Fantasy Football can be frustrating. You go on a two game losing streak and you give up on the season. Then you inexplicably beat the #1 team in the league the following week and get sucked back in. Them you stud WR blows out his knee or ACL and you give up again. This feeling is well represented by Charlie Brown trying to, once again, kick the football despite the fact that Lucy historically has always pulled the football away just after he commits.

Thus is the fate of the hard-core fantasy football fanatic. Its only more intense when you play in IDP leagues and you have twice as many starters to go off then get hurt or lay an egg. Due to the fact that IDP performances are so inconsistent, I seek to give you a handful of names each week that have opportunity and matchup to be successful. I’m trying to mix it up each week as I have yet to repeat a player (I have used pre-season targets but no one twice from Week 1 -8). It ha been fun and challenging. I have tried to avoid to many obvious choices and offer up several sleepers and dynasty plays each week. Let’s see how I did last week.

WINS — Blidi Wreh-Wilson, Captain Munnerlyn, James Ihedigbo, Reshad Jones

LOSES — Jonathan Joseph, Mark Barron, Terrence Brooks, Dwayne Gratz

DRAW — Desmond Trufant, Reggie Nelson, NO DNPs

Position Player Team Real Deal MLFF Verdict CB Blidhi Wreh-Wilson TEN 14.5 17 Blidi has entrenched himself as a starter with another 7 tackles from the CB position and 2 PDs CB Captain Munnerlyn MIN 11 13 Sleeper pick comes through with 4 tackles, a pick and PD CB Desmond Trufant ATL 8 9 4 tackles and 1 PD didn’t hurt you but just falls short of double digits CB Johnathan Joseph HOU 7.5 5 5 tackles and no impact players is disappointing for JJ CB Dwayne Gratz JAX 1.5 1 Swing and miss on this sleeper. One tackle S James Ihedigbo DET 12.5 12 Solid 7 tackles and a stuff makes him a decent play S Reshad Jones MIA 16.5 12 Continues hot start with 8 more tackles and a sack S Reggie Nelson CIN 11.25 4.5 6 tackles makes him a decent play in tackle heavy scoring formats but a bust in impact play driven formats S Mark Barron TB 6.75 3.5 Another disappoint performance gets Barron shipped out of town to STL (4 tackles) S Terrence Brooks BAL 6.75 3.5 4 Tackles in limited snaps as 3rd man in safety rotation

Overall decent week. Stoked my Blidi and Captain picks panned out as I started them both this week. I am looking forward to several games this week and some of the defensive backs to target in them. Six teams have byes this week so there are many starters that need fill ins. Enjoy the eclectic collection of Week 9 DB targets.

ARIZONA CARDINALS DALLAS COWBOYS CB – Jerraud Powers S – JJ Wilcox 27 TK, 3 INT, 5 PDs 34 TK, 1 INT, 2 PDs

So what Cardinals defensive back do you think leads the team in interceptions this season? There are so many good ones to choose from. Antonio Cromartie? Patrick Peterson? Honey Badger? Breakout safety Tony Jefferson? Veteran Rashad Johnson? All great guesses, but the correct answer is nickel cornerback, Jerraud Powers. There is a great opportunity for him this week as Peterson needs to be cleared from a concussion suffered in last week’s Eagles game. He played on 84 snaps after sliding over and covering for Patrick in the second quarter. This column comes out too early to know what Tony Romo’s status will be this Sunday, but he will at best be gimpy and at worse be Brandon Weeden. Either way, Cromartie will be on Dez so Powers should get the Terrence Williams assignment who had 7 targets last week.

JJ Wilcox is the Cowboys starting Strong Safety and will have opportunity to help out in run defense by trying to contain Andre Ellington as well as protect the middle of the field against a Palmer to Fitzgerald connection. His primary contribution this season has been in tackling, but he picked up his first interception of the season last week and looks to build on that for another strong showing against the Cards this week.

Both guys are worth starts in deeper leagues and dynast formats.

ST. LOUIS RAMS SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS CB/S – Lamarcus Joyner CB – Perrish Cox 30 TK, 1 PD 20K, 2 FR, 3 INT, 12 PDs

Lamarcus Joyner is a 2nd round draft pick out of Florida State this year and he was one rookie DB that I wrote about in preseason that you should keep an eye on. Joyner had been primarily playing nickel cornerback this season and shifted back to safety when Rodney McLeod went down in last week’s game. He responded with 10 tackles bring his total for the season up to 30. Trouble is, their cornerbacks are banged up to with both Trumaine McBride and Janoris Jenkins inactive last week. So as a result, the Rams front office went out a traded for underwhelming, former 1st round draft pick, Mark Barron to fill in McLeod’s starting spot. This allows Joyner to move back to the corner but he could very well get the start this week and will definitely see a lot of snaps. The 49ers have an impressive receiving corp and will keep the Rams defensive backfield busy this weekend. He will look to bring some impact players to his game this week and is a good-bye week fill due to his dual eligibility (CB/S) in most leagues.

Here’s another trivia question…Who’s leading the league in passes defensed? That would be a tie between Miami’s Vontae Davis, and San Francisco’s Perrish Cox. He wasn’t even suppose to be the starter this season, but he has taken advantage of the injuries to Chris Culliver and Tramaine Brock. He has kept the starting role as a reward for his terrific play with 3 picks and 12 PDs this season. He has been involved with more takeaways with two fumble recoveries to his credit this season. Cox should have a field day with Austin Davis and the depleted Rams receiving core. He should be started in all IDP formats.

DENVER BRONCOS NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS S – Rahim Moore CB – Brandon Browner 17 TK, 3 INT, 4 PDs 3 TK, 1 PD in 1 Game

Although he has developed into a pretty decent safety, Rahim Moore might always be remembered for falling down on Joe Flacco’s underthrown bomb to Jacoby Jones back in the 2012-13 AFC Championship game. The best thing that has happened to him is the Broncos going out and spending big money to sign TJ Ward and Aqib Talib as well as draft rookie, Bradley Roby, in the first round of in 2014. This has taken some of the pressure and limelight off Moore and he has manage seven impact plays this season as a result. He tackle total of 17 is certainly disappointing for a safety, but he should have plenty of opportunity this week in a showdown against Tom Brady who is is riding an impressive three game stretch in which he has averaged 323 yards per game and 4 passing TDs per game. He might not be the sexiest pick in 10 and 12 team IDP leagues, but he is as safe a play as any in impact play driven leagues and should be started in all deep/dynasty leagues.

On the flip side of the field, Denver also features a high-powered passing game ranked 3rd on the season in passing yards per game (297) and leading the league in passing TDs with 3.1. This game has shootout written all over it and I would expect to see New England running five and six defensive back sets throughout the game. Brandon Browner might be on your waiver wire as the off-season FA signing that was supposed to start across from Revis Island has had little impact thus far. He was suspended for the first four games and spent two games inactive as he worked his way back into game shape and back into the game plan. After two unproductive games with a snap count, Browner should be back to starters snaps and should take over his starting RCB this week. With Demaryius Thomas likely on Revis Island, Browner will likely get to follow around after Emmanual Sanders. I expect a lot of targets to come his way and we will see if he has regained the form he was known for as part of the Legion of Boom. I expect him to still be a step or two behind at times, but he will have an excellent opportunity to starting building his impact play stats for the season. Sneaky start this week in shallow leagues and definitely a good play for leagues that require to start a CB.

BALTIMORE RAVENS PITTSBURGH STEELERS CB – Dominique Franks CB – William Gay 8 TK, 4 PDs 28 TK, 1 INT, 7 PDs

And now for my super sleeper of the week…new starting RCB, Dominique Franks!!! Baltimore has too many safeties in the rotation but are extremely shallow at CB. Last week they only had three active and Jimmy Smith went down with a sprained foot. Franks took over and earned 3 tackles and 3 PDs in relief. It appears he will be missing a few weeks and now its Franks time to shine. He was drafted and played the last four seasons for the Falcons as a depth DB. He signs with the Ravens in the off-season to also be depth and now has the opportunity to make an impact for Baltimore and your fantasy team. BAL/PIT games are usually entertaining and Big Ben if coming of a record-setting passing performance. He is probably available in most leagues as he is currently available in both of my 32 team dynasty leagues. He won’t be for long.

William Gay appears to be in line to start this week due to injuries and the team seemingly being down on Cortez Allen. Last week he had a great showing in the rout over the Colts with eight tackles, a Pick 6 and a PD. The Steelers D will be looking for revenge after the Week 2 embarrassing, 26-6, loss to the Ravens. The chemistry between Flacco and Torrey Smith seems off and this could give Gay an opportunity for some impact plays this week. He is a nice play in leagues that require you to play a CB and deep/dynasty formats.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS NEW YORK GIANTS S – Mike Adams S – Quintin Demps 35 TK, 1 FF, FR, 2 INT, 6 PDs 30 TK, 1 FF, 2 INT, 3 PDs, 234 RetYds

With the LaRon Landry suspension, Mike Adams has been the only serviceable Indianapolis safety thus far this season. The Colts have gotten excellent play for their corners this year, but Adams has been forced to do it all and has had respectful numbers across the board. Landry is eligible to return in Week 9 and even if he does, it shouldn’t detract from Adams value. He should still play nearly every snap and be called upon to help ensure the Giants don’t get any running game going Monday night. The new offensive system for New York is predicated on the quick release and short to mid-range passes. This will be where the Strong Safety is perched and ready to rack up the tackles and looking to force some takeaways.

My final target is another under-the-radar play…Quintin Demps. He was signed in the off-season for his ability as a return man and safety depth. Well, he has racked up 234 return yards which is a nice bonus if your league scores that, but I have been impressed with how he has taking over the starting Free Safety position. He has allowed Antrel Rolle to do his own thing while cleaning up the back-end with 30 tackles, 2 picks and a forced fumble. Andrew Luck and company lead the league with 43.9 pass attempts per game and passing yards per game (336.5). There will be a lot of opportunity for the Giants defensive backs to make plays and Demps might still be available in your league.

Bryan Luhrs

Real Deal Dynasty Sports, Creator & Executive Commissioner

MajorLeagueFantasySports.com, Fantasy Baseball and Football Writer

@realdealdynasty

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