IDP: Week 8 matchups to watch

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With another six teams on bye this week (CIN, KC, NE, PIT, TB, WAS), it’s crucial that IDP owners keep an eye on matchups to fill the slots normally occupied by their studs. I’ve made some changes to my studs list to reflect the recent emergence of Andre Carter(notes) (you’re welcome), the 2009 resurgence of Darren Sharper(notes) (sorry for not being a believer sooner in his IDP rejuvenation), and a few others. Remember – keep those e-mails coming and be as specific as possible if you’re looking for one-on-one advice. Let’s get to this week’s recommendations in the increasingly wild world of IDP.

Studs (this could change from week-to-week, so pay attention)

DL: Jared Allen(notes), Elvis Dumervil(notes), Terrell Suggs(notes), Trent Cole(notes), Julius Peppers(notes), Andre Carter, Mario Williams(notes), Osi Umenyiora(notes), Justin Tuck(notes), Aaron Schobel(notes), Aaron Kampman(notes)

LB: Patrick Willis(notes), Curtis Lofton(notes), David Harris(notes), Thomas Davis(notes), Jon Beason(notes), Ray Lewis(notes), Lance Briggs(notes), E.J. Henderson(notes), James Harrison(notes) (BYE), Barrett Ruud(notes) (BYE), London Fletcher(notes) (BYE)

DB: O.J. Atogwe, Eric Weddle(notes), Darren Sharper, Kerry Rhodes(notes), Yeremiah Bell(notes), Quintin Mikell(notes), Ed Reed(notes), Troy Polamalu(notes) (BYE)

Defensive Linemen – 10 matchups to watch in Week 8:

Robert Mathis(notes), IND vs. SF – Like I’ve said before, Mathis is almost a must-play at DL each week because of his ability to rack up tackles and get to the QB due to the frequent double-teams drawn by his RDE counterpart, Dwight Freeney(notes). This week, he should have his way with veteran right tackle Tony Pashos(notes), who took over starting duties a couple weeks ago when Adam Snyder(notes) moved to a time-share with Chilo Rachel at RG.

Dwight Freeney, IND vs. SF – Freeney, like Mathis, shouldn’t have a tough time getting to San Francisco QB Alex Smith this week. Left tackle Joe Staley(notes) and the left side of the Niners’ shaky offensive line get beat at least once a game by the opposing RDE, and they haven’t dealt with a pass rusher as dynamic as Freeney.

Jason Taylor(notes), MIA @ NYJ – Apparently, there’s still life in Taylor’s old bones, and if Jets RT Damien Woody(notes) isn’t 100 percent for this week’s game, the veteran pass rusher (who had five tackles, two sacks, two forced fumbles and a PD last week against the Saints) should get some cracks at QB Mark Sanchez(notes).

Adewale Ogunleye(notes), CHI vs. CLE – “Wall-E” will exploit the “strong” side (I use that term loosely) of the Browns’ offensive line, picking apart right tackle John St. Clair(notes). He’s a sneaky DL play this week and could provide immense value if you’re looking for a stud.

John Abraham(notes), ATL @ NO – It’s a much better matchup than he had last week in Dallas, and could produce a nice line from Abraham, who should be able to get to Brees since the Saints will throw so much. Pencil him in your IDP lineup as a solid DE2.

Calais Campbell(notes), ARI vs. CAR – “The U” sure produces its share of NFL talent, and Campbell is no exception. He’s off to a great start in his sophomore season with 17 tackles, three sacks and four PD through six games. While his matchup isn’t ideal (he’ll be facing the young but talented RT Jeff Otah(notes)), Campbell is a solid pass rusher with enormous upside who should be targeted in keeper leagues.

Justin Smith(notes), SF @ IND – I recommended starting him last week and it paid off; Smith had 10 tackles and did an excellent job at the point of attack. It’s a much tougher matchup this time around, but Smith remains a weekly threat to pick up a handful of tackles and provide a consistent statistical base.

Will Smith(notes), NO vs. ATL – Smith remains an excellent play most weeks, and while Atlanta isn’t an ideal fantasy opponent, he’s still a great pass rusher and remains a top 15 option at DL unless the matchup is obviously prohibitive. Get him in your lineup and watch him work.

Leonard Little(notes), STL @ DET – I can’t ignore what Little has done this year for the Rams. The long-time IDP contributor looks rejuvenated despite a goose egg last week (he did have one QB hurry) versus the Colts. The Lions are not the Colts, my friends.

Jay Ratliff(notes), DAL vs. SEA – The Seahawks will have trouble stopping Ratliff from getting penetration, which could mean a big play or two for the young Dallas lineman. Ratliff plays like a DE from the DT slot, giving him excellent value in DT-specific formats.

Linebackers – 15 matchups to watch in Week 8:

Kirk Morrison(notes), OAK @ SD – Morrison had another big game and is one more 10-plus-tackle performance from a place on my studs list. The rift between him and Tom Cable seems to have disappeared, and Morrison is on his way to another standout IDP season. He’ll get plenty of chances to boost his NFL lead in solo tackles (54) this week.

DeMarcus Ware(notes), DAL vs. SEA – Ware has an ideal matchup against a weak Seahawks offensive line, and is back on track with four sacks in the Cowboys’ last two games (which included two sacks and a forced fumble Sunday). Despite a stress fracture in his foot, Ware should be active for the remainder of the season, and just agreed to a six-year, $40 million guaranteed contract that could amount to about $13 million per year.

Karlos Dansby(notes), ARI vs. CAR – Since he’s owned in a majority of formats, I probably don’t have to spend much time extolling his IDP virtues. He’s coming off a big game (10 tackles @NYG) and should see lots of chances to make plays with the struggling Panthers (who should be more run-focused this week) on the docket in Week 8.

Jonathan Vilma(notes), NO vs. ATL – Vilma posted his highest tackle total of the season with 10 (seven solos) against the Dolphins. The next several matchups, starting with this week against the Falcons, are quite favorable and should mean consistently solid IDP numbers.

Larry Foote(notes), DET vs. STL – Foote and the Lions’ defense spend a lot of time on the field, and the Rams – still looking for their first win in 2009 – will definitely give Steven Jackson 25-30 touches to get this once-storied franchise off the schneid. Folks may have forgotten about Foote because of his Week 7 bye, so plug him in your lineup if he’s available.

James Laurinaitis(notes), STL @ DET – While the Lions will pass more than the Rams, they’ll still give Laurinaitis enough opportunities to post respectable tackle numbers. He’s a reliable young chap who’s been one of my stalwart IDP contributors in quite a few leagues this season.

Brian Cushing(notes), HOU @ BUF – Cushing is one of several Trojans linebackers making their mark in the NFL, and he’s having an impressive season for a rookie. So far, he’s posted 56 total tackles, 0.5 sacks, an INT, a safety, two forced fumbles and six PD in just seven games, and his matchup this week in Buffalo should translate into excellent stats.

DeMeco Ryans(notes), HOU @ BUF – Ryans, once a top-tier fantasy LB, is now a second-tier IDP performer but remains a solid week-to-week play. He’ll have a spot among my studs if he continues putting up numbers in the games before his Week 10 bye.

Stephen Tulloch(notes), TEN vs. JAC – Tulloch, like Ryans, is close to establishing himself as an every-week start. At MLB on a defense with serious injury problems in the secondary, he’s constantly patrolling sideline to sideline and running down receivers who take advantage of the DBs’ tentative play. This week, the Jags will use TE Marcedes Lewis(notes) and WR Mike Sims-Walker(notes) to control the middle of the field and propel Tulloch’s fantasy value.

Paul Posluszny(notes), BUF vs. HOU – Posluszny is healthy again and posted 11 tackles last week in the win over Carolina. He should have solid numbers again this week as the Texans try to control time of possession and squeak out a win.

Gary Brackett(notes), IND vs. SF – Brackett, like Posluszny, has dealt with injuries during the first half of the season, but is nearing 100 percent. Look for DB Bob Sanders(notes) to help in run support and allow the veteran LB to frequently wrap up Frank Gore(notes) and the Niners en route to another Indy victory.

A.J. Hawk(notes), GB vs. MIN – Hawk’s experienced a steady decline in fantasy value since his heyday as a rookie in 2006, when he exploded on the scene for 121 total tackles, 3.5 sacks, two INT, seven PD and a forced fumble. This season, he’s been especially marginalized in the 3-4, reduced to a situational run defender. Although he’s been inconsistent, this matchup provides an opportunity for good numbers in a second straight week (he posted eight tackles against the Browns).

Justin Durant(notes), JAC @ TEN – Durant got off to a great start this season, but his injured hip cost him two games before the Week 7 bye. He should be okay to return facing the Titans. Keep an eye on his status and go with LB Daryl Smith(notes) if for some reason he can’t go.

Will Witherspoon(notes), PHI vs. NYG – After experimenting with a few different options this season, the Eagles have found their MLB in Witherspoon, a veteran IDP standout who recently came over from the Rams. He gets a huge bump in value playing monster in the Philly 4-3, and he had an incredible debut on Monday night: Eight tackles, a sack, a forced fumble, a PD and the coup-de-grace – an INT returned for a TD that staked his new team to an early 14-0 lead. You better jump on him now, because he won’t be available in many IDP leagues after this week’s round of waivers.

David Hawthorne(notes), SEA @ DAL – With Lofa Tatupu(notes) out indefinitely, Hawthorne will see significant playing time and post solid numbers in Big D.

Defensive Backs – 10 matchups to watch in Week 8:

Adrian Wilson(notes), ARI vs. CAR – I’ve had Wilson on my studs list for most of the season, and I stand by statements that he’s bouncing back well from a couple of seasons where his tackle totals diminished. He’s coming off his best game of the season (five tackles, two PD, INT @ NYG) and will spend most of his time in run support this week against the Panthers.

Charles Woodson(notes), GB vs. MIN – Woodson is among the top five highest-scoring fantasy DBs – largely because of his monster Week 2 game where he posted 10 tackles, two PD, and two INT, one of which he returned for a score. There’s always a chance he doesn’t make more than a couple tackles and hurts your team, but I like the Ed Reed-like element he provides on an IDP roster. While I returned Reed to my studs list following his bye, I took off Woodson, who might have a harder time than usual making tackles this week. But he should always be considered in the top 15 DBs based on his ability to take over a game.

Brian Dawkins(notes), DEN @ BAL – Dawkins should have a big game in Baltimore, where the Ravens must take to the air and attack the middle the field – the veteran safety’s stomping ground. I anticipate similar numbers to the New England game (seven total tackles and three PD).

Thomas DeCoud(notes), ATL @ NO – DeCoud is having an even better season than SS Erik Coleman(notes), and he’s got a great matchup at New Orleans. Look for him to post 6-8 tackles and knock down a pass or two while the undefeated Saints throw the ball downfield like there’s no tomorrow.

C.C. Brown(notes), NYG @ PHI – Week 7 saw another great game from C.C., who had 11 total tackles and a forced fumble in the loss to Arizona. He’s approaching DB1 status as teams force the ball into the secondary with more success against the Giants. I’m anticipating another stellar game in Philly.

Nate Clements(notes), SF @ IND – Clements is another perennial IDP standout who’s capable of changing a game through run support, blitzes, and the occasional jumped route. He’ll have his hands full this week in Indy, where the Colts will spread the ball around and provide ample opportunities for the Niners’ DBs.

Jairus Byrd(notes), BUF vs. HOU – Byrd is taking full advantage of the injuries to Bryan Scott(notes) and Donte Whitner(notes), and last week had two solos, two PD and two more big interceptions – giving him five in his last three games. He’s still available in a bunch of formats, he’s got a great matchup this week, and it looks like he may have locked down a starting job even if his fellow DBs get healthy.

Abram Elam(notes), CLE @ CHI – Elam (46 tackles and a sack in seven games) has a weekly spot in my matchups to watch until he puts up another stinker like in Week Five. Until then, we’ve got a regular date in this column and he’ll hold his roster slot in my 12-team IDP home league. If the Bears come out firing after their embarrassing loss to Cincy, it’ll give Elam some chances to make some tackles and a big play or two in the secondary.

Derek Cox(notes), JAC @ TEN – The rookie DB from William & Mary College is playing quite well for a third-round pick and has at least three tackles in every game this season (3,6,5,7,7,6). He’s also got a couple picks and four PD in six games. Cox has earned a roster spot in most IDP formats and should have another solid game in Tennessee.

Louis Delmas(notes), DET vs. STL – Delmas – another talented rookie DB – could take advantage of the Rams’ one-sided offense by cheating up and helping shut down the run along with DBs Foote and Julian Peterson(notes). He’ll be available in quite a few formats because he’s coming off a bye.

Antonio can be reached at Antonio@rotoexperts.com.