Myles Garrett on his way to murder Trevor Siemian in New York USA Circa 2019

This article series will be set up exactly the same as last years 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.

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.

When I first started writing this start or sit series I would explain why each player ended up in each tier of expected production, and while it was nice to provide the thinking behind these decisions, I was ending up with four thousand word articles and only covering a few of the matchups each week. My goal was to cover EVERY game and EVERY IDP relevant player so I’ve had to sacrifice some of the explanations in order to make sure that happens. For the record every one of these players that ends up in one of these production tiers has quite a bit of thought that goes into why they ended up there. I look at playing time using nflgsis.com, I look at offensive and defensive team ranks for these matchups including how often each offense these IDP players are going against likes to run and pass and how effective they are at each. Each one of these IDP players talent, experience and injury history is included in these decisions. Past production and projections from sites such as MFL, Yahoo and Sleeper are also included in the decision process. Long story short a lot of thought go into these each week. Also for the record I’ve been playing IDP fantasy football for 16 years and have been watching the NFL for 31 years. I have a diamond rating in Yahoo with 21 titles in redraft and 48 trophies overall including championships in all IDP formats, dynasty, college fantasy, draft app titles and several hundred dollars in my FanDuel account that I started on a free entry four seasons ago. I am not new at this I’ve just been roped into writing about it finally. The suggestions I give in this article I am making in my own lineups as well so we’ll all sink or swim together. This entire process has been and will be massively transparent since we don’t hide our mistakes here at idpguys.org. No one gets them all right all the time but I will try to be as accurate as possible as often as possible. These are only suggestions, ultimately you set your lineup for the week and the best advice I can give is to trust your gut. There is no worse feeling than ignoring your gut to follow an “experts” suggestion and have it flop completely when you had the right call all along.

***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 11:30 AM eastern time on ESPN and NFL websites to check for surprise inactives each Sunday***

Last week I made approximately 200 “decisions” (start or sit) and got 151 correct or in the ballpark and 49 incorrect or not even close for a 75% correct rate. My average for all of last season was 74% correct overall and through week two we are holding at 74.5% correct for the season. Let’s dive into this weeks games.

Tremaine Edmunds quietly delivering a solid floor, week after week for years to come, Buffalo USA circa 2019

Bengals @ Bills

Cincinnati Bengals

Tier one starts: Jessie Bates (S) Shawn Williams (S) Sam Hubbard (DE)

Tier two starts: Nick Vigil (LB) Preston Brown (LB) Carlos Dunlap (DE) Geno Atkins (DT)

Tier three starts: Carl Lawson (DE) Dre Kirkpatrick (CB)

Sits: Jordan Evans (LB) Germaine Pratt (LB) Bengals Corners *Not an ideal matchup to start or stream Bengals corners, Kirkpatrick could have a decent day though*

Buffalo Bills

Tier one starts: Tremaine Edmunds (LB) Jordan Poyer (S)

Tier two starts: Matt Milano (LB) Jerry Huges (DE) Trent Murphy (DE) Levi Wallace (CB)

Tier three starts: Tra’Davious White (CB) Micah Hyde (S) Ed Oliver (DT) Shaq Lawson (DE)

Sits: Lorenzo Alexander (LB) Siran Neal (S) *Playing time for both* *Bills Cornerbacks not named White or Wallace*

DeMarcus Lawrence and the Hotboyz, Predator and Wolf turn the Redskins booty holes inside out on the road, Washington DC USA circa 2019

Dolphins @ Cowboys

Miami Dolphins

Tier one starts: Jerome Baker (LB)

Tier two starts: Sam Eguavoen (LB)

Tier three starts: Xavien Howard (CB) Davon Godchaux (DT) Christian Wilkins (DE)

Sits: Raekwon McMillan (LB) *Playing time and also bad at football* *Dolphins corners not named Howard, not an ideal matchup to start or stream Dolphins corners*

Dallas Cowboys

Tier one starts: Jaylon Smith (LB) Leighton Vander Esch (LB) Demarcus Lawrence (DE)

Tier two starts: Chidobe Awuzie (CB) Jeff Heath (S) Robert Quinn (DE) *Cowboys corners, this is a decent matchup to start or stream Cowboys cornerbacks*

Tier three starts: Kavon Frazier (S) *Xavier Woods injured and out, Frazier is likely replacement*

Sits: Sean Lee (LB) Antoine Woods (DT) Tyrone Crawford (DE) *Playing time for both*

Todd Davis returns to the lineup following his 2018 career season and dumps water on the Josey Jewlle hype, Denver USA circa 2019

Broncos @ Packers

Denver Broncos

Tier one starts: Justin Simmons (S) Todd Davis (LB) Von Miller (EDGE,OLB) *Tier two as regular LB*

Tier two starts: Josey Jewell (LB) *Tier one if Davis doesn’t play* Bradley Chubb (EDGE,OLB) *Tier three as regular LB*

Tier three starts: Derek Wolfe (DE) Kareem Jackson (CB) Broncos Cornerbacks *This is a decent matchup to start or stream Broncos corners*

Sits: NA (Everyone else)

Green Bay Packers

Tier one starts: Blake Martinez (LB)

Tier two starts: Kenny Clark (DT) Darnell Savage (S) Jaire Alexander (CB)

Tier three starts: Adrian Amos (S) Preston Smith (OLB,EDGE) Za’Darius Smith (OLB,EDGE) *Both are sits as regular LB*

Sits: BJ Goodson (LB) *All other Packers corners, Alexander may be talented enough and play enough to overcome this not ideal matchup but the others won’t, start or stream corners elsewhere*

Keanu Neal returns to glory and obliterates the Eagles hopes for victory, Atlanta USA circa 2019

Falcons @ Colts

Atlanta Falcons

Tier one starts: Keanu Neal (S) Deion Jones (LB) Grady Jarrett (DT)

Tier two starts: Damontae Kazee (S) DaVondre Campbell (LB)

Tier three starts: Ricardo Allen (S) Vic Beasley (DE) Adrian Clayborn (DE) Tak McKinley (DE) Falcons Cornerbacks *This is an OK matchup to start or stream Falcons corners*

Sits: Foye Oluokon (LB) Tyeler Davison (DT) *Had a one week blowup but only played 43% of snaps in week two, not enough playing time*

Indianapolis Colts

Tier one starts: Darius Leonard (LB) *If he plays* Denico Autry (DT) Kenny Moore (CB)

Tier two starts: Justin Houston (DE) *Tier three as regular LB* Al Quadin Muhammed (DE) Clayton Geathers (S) Anthony Walker (LB) Malik Hooker (S) Colts Cornerbacks *This is an ideal matchup to start or stream Colts corners*

Tier three starts: Margus Hunt (DT)

Sits: Bobby Okereke (LB) Matthew Adams (LB) *Playing time for both*

Frank Clark grinning at his detractors and laughing at those that dropped him to waivers, Kansas City circa 2019

Ravens @ Chiefs

Baltimore Ravens

Tier one starts: Patrick Onwuasor (LB)

Tier two starts: Earl Thomas (S) Tony Jefferson (S) Ravens Cornerbacks *This is an ideal matchup to start or stream Ravens corners*

Tier three starts: Matt Judon (OLB,EDGE) *Sit as regular linebacker*

Sits: Kenny Young (LB) Chris Board (LB) *Playing time and production for both*

Kansas City Chiefs

Tier one starts: Frank Clark (DE) Chris Jones (DT) Anthony Hitchens (LB)

Tier two starts: Kendall Fuller (CB) Tyrann Mathieu (S) Juan Thornhill (S)

Tier three starts: Damien Wilson (LB) Alex Okafor (DE)

Sits: Darron Lee (LB) *Playing time*

Eric Kendricks screams into the heavens about how under the radar and consistent he is, Minnesota USA circa 2019

Raiders @ Vikings

Oakland Raiders

Tier one starts: None

Tier two starts: Vontaze Burfict (LB) Tahir Whitehead (LB)

Tier three starts: Lamarcus Joyner (S) Clellin Ferrell (DE) Jonathan Hankins (DT) Karl Joseph (S)

Sits: Maurice Hurst (DT) Raiders Cornerbacks *Not an ideal matchup to start or stream Raiders corners*

Minnesota Vikings

Tier one starts: Eric Kendricks (LB) Harrison Smith (S) Danielle Hunter (DE) Linval Joseph (DT)

Tier two starts: Everson Griffen (DE) Trae Waynes (CB)

Tier three starts: Anthony Harris (S) Anthony Barr (OLB,EDGE) *Sit as regular linebacker* Vikings Cornerbacks *This is an OK matchup to start or stream Vikings corners*

Sits: Jayron Kearse (S) *Playing time*

Jamal Adams tells Gregg Williams that his name has too many “G’s” and that he’s going to clap his cheeks, New York USA circa 2019

Jets @ Patriots

New York Jets

Tier one starts: Jamal Adams (S)

Tier two starts: Neville Hewitt (LB) Blake Cashman (LB) Jets Cornerbacks *This is an ideal matchup to start or stream Jets corners*

Tier three starts: Leonard Williams (DE) Quinnen Williams (DT) *If he plays* Marcus Maye (S)

Sits: NA (Everyone else)

New England Patriots

Tier one starts: None, massive inconsistency in playing time and production across the entirety of their defense.

Tier two starts: Devin McCourty (S) Jamie Collins (LB) Kyle Van Noy (LB)

Tier three starts: Micheal Bennett (DE) Chase Winovich (DE)

Sits: Patriots Cornerbacks *This is not an ideal matchup to start or stream Patriots corners*

Tracy Walker asks if IDP Twitter still believes only strong safeties are IDP relevant, Detroit USA circa 2019

Lions @ Eagles

Detroit Lions

Tier one starts: Tracy Walker (S) Quandre Diggs (CB) *Tier two as safety*

Tier two starts: Damon Harrison (DT) Trey Flowers (DE) Jahlani Tavai (LB) *Tier three if Jarrad Davis plays* Jarrad Davis (LB) *If he plays* Lions Cornerbacks *This is an ideal matchup to start or stream Lions corners*

Tier three starts: Romeo Okwara (DE) Devon Kennard (LB) Christian Jones (LB) Jaylon Reeves-Maybin (LB)

Sits: Mike Daniels (DT) A’Shawn Robinson (DT) *Playing time for both*

Philadelphia Eagles

Tier one starts: Fletcher Cox (DT) Nigel Bradham (LB)

Tier two starts: Malcolm Jenkins (S) Derek Barnett (DE) Brandon Graham (DE) Eagles Cornerbacks *This is an ideal matchup to start or stream Eagles corners*

Tier three starts: Zach Brown (LB) Andrew Sendejo (S)

Sits: Nathan Gerry (LB) All others

Luke Kuechly does his job but is once again let down by Cam Newton who puts more time into his ridiculous outfits than into watching film, Tampa Bay USA circa 2019

Panthers @ Cardinals

Carolina Panthers

Tier one starts: Luke Kuechly (LB)

Tier two starts: Shaq Thompson (LB) Eric Reid (S) Gerald McCoy (DT) Kawan Short (DT)

Tier three starts: Tre Boston (S) James Bradberry (CB) Donte Jackson (CB) Mario Addison (DE) *Sit as LB* Brian Burns (DE)

Sits: All other Panthers Cornerbacks *Not an ideal matchup to start or stream Panthers corners but Jackson and Bradberry are usually matchup proof* Dontari Poe (DT)

Arizona Cardinals

Tier one starts: Jordan Hicks (LB) Budda Baker (S) Chandler Jones (OLB,EDGE) *Tier two as regular linebacker*

Tier two starts: DJ Swearinger (S) Haason Redick (LB)

Tier three starts: Terrell Suggs (OLB,EDGE) *Sit as regular linebacker* Cardinals Cornerbacks *This is an OK matchup to start or stream Cardinals corners*

Sits: NA (Everyone else)

Devin White months before tonsillitis and an MCL sprain destroy the start of his promising career, NFL Draft circa 2019

Giants @ Buccaneers

New York Giants

Tier one starts: Antoine Bethea (S) Alec Ogletree (LB)

Tier two starts: Jabrill Peppers (S) Janoris Jenkins (CB)

Tier three starts: Markus Golden (DE) Lorenzo Carter (LB) Dexter Lawrence (DE)

Sits: Micheal Thomas (S) *Playing time*

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tier one starts: Lavonte David (LB) Jordan Whitehead (S)

Tier two starts: N’Damakong Suh (DT) Devin White (LB) *If healthy* Shaq Barrett (OLB,EDGE) *Tier three as regular LB*

Tier three starts: Vernon Hargreaves (CB) Kevin Minter (LB) *If Devin White doesn’t play* Carl Nassib (DE)

Sits: Bucs Cornerbacks *Hargreaves might be talented enough to overcome this not idea matchup but sit all other Bucs corners*

JJ Watt plans on clapping the cheeks of anyone who doubts he will finish as a tier one defensive end this season despite his slow start, Houston USA circa 2019

Texans @ Chargers

Houston Texans

Tier one starts: JJ Watt (DE) Justin Reid (S)

Tier two starts: Zach Cunningham (LB) Bernardrick McKinney (LB) Whitney Mercilus (OLB,EDGE) *Tier three as regular LB* Texans Cornerbacks *This is an ideal matchup to start or stream Texans corners*

Tier three starts: Tashaun Gipson (S)

Sits: DJ Reader (DT) *Playing time and nose tackle not usually IDP relevant*

Los Angeles Chargers

Tier one starts: Joey Bosa (DE) Desmond King (CB)

Tier two starts: Thomas Davis (LB) Kyzir White (LB) Melvin Ingram (DE) Chargers Cornerbacks *This is an ideal matchup to start or stream Chargers corners*

Tier three starts: Jerry Tillery (DT)

Sits: Reyshawn Jenkins (S) Adrian Phillips (S) *Injured and out*

DeForest Buckner tells his teammate about how he ate the booty like groceries last night, San Francisco USA Circa 2019

Steelers @ 49ers

San Francisco 49ers

Tier one starts: DeForest Buckner (DT) Kwon Alexander (LB) Fred Warner (LB)

Tier two starts: Dee Ford (DE) *Tier three as LB* Nick Bosa (DE) Jaquiski Tartt (S)

Tier three starts: Arik Armstead (DE) Solomon Thomas (DE)

Sits: 49ers Cornerbacks *This is not an ideal matchup to start or stream 49ers corners*

Pittsburgh Steelers

Tier one starts: Mincah Fitzpatrick (S) Devin Bush (LB) TJ Watt (OLB,EDGE) *Tier two as regular linebacker*

Tier two starts: Terrell Edmunds (S) Marc Barron (LB) Cameron Heyward (DT) Stephon Tuitt (DE)

Tier three starts: Steelers Cornerbacks *This is an OK matchup to start or stream Steelers corners*

Sits: Vince Williams (LB) Sean Davis (S)

Bobby Wagner clamps his cheeks together to avoid crapping his pants in front of 60,000 fans, Seattle USA circa 2019

Saints @ Seahawks

New Orleans Saints

Tier one starts: Cameron Jordan (DE) Demario Davis (LB)

Tier two starts: Marcus Davenport (DE) Sheldon Rankins (DT) *If healthy* Eli Apple (CB)

Tier three starts: AJ Klein (LB) Trey Hendrickson (DE) Saints Cornerbacks *This is an OK matchup to start or stream Saints corners*

Sits: Kiko Alonso (LB) Alex Anzalone (LB)

Seattle Seahawks

Tier one starts: Bobby Wagner (LB) Jadaveon Clowney (DE)

Tier two starts: KJ Wright (LB) Ezekiel Ansah (DE) *If healthy* Bradley McDougald (S)

Tier three starts: Quinton Jefferson (DT) Mychal Kendricks (LB) LJ Collier (DE)

Sits: Seattle Cornerbacks *This is not an ideal matchup to start or stream Seattle corners*

Myles Garrett squats to take a dump on the field in front of the horrified onlookers, New York USA Circa 2019

Rams @ Browns

Los Angeles Rams

Tier one starts: Cory Littleton (LB) John Johnson (S) Aaron Donald (DT)

Tier two starts: Eric Weddle (S) Dante Fowler (DE) Rams Cornerbacks *This is an ideal matchup to start or stream Rams corners*

Tier three starts: Micheal Brockers (DE) Taylor Rapp (S) Clay Matthews (EDGE,OLB)

Sits: Samson Ebukam (LB)

Cleveland Browns

Tier one starts: Myles Garrett (DE) Joe Schobert (LB) Damarious Randal (S,CB) *Tier one as corner, two as safety*

Tier two starts: Christian Kirksey (LB) Sheldon Richardson (DT) Larry Ogunjobi (DT) Denzel Ward (CB) Morgan Burnett (S)

Tier three starts: Oliver Vernon (DE) Jermaine Whitehead (S) Browns Cornerbacks *This is an OK matchup to start or stream Browns corners*

Sits: NA (All others)

Khalil Mack pondering why certain IDP “experts” think he’s just as valuable as a linebacker as he was at defensive end, Chicago USA circa 2019

Bears @ Redskins

Chicago Bears

Tier one starts: Roquan Smith (LB) Akiem Hicks (DT) Khalil Mack (OLB,EDGE) *Tier two as regular LB*

Tier two starts: Danny Trevethan (LB) Eddie Jackson (S)

Tier three starts: Kyle Fuller (CB) Leonard Floyd (DE) *Sit as regular LB* Ha Ha Clinton Dix (S)

Sits: All other Bears Cornerbacks *Not an ideal matchup to start or stream Bears corners not named Fuller*

Washington Redskins

Tier one starts: Landon Collins (S)

Tier two starts: Jonathan Allen (DT) *If healthy* Cole Holcomb (LB) Montae Nicholson (S) Ryan Kerrigan (OLB,EDGE) *Tier three as regular LB*

Tier three starts: Da’Ron Payne (DT) Matt Ionannidis (DE) Jon Bostic (LB) Montez Sweat (OLB,EDGE)

Sits: Shaun Dion Hamilton (LB) Redskins Cornerbacks *This is not an ideal matchup to start or stream Redskins corners*

***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 teams 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 Wednesday or 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 weeks results and make sure you are ahead of the curve for getting any of those surprise studs AKA Darius Leonard last year. The next weeks 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 pod catching 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 weeks matchups.

Follow Tony Johns.

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