Newbie question - IDP matchups (1 Viewer)

[kerpow]

I've popped my head into this forum a few times as I'm new to IDP. I got some good post-draft advice and am generally happy with how my IDP have done.

But with the playoffs looming I just wanted to get a slightly deeper understanding of IDP matchups. I've just had a look through the FAQ at the top of this forum but couldn't really find what I was looking for.

Could someone explain, or link to a previous thread, how IDP matchups work and how I should choose which IDP to start. My league is a 2 DL/LB, 2 DB, 2 D Flex start. 1pt Tackle Solo, 2pt Sack, 3pt Int., 1pt - 20yrd return.

Thanks

 

[redman]

The best tool out there which is new this year on mfl.com is the "points against" screen which is broken out by position. That report, updated weekly, tells you on average how many fantasy points (specific to your league's scoring system) have been scored against each team in the league. So, for example, you can see how many points have been scored by LB's (both cumulatively and also the weekly average) by LB's against the Carolina Panthers.

 

[kerpow]

The best tool out there which is new this year on mfl.com is the "points against"

Can't seem to find it. I'm on http://www.nfl.com/stats but there isn't anything that resembles Points Against.

 

[Jene Bramel]

I know you mentioned that you looked at the threads in the FAQ thread but this post from Biabreakable is worth reading if you haven't seen it.

Some matchups are simple (best tackling LB on a given team vs strong running offense, stud DE against poor OT), some require an understanding of the entire defensive scheme and who does what (eg will a given SS be used to cover a TE or will it be an OLB). Injuries play a role in any given week as well.

The tool that redman mentions is helpful (as is Clayton Gray's SOS data) and becomes meaningful right around this point in the season. If it's a tough decision, looking back at the two most recent defensive players and their production in similar situations to the current player you're questioning is helpful. Still, you can be burned by doing that -- witness London Fletcher's huge output against GB a couple weeks back. There really is no general rule that's safe here, though. Each matchup and each week is different.

With that scoring system, you should probably be starting four LB with matchups against good running teams and who can reliably be expected to make plays in pass defense as well. Your DBs should probably be safeties that fit the same mold unless you can find a corner who tackles well and gets significant return yards.

 

[Jene Bramel]

The best tool out there which is new this year on mfl.com is the "points against"

Can't seem to find it. I'm on http://www.nfl.com/stats but there isn't anything that resembles Points Against.

redman means mfl.com >> myfantasyleague.com. League>>Points Allowed by Position

 

[redman]

The best tool out there which is new this year on mfl.com is the "points against"

Can't seem to find it. I'm on http://www.nfl.com/stats but there isn't anything that resembles Points Against.

redman means mfl.com >> myfantasyleague.com. League>>Points Allowed by Position

Sorry for the shorthand.

 

[kerpow]

Great, lots of stuff to work with.

Certainly the concept of the matchup is clearer now. For some reason I didn't think it was a good idea to play a LB against a really good running team like SD or KC. You hear game reports say "LJ ran all over them", but when you explain it like that it obviously makes sense.

I'm not sure I have enough knowledge of defensive schemes to read into how each team operates but its food for thought.

Its really LB's that I want to be more methodical with as I always start 4 each week.

Thanks.

 

[redman]

Great, lots of stuff to work with. Certainly the concept of the matchup is clearer now. For some reason I didn't think it was a good idea to play a LB against a really good running team like SD or KC. You hear game reports say "LJ ran all over them", but when you explain it like that it obviously makes sense.I'm not sure I have enough knowledge of defensive schemes to read into how each team operates but its food for thought. Its really LB's that I want to be more methodical with as I always start 4 each week.Thanks.

There are some positions on the field for which NFL talent is directly proportional to fantasy value. DE and DT tends to be most like that because the players' skill and athleticism is directly responsible for opportunities for them to make plays. In other positions - especially at CB - there is often (but not always) an inverse relationship given that poor CB's tend to get targeted in the passing game while QB's might throw away from a stud cover guy. If you think about the way a normal defense is conceived, 2-3 linemen are meant to hold the line and stuff the run while the 4th guy (a DE or OLB) is meant to generate primary pass pressure; the LB's are the ones who are expected to make the most tackles given their unique combination of size, strength and athleticism; the CB's are there to defend passes; the safeties provide whatever support they can, whether that be deep pass coverage, blitzing or run support. With that as your basis, you then adjust from there based upon what each individual defensive scheme has the players doing, the players' own physical attributes, and finally matchup. On a weak run defense, the linemen tend not to be good run stuffers and so the busiest guys on the field tend to be the safeties (because the o-linemen are occupying the LB's a lot) and one or more of the LB's. On a good run defense, the MLB and one of the outside LB's (or the other ILB) tend to be the studs on the team in terms of tackles. These are all generalities of course, but you get the idea.