Matchup edge · QB myth · RB C · WR C · TE myth
Starters out on defense: every call
Each missing regular defensive starter (CB for WRs, S/LB for TEs, DL/LB for RBs, DB for QBs) adds points to the opposing player.
2024 backtest
716–1049–204
40.6% vs 39.1% baseline
2025 backtest
681–991–185
40.7% vs 39.1% baseline
2026 live (from Week 5)
–
first live calls this week
2026 weeks 1–4 (after the fact)
55–83–12
39.9% vs 39.4% baseline
2024–25 by position and by expected effect
| Position | W–L–P | Win % | Baseline |
|---|---|---|---|
| RB | 349–510–87 | 40.6% | 38.2% |
| TE | 371–558–194 | 39.9% | 39.1% |
| QB | 198–194–19 | 50.5% | 49.6% |
| WR | 479–778–89 | 38.1% | 36.3% |
| Expected effect (PPR) | W–L–P | Win % | Baseline |
|---|---|---|---|
| flag | 716–1049–204 | 40.6% | 39.1% |
| 0.25–0.5 | 651–959–183 | 40.4% | 38.7% |
| 0.5–1 | 29–31–2 | 48.3% | 48.3% |
| 1+ | 1–1 | 50.0% | 49.6% |
Call log
| Week | Player | Call | Proj | Actual | Margin | Result | Source · made |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 W3 | Russell GageWR SF | Boost (Starters out on defense vs ARI, expected +0.1) | 2.3 | – | – | void | Backtest (after the fact) · |
| 2026 W3 | Cedrick Wilson Jr.WR MIA | Boost (Starters out on defense vs KC, expected +0.1) | 2.8 | – | – | void | Backtest (after the fact) · |
| 2026 W3 | KhaDarel HodgeWR SF | Boost (Starters out on defense vs ARI, expected +0.1) | 2.0 | 0.0 | −2.0 | ❌ | Backtest (after the fact) · |
| 2026 W3 | Malik TurnerWR SF | Boost (Starters out on defense vs ARI, expected +0.1) | 1.9 | – | – | void | Backtest (after the fact) · |
| 2026 W3 | Hunter RenfrowWR CAR | Boost (Starters out on defense vs CLE, expected +0.1) | 4.3 | – | – | void | Backtest (after the fact) · |
| 2026 W3 | T.J. HockensonTE MIN | Boost (Starters out on defense vs TB, expected −0.0) | 8.5 | 3.1 | −5.4 | ❌ | Backtest (after the fact) · |
| 2026 W3 | Josh OliverTE MIN | Boost (Starters out on defense vs TB, expected −0.0) | 3.4 | 0.0 | −3.4 | ❌ | Backtest (after the fact) · |
| 2026 W3 | Trayveon WilliamsRB CLE | Boost (Starters out on defense vs CAR, expected +0.1) | 2.6 | – | – | void | Backtest (after the fact) · |
| 2026 W3 | Drew LockQB SEA | Boost (Starters out on defense vs WAS, expected −0.2) | 14.7 | – | – | void | Backtest (after the fact) · |
| 2026 W3 | Deebo Samuel Sr.WR SF | Boost (Starters out on defense vs ARI, expected +0.1) | 14.5 | 15.4 | +0.9 | ✅ | Backtest (after the fact) · |
| 2026 W3 | Dan ChisenaWR CAR | Boost (Starters out on defense vs CLE, expected +0.1) | 1.6 | – | – | void | Backtest (after the fact) · |
| 2026 W3 | Lawrence CagerTE WAS | Boost (Starters out on defense vs SEA, expected −0.0) | 0.6 | – | – | void | Backtest (after the fact) · |
| 2026 W3 | DeeJay DallasRB MIN | Boost (Starters out on defense vs TB, expected +0.3) | 2.3 | 0.2 | −2.0 | ❌ | Backtest (after the fact) · |
| 2026 W3 | Quintin MorrisTE JAX | Boost (Starters out on defense vs NE, expected −0.0) | 1.6 | 0.0 | −1.6 | ❌ | Backtest (after the fact) · |
| 2026 W3 | Dee EskridgeWR MIA | Boost (Starters out on defense vs KC, expected +0.1) | 1.5 | – | – | void | Backtest (after the fact) · |
| 2026 W3 | John BatesTE WAS | Boost (Starters out on defense vs SEA, expected −0.0) | 2.6 | 1.9 | −0.8 | ❌ | Backtest (after the fact) · |
| 2026 W3 | Trevor LawrenceQB JAX | Boost (Starters out on defense vs NE, expected −0.2) | 18.1 | 19.8 | +1.7 | ✅ | Backtest (after the fact) · |
| 2026 W3 | Sal CannellaTE CLE | Boost (Starters out on defense vs CAR, expected −0.0) | 2.0 | – | – | void | Backtest (after the fact) · |
| 2026 W3 | Jerome FordRB CLE | Boost (Starters out on defense vs CAR, expected +0.1) | 4.0 | – | – | void | Backtest (after the fact) · |
| 2026 W3 | Ty ChandlerRB MIN | Boost (Starters out on defense vs TB, expected +0.3) | 3.6 | – | – | void | Backtest (after the fact) · |
| 2026 W3 | Jordan MasonRB MIN | Boost (Starters out on defense vs TB, expected +0.3) | 6.5 | – | – | void | Backtest (after the fact) · |
| 2026 W3 | John Metchie IIIWR CAR | Boost (Starters out on defense vs CLE, expected +0.1) | 3.0 | 9.9 | +6.9 | ✅ | Backtest (after the fact) · |
| 2026 W3 | Jalen TolbertWR MIA | Boost (Starters out on defense vs KC, expected +0.1) | 3.9 | 0.0 | −3.9 | ❌ | Backtest (after the fact) · |
| 2026 W3 | Brock PurdyQB SF | Boost (Starters out on defense vs ARI, expected −0.2) | 20.2 | 31.3 | +11.1 | ✅ | Backtest (after the fact) · |
| 2026 W3 | Daniel BellingerTE TEN | Boost (Starters out on defense vs NYG, expected −0.0) | 1.8 | 3.6 | +1.8 | ✅ | Backtest (after the fact) · |
| 2026 W3 | Malik WillisQB MIA | Boost (Starters out on defense vs KC, expected −0.2) | 11.5 | 10.0 | −1.5 | ❌ | Backtest (after the fact) · |
| 2026 W3 | Zavier ScottRB MIN | Boost (Starters out on defense vs TB, expected +0.3) | 3.1 | – | – | void | Backtest (after the fact) · |
| 2026 W3 | Blake WhiteheartTE CLE | Boost (Starters out on defense vs CAR, expected −0.0) | 1.5 | 0.0 | −1.5 | ❌ | Backtest (after the fact) · |
| 2026 W3 | Jaleel McLaughlinRB CLE | Boost (Starters out on defense vs CAR, expected +0.1) | 2.0 | 0.0 | −2.0 | ❌ | Backtest (after the fact) · |
| 2026 W3 | Ben SimsTE MIN | Boost (Starters out on defense vs TB, expected −0.0) | 1.6 | – | – | void | Backtest (after the fact) · |
| 2026 W3 | Ryan MillerWR MIA | Boost (Starters out on defense vs KC, expected +0.1) | 2.8 | 3.5 | +0.7 | ✅ | Backtest (after the fact) · |
| 2026 W3 | Brycen TremayneWR CAR | Boost (Starters out on defense vs CLE, expected +0.1) | 1.3 | 12.3 | +11.0 | ✅ | Backtest (after the fact) · |
| 2026 W3 | Brenton StrangeTE JAX | Boost (Starters out on defense vs NE, expected −0.0) | 8.6 | 6.2 | −2.4 | ❌ | Backtest (after the fact) · |
| 2026 W3 | Bryce YoungQB CAR | Boost (Starters out on defense vs CLE, expected −0.2) | 15.9 | 13.6 | −2.3 | ❌ | Backtest (after the fact) · |
| 2026 W3 | Xavier LegetteWR CAR | Boost (Starters out on defense vs CLE, expected +0.1) | 6.2 | – | – | void | Backtest (after the fact) · |
| 2026 W3 | Jacob CowingWR SF | Boost (Starters out on defense vs ARI, expected +0.1) | 1.0 | 0.0 | −1.0 | ❌ | Backtest (after the fact) · |
| 2026 W3 | Brenden BatesTE CLE | Boost (Starters out on defense vs CAR, expected −0.0) | 1.0 | – | – | void | Backtest (after the fact) · |
| 2026 W3 | Jalen CokerWR CAR | Boost (Starters out on defense vs CLE, expected +0.1) | 12.1 | 3.8 | −8.3 | ❌ | Backtest (after the fact) · |
| 2026 W3 | David Martin-RobinsonTE TEN | Boost (Starters out on defense vs NYG, expected −0.0) | 0.6 | 0.0 | −0.6 | void | Backtest (after the fact) · |
| 2026 W3 | Colson YankoffTE WAS | Boost (Starters out on defense vs SEA, expected −0.0) | 0.8 | 1.2 | +0.4 | push | Backtest (after the fact) · |
| 2026 W3 | AJ BarnerTE SEA | Boost (Starters out on defense vs WAS, expected −0.0) | 6.5 | 11.9 | +5.4 | ✅ | Backtest (after the fact) · |
| 2026 W3 | Malik WashingtonWR MIA | Boost (Starters out on defense vs KC, expected +0.1) | 12.0 | 11.1 | −0.9 | ❌ | Backtest (after the fact) · |
| 2026 W3 | Tahj WashingtonWR MIA | Boost (Starters out on defense vs KC, expected +0.1) | 3.1 | – | – | void | Backtest (after the fact) · |
| 2026 W3 | Ben SinnottTE WAS | Boost (Starters out on defense vs SEA, expected −0.0) | 1.9 | 0.0 | −1.9 | ❌ | Backtest (after the fact) · |
| 2026 W3 | Ricky PearsallWR SF | Boost (Starters out on defense vs ARI, expected +0.1) | 12.7 | – | – | void | Backtest (after the fact) · |
| 2026 W3 | Nick KallerupTE SEA | Boost (Starters out on defense vs WAS, expected −0.0) | 0.3 | 0.0 | −0.3 | push | Backtest (after the fact) · |
| 2026 W3 | Tetairoa McMillanWR CAR | Boost (Starters out on defense vs CLE, expected +0.1) | 15.9 | 3.7 | −12.2 | ❌ | Backtest (after the fact) · |
| 2026 W3 | Dylan SampsonRB CLE | Boost (Starters out on defense vs CAR, expected +0.1) | 4.1 | – | – | void | Backtest (after the fact) · |
| 2026 W3 | Jordan WatkinsWR SF | Boost (Starters out on defense vs ARI, expected +0.1) | 1.9 | 8.0 | +6.0 | ✅ | Backtest (after the fact) · |
| 2026 W3 | Jimmy Horn Jr.WR CAR | Boost (Starters out on defense vs CLE, expected +0.1) | 2.2 | – | – | void | Backtest (after the fact) · |
| 2026 W3 | Theo Wease Jr.WR MIA | Boost (Starters out on defense vs KC, expected +0.1) | 5.7 | – | – | void | Backtest (after the fact) · |
| 2026 W3 | Raheim SandersRB CLE | Boost (Starters out on defense vs CAR, expected +0.1) | 3.4 | 9.1 | +5.7 | ✅ | Backtest (after the fact) · |
| 2026 W3 | Ben YurosekTE MIN | Boost (Starters out on defense vs TB, expected −0.0) | 0.5 | – | – | void | Backtest (after the fact) · |
| 2026 W3 | Gunnar HelmTE TEN | Boost (Starters out on defense vs NYG, expected −0.0) | 4.9 | 3.4 | −1.5 | ❌ | Backtest (after the fact) · |
| 2026 W3 | Dalevon CampbellWR CAR | Boost (Starters out on defense vs CLE, expected +0.1) | 1.8 | – | – | void | Backtest (after the fact) · |
| 2026 W3 | Harold Fannin Jr.TE CLE | Boost (Starters out on defense vs CAR, expected −0.0) | 8.2 | 24.1 | +15.9 | ✅ | Backtest (after the fact) · |
| 2026 W3 | Cam WardQB TEN | Boost (Starters out on defense vs NYG, expected −0.2) | 11.5 | 9.4 | −2.1 | ❌ | Backtest (after the fact) · |
| 2026 W3 | Elijah ArroyoTE SEA | Boost (Starters out on defense vs WAS, expected −0.0) | 2.1 | 0.0 | −2.1 | ❌ | Backtest (after the fact) · |
| 2026 W3 | Quinshon JudkinsRB CLE | Boost (Starters out on defense vs CAR, expected +0.1) | 10.9 | 9.9 | −1.0 | ❌ | Backtest (after the fact) · |
| 2026 W3 | De'Zhaun StriblingWR SF | Boost (Starters out on defense vs ARI, expected +0.1) | 1.2 | – | – | void | Backtest (after the fact) · |
| 2026 W3 | Max BredesonRB MIN | Boost (Starters out on defense vs TB, expected +0.3) | 1.1 | 0.0 | −1.1 | ❌ | Backtest (after the fact) · |
| 2026 W3 | Demond ClaiborneRB MIN | Boost (Starters out on defense vs TB, expected +0.3) | 2.0 | 0.1 | −1.9 | ❌ | Backtest (after the fact) · |
| 2026 W3 | Carsen RyanTE CLE | Boost (Starters out on defense vs CAR, expected −0.0) | 0.3 | – | – | void | Backtest (after the fact) · |
| 2026 W3 | Nate BoerkircherTE JAX | Boost (Starters out on defense vs NE, expected −0.0) | 1.8 | 0.0 | −1.8 | ❌ | Backtest (after the fact) · |
| 2026 W3 | Chris BellWR MIA | Boost (Starters out on defense vs KC, expected +0.1) | 3.8 | 10.7 | +6.9 | ✅ | Backtest (after the fact) · |
| 2026 W3 | Kevin Coleman Jr.WR MIA | Boost (Starters out on defense vs KC, expected +0.1) | 2.5 | 1.3 | −1.2 | ❌ | Backtest (after the fact) · |
| 2025 W18 | Philip RiversQB IND | Boost (Starters out on defense vs HOU, expected −0.3) | 8.2 | – | – | void | Backtest · |
| 2025 W18 | Marcedes LewisTE DEN | Boost (Starters out on defense vs LAC, expected +0.1) | 0.2 | – | – | void | Backtest · |
| 2025 W18 | Josh JohnsonQB WAS | Boost (Starters out on defense vs PHI, expected −1.4) | 9.9 | 15.7 | +5.9 | ✅ | Backtest · |
| 2025 W18 | Matthew StaffordQB LAR | Boost (Starters out on defense vs ARI, expected −0.6) | 22.3 | 26.7 | +4.3 | ✅ | Backtest · |
| 2025 W18 | Zach ErtzTE WAS | Boost (Starters out on defense vs PHI, expected +0.2) | 6.8 | – | – | void | Backtest · |
| 2025 W18 | Travis KelceTE KC | Boost (Starters out on defense vs LV, expected +0.0) | 12.0 | 4.2 | −7.8 | ❌ | Backtest · |
| 2025 W18 | Brandin CooksWR BUF | Boost (Starters out on defense vs NYJ, expected +0.3) | 4.9 | – | – | void | Backtest · |
| 2025 W18 | Davante AdamsWR LAR | Boost (Starters out on defense vs ARI, expected +0.3) | 16.1 | – | – | void | Backtest · |
| 2025 W18 | Chris ManhertzTE NYG | Boost (Starters out on defense vs DAL, expected +0.0) | 0.5 | 0.0 | −0.5 | ❌ | Backtest · |
| 2025 W18 | Amari CooperWR BUF | Boost (Starters out on defense vs NYJ, expected +0.3) | 4.2 | – | – | void | Backtest · |
| 2025 W18 | Michael BurtonRB DEN | Boost (Starters out on defense vs LAC, expected +0.4) | 2.0 | – | – | void | Backtest · |
| 2025 W18 | Raheem MostertRB LV | Boost (Starters out on defense vs KC, expected +0.1) | 2.1 | – | – | void | Backtest · |
| 2025 W18 | Jamison CrowderWR WAS | Boost (Starters out on defense vs PHI, expected +0.4) | 2.2 | – | – | void | Backtest · |
| 2025 W18 | Tyler LockettWR LV | Boost (Starters out on defense vs KC, expected +0.1) | 5.7 | 1.5 | −4.2 | ❌ | Backtest · |
| 2025 W18 | Austin HooperTE NE | Boost (Starters out on defense vs MIA, expected +0.1) | 4.6 | 1.5 | −3.1 | ❌ | Backtest · |
| 2025 W18 | Chris MooreWR WAS | Boost (Starters out on defense vs PHI, expected +0.4) | 2.4 | 0.0 | −2.4 | ❌ | Backtest · |
| 2025 W18 | Robbie ChosenWR WAS | Boost (Starters out on defense vs PHI, expected +0.4) | 3.2 | – | – | void | Backtest · |
| 2025 W18 | C.J. HamRB MIN | Boost (Starters out on defense vs GB, expected +0.6) | 2.8 | 7.7 | +4.9 | ✅ | Backtest · |
| 2025 W18 | Laquon TreadwellWR IND | Boost (Starters out on defense vs HOU, expected +0.1) | 0.2 | 0.0 | −0.2 | push | Backtest · |
| 2025 W18 | Dak PrescottQB DAL | Boost (Starters out on defense vs NYG, expected −0.8) | 20.3 | 0.7 | −19.6 | ❌ | Backtest · |
| 2025 W18 | Hunter HenryTE NE | Boost (Starters out on defense vs MIA, expected +0.1) | 12.9 | 10.6 | −2.3 | ❌ | Backtest · |
| 2025 W18 | Jacoby BrissettQB ARI | Boost (Starters out on defense vs LAR, expected −0.3) | 13.0 | 15.6 | +2.6 | ✅ | Backtest · |
| 2025 W18 | Johnny MundtTE JAX | Boost (Starters out on defense vs TEN, expected +0.1) | 1.7 | 2.6 | +0.9 | ✅ | Backtest · |
| 2025 W18 | Zach PascalWR ARI | Boost (Starters out on defense vs LAR, expected +0.1) | 1.0 | – | – | void | Backtest · |
| 2025 W18 | Curtis SamuelWR BUF | Boost (Starters out on defense vs NYJ, expected +0.3) | 3.2 | – | – | void | Backtest · |
| 2025 W18 | George KittleTE SF | Boost (Starters out on defense vs SEA, expected +0.0) | 11.8 | 7.9 | −3.9 | ❌ | Backtest · |
| 2025 W18 | Tim PatrickWR JAX | Boost (Starters out on defense vs TEN, expected +0.1) | 3.6 | 1.4 | −2.2 | ❌ | Backtest · |
| 2025 W18 | Samaje PerineRB CIN | Boost (Starters out on defense vs CLE, expected +0.1) | 6.7 | 8.2 | +1.5 | ✅ | Backtest · |
| 2025 W18 | Eric SaubertTE SEA | Boost (Starters out on defense vs SF, expected +0.0) | 1.7 | 3.0 | +1.3 | ✅ | Backtest · |
| 2025 W18 | David MooreWR CAR | Boost (Starters out on defense vs TB, expected +0.1) | 2.1 | – | – | void | Backtest · |
| 2025 W18 | Noah BrownWR WAS | Boost (Starters out on defense vs PHI, expected +0.4) | 3.9 | – | – | void | Backtest · |
| 2025 W18 | Austin EkelerRB WAS | Boost (Starters out on defense vs PHI, expected +0.4) | 10.3 | – | – | void | Backtest · |
| 2025 W18 | Robert TonyanTE KC | Boost (Starters out on defense vs LV, expected +0.0) | 0.2 | 0.0 | −0.2 | push | Backtest · |
| 2025 W18 | Evan EngramTE DEN | Boost (Starters out on defense vs LAC, expected +0.1) | 6.7 | 7.5 | +0.8 | ✅ | Backtest · |
How this works
Win: a boost beats our projection mean, or a fade falls below it. Push: within 0.5 points. Void: did not play, or played under 25% of his usual snaps. Backtest calls use only data from before their week (the made time is 90 minutes before his kickoff); live calls are written before kickoff and cannot be edited afterwards. We list every loss. All angles and the method.
Charting data: FTN Data via nflverse, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0; our derived charting figures are shared under the same licence. Coverage allowed by defender: Pro Football Reference via nflverse. Coverage type (man/zone, shells): nflverse participation data. Play-by-play: nflverse.
Sources: nflverse, FTN Data via nflverse