IDP: Week 9 matchups to watch

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The six teams on bye this week (MIN, NYJ, BUF, CLE, STL, OAK) are all pretty bad (with the notable exception of the Vikings and Jets) so there are plenty of studs to replace. Keep the e-mails coming and be as specific as possible if you’re looking for one-on-one advice. Let’s get to the matchups.

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

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

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

DB: Darren Sharper(notes), O.J. Atogwe (BYE), Troy Polamalu(notes), Eric Weddle(notes), Ed Reed(notes), Charles Woodson(notes), Jairus Byrd(notes) (BYE)

Defensive Linemen – 10 matchups to watch in Week 9:

Will Smith(notes), NO vs. CAR – Smith comes off another solid performance against the Falcons (four total tackles, two sacks, PD) and is oh-so-close to setting up camp on the studs list. He’s one of my top IDP recommendations this week against the Panthers.

Jimmy Wilkerson(notes), TB vs. GB – Wilkerson has established himself as a reliable tackler and pass rusher since Gaines Adams(notes) was traded to the Bears. Look for a big game versus an offensive line that is unquestionably the Packers’ biggest weakness.

Robert Mathis(notes), IND vs. HOU – Mathis now has 23 tackles, six sacks and three forced fumbles on the season, stats that have him among the top 20 fantasy DL. He’s got another good matchup against the Texans.

Cliff Avril(notes), DET @ SEA – Avril has 13 solos, 2.5 sacks and two PD over his last four games and is one of the best young pass rushers in the game. The only thing keeping him off QBs is the opposing teams’ early leads (and less passing in the second half). The Seahawks have some issues on their offensive line and should be battling to contain the pass rush all day.

Tamba Hali(notes), KC @ JAC – Hali emerges from a bye week rested and ready to pounce on Jags QB David Garrard(notes). As a DL-eligible linebacker, he’s a solid play most weeks and is adjusting well to his responsibilities in the 3-4.

Dwight Freeney(notes), IND vs. HOU – With eight sacks in his first seven games, Freeney seems to have regained the form that made him a dominant force from 2002-05, when he recorded 51 sacks. Opposing left tackles still haven’t figured him out – or just can’t stop the bum rush.

Calais Campbell(notes), ARI @ CHI – Campbell made me look good with his eight tackles (six solos) and half-sack against the Panthers. The Bears will be forced to attack the Cards much more aggressively than they did the Browns, and could yield some sacks and turnovers along the way.

Randy Starks(notes), MIA @ NE – Over the past two weeks, Starks has emerged as a stud DE with 14 tackles, 1.5 sacks and a fumble recovery. He’s owned in a fraction of leagues and should put up good numbers versus the Pats.

Cullen Jenkins(notes), GB @ TB – Jenkins and fellow DE Johnny Jolly(notes) have played fairly well this season, especially since they’re primarily charged with stopping the run in the Packers 3-4. Against the Bucs, defensive coordinator Dom Capers will allow Jenkins and Jolly – outspoken about how the new scheme has “handcuffed” certain players this season – more opportunities to get at rookie QB Josh Freeman(notes).

Jason Taylor(notes), MIA @ NE – He’s making big plays for the Dolphins and is approaching must-play status once again. Last week, he made four tackles and returned a fumble 48 yards for a TD. He’s also got 5.5 sacks this season.

Linebackers – 15 matchups to watch in Week 9:

Jonathan Vilma(notes), NO vs. CAR – Vilma had six tackles and two PD against the Falcons, although most of his thunder is being stolen by the Saints secondary, who are making most of the turnovers happen and capitalizing. Look for a big week against the run-oriented Panthers.

Aaron Curry(notes), SEA vs. DET – Curry’s presence allowed MLB David Hawthorne(notes) to go nuts last week against the Cowboys, but the matchup versus Detroit favors the more athletic rookie. Curry has been relatively quiet since Week 5 but could have a big day of abusing Lions QB Matthew Stafford(notes).

Brian Cushing(notes), HOU @ IND – Cushing is now the second-highest scoring fantasy LB (trailing only Willis, the IDP stud of studs) thanks to his 66 tackles, 1.5 sacks, two INT, two forced fumbles and seven PD (a massive PD total for a LB). He’s pretty much a stud and will likely take a slot among them in Week 11 after his bye, but I wanted another reason to talk about him and this matchup. Filling the stat sheet should be more difficult against the Colts, who don’t make too many mistakes, yet Cushing has finished each game with at least six tackles, so he’s still a solid play.

Jerod Mayo(notes), NE vs. MIA – Mayo’s been okay, albeit relatively quiet since returning from injury a couple weeks ago. Last week’s bye forced many teams to delay adding him, so give him a shot against a Miami team that lives and dies with its running game.

James Farrior(notes), PIT @ DEN – Farrior, who blew up for 15 tackles a sack and a PD in Week 7, is coming off a bye and should post good numbers versus the Broncos.

DeMarcus Ware(notes), DAL @ PHI – Ware is far from the must-start IDP star he was last season – when he compiled 69 solos, 15 assists, 20 sacks and six forced fumbles – but the Eagles offensive line is inconsistent in protection and could yield a few sacks to the Cowboys, making Ware a solid play.

Justin Durant(notes), JAC vs. KC – Durant returned in a big way in Week 8 against the Titans. He recorded 16 total tackles (12 solos) and showed why he is one of the most coveted young LBs in the AFC.

Karlos Dansby(notes), ARI @ CHI – Dansby had a monster game (12 tackles) and has a relatively favorable schedule from here on out. As long as he’s healthy, he’s a stud, and the Bears offense will do its best to run Matt Forte(notes) (and maybe Garrett Wolfe(notes)) like the Panthers did DeAngelo Williams(notes) and Jonathan Stewart(notes).

Dhani Jones(notes), CIN vs. BAL – The Ravens run a balanced ball-control offense and must rely on Ray Rice(notes) to win games, giving Jones a worthy target. He could have a huge game taking down the electric Ravens RB in the 5-10 yard range past the line of scrimmage, especially now that the Bengals defensive line is without its best player in Antwan Odom(notes).

Larry Foote(notes), DET @ SEA – The Seahawks will likely give Julius Jones(notes) the pill and hope he can establish something to build on, so Foote and fellow LB Julian Peterson(notes) should see lots of action.

DeMeco Ryans(notes), HOU @ IND – Ryans is being overshadowed by Cushing, the rookie sensation who’s making all the big plays, but he’s not having a terrible year, quietly amassing 59 tackles in his first eight games.

Lawrence Timmons(notes), PIT @ DEN – Timmons, along with Farrior, will focus, on stopping the talented Bronco runners and blitz occasionally to keep Kyle Orton(notes) off balance. I’m expecting big games from several of the Steelers defenders.

Antonio Pierce(notes), NYG vs. SD – Pierce has to step up this week and provide some help to the Giants front four, who have to be frustrated with the ineffectiveness of the team’s LBs.

Will Witherspoon(notes), PHI vs. DAL – A moderate fantasy success in Week 8, Witherspoon posted six total tackles. He’s got a mediocre fantasy matchup this week but remains a solid play as the Eagles starting MLB.

David Hawthorne, SEA vs. DET – Hawthorne had eight tackles, two sacks and a PD against Dallas but might have a harder time if the Lions offense can’t stay on the field. Still, he’s done an excellent job filling in for injured MLB Lofa Tatupu(notes).

Defensive Backs – 10 matchups to watch in Week 9:

Reed Doughty(notes), WAS @ ATL – Doughty should clean up against an Atlanta team that yields the most points to opposing DBs in fantasy football. He’s coming off a bye and is still flying under the radar in most leagues.

Jabari Greer(notes), NO vs. CAR – Greer’s playmaking ability can’t be denied; he has 13 PDs to go along with his impressive totals of 36 tackles, two INTs and a TD. With Jake Delhomme(notes) possibly forced to play from behind, you’ll want him in your lineup.

Brian Dawkins(notes), DEN vs. PIT – Dawkins had eight tackles and a PD last week and should produce good numbers again this week against the Steelers. A veteran safety who’s developed a reputation as a big hitter and defensive leader, he benefits from having a solid cover man like Champ Bailey(notes) at cornerback because it allows him to take more chances and not worry about helping out in the middle of the field.

Charles Tillman(notes), CHI vs. ARI – Tillman has a great matchup this week against the Cards, and could get a pick to go along with his usual spate of tackles. He’s a DB1 with a lot of upside heading into Sunday.

Adrian Wilson(notes), ARI @ CHI – Wilson has at least four tackles in every game but one this season and is due for a big performance. This week’s game (which will offer him frequent opportunities to lay big hits on the smaller Bears WRs) provides a chance for him to show why he was once a top fantasy DB.

Thomas DeCoud(notes), ATL vs. WAS – DeCoud is an athletic rookie with a thick frame that was expected by most teams to be a few years away from being an effective pass defender (he was the 35th pick of the third round). But he’s making his mark by filling the stat sheet (36 tackles, two sacks, two INT, six PD) and has adjusted well to the pace of the NFL.

C.C. Brown(notes), NYG vs. SD – Brown had a rough game versus the Eagles but remains the Giants starting strong safety. He’ll get a ton of chances this week against the Chargers.

Michael Lewis, SF vs. TEN – Free safety Dashon Goldson(notes) has been making most of the plays in the Niners secondary, but this matchup favors a resurgence from Lewis, the SS. Vince Young(notes) won’t be jacking it up downfield too many times, allowing Lewis to apply pressure near the line and shadow him sideline-to-sideline.

Louis Delmas(notes), DET @ SEA – A talented playmaking safety, Delmas has done a good job on a team with few good defenders. He’s a solid play at Seattle, where he can be aggressive against the run and rack up tackles.

Richard Marshall(notes), CAR @ NO – Marshall has been the most consistent DB in the Panthers secondary and has a great matchup this week against the Saints, who will throw the ball early and often as Carolina tries to keep up. Marshall will cover Saints WR Marques Colston(notes), who sees at least 10 targets a game.

Antonio can be reached at Antonio@rotoexperts.com.