IDP Matchup Plays: Living the Stream: Week 9

There are any number of reasons why IDP managers Live the Stream. Maybe injuries have hit the roster. Maybe they hope to upgrade over a disappointing starter during a must-win matchup. And sometimes, bye weeks punch a hole in the starting lineup.

We'll have significant problems in that last regard—six-team bye weeks in both Week 12 and Week 14—the heart of the fantasy stretch run. In Week 9, only two teams are on siesta—the Pittsburgh Steelers and the San Francisco 49ers. But just those two teams off blasted crater-sized holes in some teams.

After exploding for seven tackles, two sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery against the New York Giants, T.J. Watt of the Steelers is the highest-scoring defensive lineman in the AFC in The Godfather's Default IDP Scoring. 49ers linebacker Fred Warner has piled up 66 total tackles and is the highest-scoring linebacker in fantasy.

Both will be taking this week off.

Whether you're filling a hole because of those lazy jerks (Like the NFL is physical or something) or for one of the other reasons mentioned, here are some matchup plays who should get the job done for IDP managers in Week 9.

EDGE Dante Fowler Jr., Washington (at NY Giants)

Living the Stream favorite Dorance Armstrong may have gotten the big bucks from the Commanders, but it's Fowler who has been the team's best pass rusher, turning back the clock to his Rams heyday with 4.5 sacks over Washington's first eight games. While talking to reporters, Fowler wasn't shy about the expectations he has for himself on the field.

"I'm a special pass rusher for sure," he said. When I come out on third down I'm for sure gonna try to get to the quarterback and get off the field, that's my job – but get the quarterback and put pressure, get TFLs and make explosive plays in the backfield, be a game changer for my team, that's my mindset every day. Definitely I'm going out here to let people know that I'm not just a pass rusher, I'm a guy that goes out here to wreck games and get my defense off the field when needed."

The highlight of Fowler's 2024 may have been his pick-six against the Carolina Panthers, but he's been both consistent and productive—four sacks over the past four games. The Giants have long been a plus matchup for defensive linemen, and 2024 is no different—second in fantasy points per game allowed to the position.

EDGE Deatrich Wise Jr., New England (at Tennessee)

It's been a trying year for the New England Patriots, and things aren't going to get any easier after the team traded edge rusher Joshua Uche to the Kansas City Chiefs. But while addressing reporters veteran Deatrich Wise Jr said that the team's trials and tribulations can be used as motivation. It's all a matter of mindset.

"It's almost like this is the game within the game: learning how to face those challenges. I want to say it was Marcus Aurelius who said, ‘Whatever is in the way becomes the way.' That's kind of what it is. Whatever is in our way right now — you may say it's an issue, whatever it is — that becomes now the challenge that we have to face. That's what we're doing."

The 30-year-old Wise has been relatively quiet this year—17 tackles and two sacks while playing about half the team's snaps. But that snap count is almost certain to increase with Uche off the team, and this week Wise and the Patriots face a Titans team that has surrendered 19 sacks and the third-most fantasy points per game to defensive linemen in 2024.