Sometimes when you’re Living the Stream you catch a big, fat fish.

There wasn’t an IDP article penned by the Godfather last week that didn’t advocate starting Cincinnati Bengals edge rusher Sam Hubbard. He’s not an especially gifted pass-rusher, but he’s a hard-nosed edge-setter and quality strong-side end. But Hubbard was more about the matchup than the player. The Cleveland Browns have surrendered a whopping 35 sacks through seven games—most in the NFL.

Sure enough, Hubbard had himself a day in Cleveland. The interception was admittedly unexpected icing (could I prognosticate that specifically I’d do less writing and more winning Powerball), but the cake was pretty tasty in its own right—three solo tackles, a sack and a forced fumble. For the week, Hubbard was the No. 1 defensive lineman in the AFC in The Godfather’s Default IDP Scoring.

This isn’t meant as a back-pat—it’s nice to hit on a call, but this analyst misses on plenty, too. It’s a reminder of the power that Living the Stream can have. The positive impact it can have for your IDP squad.

IDP Matchup Plays win weeks—and championships.

EDGE Azeez Ojulari, NY Giants (at Pittsburgh)

There was a time when Ojulari was supposed to be an impact pass-rusher in his own right, and the injury suffered by Kayvon Thibodeaux has given Ojulari a second chance of sorts to show what he can do as a front-line player. The former second-round pick has made the most of the opportunity, impressing teammate Bobby Okereke in the process.

“I thought Azeez (has been) electric,” Okereke told reporters. “We all have a lot of faith in Azeez, and his pass-rush ability is very strong. We have a next-man-up mentality at every position, and Azeez just fulfilled that.”

Frankly, Ojulari’s most value to the Giants right now may well be as a trade chip—and he’s doing his best to make himself an attractive target. Over the last two games, Ojulari has piled up seven total tackles, three sacks, and a seventh-place ranking among defensive linemen in fantasy points. Now facing a Steelers team that has surrendered the fifth-most fantasy points per game to defensive ends, Ojulari has a good shot at making it three big games in a row.

EDGE Odafe Oweh, Baltimore (at Cleveland)

Oweh entered his fourth professional season under more than a little pressure—despite never having more than five sacks in a season, the Ravens picked up Oweh’s fifth-year option. This was the season the young pass-rusher was supposed to break out. He told reporters that for all the outside pressure, none of that compared to what he places on himself.

"If you don't put high expectations on yourself, you won't even get close to the level you want," Oweh said. "I'm not trying to be perfect, but I'm chasing perfection, as close as I can get to it. I put high expectations on myself because I believe I can get to that level. God gave me broad shoulders for a reason."

Oweh has admittedly been outshined by batterymate Kyle Van Noy, and he’s been a feast-or-famine fantasy option. But Oweh’s next full sack this year will set a new career-high, the 25-year-old logged a sack and four tackles against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and this week the Ravens face the Clowns and their non-existent offensive line.

Oh yeah. We’re riding that matchup all the way to glory.

LB Christian Rozeboom, LA Rams (vs. Minnesota)

The Rams surprised many across the IDP landscape when they dealt inside linebacker Ernest Jones IV just before the season, leaving Troy Reeder and Christian Rozeboom as the Rams’ starters inside. The unit has had its ups and downs this season, but Reeder told reporters that he’s been proud to play alongside the sixth-year veteran.

"I think we play similar and have the same thought process in how we play the game and see the game," Reeder said. "So, it's nice to be able to play off of each other a lot and there's some times when we just figure stuff out on the fly. It's really awesome to have someone out there with you that knows what they're doing and is a student of the game and plays really darn hard."

Rozeboom hasn’t been an every-down player—he’s topped a 75 percent snap share just twice this season. But Reeder (hamstring) is looking iffy to take on a Vikings team that has allowed the second-most fantasy points per game to linebackers this season, and while Rozeboom may not be playing every-down he has been efficient—eight or more tackles in four games out of six and double-digits twice.

LB Mack Wilson Sr., Arizona (at Miami)

When Wilson signed with the Cardinals in the offseason, it didn’t generate a ton of hype. But the sixth-year veteran has become a key contributor for the Arizona defense, ranking fourth on the team in tackles and third in solos. While addressing the media, Wilson said his defensive philosophy is decidedly, um, old-school.

“I’m the type of guy that if an O-lineman wants to block me on a run play, I’m going to destroy him. I try my best to destroy him at least. I feel like that’s part of just being physical and violent. It’s not shying away, not turning down any hits, and just run through somebody’s face. It’s that simple, honestly.”

Wilson has quietly become a full-time player for the Redbirds, playing over 80 percent of the snaps in five straight games. With a top-five fantasy matchup for linebackers on tap for Wilson with the Dolphins, Wilson is at the very least a quality IDP LB3—one who should be starting over more than a few bigger names.

S Malik Mustapha, San Francisco (vs. Dallas)

Unfortunately for Mustapha, the rookie safety will best be known for some time as the defensive player who got run over by a quarterback in last week’s loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. But to the youngster’s credit, he didn’t shy away from his moment of social media infamy while talking with reporters.

"I feel like I got trucked, later too, so those hits really don’t mean nothing,” the former fourth-round pick from Wake Forest said. “They always remember that one play… Sometimes I got got. Got to look in the mirror and be better.”

Unfortunately for Mustapha, that one play everyone remembers overshadowed an otherwise solid effort—Mustapha led the Niners with 12 total tackles and tied for the lead with six solos. The Cowboys and 49ers are two desperate “contenders” who are going to pull out all the stops on Sunday night. It’s the type of game with the potential to produce some fat stat lines.

S Jalen Pitre, Houston (vs. Indianapolis)

In a few short years, Pitre has gone from exploding for 147 total tackles as a rookie to being drafted as the first defensive back in 2023 to IDP afterthought this season. While talking to reporters, Pitre said that part of his maturation as a player has meant being more consistent—even if it means a smaller dent in the box score.

"The most important thing is just making sure I show up for the people who believe in me," Pitre said. "I think that starts with my teammates, my coaches, my parents, and making sure I'm delivering for them. So that's really all I'm focused on. Keeping the main thing the main thing and sticking to my process."

There’s a reason why Pitre’s an afterthought now—his new “Star” role in the slot in Houston has produced just five total tackles a game and a ranking among defensive backs that’s lower than my checking account balance. But the Texans are angry, the Colts are error-prone and injuries at linebacker could mean more time for Pitre near the line of scrimmage.

Who’s up for a 2022 flashback?

Gary Davenport (“The Godfather of IDP”) is a two-time Fantasy Sports Writers Association Football Writer of the Year. Follow him on Twitter (Can’t make him call it X) at @IDPSharks.