Week ten is here. There are six teams on bye and the fantasy playoffs are right around the corner. We’re on the homestretch of the most stressful, agonizing, and rewarding parts of the season. Early season juggernauts are vulnerable. Teams with slow starts out of the gate are making their playoff charges. Tensions are high and trash talk is abundant in leagues. Who to start and who to sit questions are at an all time high.
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Start ‘Em
Quarterback
Jameis Winston vs Cardinals
This could very well be a high scoring affair. Both the Bucs and the Cardinals have terrible pass defenses, setting this game up to be a high powered pass funnel explosion. Winston is a much maligned quarterback and for good reason. Sketchy at best decision making and a tendency to make mistakes and throw interceptions have plagued his career. Still, Winston is the very definition of a gun slinging quarterback.
The Cardinals have allowed the second most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks and Winston has sustained two top five fantasy wide receivers. Kyler Murray should be able to keep pace with Winston. Grab your popcorn. Kick back, and reap the fantasy rewards.
Honorable Mention: Kyler Murray, Jimmy Garoppolo
Running Back
Tevin Coleman vs Seahawks
This doesn’t seem like such a wild call. There are a ton of great running back matchups this week, so why is Coleman such a great play? The Seahawks have been a funnel of touchdowns to the running back position. Fellow backfield mate, Matt Breida, is also an excellent play this week. This game could end up being another high scoring affair.
Russell Wilson is playing on another level and absolutely carves up zone coverage defenses. This should allow the 49ers to not be forced to change their play style. Coleman will be fed the ball a ton and should rebound nicely from his stinker against the Cardinals last week.
Honorable Mention: Jamaal Williams, Devin Singletary
Wide Receiver
DeVante Parker vs Colts
Yeah I can feel the windows closing as I typed that name. Parker has been one of the biggest what if’s since he has been drafted. He has been an absolute bust for most of his career. Still, this is arguably the best situation he’s ever been in. The Dolphins are absolutely dreadful across the board and will never hold a large lead, meaning they’ll have their passing attack game scripted out.
The Colts secondary is respectable, but volume and game script should keep Parker relevant and a good flex play this week. The last three weeks, Parker has seen 24 targets. Now, Preston Williams is out with a torn ACL and Parker has almost no competition for targets. Parker comes with a lot of uncertainty, but I’m willing to take the gamble this week.
Honorable Mention: Christian Kirk, Jamison Crowder
Sit ‘Em
Quarterback
Kirk Cousins vs Dallas
The Cowboys defense has been a terror for opposing quarterbacks this season. Only two quarterbacks have had good games against them this season, Case Keenum and Sam Darnold. Cousins has been absolutely on fire since there were complaints about the low passing volume in Minnesota. Cousins does have Dalvin Cook to lean on, who has been nothing short of phenomenal this season. Dallas did just shut Saquon Barkley down last week too.
Cousins is one of the best play action quarterbacks in the league, so if Cook is able to get going this could change things for Cousins a lot. Still, there are a lot of red flags surrounding this matchup and it might be best to look elsewhere this week.
Honorable Mention: Jared Goff, Baker Mayfield
Running Back
Joe Mixon vs Baltimore
Wait, what?!?! You mean I’m crazy for not buying into Mixon after his respectable outing his last game? Yeah. I don’t want any part of Mixon this week. He’s talented enough to make me eat my words, but he’s already played Baltimore this season and fell flat on his face.
Now, the Bengals have Ryan Finley at quarterback and that could very well have a negative impact on the offense as a whole. Without AJ Green again this week, the Ravens will, again, lock onto Mixon and I expect him to put up his usual stinker.
Honorable Mention: Kalen Ballage, Ty Johnson
Wide Receiver
Odell Beckham Jr. vs Bills
Let me just keep this simple. Beckham might be force fed the ball more and is talented enough to take any play to the house. Still, there is just a disconnect between him and Baker Mayfield. Both are candidates for bust of the year and I don’t expect there to be much done to change that this week.
Beckham should see a healthy dose of Tre’Davious White, who has been nothing short of sensational this season. He and Jalen Ramsey are both on the same level as Stephon Gilmore and should be feared by most quarterbacks in this league. Mayfield has seen more ghosts this season than Darnold and the Bills no-fly zone pass defense should lock down the Browns again. Ride the pine Beckham.
Honorable Mention: Robert Woods, Juju Smith-Schuster
