard Pollard - Pollard has been on fire lately and even though the Jaguars aren't a terrific matchup for opposing DB's, I consider Pollard to be fairly close to "matchup independent" at this point. Expect the Texans to bring Pollard up close to the line of scrimmage to stop the beast known as MJD. With that being said, Pollard should be good for 6-8 solo tackles this week.
3. LCB Cedric Griffin - Griffin is one of the best tackling cornerbacks in the game and has consequently had 80+ solo tackles each of the last two years. He gets the pleasure of covering the Cardinals deadly WR Combination of Fitzgerald/Boldin/Breaston this week. Like always, the Cardinals will throw 40+ times and Griffin should have a ton of tackle opportunities.
Sits
*The IDP Guru's Sit of the Week*
WLB Mike Peterson - Peterson makes the list because he plays the Eagles this week, who seem to run the ball only 5-10 times a game, which is not good for opposing fantasy LBs. Keep Peterson on your bench this week.
DEFENSIVE LINEMAN
1. LDE Ray Edwards - For as much as the Cardinals throw the ball, Kurt Warner has only been sacked 18 times in 11 games. That averages out to about a sack and half a game and with Jared Allen on the same line as Edwards, there just aren't enough sacks to go around this week.
2. RDE Kyle Vanden Bosch - Even though "KVB" has registered a sack in each of the last 2 weeks, his fantasy production is likely going to come to a screeching halt this week against the Colts. Peyton Manning has only been sacked 10 times this year, making him the league's least sacked quarterback.
LINEBACKERS
1. MLB E.J. Henderson - Don't get me wrong, Henderson is a solid fantasy LB (I actually owned him in one of my leagues). But he plays the Cardinals, who probably won't be running the ball very much this week against the Vikings stout run defense.
2. LILB Stephen Cooper - He plays the Browns this week and I don't expect the Chargers defense to be on the field very much during this game. And when they are on field, the Browns will probably be playing catch up and throwing the ball, limiting Cooper's tackle opportunities.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
1. FS Ryan Clark - Clark has been a fairly solid fantasy producer this year. However, he gets to face the Raiders this week, who have statistically been the worst matchup for opposing fantasy DBs.
2. SS Brian Dawkins - It's hard to bench a guy like Dawkins, but the Chiefs are just not that good of an offense and consequently the Broncos defense won't be on the field a ton. Consistent IDP fantasy production relies heavily on tackle opportunities. And I just don't see a lot of those for Dawkins in this game.
I hope you found this article to be helpful and enjoyable!
Please feel free to leave comments, questions, or derogatory remarks!
Thanks!
Ryan Sitzmann (The IDP Guru)
Check out all our Rankings, in our usual start sit fashion.
