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The IDP Breakdown - Week 8 Edition

Chandler+Jones+New+England+Patriots+v+Buffalo+D-xFrPP2mfblCarolina @ Tampa Bay

Luke Kuechly owners have some concerns after their stud linebacker posted back-to-back fantasy clunkers in his last two games. Kuechly didn’t quite look himself in those two outings, but I’m not jumping ship on him just yet. Expect him to get back on track on Thursday night. If anything, this may be the perfect time to buy low on Kuechly if you have a panicking owner in your league. Part of Kuechly’s lowered statistical output has been due to the dynamic play of Thomas Davis, who has 18 total tackles and two sacks in the past two weeks. Davis is a high-end LB3 option. Mike Mitchell has been one of the more dominant fantasy defensive backs over the last three weeks with 20 total tackles, two sacks, three picks, four passes defensed, and two forced fumbles. While this may look like elite-level production, I’m not willing to slot Mitchell in the DB1 tier. He’s been far from the most consistent player in his career, and is a very volatile fantasy option. Still, it’s always best to ride the hot hand in fantasy football. Start Mitchell while he’s still hot.

Lavonte David is a darn good football player and a rock solid IDP option. He isn’t quite equaling his production from last season, but he’s still on pace for over 125 total tackles. David helped his cause with 10 solos in Week 7, and he has 19 total tackles in the last two games. While the Panthers aren’t a particularly strong matchup, you’re still starting David as an LB1 in a week when six teams are on bye. Mason Foster should see more of the field in this one, as the Bucs are unlikely to turn to much Dime against the Panthers. Mark Barron has struggled since injuring his hamstring in Week 4. I’m not too overly concerned with his production, as he was only on the field for 42 snaps last week. Barron is hold, though you should likely be streaming other safety options (like the aforementioned Mitchell).

 

NY Giants @ Philadelphia

While it wasn’t quite the performance we saw in his Giants debut, Jon Beason still managed a respectable nine total tackles (five solo) in Week 7 against the Vikings. Beason didn’t play every snap, but then again neither did any other Giants linebacker. Going forward, he’s still the Giants linebacker to own, and this week he slots as a borderline LB2. The last time the Eagles and Giants met, Ryan Mundy and Will Hill combined for 26 total tackles. Antrel Rolle was almost nonexistent in that contest with just one solo tackle on the day, but Rolle has been on a roll in the two games since. This one is very tough to call, but based on the way the Giants have used their defensive backs in the last two weeks, I like them in the following order – Rolle, Hill, and Mundy. However, I really don’t think you can go wrong with any of them.

DeMeco Ryans has been on an absolute tear over the last month with 36 total tackles, a sack and a pick. To be clear, he’s still not playing particularly well on the field, but you don’t get style points in fantasy football. With Mychal Kendricks floundering, I’d actually prefer Ryans going forward. Neither Eagles linebacker put up strong IDP numbers against the Giants in their last go round, but this is a very different New York team. Peyton Hillis and the more power run game has led to decent fantasy numbers from Lance Briggs and Erin Henderson over the last two weeks. Ryans makes for a high variance borderline LB2, while Kendricks moves to the back end of the LB3 tier.

 

Dallas @ Detroit 

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Jeff Ratcliffe is the Assistant Managing Editor and resident IDP maven of Pro Football Focus Fantasy. Follow him on Twitter – @JeffRatcliffe.

Subscriber Content

Jeff Ratcliffe is the Assistant Managing Editor and resident IDP maven of Pro Football Focus Fantasy. Follow him on Twitter – @JeffRatcliffe.

Subscriber Content

Jeff Ratcliffe is the Assistant Managing Editor and resident IDP maven of Pro Football Focus Fantasy. Follow him on Twitter – @JeffRatcliffe.

 

 

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