Welcome to Week 8 of the 2023 season IDP Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em series. For those new to the article, know that Play or Pine will cover IDPs which might seem like an obvious start. The reason is that IDP leagues vary so much; one-time use for the season, 2 IDP starters in 10 team leagues, 11 starters in 14 team leagues, and roster requirements of various sorts throughout the world. So if one seems obvious it could be because the projections indicate this could be their best week of the season.
As always, if you are struggling with a decision you can checkout our rankings for each Week. Or, if you want a more personal touch, reach out on social media. You can find us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Or jump into our Discord server.
Results From Last Week
Week 7 Starts
- DL Myles Garrett CLE 50.00 pts – 9 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 QB hits, 2 FF, 1 PD, 1 TFL & 1 blocked FG
- DL Jarran Reed SEA 10.25 pts – 2 tackles, 1 sack, 1 TFL & 1 QB hit
- LB Jordan Hicks MIN 12.00 pts – 8 tackles, 1 PD
- LB Micah McFadden NYG 10.50 pts – 5 tackles, 2 QB hits, 0.5 sacks
- DB Minkah Fitzpatrick PIT 15.75 pts – 11 tackles
- DB Jerry Jacobs DET 0.00 pts – DID NOT PLAY
Week 7 Sits
- DL Ed Oliver BUF 0.00 pts – DID NOT PLAY
- LB Cody Watson WAS 1.50 pts – INJURED DURING GAME
- DB Alontae Taylor NO 8.25 pts – 6 tackles
98.75 points from the play even with one player not playing. Impressive! The pines were their low as well at 9.75 but if you played Alontae Taylor you got an average return. We are onto week 8.
Start ‘Em
Trey Hendrickson (CIN) @SF
The Cincinnati Bengals are coming off of a bye and travel to the suddenly struggling San Francisco 49ers. Trent Williams may or many not be in, but Hendrickson has recorded a sack in every game but week 2 against the elusive Lamar Jackson. 49ers QB Brock Purdy is not nearly as elusive. Hendrickson is available in several leagues, due to the week 6 bye. Pick him up and trust the Pro Bowl DL to earn another sack after some rest.
Jonathan Cooper (DEN) v KC
Cooper has been on the pines side of this article, but will have a favorable match up against the Kansas City Chiefs… this time in Denver. They played week 6 and have the two weeks to prepare again. The Broncos have been at home since that away game and have a bye during week 9. The Broncos play the Chiefs tough, just have not won against Patrick Mahomes. Cooper earned 17.50 points behind 3 tackles and a sack two weeks ago, and he can improve on those numbers. He has 35 tackles on the season, and should add to his 4 tackles. Grab him and play him.
Sit ‘Em
Andrew Van Ginkel (MIA) v NE
Van Ginkel is having an excellent season with 31 tackles and 4 sacks. He has a premiere match up against the New England Patriots but hold up on playing him. The Miami Dolphins are reeling after another big loss, and will want to make a statement in this divisional game. The Dolphins will have more offensive plays than defensive as they look to control the pace. Pine Van Ginkel for this week, but do not drop him.
Start ‘Em
Josh Allen (JAX) @PIT
The one-time use was successful last week, and it is set up to be successful again. Josh Allen plays against the Pittsburgh Steelers this week, and their offensive line has allowed over 2.5 sacks per game! Allen has 7 sacks on the season, and the Jags have had a mini-bye before they go into their full bye week. Allen is in a contract year, and is having his best NFL season with 23 tackles, 7 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles. Look for a great game from Allen.
Germaine Pratt (CIN) @SF
Pratt is quietly having one of his best seasons. 44 tackles (on pace for career best), and tied his career high sacks, 1 forced fumble and an interception. He is coming off of a bye and playing against the run heavy San Francisco 49ers. He has had two 10+ tackle games this season, and with fresh legs and lined up against a combo of CMC/George Kittle most of the game, another double-digit game is on the horizon. Due to being on bye he is available in most league. Pick him up and have a trusted LB the rest of the season.
Sit ‘Em
Nicolas Morrow (PHI) @WAS
Morrow was the leading tackler for the Eagles against the Washington Commanders week 4. Fast forward to week 8 and he may not even play twenty percent of the defensive snaps. He has had three dismal weeks with a combined 6 tackles and will likely be a sub package player this week. Pine him and at this point it is okay to release him in standard or shallow IDP leagues.
Start ‘Em
DaRon Bland (DAL) v LAR
Bland is living off the pick six (an interception returned for a touchdown) this year. An extremely rare and difficult stat to achieve. However D. Bland has also recorded a tackle in every game, and seeing a large percentage of the Dallas Cowboys defensive snaps. The opportunity is there and he is up against a quarterback not afraid to let loose, Matthew Stafford. M. Stafford has thrown for an outstanding 175 interceptions in his career, including 6 this season! He has an elite receiving group and the LA Rams have a banged up backfield… 40 passes is well within Stafford’s possibility this week. This implies D. Bland is ripped for another interception, if not a pick six. He’s available in amost every league in all formats, take a chance on him.
Kyle Hamilton (BAL) @ARI
Hamilton has had an up and down season, but he is beginning to come into form. He has 32 tackles, 3 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 1 interception… put simply he is a do it all defensive back. Those are valuable for fantasy. K. Hamilton travels to the Arizona Cardinals this week and should have another solid tackling game with a high probability of a turnover. He is still available in some leagues due to the ejection, and lack of consistency. Go get him and play him.
Sit ‘Em
Josh Metellus (NE) @MIA
Metellus is having a wonderful season on a bad defense. He has five or more tackles in every game this season, and has one sack. He gets a big boost for leagues with special teams tackles awarded, but do not expect a big week against the Green Bay Packers. The Packers passing offense has been on a downward slide for the past month. The offense as a whole is not playing well, and the defense is banged up. This all points to a low snap count for Metellus this week. Pine him and save him for a great playoff schedule against the Bengals and Lions weeks 15 and 16.
Thank you for reading our IDP Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em for Week 8 of the 2023 season.
Remember, you can check out rankings for each Week. Reach out on social media, you can find us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Or jump into our Discord server.
Image Credit: Matt Pendleton – USA TODAY Sports
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