We've made it to double digits! Week 10 is here and your fantasy playoffs are right around the corner. Every result is becoming more and more important, so let's crush it this week and make sure we are starting and sitting the right guys to get you in those playoff spots!
This week @FFShaneB is moving into his new home so @MattFFDynasty gives you both his starts and sits for Week 10. Normal service will be resumed next week!
Teams on their bye week:
New York Jets
Kansas City Chiefs
Dallas Cowboys
Atlanta Falcons
Quarterback
Starts
Start Of The Week
Drew Lock (DEN) @ LV
So 'Lock-tober' never really got going did it... but are we now in 'Drew-vember'? Lock is coming off a great game against the Falcons where he threw for over 300 yards for the first time this season, including 2 TDs, and also added another TD on the ground, resulting in his best fantasy performance of the year. Now he gets another great matchup against the Raiders, who just allowed rookie QB Justin Herbert to have a 300 yard and 2 TD game. With that in mind, plus Lock's ability to run with the ball when needed, you can start Lock with confidence this week.
Jared Goff (LAR) Vs SEA
Goff had a rough game in Week 8 Vs the Dolphins, but he's now coming off his bye week and playing the fantasy-friendly Seahawks defense. It's no shock that every week you want to be starting the opposing QB against Seattle, who are allowing a league-high 27.9 FPPG on average to the QB position, even if that QB is Jared Goff. Don't overthink it, find whichever QB is playing the Seahawks and fire them up.
Carson Wentz (PHI) @ NYG
It has been an up and down season for Wentz so far this season. He's been under pressure to perform in real life but from a fantasy standpoint, he's actually been a serviceable QB. Currently the QB13, coming off his bye week and he now gets to play the Giants who he had one of his best performances against in Week 7. He threw for 359 yards and 2 TDs, and also added a rushing TD, so this is a great opportunity for him to bounce back after his disappointing performance against the Cowboys before his bye week.
Sits
Sit Of The Week
Kirk Cousins (MIN) @ CHI
Cousins had a quiet game last week thanks to Dalvin Cook torching the Lions, yet he still threw 3 TDs. However, this week he's playing the Bears who are a tough defense and allowing only 15.6 FPPG on average to the QB position. This again feels like a game where the Vikings will rely on Cook and the running game with the Bears also struggling on offense this season. There are plenty of other options I would take over Cousins at QB this week.
Ryan Tannehill (TEN) Vs IND
Tannehill made a hot start to the season but in the past 3 weeks his performances have begun to drop off each week. In Week 9 he only threw the ball 10 times for 158 yards but did manage to find the endzone twice with those 10 passes. He now has to play the toughest defense against the QB position in the Colts, and like the Vikings mentioned above, this feels like a running back game and I expect Derrick Henry to see another huge workload rather than Tannehill throwing the ball a lot.
Teddy Bridgewater (CAR) Vs TB
I know, Bridgewater just had his best game of the season in Week 9 against a solid Chiefs defense but I can't see him repeating that this week against the Buccaneers. The Buccaneers are only allowing 17.3 FPPG (7th best) on average to opposing QBs and when Bridgewater played them in Week 7 he had his worst performance of the season where he threw 2 INTs and no TDs. I can't start Teddy with confidence this week with that in the back of my mind.
Running Back
Starts
Start Of The Week
Antonio Gibson (WAS) @ DET
There is no denying Gibson's talent, and despite an average performance last week, he now gets to play the Lions that are letting opposing RBs score against them for fun (2 against Cook Week 9, 3 to opposing Colts RBs Week 8). Gibson may be losing receiving work to fellow RB J.D McKissic, but this is a game where Gibson should see plenty of work on the ground.
(Note: Gibson missed practice Wednesday with a shoulder injury, keep an eye on his status throughout the week. If he is unable to play, JD McKissic becomes a great play against the Lions)
James Robinson (JAX) @ GB
James Robinson just keeps producing! It has been a fantastic story for the UDFA RB, who currently sits as the RB4, and I don't see it slowing up in Week 10 against the Packers. While we know that Packers has been good against the pass, they haven't been great against opposing RBs. In fact, they are actually the 2nd worst defense against the RB position and allowing an average of 30.6 FPPG. Robinson should continue to see his large workload in this one as the Jags try to keep Aaron Rodgers off the field for as long as possible.
James Conner (PIT) @ CIN
Week 9 was disappointing for Conner owners, we all expected the Steelers to blow out the Cowboys and Conner to see a heavy workload as they controlled the game. However, that never happened and the Steelers were actually chasing the game for the most part. Week 10 should be a get-right game for Conner though against the average Bengals run defense, especially if Big Ben is unable to player and QB Mason Rudolph steps in. The Steelers will want to keep the pressure off Rudolph after his struggles when he filled in last season.
Sits
Sit Of The Week
Joe Mixon (CIN) @ PIT
Mixon is expected to return from the injury that has kept him out of action for the last 3 weeks, however, I wouldn't be rushing to start him against the Steelers. They are the 3rd best defense against the run and with the fact he is returning from injury, I don't expect Mixon to see his usual workhouse role straight out the gate. If you have other options, I'd suggest sitting Mixon for this one.
(Note: Mixon missed practice Wednesday, keep an eye on his status throughout the week but this just amplifies the need to sit him if he does suit up. I can't see him getting that full workload)
D'Andre Swift (DET) Vs WAS
Look, I love D'Andre Swift as much as the next guy but he's going to be tough to rely on against the Washington Football Team in Week 10. Despite being by far the best RB on the Lions roster he's still only seeing around 35/40% of the offensive snaps each week, and the Washington FT are definitely no slouches against the run. While Swift should still see his usual involvement in the passing game (4/5 targets), I can't start him with confidence this week.
Philip Lindsey/Melvin Gordon (DEN) @ LV
Now I know the Broncos are playing the weak Raiders run defense, but my issue is not with the matchup, it's the fact that I need to name both guys when talking about this backfield. Both are capping each other's upside and you can never be sure which guy is going to get the largest majority of touches. We've come to expect Gordon as the short-yardage and pass-catching back yet he only had 1 reception last week. This is a backfield I want to stay away from until someone starts to clearly be the top option.
Wide Receiver
Starts
Start Of The Week
Stefon Diggs (BUF) @ ARI
This may be an obvious start but what a season Stefon Diggs is having in Buffalo, and I had to mention his potential in this one. He is currently the WR4 and now the Bills play the Cardinals in what has potential to be a big shootout game. The Cardinals are a middle of the road pass defense but with Diggs volume, he is a constant must start. He leads the league in targets and is averaging over 10 targets a game. Fire up Diggs who has the potential to be the WR1 on the week in this one.
Will Fuller (HOU) @ CLE
While ever Will Fuller is injury-free, he's a serious problem for opposing defenses. The Browns have been weak against opposing WRs all season (6th worst) and Fuller could have a field day against them in Week 10. Fuller is the WR14 and has scored a TD in his last 6 games. Not just that, he is easily on target for a career-high in targets, so with that improved volume, he is becoming a less risky start for his owners than what we have been used to in previous years.
Allen Robinson (CHI) Vs MIN
The Bears offense has by no means been impressive, whether it's been Trubisky or Foles at QB, however, the one thing that has stayed constant is Robinson's involvement in the passing game. He's the clear no.1 option and now gets the 2nd worst pass defense in the NFL. Even with Foles' struggles, Robinson is still going to get his opportunities to tear this Vikings defense up.
Sits
Sit Of The Week
Adam Theilen (MIN) @ CHI
After Theilen's hot start to the season, he's looked a shadow of that player since the Vikings bye week in Week 7. This is partly due to the fact that Vikings RB Dalvin Cook has been running wild on opposing defenses the last 2 weeks but it's becoming a concern for Theilen owners. As mentioned earlier with Cousins, this Bears defense is no pushovers, so with that, you can't start Theilen with any confidence this week.
D.J Chark (JAX) @ GB
Who knew that a 6th round rookie QB was all the Jags needed to get D.J Chark back on form! Chark had a great Week 9 against the Texans, however, a repeat doesn't look on the cards against the Packers in Week 10. He has the little problem of going up against shutdown CB Jaire Alexandre and the Packers are the 7th best defense against opposing WRs for that reason. I know owners are excited to have Chark back performing, but I'd maybe wait until Week 11 to fire him back up.
Marvin Jones Jr. (DET) Vs WAS
Many were high on Jones Week 9 with Golladay missing time with injury, but in all honest a TD saved what would have been a quiet performance by Jones. He only had 3 receptions for 43 yards against a weak Vikings pass defense and trailed both Amendola and Hockenson in targets. Now he's up against the Washington Football Team who only allows an average of 20.8 FPPG to opposing WRs. With the WR position being so deep, you should have plenty of other options to start ahead of Jones this week, even on waivers.
Tight End
Starts
Start Of The Week
T.J Hockenson (DET) Vs WAS
Yeah I know, brave call by saying start the TE3, Matt! Well, the position is such a mess that I struggled to barely name 3 guys that I'm confident to start this week so cut me some slack on this one. Hockenson has been great each week and it's mainly thanks to his high usage. He's averaging nearly 5 receptions a game which is great considering how volatile the TE position is and he's making the most with that volume by finding the endzone 5 times this season. While WAS are strong against WRs, they struggle against opposing TE. Expect another big week from Hockenson.
Robert Tonyan (GB) Vs JAX
Since Tonyan's breakout game in Week 4, Tonyan has been pretty quiet after that. But he has a great chance of turning that around against the Jags, who have allowed 7 TDs to opposing TEs in their last 6 games and allow an average of 13.5 FPPG to the position (3rd worst). Tonyan could be in line for a much-needed bounce back this week.
Eric Ebron (PIT) Vs CIN
While Ebron hasn't been spectacular this season, he's seeing a nice amount of target which is all you can ask for with your TEs. He's currently the TE15 and the TE10 in receptions despite already having his bye week. He now plays the Bengals who are the 2nd worst defense against opposing TEs. You can never expect too much from the TE position but Ebron could be a safe bet this week.
Sits
Sit Of The Week
Jared Cook (NO) Vs SF
Cook has been serviceable, if unspectacular, this season at the TE position, but he is TD dependant due to the fact he only averages 2/3 receptions a game. Now with Michael Thomas back in the mix, I'm worried that Cook could fade away as the season goes on. The matchup isn't favorable against the 49ers either, who only allow 7 FPPG on average to the TE position.
Jonnu Smith (TEN) Vs IND
After a great start to the season, Smith's production has stalled. This is mainly due to the fact that he is such a good blocking TE that the Titans are using him more as a run blocker than a receiver in recent games. Also with A.J Brown returning from injury, he has slipped further down the pecking order for targets. Now playing the Colts in Week 10, who are the no.1 defense against opposing TEs, I can have no confidence in Smith this week, or moving forward until he becomes more involved in the passing game.
Mark Andrews (BAL) @ NE
Mark Andrews has been a big disappointment this season. He's currently the TE9 but the fact that the Ravens are a low volume pass offense doesn't help, and he hasn't had a TD since Week 5 and hasn't gone over 32 receiving yards since then either. Now facing a tough Patriots defense, it will be hard for Andrews to turn it around in this one. However, with how little options you have at TE, you may be forced to start him, just temper expectations if so.
Defense
Starts
Start Of The Week
Green Bay Packers Vs JAX
The Packers may not be a top fantasy defense, they are currently the DEF21 in fantasy, but they face the Jags who are a pretty friendly opponent to opposing defenses. If rookie Jake Luton starts again this week, then he has a much tougher task than he did Week 9, the packers could take advantage of his inexperience.
Baltimore Ravens @ NE
Chicago Bears Vs MIN
Pittsburgh Steelers Vs CIN
Sits
Sit Of The Week
San Francisco 49ers Vs NO
The 49ers were a top tier defense last season, however, injuries have put an end to that this season and they now player the Saints who just ran riot against a top defense in the Buccaneers in Week 9. It could be another tough afternoon for the 49ers defense on Sunday.
Buffalo Bills @ ARI
L.A Rams Vs SEA
Houston Texans @ CLE
Thanks for reading. Be sure to keep an eye out every Wednesday for our weekly start/sit article with the @FF_Astronauts. Follow @FFShaneB and @MattFFDynasty on Twitter for more Fantasy Football content throughout the season and hit us up with your Start/Sit questions.
