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FANTASY FOOTBALL IN-SEASON FEATURES

IDP Game Breakdowns Star Ratings: Week 14
Steve Gallo December 8, 2011	Print

This is part 2 in the weekly IDP Game Breakdown series. Star Ratings boxes utilize the same color coding as the reference chart in part 1. Each team's ratings box is colored to show the tackle opportunities the team they are facing is giving up: average (highlighted in yellow), below average (highlighted in red) & above average (highlighted in green). This will help so that you can quickly see the good vs. bad vs. neutral matchups and also if you are stuck between who to start out of say two 3 Star players then you will probably want to go with the one that has a "Green" matchup versus a "Red" matchup (remember Scheme Matters).

Star ratings are based on a 12-team league with the following starting requirements: 2 defensive linemen (DL) (defensive ends (DE) & defensive tackles (DT)), 3 linebackers (LB), 3 defensive backs (DB) (cornerbacks (CB) & safeties (S)).

Scoring system used for this article: solo tackle (2), assisted tackle (1), sack (3), forced or recovered fumble (3), interception (3) and pass defended (1).

Tackle opportunity stats as well as other stats utilized in the breakdowns are derived from data provided by NFLData.com.

Follow me on twitter @IDPSteve and if you have any questions, criticisms, or suggestions feel free to e-mail me at IDPSteve@gmail.com. For specific lineup questions please be sure to visit our IDP Forum. Good luck & enjoy!

Star Rating System
5-Star Play: Studly performance anticipated
4-Star Play: Above average performance anticipated
3-Star Play: Average starter performance anticipated
2-Star Play: Risky Starter/ Sleeper
1-Star Play: Pine rider, keep 'em on the bench, too risky to start
IR = Injured Reserve
OUT = player will not play due to injury
Injured = player injured but not yet ruled out, too much risk to rank
# = bump player up one level in DT mandatory leagues
If a Star Rank box is GREEN that means the players rank has been adjusted UP.
If a Star Rank box is RED that means the players rank has been adjusted DOWN.

REMINDER: STAR RANKING BOXES ARE COLOR CODED BASED ON THE AVERAGE TACKLE OPPORTUNITIES THE TEAM THEY ARE FACING IS GIVING UP THIS YEAR.

Arizona Cardinals

OPPONENT - 49ers
Pos	Player	Star Rank
DE	Calais Campbell	5
DE	Darnell Dockett	3
LB	Daryl Washington	4
LB	Paris Lenon	3
LB	Joey Porter	Injured
LB	Clark Haggans	2
LB	Sam Acho	2
S	Kerry Rhodes	Injured
S	Adrian Wilson	3
S	Rashad Johnson	2
CB	Patrick Peterson	2
CB	A.J. Jefferson	2
CB	Richard Marshall	2

Atlanta Falcons

OPPONENT -@ Panthers
Pos	Player	Star Rank
DE	John Abraham	1
DE	Ray Edwards	1
DT	Jonathan Babineaux	1
DT	Corey Peters	1
LB	Curtis Lofton	3
LB	Sean Weatherspoon	3
LB	Stephen Nicholas	OUT
S	James Sanders	4
S	William Moore	Injured
S	Thomas DeCoud	3
CB	Brent Grimes	OUT
CB	Dunta Robinson	2

Baltimore Ravens

OPPONENT - Colts
Pos	Player	Star Rank
DE	Terrell Suggs	4
DE	Arthur Jones	1
DT	Haloti Ngata	2#
DT	Terrence Cody	1
LB	Ray Lewis	Injured
LB	Jameel McClain	2
LB	Dannell Ellerbe	2
LB	Jarret Johnson	1
S	Ed Reed	2
S	Bernard Pollard	2
CB	Jimmy Smith	1
CB	Lardarius Webb	2
CB	Cary Williams	Injured

Buffalo Bills

OPPONENT - @ Chargers
Pos	Player	Star Rank
DE	Marcell Dareus	2
DE	Dwan Edwards	2
DE	Spencer Johnson	2
DT	Kyle Williams	IR
LB	Nick Barnett	5
LB	Kelvin Sheppard	2
LB	Chris Kelsay	1
LB	Arthur Moats	1
S	George Wilson	2
S	Da'Norris Searcy	2
S	Jairus Byrd	4
CB	Drayton Florence	2
CB	Terrence McGee	IR
CB	Aaron Williams	Injured

Carolina Panthers

OPPONENT - Falcons
Pos	Player	Star Rank
DE	Charles Johnson	2
DE	Greg Hardy	2
DT	Sione Fua	IR
DT	Terrell McClain	IR
LB	James Anderson	3
LB	Dan Connor	3
LB	Omar Gaither	2
LB	Jordan Senn	2
S	Charles Godfrey	3
S	Sherrod Martin	2
CB	Chris Gamble	2
CB	Captain Munnerlyn	2

Chicago Bears

OPPONENT - @ Broncos
Pos	Player	Star Rank
DE	Julius Peppers	4
DE	Israel Idonije	3
DT	Anthony Adams	1
DT	Henry Melton	1
LB	Brian Urlacher	4
LB	Lance Briggs	4
LB	Nick Roach	1
S	Major Wright	OUT
S	Craig Steltz	1
S	Chris Conte	1
CB	Charles Tillman	2
CB	Tim Jennings	1

Cincinnati Bengals

OPPONENT - Texans
Pos	Player	Star Rank
DE	Carlos Dunlap	Injured
DE	Michael Johnson	2
DE	Robert Geathers	2
DE	Jonathan Fanene	2
DT	Domata Peko	1
DT	Geno Atkins	2#
LB	Rey Maualuga	3
LB	Dan Skuta	1
LB	Thomas Howard	3
LB	Manny Lawson	2
S	Chris Crocker	Injured
S	Reggie Nelson	3
CB	Leon Hall	IR
CB	Adam Jones	1
CB	Nate Clements	Injured

Cleveland Browns

OPPONENT -@ Steelers
Pos	Player	Star Rank
DE	Jabaal Sheard	4
DE	Emmanuel Stephens	IR
DE	Marcus Benard	IR
DT	Phil Taylor	2#
DT	Ahtyba Rubin	3
LB	D'Qwell Jackson	4
LB	Chris Gocong	2
LB	Scott Fujita	IR
LB	Kaluka Maiava	2
S	T.J. Ward	OUT
S	Usama Young	3
S	Mike Adams	2
CB	Joe Haden	2
CB	Sheldon Brown	2

Dallas Cowboys

OPPONENT - Giants
Pos	Player	Star Rank
DE	Jason Hatcher	1
DE	Kenyon Coleman	1
DT	Jay Ratliff	1
LB	Bradie James	2
LB	Keith Brooking	2
LB	Sean Lee	3
LB	DeMarcus Ware	Injured
S	Abram Elam	2
S	Gerald Sensabaugh	Injured
CB	Terence Newman	2
CB	Mike Jenkins	2
CB	Orlando Scandrick	2

Denver Broncos

OPPONENT - Bears
Pos	Player	Star Rank
DE	Elvis Dumervil	4
DE	Robert Ayers	1
DT	Broderick Bunkley	1
DT	Marcus Thomas	1
DT	Kevin Vickerson	IR
LB	D.J. Williams	3
LB	Von Miller	Injured
LB	Joe Mays	3
LB	Wesley Woodyard	2
S	Brian Dawkins	2
S	Quinton Carter	2
CB	Champ Bailey	1
CB	Chris Harris	2
CB	Andre' Goodman	2

Detroit Lions

OPPONENT - Vikings
Pos	Player	Star Rank
DE	Kyle Vanden Bosch	2
DE	Cliff Avril	2
DT	Ndamukong Suh	Suh-spended
DT	Corey Williams	1
DT	Nick Fairley	2
LB	Stephen Tulloch	3
LB	DeAndre Levy	3
LB	Justin Durant	2
S	Louis Delmas	Injured
S	Chris Harris	3
S	Amari Spievey	3
CB	Chris Houston	Injured
CB	Eric Wright	2

Green Bay Packers

OPPONENT - Raiders
Pos	Player	Star Rank
DE	Ryan Pickett	1
DE	Mike Neal	1
DT	B.J. Raji	1
LB	Desmond Bishop	OUT
LB	A.J. Hawk	Injured
LB	DJ Smith	2
LB	Robert Francois	2
LB	Clay Matthews	2
LB	Erik Walden	1
S	Nick Collins	IR
S	Charlie Peprah	2
S	Morgan Burnett	3
CB	Charles Woodson	Injured
CB	Tramon Williams	2
CB	Sam Shields	1

Houston Texans

OPPONENT - @ Bengals
Pos	Player	Star Rank
DE	J. J. Watt	2
DE	Antonio Smith	1
DT	Earl Mitchell	1
LB	DeMeco Ryans	1
LB	Brian Cushing	3
LB	Brooks Reed	2
LB	Mario Williams	IR
LB	Connor Barwin	2
S	Glover Quin	3
S	Troy Nolan	2
S	Danieal Manning	2
CB	Johnathan Joseph	2
CB	Jason Allen	2
CB	Kareem Jackson	2

Indianapolis Colts

OPPONENT -@ Ravens
Pos	Player	Star Rank
DE	Robert Mathis	3
DE	Dwight Freeney	2
LB	Gary Brackett	IR
LB	Pat Angerer	Injured
LB	Kavell Conner	3
LB	Ernie Sims	2
LB	Phillip Wheeler	3
S	Antoine Bethea	3
S	Melvin Bullitt	IR
S	David Caldwell	2
CB	Kevin Thomas	2
CB	Jerraud Powers	IR

Jacksonville Jaguars

OPPONENT - Buccaneers
Pos	Player	Star Rank
DE	Aaron Kampman	IR
DE	John Chick	IR
DE	Austen Lane	IR
DE	Jeremy Mincey	2
DE	Matt Roth	OUT
DT	Tyson Alualu	2
LB	Paul Posluszny	3
LB	Clint Session	IR
LB	Daryl Smith	3
LB	Russel Allen	2
S	Dwight Lowery	OUT
S	Dawan Landry	2
S	Courtney Greene	IR
CB	Rashean Mathis	IR
CB	William Middleton	IR
CB	Ashton Youboty	2
CB	Derek Cox	IR

Kansas City Chiefs

OPPONENT - @ Jets
Pos	Player	Star Rank
DE	Glenn Dorsey	2
DE	Tyson Jackson	1
DT	Kelly Gregg	1
LB	Derrick Johnson	5
LB	Tamba Hali	Injured
LB	Jovan Belcher	2
LB	Andy Studebaker	2
S	Eric Berry	IR
S	Jon McGraw	2
S	Kendrick Lewis	Injured
CB	Brandon Flowers	1
CB	Brandon Carr	1

Miami Dolphins

OPPONENT - Eagles
Pos	Player	Star Rank
DE	Randy Starks	1
DE	Kendall Langford	1
DT	Paul Soliai	1
LB	Karlos Dansby	4
LB	Kevin Burnett	4
LB	Cameron Wake	1
LB	Koa Misi	1
S	Yeremiah Bell	4
S	Tyrone Culver	2
S	Reshad Jones	2
CB	Vontae Davis	3
CB	Sean Smith	2

Minnesota Vikings

OPPONENT - @ Lions
Pos	Player	Star Rank
DE	Jared Allen	3
DE	Brian Robison	Injured
DT	Kevin Williams	1
LB	Chad Greenway	4
LB	E.J. Henderson	2
LB	Erin Henderson	3
S	Jamarca Sanford	2
S	Husain Abdullah	IR
S	Tyrell Johnson	IR
S	Mistral Raymond	2
CB	Antoine Winfield	IR
CB	Asher Allen	Injured
CB	Cedric Griffin	1

New England Patriots

OPPONENT - @ Redskins
Pos	Player	Star Rank
DE	Brandon Deaderick	1
DE	Andre Carter	3
DT	Vince Wilfork	1
LB	Jerod Mayo	5
LB	Gary Guyton	Injured
LB	Brandon Spikes	Injured
LB	Rob Ninkovich	2
S	Patrick Chung	OUT
S	Sergio Brown	1
CB	Devin McCourty	Injured
CB	Kyle Arrington	3

New Orleans Saints

OPPONENT - @ Titans
Pos	Player	Star Rank
DE	Will Smith	2
DE	Cameron Jordan	1
DT	Sedrick Ellis	1
DT	Shaun Rogers	1
LB	Jonathan Vilma	2
LB	Jonathan Casillas	2
LB	Jo-Lonn Dunbar	1
LB	Scott Shanle	2
S	Roman Harper	3
S	Malcolm Jenkins	2
CB	Jabari Greer	2
CB	Tracy Porter	2

New York Giants

OPPONENT -@ Cowboys
Pos	Player	Star Rank
DE	Justin Tuck	3
DE	Jason Pierre-Paul	3
DE	Osi Umenyiora	OUT
LB	Michael Boley	3
LB	Mark Herzlich	Injured
LB	Mathias Kiwanuka	2
LB	Jacquian Williams	2
S	Kenny Phillips	OUT
S	Antrel Rolle	3
S	Deon Grant	3
CB	Corey Webster	2
CB	Aaron Ross	2

New York Jets

OPPONENT - Chiefs
Pos	Player	Star Rank
DE	Muhammad Wilkerson	1
DE	Mike Devito	Injured
DT	Sione Pouha	2#
LB	David Harris	4
LB	Bart Scott	2
LB	Calvin Pace	3
LB	Jamaal Westerman	2
LB	Aaron Maybin	2
LB	Bryan Thomas	IR
S	Eric Smith	3
S	Jim Leonhard	2
CB	Darrelle Revis	2
CB	Antonio Cromartie	2

Oakland Raiders

OPPONENT -@ Packers
Pos	Player	Star Rank
DE	Matt Shaughnessy	IR
DE	Desmond Bryant	2
DE	Jarvis Moss	Injured
DE	Lamarr Houston	2
DT	Richard Seymour	2
DT	Tommy Kelly	2
LB	Rolando McClain	2
LB	Kamerion Wimbley	3
LB	Aaron Curry	2
LB	Darryl Blackstock	1
S	Tyvon Branch	4
S	Michael Huff	3
CB	Stanford Routt	2
CB	Lito Sheppard	2
CB	Chris Johnson	2

Philadelphia Eagles

OPPONENT - @ Dolphins
Pos	Player	Star Rank
DE	Trent Cole	3
DE	Jason Babin	3
DT	Cullen Jenkins	2
LB	Jamar Chaney	3
LB	Akeem Jordan	1
LB	Brian Rolle	2
S	Kurt Coleman	4
S	Nate Allen	2
CB	Nnamdi Asomugha	2
CB	Asante Samuel	2
CB	Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie	Injured

Pittsburgh Steelers

OPPONENT - Browns
Pos	Player	Star Rank
DE	Ziggy Hood	1
DE	Brett Keisel	2
DT	Casey Hampton	2
LB	Lawrence Timmons	2
LB	James Harrison	3
LB	LaMarr Woodley	Injured
LB	James Farrior	3
LB	Larry Foote	Injured
S	Troy Polamalu	2
S	Ryan Clark	2
CB	Ike Taylor	2
CB	Bryant McFadden	2

San Diego Chargers

OPPONENT - Bills
Pos	Player	Star Rank
DE	Luis Castillo	IR
DE	Corey Liuget	1
DT	Antonio Garay	1
LB	Donald Butler	3
LB	Takeo Spikes	3
LB	Shaun Phillips	2
LB	Travis LaBoy	1
LB	Antwan Barnes	1
S	Eric Weddle	3
S	Bob Sanders	IR
S	Steve Gregory	2
CB	Quentin Jammer	2
CB	Marcus Gilchrist	2
CB	Antoine Cason	2

San Francisco 49ers

OPPONENT - @ Cardinals
Pos	Player	Star Rank
DE	Justin Smith	3
DE	Ray McDonald	2
DT	Ricky Jean-Francois	1
DT	Isaac Sopoaga	1
LB	Patrick Willis	Injured
LB	NaVorro Bowman	3
LB	Larry Grant	2
LB	Parys Haralson	1
LB	Aldon Smith	3
S	Donte Whitner	2
S	Dashon Goldson	2
CB	Carlos Rogers	1
CB	Tarell Brown	1

Seattle Seahawks

OPPONENT - Rams
Pos	Player	Star Rank
DE	Chris Clemons	4
DE	Red Bryant	2
DT	Brandon Mebane	2
DT	Alan Branch	1
LB	David Hawthorne	5
LB	K.J. Wright	2
LB	Leroy Hill	4
S	Kam Chancellor	3
S	Earl Thomas	2
CB	Marcus Trufant	IR
CB	Brandon Browner	2
CB	Richard Sherman	2
CB	Walter Thurmond III	IR

St. Louis Rams

OPPONENT - @ Seahawks
Pos	Player	Star Rank
DE	Chris Long	3
DE	James Hall	3
DE	Robert Quinn	2
DT	Fred Robbins	1
LB	James Laurinaitis	5
LB	Chris Chamberlain	2
LB	Brady Poppinga	1
S	Quintin Mikell	2
S	Darian Stewart	Injured
S	Craig Dahl	2
CB	Al Harris	IR
CB	Bradley Fletcher	IR
CB	Josh Gordy	1
CB	Justin King	1

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

OPPONENT - @ Jaguars
Pos	Player	Star Rank
DE	Adrian Clayborn	2
DE	Michael Bennett	Injured
DE	Da'Quan Bowers	2
DT	Albert Haynesworth	2#
DT	Gerald McCoy	IR
LB	Mason Foster	4
LB	Geno Hayes	1
LB	Quincy Black	2
LB	Adam Hayward	1
S	Sean Jones	2
S	Tanard Jackson	1
CB	Ronde Barber	1
CB	Aqib Talib	OUT

Tennessee Titans

OPPONENT - Saints
Pos	Player	Star Rank
DE	Jason Jones	1
DE	William Hayes	1
DE	Dave Ball	1
DE	Derrick Morgan	1
LB	Barrett Ruud	OUT
LB	Colin McCarthy	3
LB	Will Witherspoon	1
LB	Gerald McGrath	1
LB	Akeem Ayers	1
S	Chris Hope	2
S	Jordan Babineaux	2
S	Michael Griffin	3
CB	Cortland Finnegan	3
CB	Alterraun Verner	3
CB	Jason McCourty	Injured

Washington Redskins

OPPONENT - Patriots
Pos	Player	Star Rank
DE	Stephen Bowen	Injured
DE	Adam Carriker	1
DT	Barry Cofield	1
LB	London Fletcher	3
LB	Perry Riley	3
LB	Rocky McIntosh	1
LB	Brian Orakpo	1
LB	Ryan Kerrigan	1
S	LaRon Landry	OUT
S	O.J. Atogwe	3
S	DeJon Gomes	2
S	Reed Doughty	2
CB	DeAngelo Hall	4
CB	Josh Wilson	3

COMMENTS (page 1 of 1)

Steve G.

Posted Dec 10, 2011 11:52pm EST

Shecky,

Been out most of the day and wanted to see if Hawthorne practiced today before I addressed his rating....he did practice and Pete Carol says that he expects him to play...I probably should bump him down but I believe he is going to play so I am going to stand by my rating for him...if I am wrong I am sure I will get some flack about it but sometimes you have to take a stand.

Bob
You have good options, always do...look at your matchup....if you need to swing for the fence a bit then go Hawth over McCarthy...if you just need to get solid production and are worried about Hawths injury then run with McCarthy

Ronk,
Did my explanation help with why I have Hawth rated a 5-star play?

Good luck to all of you guys.

abruzzi

Posted Dec 10, 2011 9:58pm EST

Suh-spended!! lol

Shecky

Posted Dec 10, 2011 8:29pm EST

How can u keep Hawthorne as a 5 when he's questionable? Sorry the level of doubt is too high w an injury Q for 5.

Bob K

Posted Dec 8, 2011 4:57pm EST

I also want to understand Hawthorne's rating. I can start three of these four (McCarthy, Barnett, Lofton, and Hawthorne). At this point I'm leaning toward not starting Hawthorne. Comments?

ronkronk

Posted Dec 8, 2011 3:28pm EST

Hawthorne as a 5 star play seems like a reach? Even DT has him 38th on LB rankings this week.

Guess I'll have to wait for tomorrow's column for reasoning. Was hoping to sub him in for Bishop, but leaning towards Burnett...

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