Welcome back, IDP Nerds, The NFL season is off to a red hot start, and I hope you are enjoying it as much as I am. The ups and downs of being an IDP manager for an entire season can be taxing on you, so make sure you enjoy the highs and embrace the struggle of the lows. After an exciting weekend of football, I’m happy to report we had our best week of the early season, coming in at 86.6% accuracy. In total, 13 out of the 15 recommendations from our start/sit column were correct. This brings our season total to 73.3% accuracy after the first two weeks.
Follow us, friend us, tweet us. We look forward to hearing from you!
- Changing the Call (QB): Jayson Snyder (@Spydes78)
- The Cutback (RB): Jake Oliver (@DarthDbacks)
- Slant Pattern (WR): Tristan Cook (@THEtristancook)
- 12 Formation (TE): Ethan Wyatt (@ethanAwyatt)
- Flex on ‘Em (FLEX): Evan Brown (@FFEvanlution)
- IDP Start/Sit (IDP): Jon Glosser (@Glosser13)
Let’s take a look into what’s in store for Week 3.
New Orleans Saints @ Carolina Panthers
Start
Frankie Luvu LB, Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers have had massive inconsistencies at the LB position from an IDP perspective in the post-Luke Kuechly era. Shaq Thompson has done his best to hold it down, but he’s never been that top-tier fantasy producer. Frankie Luvu has been a rotational linebacker for Carolina over the past few seasons but has stepped up big time to start the 2022 season. Luvu has collected 16 tackles so far this season and is averaging 21.5 fantasy points per game.
The Carolina defense will host division rival New Orleans Saints this week. In two games last season, Luvu averaged 11.5 fantasy points per game and five tackles per game. The Carolina linebackers’ snaps and production have been consistent this season, and there’s no reason to keep riding the hot hand.
Houston Texans @ Chicago Bears
Start
Jaquan Brisker DB, Chicago Bears
It won’t take too much more time before IDP managers become aware of how much of a stud Jaquan Brisker is. He started his rookie season on fire with back-to-back double-digit performances while also playing 100% of defensive snaps for the Chicago Bears. The Chicago secondary has needed a player of his caliber for some time. Brisker should continue to produce in your lineups and justify why he was one of the top safeties in IDP rookie drafts this offseason. The Penn State product has averaged 7 tackles per game this season and draws a matchup with the Houston Texans, who allowed six tackles or more to both starting safeties in their week two matchup. There should be no concern with starting Jaquan Brisker this week.
Kansas City Chiefs @ Indianapolis Colts
Sit
Kwity Paye DL, Indianapolis Colts
This one is a bit of a reach but more for those dynasty managers with depth at the defensive line. Kwity Paye recorded 31 fantasy points in Dynasty Nerds IDP scoring with a two-sack performance. In Week 2, he struggled as the entire Colts team did in a divisional shutout loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Paye only recorded seven fantasy points and posted his worst PFF pass-rush grade since week 15 of the 2021 season.
The Indianapolis Colts will look to bounce back this week when they host the 2-0 Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs have only allowed one sack over the first eight quarters of the season and have looked every bit as good without Tyreek Hill this season. I fear the Colts might be forced into an early hole as they were in Week 2, and it will limit the number of opportunities for Paye to record a sack which is a huge part of his fantasy scoring over his career.
Buffalo Bills @ Miami Dolphins
Start
Taron Johnson DB, Buffalo Bills
Taron Johnson has been one of the best cornerbacks in IDP fantasy football over the past two seasons. This week, he finds himself in an unfamiliar role as the most veteran defensive back in the Buffalo secondary. Johnson will be dealing with a high-powered Miami passing attack that features two of the top three leading wide receivers in the NFL after two weeks.
The Buffalo secondary will be missing at least three starters in this divisional matchup. Johnson averaged 17.5 fantasy points against the Dolphins last season. The Buffalo cornerback has also averaged 4.3 tackles per game in his last seven games against Miami.
Detroit Lions @ Minnesota Vikings
Start
Jordan Hicks LB, Minnesota Vikings
Well, Jordan Hicks is at it again. He’s made a huge impact right away with his third different NFC team. Hicks is off to a blazing start at linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings, collecting 50 fantasy points over his first two starts. Only Devin White and Micah Parsons have scored more fantasy points in the first two games among traditional linebackers.
Jordan Hicks is averaging 8.5 tackles per game with his new team and draws a nice matchup with the Detroit Lions this week. Jordan Hicks will continue to be a consistent fantasy scorer as long as he’s getting snaps. I don’t see that changing anytime soon.
Baltimore Ravens @ New England Patriots
Sit
Kyle Dugger DB, New England Patriots
I hate to do it because I roster Kyle Dugger on most of my rosters, but his game-time decision status makes this easier. Dugger was limited to just 19 snaps in his week two matchup, and he can’t be trusted going into a huge matchup with the Baltimore Ravens.
New England will likely throw many different looks at Lamar Jackson to confuse and slow him down. If healthy, I have zero doubts Kyle Dugger would be a huge part of that game plan. The Patriots have depth at defensive back and will likely give their young safety time to recover so he can be back on the field in a full capacity as the season progresses. If he does sit out, look for Jabrill Peppers as a potential replacement in your lineup.
Cincinnati Bengals @ New York Jets
Start
Vonn Bell DB, Cincinnati Bengals
Those who have followed my content for some time know I will never miss out on an opportunity to hype my guy Vonn Bell. The former Ohio State safety bounced back in a big way with a 17-point performance in week two. Bell has played 52 box snaps over his first two games this season and likely will be used more in that capacity with a lingering injury to starting linebacker Germaine Pratt. Vonn Bell registered 20 fantasy points in his last matchup with the New York Jets last season. The Bengal’s defense will need to set the tone early to pull out a much-needed win against the Jets in Week 3.
Las Vegas Raiders @ Tennessee Titans
Start
David Long LB, Tennessee Titans
The Titan’s linebacker has been a bit disappointing to start the season with just ten tackles and zero impact plays. Long had a nice run with the Titans last season, registering five consecutive games of 20 fantasy points or more before an injury sidelined him. He posted a career-high 75 tackles in just ten games giving the Titans new life at the linebacker position.
David Long had a disappointing performance in Week 2 as many of the Titans’ defenders tried to stop the dynamic Buffalo Bills offense. I like his chances to bounce back this week in a good matchup with his fellow linebacker Zach Cunningham questionable to play. Long could be in for a 20+ point week in a must-win matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Philadelphia Eagles @ Washington Commanders
Sit
Darius Slay DB, Philadelphia Eagles
It seems a bit crazy to sit a player coming off a 31-point performance and being named NFC Defensive Player of the Week. The Philadelphia cornerback will draw another matchup against a very good wide receiver in Terry McLaurin. I doubt he will be targeted nearly as much as he was on Monday Night while guarding Justin Jefferson. I tend to shy away from cornerbacks in IDP altogether if it’s not required, but even in those formats, I don’t like relying on impact plays for the bulk of the scoring. Slay just doesn’t offer enough consistency as a tackler to put him in my lineups this week.
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Los Angeles Chargers
Sit
Kenneth Murray LB, Los Angeles Chargers
Kenneth Murray is turning out to be one of the more disappointing young linebackers in IDP fantasy football. He looked like a sure thing at times during his rookie season but has since fallen off the radar. The former Oklahoma Sooner has just 12 fantasy points on 8 tackles through the first two games. The Chargers coaching staff has limited his snaps during poor play stretches, and that’s the number one sign for him not to be in your lineups.
It hurts when you have to bench a highly drafted rookie, but we are in the business of winning games and getting our teams into the playoffs, and right now, Kenneth Murray won’t help you do that. Since week two of last season, Murray has not recorded a double-digit fantasy performance. He’s not reached the droppable range, but he’s closer to that than being a weekly starter at linebacker.
Los Angeles Rams @ Arizona Cardinals
Start
Taylor Rapp DB, Los Angeles Rams
Taylor Rapp is off to a slow start this season, recording five points in the Rams’ first two games. Rapp has seen consistent snaps, and his opportunities will surely be there as the season progresses. The three safety packages by the Rams make it difficult to predict who will have the biggest week in a particular matchup. I’m leaning heavily on the fact that Rapp has out-snapped Jordan Fuller by a significant margin in each of the first two weeks.
The Los Angeles Rams defense will look to slow down Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals offense this week. Murray is coming off a big performance in a comeback overtime win. Taylor Rapp has been successful over his career against the Cardinals. He averaged 18.6 fantasy points per game in his last four matchups. There’s a strong chance he will register his first double-digit performance of the season in Week 3.
Atlanta Falcons @ Seattle Seahawks
Start
Uchenna Nwosu DL/LB, Seattle Seahawks
Uchenna Nwosu makes his second appearance in three weeks as a start option for IDP managers. The Seahawks EDGE defender will have a big season if he stays healthy. Nwosu is averaging nearly 20 fantasy points per game this season and continues to play a significant role along the Seattle front.
He had an injury scare last week, but all reports are that he’s OK to suit up on Sunday. The Atlanta Falcons will look to run the ball early and often against Seattle, and Nwosu’s ability to disrupt the read option and off-tackle runs will go a long way toward deciding who wins this game. IDP managers have no fear and get Nwosu in those lineups.
Green Bay Packers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Sit
Logan Ryan DB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Logan Ryan has been at the top tier of consistency in defensive back scoring in IDP fantasy football. Ryan has registered over 800 fantasy points across his last three seasons despite playing for three different teams. In his first two games with Tampa Bay, he’s been used in more of a reserve role, and his numbers aren’t as dominant, at least not yet. He saw a drop in snaps from week one to week two, but overall he scored more fantasy points. His usage as both a cornerback and safety is key for the Tampa Bay secondary.
The biggest concern is the number of snaps he will play and if the numbers will remain consistent enough. I think he’s capable of still being one of the highest-scoring defensive backs every week, but unless an injury happens in front of him, it’s hard to predict if he will become a starter again.
San Francisco 49ers @ Denver Broncos
Sit
Bradley Chubb DL, Denver Broncos
Most of the IDP dynasty community was hoping for a big bounce back season for Bradley Chubb. This still has the potential to happen, but we can’t just ignore it when a bad matchup is on the schedule. The Denver pass rusher followed up a 30-point performance in week one by scoring two points in week two and registering zero tackles. The San Francisco 49ers offensive line has allowed the third-fewest sacks in the NFL through two games. This is a case of liking the player but hating the matchup, do yourself a favor and just sit him this week and find a better matchup.
Dallas Cowboys @ New York Giants
Start
Demarcus Lawrence DL, Dallas Cowboys
Demarcus Lawrence tied for second on the team in tackles in an upset win over the AFC Champion Cincinnati Bengals last week. He saw an increase in his snaps, and his production increased as well. I’m not viewing Demarcus Lawrence as a matchup-proof IDP at this point, but when he draws a good matchup, I’m all in. The New York Giants have allowed the third-most sacks through the first two games. The Dallas defense looked very well last week and should continue to frustrate opposing offenses. Lawrence has succeeded with at least a half sack in six of the last seven meetings with the Giants. IDP managers should have the green light to put him in the lineup and hit submit for Monday Night Football.
The Wrap-up
That’s about it for this week’s article. I appreciate you taking the time to stop by and read this. The entire team of Dynasty Nerds appreciates your full support. We are rapidly approaching the first quarter of the season coming to a close, and some important decisions on your roster might need to be made. Always feel free to reach out with any questions, and we will make ourselves available to you to guide you. Enjoy the games this weekend, Nerds, and I look forward to checking in with you all for week four.
