When will the sacks start coming? What is the meaning of life? Why does it burn when I pee?

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.

Last year I was writing four thousand word articles describing the thought process behind all these “decisions” (start or sit and what tier of expected production). In an effort to cover every IDP relevant player and every matchup and team I’ve cut that part of this process out, for the record though I use past production, playing time, expected game flow and trends of the offense each IDP player is going up against as well as gut instinct and projections from places such as MFL, Yahoo, ESPN and Sleeper to inform these decisions.

If you’re looking for an explanation for a particular player feel free to DM me on Twitter, @Orangeman3142.

This is year sixteen of IDP for me so I’m not just throwing darts here and the two articles and one podcast I do weekly take more than enough time so this is what it’s going to be, if you’re looking for more detail for as to why certain players are starts or sits I’m sure there are articles out there that do that, it just won’t be this one. Also I’m doing this for free and because I enjoy it so I’m going to have fun with it, if you can’t handle jokes I would abort mission now, no harm no foul.

These start or sit decisions are only suggestions and in the end the responsibility for your lineup is ultimately yours and yours alone. I’ll do my best to be as accurate as possible each week. These decisions I’m recommending are the same ones I’m making in my own lineups so we sink or swim together if you do decide to take any of this advice. Good luck in your matchups this week. Let’s get that hardware.

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.

***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 248 “decisions” (start or sit) and got 182 correct or in the ballpark and 66 incorrect or not even close for a 73% 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 this season. Let’s dive into this weeks games.

***For any “EDGE” players listed the rule of thumb is to drop them a level in expected production from where they are listed if you start them as a regular linebacker instead of in a specific “Edge” or “OLB” slot in your league. This is due to the inconsistent nature of production for these players being sack dependent for the majority of their points. If your league has an “Edge” or “OLB” slot to plug them in to then everyone takes the same risk putting those players in that slot each week, however if you choose to use these players in a regular linebacker slot there’s a good chance they don’t get a sack and you end up with little to no points from them.

They are a boom or bust option when used in a regular linebacker slot. Keep that in mind as you play Shaq Barrett or Whitney Mercilus this week, it’s been all sunshine and rainbows so far but there will be weeks where they don’t have any sacks and it won’t be pretty if you started them in a regular linebacker slot and your opponent started a guy like KJ Wright in that same slot when KJ gets his usual 4-8 tackles and you’re down that many fantasy points in just that one player to player matchup. Buyer beware.***

Budda Baker looks to soar higher than ever this week

Cardinals @ Bengals

Arizona Cardinals

Tier one starts: Jordan Hicks (LB) Budda Baker (S) Chandler Jones (EDGE)

Tier two starts: Haason Redick (LB) Terrell Suggs (EDGE)

Tier three starts: Deionte Thompson (S) *Likely will fill DJ Swearinger (S) role after his release this week* Cardinals Cornerbacks, this is an OK matchup to start or stream Cardinals corners.

Sits: NA

Cincinnati Bengals

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

Tier two starts: Jessie Bates (S) Nick Vigil (LB) Preston Brown (LB) Geno Atkins (DT)

Tier three starts: Carlos Dunlap (DE) Bengals Cornerbacks, preferably Dre Kirkpatrick, this is an OK matchup to start or stream Bengals corners.

Sits: Germaine Pratt (LB) Jordan Evans (LB) *Playing time for both*

Can the Bills get back on track and clap the Titans cheeks this week???

Bills @ Titans

Buffalo Bills

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

Tier two starts: Jerry Hughes (DE) Trent Murphy (DE)

Tier three starts: Micah Hyde (S) Lorezno Alexander (LB) Bills Cornerbacks, preferably Levi Wallace or Tradavious White, this is an OK matchup to start or stream Bills corners.

Sits: Ed Oliver (DT) *Maybe next year* Siran Neal (S) *Playing time*

Tennessee Titans

Tier one starts: Kevin Byard (S) Jayon Brown (LB) Jurell Casey (DT)

Tier two starts: Rashaan Evans (LB)

Tier three starts: Harold Landry (EDGE) Titans Cornerbacks, preferably Logan Ryan, Adoree Jackson then Malcolm Butler, this is an OK matchup to start or stream Titans corners.

Sits: Cameron Wake (DE) Wesley Woodyard (LB) *Playing time for both*

It’s time for this man to show these other OLB who the real talent is in the league.

Bears @ Raiders

Chicago Bears

Tier one starts: Khalil Mack (DE) Akiem Hicks (DT) Roquan Smith (LB)

Tier two starts: Danny Trevethan (LB) Eddie Jackson (S) Ha Ha Clinton Dix (S) Bears Cornerbacks, this is a good matchup to start or stream Bears corners preferably Kyle Fuller then Prince Amukamara.

Tier three starts: Nick Williams (DT) Leonard Floyd (EDGE)

Sits: Roy Robertson Harris (DT) *Inconsistency and playing time should shrink with Hicks back this week, worth a dart throw if Akiem Hicks doesn’t play though*

Oakland Raiders

Tier one starts: Tahir Whitehead (LB)

Tier two starts: Nicholas Morrow (LB) Karl Joseph (S) Erik Harris (S) Jonathan Hankins (DT)

Tier three starts: Lamarcus Joyner (S) Clellin Ferrell (DE)

Sits: Raiders Cornerbacks, this is not an ideal matchup to start or stream Bears corners against a backup quarterback on a team that doesn’t really do passing in the first place.

Will this OLB nightmare ever end? Is this man going to smash the single season sacks record? Why can’t I poop solid? (Ayo booty wipes hit us up if you wanna do a sponsorship, we do a lot of butt related content)

Buccaneers @ Saints

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tier one starts: Shaq Barrett (EDGE) Lavonte David (LB)

Tier two starts: Jordan Whitehead (S) N’Damakong Suh (DT) Mike Edwards (S) Devin White (LB) OR Kevin Minter (LB) *Minter if White doesn’t play, sit Minter if he does*

Tier three starts: Carl Nassib (DE) Vita Vea (DT) Bucs Cornerbacks, this is an OK matchup to start or stream Bucs corners, preferably Vernon Hargreaves then it’s a dice roll.

Sits: NA, Kevin Minter (LB) if Devin White (LB) plays

New Orleans Saints

Tier one starts: Cameron Jordan (DE) Demario Davis (LB) Saints Cornerbacks, this is an ideal matchup to start or stream Saints corners, preferably Eli Apple then Marshon Lattimore.

Tier two starts: Vonn Bell (S) Marcus Davenport (DE) Sheldon Rankins (DT)

Tier three starts: AJ Klein (LB) Marcus Williams (S)

Sits: Kiko Alonso (LB) *Playing time* Trey Hendrickson (DE) *Declining playing time and production*

Can this man end the short lived reign of “Danny Dimes”? That’s a stupid nick name btw.

Vikings @ Giants

Minnesota Vikings

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

Tier two starts: Everson Griffen (DE) Anthony Barr (EDGE)

Tier three starts: Anthony Harris (S) Vikings Cornerbacks, this is an OK matchup to start or stream Vikings corners, preferably Trae Waynes then Xavier Rhodes.

Sits: Jayron Kearse (S) Stephen Weatherly (DE) *Playing time for both*

New York Giants

Tier one starts: Antoine Bethea (S) Alec Ogletree (LB) *If he plays*

Tier two starts: Jabrill Peppers (S) David Mayo (LB)

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

Sits: Micheal Thomas (S) *Playing time* Giants Cornerbacks, this is not an ideal matchup to start or stream Giants corners, but if you were to do it I would go with Janoris Jenkins, Minnesota throws the ball like fourteen times a game though so I’d look elsewhere for corner help this week.

With CJ Mosley doubtful for the week will this man make another huge splash on the IDP waiver wire?

Jets @ Eagles

New York Jets

Tier one starts: CJ Mosley (LB) *If healthy* Neville Hewitt (LB) Jamal Adams (S) Blake Cashman (LB) *If Mosley doesn’t play*

Tier two starts: Marcus Maye (S)

Tier three starts: Quinnen Williams (DT) Leonard Williams (DE) Jets Cornerbacks, this is an OK matchup to start or stream Jets corners.

Sits: NA

Philadelphia Eagles

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

Tier two starts: Malcolm Jenkins (S) Zach Brown (LB) Derek Barnett (DE) Brandon Graham (DE) Rodney McLeod (S)

Tier three starts: Andrew Sendejo (S)

Sits: Kamu Grugier Hill (LB) *He’s back healthy but his role is still unknown, avoid the risk for now* Eagles Cornerbacks, this is not an ideal matchup to start or stream Eagles corners, there are better matchups elsewhere.

Ryan Shazier would be proud of this man, defensive rookie of the year so far.

Ravens @ Steelers

Baltimore Ravens

Tier one starts: Patrick Onwuasor (LB) Tony Jefferson (S)

Tier two starts: Eric Weddle (S) Matthew Judon (EDGE)

Tier three starts: NA

Sits: Revens Cornerbacks, this is not an ideal matchup to start or stream Ravens corners. Kenny Young (LB) Chris Board (LB) *Playing time for both*

Pittsburgh Steelers

Tier one starts: Devin Bush (LB) TJ Watt (EDGE) Cameron Heyward (DT)

Tier two starts: Stephon Tuitt (DE) Terrell Edmunds (S) Minkah Fitzpatrick (S) Bud Dupree (EDGE) Marc Barron (LB)

Tier three starts: Steelers Cornerbacks, this is an OK matchup to start or stream Steelers corners.

Sits: NA, all others

This guy is absolutely primed to have a monster game with the Pats in town promising to dominate time of possession as well as the Redskins buttholes.

Patriots @ Redskins

New England Patriots

Tier one starts: Jamie Collins (LB)

Tier two starts: Kyle Van Noy (LB) Patrick Chung (S) Devin McCourty (S)

Tier three starts: John Simon (DE) Micheal Bennett (DE) Chase Winovich (DE) Patriots Cornerbacks, this is an OK matchup to start or stream Patriots corners.

Sits: All others *Patriots IDP fluctuate wildly from week to week in playing time and production, it’s always a risk playing any Patriots IDP*

Washington Redskins

Tier one starts: Landon Collins (S) Jon Bostic (LB)

Tier two starts: Montae Nicholson (S) Jonathan Allen (DT) Redskins Cornerbacks, this is a good matchup to start or stream Redskins corners, preferably Quinton Dunbar then Josh Norman.

Tier three starts: Matthew Ioannidis (DE) Ryan Kerrigan (EDGE) Montez Sweat (EDGE) Cole Holcomb (LB) Daron Payne (DT)

Sits: Shaun Dion Hamilton (LB) *Playing time*

Shaq Thompson channels his inner Bill Cartwright while thinking of Seans chest, Carolina USA circa 2019

Jaguars @ Panthers

Jacksonville Jaguars

Tier one starts: Ronnie Harrison (S) Myles Jack (LB) Calais Campbell (DE)

Tier two starts: Quincy Williams (LB) Josh Allen (DE)

Tier three starts: Jarrod Wilson (S) Yannick Ngakoue (DE) Marcell Dareus (DT) Jaguars Cornerbacks, this is an OK matchup to start or stream Jaguars corners, preferably Jalen Ramsey and AJ Bouye.

Sits: NA, Najee Goode (LB) *Only has played when Myles Jack (LB) got ejected or injured, not relevant if Jack plays*

Carolina Panthers

Tier one starts: Luke Kuechly (LB) Shaq Thompson (LB)

Tier two starts: Eric Reid (S) Mario Addison (EDGE) Panthers Cornerbacks, this is a good matchup to start or stream Panthers corners, preferably Donte Jackson then James Bradberry.

Tier three starts: Tre Boston (S) Gerald McCoy (DT) Brian Burns (DE) Dontari Poe (DT)

Sits: Bruce Irvin (EDGE) *Playing time, inconsistency*

We live in a world where this guy is the best linebacker on a team with Deion Jones, I feel like I’m taking crazy pills!

Falcons @ Texans

Atlanta Falcons

Tier one starts: Deion Jones (LB) Davondre Campbell (LB)

Tier two starts: Grady Jarrett (DT) Ricardo Allen (S) Falcons Cornerbacks, this is a good matchup to start or stream Falcons corners.

Tier three starts: Kemal Ishmael (S) Tak McKinley (DE) Vic Beasley (DE) Tyeler Davison (DT)

Sits: Damontae Kazee (S) Foye Oluokon (LB) Adrian Clayborn (DE) *Playing time for all three* Allen Bailey (DE) *No production even with decent playing time*

Houston Texans

Tier one starts: JJ Watt (DE) Justin Reid (S) Whitney Mercilus (EDGE) Texans Cornerbacks, this is an ideal matchup to start or stream Texans corners, preferably Jonathan Joseph and Bradley Roby.

Tier two starts: Bernardrick McKinney (LB) Zach Cunningham (LB)

Tier three starts: DJ Reader (DT) Tashaun Gipson (S)

Sits: NA, all others

Todd Davis and a fan.

Broncos @ Chargers

Denver Broncos

Tier one starts: Todd Davis (LB) Von Miller (EDGE) Justin Simmons (S)

Tier two starts: Josey Jewell (LB) *If healthy* Broncos Cornerbacks, this is a good matchup to start or stream Broncos corners, preferably Chris Harris and De’Vante Bausby.

Tier three starts: Will Parks (S) Derek Wolfe (DE)

Sits: NA, all others. Someone will step into Bradley Chubb (EDGE) role but I don’t know who that is yet and I’m not really interested in tracking it down at the moment, I’ll know for next week.

Los Angeles Chargers

Tier one starts: Joey Bosa (DE) Thomas Davis (LB)

Tier two starts: Denzel Perryman (LB)

Tier three starts: Jerry Tillery (DT) Chargers Cornerbacks, this is an OK matchup to start or stream Chargers corners, preferably Desmond King.

Sits: Uchenna Nwosu (LB) Kyzir White (LB) *Playing time and production issues* Melvin Ingram (DE) *Injured and out*

Will them hotboyz shut down Rodgers & Company this week? Probably not but a boy can dream.

Packers @ Cowboys

Green Bay Packers

Tier one starts: Blake Martinez (LB) Kenny Clark (DT)

Tier two starts: Preston Smith (EDGE) Zadarius Smith (EDGE) Adrian Amos (S) Darnell Savage (S) Packers Cornerbacks, this is a good matchup to start or stream Packers corners, preferably Jaire Alexander then Kevin King.

Tier three starts: Oren Burks (LB) *If healthy*

Sits: Rashaan Gary (EDGE) BJ Goodson (LB) *Playing time for both*

Dallas Cowboys

Tier one starts: Leighton Vander Esch (LB) Jaylon Smith (LB) Demarcus Lawrence (DE) Cowboys Cornerbacks, this is an ideal matchup to start or stream Cowboys corners, preferably Chidobe Awuzie and Byron Jones.

Tier two starts: Robert Quinn (DE) Jeff Heath (S) Xavier Woods (S)

Tier three starts: Maliek Collins (DT)

Sits: Sean Lee (LB) *Playing time*

This weeks matchup is literally perfect for this man.

Colts @ Chiefs

Indianapolis Colts

Tier one starts: Darius Leonard (LB) *If healthy* Anthony Walker (LB) *Tier two if Leonard plays, one if not* Colts Cornerbacks, this is an ideal matchup to start or stream Colts corners, preferably Kenny Moore then Rock Ya Sin. Clayton Geathers (S) *If healthy*

Tier two starts: Bobby Okereke (LB) *Sit if Leonard plays* Khari Willis (S) Denico Autry (DT) Justin Houston (DE)

Tier three starts: Jabaal Sheard (DE) Al Quadin Muhammad (DE)

Sits: Margus Hunt (DT) *Playing time*

Kansas City Chiefs

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

Tier two starts: Damien Wilson (LB) Tyrann Mathieu (S) Chiefs Cornerbacks, this is a good matchup to start or stream Chiefs corners, preferably Kendall Fuller then Ward and Breeland.

Tier three starts: Juan Thornhill (S) Emmanuel Ogbah (DE)

Sits: Darron Lee (LB) Reggie Ragland (LB) *Playing time for both*

Jimmy GQ, that beautiful piece of man meat, better watch out cause this monster rarely has two bad weeks in a row.

Browns @ 49ers

Cleveland Browns

Tier one starts: Myles Garrett (DE) Larry Ogunjobi (DT) Joe Schobert (LB)

Tier two starts: Mack Wilson (LB) Sheldon Richardson (DT) Damarious Randall (S) Jermaine Whitehead or Morgan Burnett (S) *Whitehead if Burnett is injured and out*

Tier three starts: Olivier Vernon (DE) Eric Murray (S)

Sits: Browns Cornerbacks, this is not an ideal matchup to start or stream Browns corners and there are plenty of better matchups elsewhere this week.

San Francisco 49ers

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

Tier two starts: Jaquiski Tartt (S) Nick Bosa (DE)

Tier three starts: Arik Armstead (DE) Dee Ford (DE) 49ers Cornerbacks, this is an OK matchup to start or stream 49ers corners, preferably Richard Sherman and Tavarious Moore.

Sits: Solomon Thomas (DE,DT) *Playing time*

***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 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.

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