Welcome back IDP Nerds. It was an action-packed Week 8 with every NFL team playing. We have officially crossed the halfway point of the season, and my only hope is that the ‘Man Coverage’ series is helping you get the most out of your lineups each week. We came in at 66.6% last week, our season total is 55.9%. I’m ready to talk more about IDP for Week 9, so let’s look at what we have coming up.
Check out the teams putting together the start/sit columns this season. Follow us, friend us, and tweet us. We look forward to hearing from you!
- QB: Mike Hicks (@DroptheMikeFF) – Changing the Call
- RB: Jake Oliver (@DarthDbacks) – The Cutback
- WR: Tristan Cook (@THEtristancook) – Slant Pattern
- TE: Steven Pintado (@CoachStevenP) – 12 Formation
- FLEX: Evan Brown (@FFEVanlution) – Let’s Talk About Flex
- IDP: Jon Glosser (@Glosser13) – IDP Start/Sit
NOTE: Rankings are based on a 12-team PPR league. So, saying WR2 means top 24, or TE1 means top 12, etc., and are pulled from Fantasy Pros consensus expert rankings.
Miami Dolphins @ Kansas City Chiefs
Start
Trent McDuffie DB, Kansas City Chiefs
We start Week 9 with a must-see TV matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins in Germany. While being up early on a Sunday is never what we want to do, getting to see a matchup of this magnitude surely will make it easier. The Chiefs and Dolphins are ranked first and third in the NFL in sacks allowed, so we can’t bank on the defensive lines this week. Let’s show the CBs some love early this week. Trent McDuffie has been solid this season, averaging just over 12 fantasy points per game. The University of Washington product has recorded double-digit fantasy points in 75% of his starts this season. A long morning in Germany trying to contain Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle should give him plenty of opportunities to turn in another good performance.
Minnesota Vikings @ Atlanta Falcons
Start
Nate Landman LB, Atlanta Falcons
IDP managers can’t help but come away impressed with Nate Landman this season. The Falcons LB has played 50+ snaps in four of his last five games while recording at least eight tackles in all five games. His efficiency as a tackler has been very good, and while he’s not playing as many snaps as his counterpart, Kaden Ellis, he’s still been a safe play for IDP managers.
The Minnesota Vikings are the 11th most favorable matchup for linebackers this season, allowing 18.1 tackles per game to the position. The Vikings have also allowed 4 top-12 LB performances through the first eight weeks. I like this spot for Nate Landman and expect him to keep his streak of 10+ point games going this week.
Chicago Bears @ New Orleans Saints
Start
Jack Sanborn LB, Chicago Bears
Jack Sanborn has been given a boost in value with the injury to LB Tremaine Edmunds last week. Edmunds was a DNP all week and has been ruled out ahead of this week’s matchup against the New Orleans Saints. Jack Sanborn will step up into a full-time role next to T.J. Edwards this week. The New Orleans Saints have allowed the third most tackles to linebackers this season. The Bears starting LBs have averaged 18.5 tackles per game over the first eight games. This is a solid spot for Jack Sanborn this week. He should have a nice week, and there’s a chance he was on the waiver wire before this week. Take advantage of these spots to get top LB production at little to no cost.
Los Angeles Rams @ Green Bay Packers
Sit
Rashan Gary DL, Green Bay Packers
Rashan Gary is still working his way back from injury. His snaps have increased over the past month, and he was rewarded with a big contract extension. Gary has four sacks on the season and 72 fantasy points in Dynasty Nerds’ default scoring. His four sacks came in two games, and 49 of his 72 points were in those two games. The former Michigan EDGE rusher hasn’t put up 10 points in any other game this season. His tackle floor is too low to trust him in your lineup if you can find better options.
The Los Angeles Rams have allowed 2.5 sacks per game but allow the second-fewest tackles per game to DL this season. This matchup will require a sack for Gary to be fantasy-relevant. While I think it could happen, I’m just not banking on it this week. His inconsistent play concerns me, and with better options available, I’m looking to fade this week.
Washington Commanders @ New England Patriots
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Christian Barmore DL, New England Patriots
Christian Barmore gets the call for the DT-premium IDP managers this week. The Former Alabama product hasn’t shown his true potential yet since being drafted by New England. That’s likely to change in 2023, as Barmore has already set a new career high in sacks (3). He’s also on pace to set new highs in tackles and fantasy points this season. The Patriots’ big man has averaged 16 fantasy points per game over his last three games. He has a plus matchup this week against the Washington Commanders, who lead the NFL in sacks allowed. I don’t preach this often, but I love Barmore this week, even in non-DT-required leagues.
Seattle Seahawks @ Baltimore Ravens
Start
Jamal Adams DB, Seattle Seahawks
The return of Jamal Adams has been a very long one for IDP managers who held out hope. Adams has battled injuries much of the last few seasons, but he’s been effective in his return to the field. Adams has played 60+ snaps in each of his last two games and has totaled 14 tackles over that span.
The Baltimore Ravens have allowed the second most tackles (130) to the safety position this season. The Ravens have allowed over 300 fantasy points to safeties this season. While the injury risk is always there with Adams, we trust him to stay healthy in a huge matchup with Baltimore this week. Adams has played 71 box snaps over the past three weeks and, despite playing alongside Bobby Wagner and Jordyn Brooks, still has a safe tackle floor.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Houston Texans
Sit
Jonathan Greenard DL, Houston Texans
The Houston Texans EDGE rusher has been blazing hot over the past few weeks, with three sacks in his last two games. Greenard had a 65.7% defensive snap share last week and posted a 20% PFF pass rush win rate. He’s been a bright spot as the Texans have struggled over the past few games.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been solid along their offensive line, starting the same group in every game this season. The Buccaneers have only allowed 11 sacks this season, which is second best in the NFL. They’ve also only given up one top-12 DL performance this season. As good as Greenard has been, I would lower my expectations if you plan on starting him this week.
Arizona Cardinals @ Cleveland Browns
Start
Josh Woods LB, Arizona Cardinals
There’s not much excitement about this Cleveland Browns vs Arizona Cardinals matchup in Week 9. I’m going to go back to the Josh Woods start recommendation. The Arizona LB has had at least eight fantasy points in his last four games. The Cleveland Browns are the second most favorable matchup to linebackers this season, allowing 19.3 tackles per game. Kyzir White has been the top LB option for the Cardinals this season; his counterpart, Josh Woods, has been effective in plus matchups as well. We could see a nice week from Josh Woods in this spot, and he will reward IDP managers who stuck with him in Week 9.
Indianapolis Colts @ Carolina Panthers
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Kwity Paye DL, Indianapolis Colts
The former Michigan Wolverine has been good value for IDP managers through the first eight games of the season. Paye is on pace to set career highs in fantasy points, tackles, sacks, and fumble recoveries. Only six teams have allowed more sacks this season than the Carolina Panthers. The team has also surrendered six DL1 weeks through their first eight games.
Kwity Paye is leading the Colts’ EDGE defenders in defensive snap shares and has created 13 pressures this season. The Panthers offense has been more effective lately but will struggle to stop the Colts front, which has been good lately. I’m feeling confident with Kwity Paye getting at least one QB sack this week.
New York Giants @ Las Vegas Raiders
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Micah McFadden LB, New York Giants
The New York Giants LBs have been effective this season. Bobby Okereke is the LB7, and Micah McFadden is the LB37 through the first half of the season. The new-look Raiders will likely go back to basics and look to pound Josh Jacobs like they did most of the last two seasons. This should make for a busy afternoon for the New York Giants linebackers. Micah McFadden is not quite an every-week plug-and-play LB, but he should be in for a nice game against Las Vegas. I’m very confident in him as a low-end LB2 this week.
Dallas Cowboys @ Philadelphia Eagles
Sit
Zach Cunningham LB, Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles’ defense has struggled considerably to start the season. The team appears to be getting more healthy, and after the trade for DB Kevin Byard, they have become more dynamic. The return of Nakobe Dean has also made their LB rotation a crapshoot. The Eagles have moved more towards playing a three-safety look, especially against some of the more pass-heavy teams.
Zach Cunningham maintains his starting position alongside Nakobe Dean but has been relatively ineffective lately. He recorded his first double-digit performance since Week 4. I’m not confident in the usage of the Philadelphia linebackers outside of Nakobe Dean. I would be fading this situation, especially against the Dallas Cowboys this week, who have allowed just two top 12 performances this season.
Buffalo Bills @ Cincinnati Bengals
Start
Jordan Poyer DB, Buffalo Bills
The veteran safety who nearly left in free agency has not looked like the same player this season with the Buffalo Bills. He’s recorded 10+ fantasy points in less than 50% of his starts this season. However, Jordan Poyer has been playing better as of late. The Bills DB has averaged 22.5 fantasy points over his last two games. It’s no secret the Bills secondary is in shambles after being hit hard with injuries. They will need their leader on the back end heading to Cincinnati to play the red-hot Bengals passing attack. The Bengals have allowed four DB1 performances over their seven games this season. Jordan Poyer should continue his hot streak for IDP managers in Week 9.
Los Angeles Chargers @ New York Jets
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Kenneth Murray LB, Los Angeles Chargers
The former first-round pick is having his best season as an NFL pro. He’s struggled with consistency and injuries since his rookie season but has made a big impact on IDP managers in 2023. The former Oklahoma Sooner has recorded 18 fantasy points or more in five of his seven games this season. This will likely be an ugly game on offense, and a huge impact play could swing the momentum. Murray has 2 sacks and an interception under his belt already this season. He might just be the guy to swing the game. Kenneth Murray can help slow down Breece Hall and the Jets’ rushing attack so the EDGE rushers can make Zach Wilson’s life miserable.
The Wrap-up
That does it for our Week 9 IDP start and sit recommendations. I’m glad we can get together every week to give you all the IDP data you need to make the most informed decisions for your dynasty teams. As the season wears on, the injuries become harder to overcome. That’s why we are here to help you understand what to do with your rosters every week. I hope you all enjoy this week’s games, and I look forward to starting this back half of the season on a positive note. Keep building those dynasty powerhouses, and good luck this week to all my fellow IDP nerds.
