Start' Em Sit' EM Week 10
Did you see what happened during Week 9?!? Some spectacular performances surely helped out fantasy managers on their way to the fantasy playoffs. Hopefully, you didn't run into the "fantasy buzzsaws", players that had performances that a fantasy team couldn't overcome because they were so great. I mean, we all saw the clinic that Texans quarterback CJ Stroud put on against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, right? Stroud was one of the top performers in Week 9 as he threw for 470 yards and five touchdowns! I have to admit that in other leagues I had to sit him after he petered out against the Carolina Panthers because, for whatever reason, the Texans thought it was a great idea to run the ball behind that poor offensive line. But in Week 9, they uncorked the passing offense and everyone got the chance to eat. Stroud was the QB1 for Week 9 and cooked for 41.8 fantasy points. In the leagues that I did start him, he was my "fantasy buzzsaw".
Now it's on to Week 10 and we have yet another chance to cook our opponents this week so here are some matchups that you may want to get in your lineups to help you get another win and either get a streak going or keep your winning streak alive. Check out who I have on the docket for Week 10.
Week 10 Start'Em
*Start percentage via ESPN Fantasy
Brock Purdy vs. JAX (11% Start)
Brock Purdy went into the bye week on a three-game losing streak and not looking like himself after returning suspiciously quickly from a concussion he picked up against the Vikings in Week 8. With a nice break to recover and relax (as well as doing some farming in his spare time), Purdy returns to a near-stacked offense with the 49ers and gets the Jacksonville Jaguars defense that he looks to bounce back against. The Jaguars head into Week 10 allowing 274 yards per game to opposing quarterbacks, ranking them eighth-most among defenses. Purdy is averaging 254 y/g on the season so this matchup looks to be just what the doctor ordered to help get him back on track. Reports of possibly getting wide receiver Deebo Samuel back this week could also help Purdy bounce back.
Will Levis vs. TB (20.9% Start)
Will Levis took a step back against a pesky Pittsburgh Steelers defense after debuting for 184 yards and four touchdowns against the Atlanta Falcons a week prior. But I don't think fantasy managers should be losing faith in the young rookie quarterback just yet. Levis gets a Tampa Bucs defense that was completely obliterated when facing Texans' rookie quarterback CJ Stroud for five passing touchdowns. The Bucs are allowing the second-most passing yards to quarterbacks (296/g) and allowing just over 20 FPPG.
Khalil Herbert vs. CAR (3.4% Start)
There's some positive news coming out of Chicago with Bears running back Khalil Herbert. Herbert's 21-day window has been activated, designating his potential return from IR after landing there due to an ankle injury. With Herbert possibly returning in Week 10, he couldn't come into a better matchup than against the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers have been leaking fantasy points all season to running backs, averaging a whopping 30 FPPG. The Panthers are also allowing the fourth-most rushing yards heading into Week 10, making this the ideal game for Herbert to shake off the rust from being on IR for four games.
David Montgomery vs. LAC (13.7% Start)
Another running back I like to (hopefully) make a return after being on the IR for a bit and that's David Montgomery. Montgomery had to deal with a rib injury that landed him on the injured reserve. But with his eventual return and recovery from his injury, Montgomery should be looking to once again lead the Lions backfield as the starter. The Chargers are tough against the run this season, allowing just 16.3 FPPG placing them somewhat in the middle of the pack. Montgomery is still a top-10 running back even after coming back from injured reserve, averaging 17 FPPG.
Tee Higgins vs. HOU (59.5% Start)
Tee Higgins came roaring back after the bye week and crushed the Bills' secondary for 110 yards. With reports that Ja'Marr Chase may miss Week 10 because of a back injury that he sustained during the game against the Bills, Higgins could see added targets should those reports land. The Texans are allowing the fourth-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers heading into Week 10 so while the matchup doesn't look great on paper, what fantasy managers should try to focus on is the potential volume that could be in store for Higgins. Higgins saw nine targets against the Bills (14th fewest/32 FPPG) and still was able to put up a top-10 performance.
Marquise Brown vs. ATL (44% Start)
Speaking of targets, Marquise Brown could be getting a ton of work this week too. Kyler Murray was named the starter after Clayton Tune stunk it up against the Cleveland Browns in Week 9. Tune threw two interceptions as the Seattle Seahawks blanked the Cardinals. Murray has heavily targeted his number one wide receivers in the past whether it was DeAndre Hopkins or Marquise Brown. Brown saw a 16.9% target share last season with Murray throwing him the ball for much of the season. The Falcons are allowing the 11th fewest fantasy points per game to wide receivers heading into Week 10.
Dalton Schultz vs. CIN (53.3% Start)
Dalton Schultz had an astounding game in Week 9. Schultz popped off for 130 yards and a touchdown on 10 receptions. Schultz has been solid for fantasy this season as he ranks as the top-10 tight end in targets, tied for ninth with Cole Kmet. Schultz is averaging 11.2 fantasy points per game heading into Week 10. Now Schultz gets the Cincinnati Bengals that gave up 10 receptions and over 70 yards to Dalton Kincaid when the Bengals played the Bills in Week 9. The Bengals rank first in points allowed to tight ends this season which looks like a great matchup for the Texans tight end in Week 10.
Sit'Em
Bryce Young vs. CHI (7.8% Start)
The Carolina Panthers rookie quarterback has yet to have a breakout game this season, averaging just 11.8 fantasy points per game. Compared to other rookie quarterbacks in his class like; Anthony Richardson (who's still a top 10 QB heading into Week 10 despite being on IR) and CJ Stroud have been far outpacing the Panthers QB. Even in a plus matchup against a Chicago Bears defense allowing the most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks with the Panthers' offense being one of the worst in the league (28th ranked, 17.5 per) just doesn't seem like enough to help Young get the job done.
Kareem Hunt vs. BAL (25.7% Start)
Kareem Hunt was brought in to help the Browns running game after losing Nick Chubb for the season but Hunt's impact has yet to be felt. Averaging just 3.3 y/a on the season and 32.6 yards per game, Hunt hasn't been a powerhouse like before. Hunt now faces a Baltimore Ravens defense allowing the ninth-fewest fantasy points to running backs, this doesn't look like Hunt needs to be in fantasy lineups unless you're truly desperate. Hunt should be fluffing his seat pillow on the fantasy benches this week.
Zay Flowers vs. CLE (54.5% Start)
Zay Flowers has seen his targets drop over the last four weeks as Odell Beckham has seen his targets increase over the same span. Flowers has only one recevinng touchdown on the season so far and the Browns present a tough matchup for the young wide receiver as they've allowed just five receinving touchdowns to wide receivers so far. With his targets trending down and the lack of touchdowns coming his way against a tough Browns defense, fantasy managers might want to start looking elsewhere.
Gerald Everett vs. DET (13.7% Start)
Gerald Everett has had better seasons than this one but even with Mike Williams and now Josh Palmer landing on IR, Everett hasn't seen a bum in targets. Everett continues to fight for time with fellow tight end Donald Parham and Keenan Allen continues to soak up everything else from Justin Herbert. Detroit is the opponent for the Chargers in Week 10 and the Lions have been putting the clamps on opposing tight ends this season, allowing just 5.2 FPPG. Everett isn't worth the risk this week for fantasy managers.
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