If you have made it this far, congratulations! YOU DID IT! You are one step closer to becoming a champion. In my home IDP league I too will be in the championship. I am playing Nick Bosa, Foyesade Oluokun (never came out of my starting lineup), Jordan Battle, Kyle Hamilton (I hope), and Alex Singleton. I have scratched my way to the top the championship as the 6th seed. This is why we play the game. All the research, all the hours, and all the fun is about to conclude. But before we get into our offseason duties let us have one last HOORAH! This season we battled through injuries. Plus, we saw a few big IDP trades! It was a journey to remember. I have one final IDP start/sit for you during this championship week.
Since we are in the playoffs, I want to compare my starts and sits a little differently. I want to put my starts and sits side-by-side to see what the better play was.
DL – Start – Quinnen Williams (4 pts) vs Sit – Dexter Lawrence (10 pts) – Sit Wins
LB – Start – Zaire Franklin (24 pts) vs Sit – Micah Parsons (14 pts) – Start Wins
LB – Start – Eric Kendricks (7 pts) vs Sit – Shaquille Leonard (17 pts) – Sit Wins
DB – Start – Rayshawn Jenkins (10 pts) vs Sit – Kamren Curl (10 pts) – Push
DB – Start – Jessie Bates (21 pts) vs Sit – Brian Branch (29 pt) – Sit Wins
Through the playoffs we have broke even thus far. We have 5 correct starts and 5 better sits!
If you are feeling hesitant about any IDP I mention, then be sure to check out my additional start/sit options. Now let’s get into my CHAMPIONSHIP Starts & Sits for IDP!
START
DL – Chase Young (49ers) @ Washington Commanders (START)
I know during the playoffs I have said bench the uncertainty. But this matchup screams MUST START to me. I said it last week, and I will say it again. The Commanders have given up the most sacks all season! However, in the past two weeks they have allowed only two sacks to quarterback Sam Howell. That is something to think about. This is a revenge game for Young particularly. The Commanders traded him earlier this year in attempt to begin their rebuild on the defensive front. Young will be out to prove that was a mistake. Yes, the Commanders offensive line has improved since the start of the season. Young has practiced weeks against this line. He should know their moves and techniques. I expect him to have a great welcome home party this week!
LB – Alex Singleton (DEN) vs Los Angeles Chargers (START)
Singleton has helped carry me into the finals in some of my IDP leagues. Since Week 4, he has played 100% of snaps every week. In that span, he has a total of 10 games (12 played) with double digit tackles. In fact, in 2 of the past 3 weeks he has 10 solo tackles alone. Singleton is in my lineup against a struggling Chargers offense. He should be able to find his way around the field against any game plan the Chargers create.
LB- Frankie Luvu (CAR) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (START)
The Panthers are out of the playoff picture. That is not stopping Luvu from putting on a show. He has back-to-back weeks with 10 total tackles. Now he faces a struggling Jaguars team. The Jaguars do run the ball effectively with Travis Etienne. This could lead to more opportunity for Luvu to connect. It is possible Luvu keeps his double-digit tackle streak alive with another stellar game this week.
DB – Jordan Battle (CIN) @ Kansas City Chiefs (START)
This rookie has been on fire towards the end of the season. He has not looked back since seeing over 80% of snaps in week 11. Since then, he only has one game below double digit fantasy points. He has 17 total tackles through the past 2 weeks. Now he plays against a team that likes to throw the ball. Watch out for him on the field. He can close in fast on the ball which will benefit us all this championship weekend.
DB- Antoine Winfield (TAMPA) vs New Orleans Saints (START)
Winfield has been a stat-filler all season. In fact, in 10 out of the 15 games played he has had either a sack, forced fumble, fumble recovered, or an interception. Plus, he has averaged just over 7 tackles per game. Last week he had 3 total tackles. However, he was still able to put up 21 fantasy points. Winfield is all over the field for the Buccaneers. In a match against a mediocre quarterback, Derek Carr, he becomes a must start. In Week 4, when Winfield played the Saints he had 9 total tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. Winfield is a playmaker. Play him in all your lineups.
Additional Players to consider starting:
49ers – Nick Bosa (if you’re hesitant about starting Young, then fire up Bosa)
49ers – Dre Greenlaw
Steelers – Alex Highsmith
Raiders – Nate Hobbs
Rams – Jordan Fuller
SIT
DL- Christian Wilkins (MIA) @ Baltimore Ravens (SIT)
Over the past 2 weeks, the Ravens have allowed 2 sacks per game. Wilkins is one of the better defensive linemen for the front seven of Miami. However, the Ravens understand the importance of protecting Lamar Jackson at all costs. Through the last 2 weeks Wilkins has only half of a sack. Wilkins finds most of his success in games where he has at least one full sack. Is it possible he gets that full sack this week? Sure. Anything is possible. But the last 2 weeks (the playoff weeks) make me that it is a long shot from happening.
LB – Pete Werner (NO) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (SIT)
Werner is now on a 3-game streak with below double digit fantasy points. In the beginning of the season, he could be in your lineup every week. Since week 7 he has only had 2 games with over double-digit points. Werner is a great young asset to have. But for the playoffs, in a division game, I am staying away from him.
LB – Jack Campbell (DET) @ Dallas Cowboys (SIT)
If you drafted Campbell, great! He will be an every-week starter down the road. However, for now stash him on your bench against a tough Dallas offense. Campbell is yet to see over 10 tackles all season. In the past 2 weeks he only has 1 solo tackle per game. This comes after he gained 6 solo tackles in week 14. He is a fantastic asset to have for your IDP teams. But I am hesitant to have this rookie in my championship game.
DB – Jordan Poyer (BUF) vs New England Patriots (SIT)
Poyer has had a roller coaster season. In the beginning one may have wanted to try trade him for some youth. In the middle of the season, one was probably happy if they kept him on their roster. Now in the end our hands are up in the air. He has had good weeks and bad weeks. The benefit is over the last 2 weeks he has 7 solo tackles. The downfall is he only has 11 total tackles in that span. The last time Poyer played the Patriots he had 9 total tackles, 1 sack, and 1 forced fumble. Can he repeat this performance? Sure. Will he? I do not think so. This division match up has me thinking the Patriots may control most of the game or try to. In doing so, the Patriots get an upset this week.
DB – Kevin Byard (PHI) vs Arizona Cardinals (SIT)
Byard is a familiar face. I have said to start him and sit him. During the playoffs (started in week 15) he has been a letdown. Only 8 total tackles the past 2 weeks. I believe the Eagles acquired a great piece for their defense. However, what is great in the NFL does not always translate to great in fantasy football. That is where I am with Byard right now. Great fit, but for my teams I am benching him. I need to fly high without hesitation. Byard has been grounded the past two weeks leaving room for that hesitation. Keep him on your bench.
Additional Players to consider sitting:
Giants – Kayvon Thibodeaux
Vikings – Ivan Pace
Bengals – Germaine Pratt
Saints – Tyrann Mathieu
Commanders – Kamren Curl
That is my week 17 start/sits for the IDP positions. I hope the odds are in your favor. Stay tuned for some great IDP off season soon to come!
Thank you for reading. Follow me on X at @ThePPRShow for more! If you need offensive start/sit advice, give @TFFGRobbie a follow for his weekly offensive start/sit articles! Peace & Love.
For additional IDP lineup advice, check out our Start/Sit Tool.