Fantasy Football Start/Sit – Week #10
Quarterback
Start – Blake Bortles vs Ravens
Blake Bortles may not have solved his turnover issues throwing 10 interceptions and fumbling 5 times in his first 8 games, but he has shown improvement as a quarterback in his sophomore season. Bortles, facing two formidable defenses in the last 2 weeks (Jets and Bills) did not disappoint fantasy owners throwing for a total of 583 yards and 4 TDs. Up next is a sweet matchup against a Ravens defense that has had difficulty stopping the pass all season long. This matchup is tailored made for a quarterback that has thrown multiple passing TDs in the last 6 games against a Ravens pass defense that has allowed multiple passing TDs in 6 of their 8 games.
Notables – Kirk Cousins vs Saints, Sam Bradford vs Dolphins, Andy Dalton vs Texans
Sit – Russell Wilson vs Cardinals
Russell Wilson has been running for his life this season playing behind a shaky offensive line and this week’s matchup will not be any different going up against an aggressive Cardinals defense. Wilson’s struggles this season are directly correlate with the Seahawks replacing three starters along the offensive line and his inability to run for huge chunks of yards on the ground like he did last season. Wilson is averaging just 38 yards per game rushing compared to 53 last year but the number that really impacts his fantasy production this season is his 0 TDs on the ground. Wilson is a better real life passer compared to fantasy football passer and if he is not getting it done with his legs he can be a detriment to your team. Look for Wilson to struggle once again this week through the air especially in the red zone where the Seahawks has a league worst 29.41% touchdown percentage.
Notables – Carson Palmer vs Seahawks, Marcus Mariota vs Panthers, Jay Cutler vs Rams
Running Back
Start – James Starks vs Lions
It doesn’t take a football expert to realize who has been the best running back in the Green Bay Packers backfield. Many fantasy owners drafted Eddie Lacy number 1 in their fantasy drafts because of the security of how safe he was playing in an Aaron Rodgers led offense. Well, that was not the case and now James Starks is the number 1 back in that Aaron Rodgers led offense making him a must start this week against a poor Lions’ defense. With Lacy playing second fiddle to Starks and battling a groin injury in Week 10, I fully expect Starks to have a big role and a big game on the ground and through the air. Fire up Starks as he should produce RB2 and quite possibly RB1 numbers this week.
Notables – Jeremy Hill vs Texans, Jonathan Stewart vs Titans, Mark Ingram vs Redskins
Sit – Ronnie Hillman vs Chiefs
Is it Ronnie Hillman? Or is it C.J. Anderson? The Denver Broncos running back carousel keeps on going around in circles while frustrating fantasy owners. I own both players in my keeper league and still can’t figure out which one to start. Hillman, after taking the lead in Week 6 has been thoroughly out played by Anderson the last 2 weeks gaining only 1 yard on 7 carries last week while playing with an injured thigh. I expect the Anderson train to continue going forward especially when the weather gets colder limiting Hillman’s fantasy output. Sit Hillman in a tough matchup against a stout Chiefs run defense which ranks 11th in the league and has only given up 4 rushing TDs this season.
Notables – Charcandrick West vs Broncos, Antonio Andrews vs Panthers, Alfred Blue vs Bengals
Wide Receiver
Start – Davante Adams/James Jones vs Lions
After losing the last two games where the Packers offense struggled for the first 6 of 8 quarters expect Mr. Rodgers to come out blazing against a familiar opponent. The passing game should get back on track against a Lions pass defense that allows a league high 73.1 completion percentage and 8.7 yards per attempt while giving up the fourth most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. I suggest you start all 3 Packers starting WRs, Randall Cobb, James Jones, and the now healthy Davante Adams as it should be easy pickings.
Notables – Allen Robinson vs Ravens, Kamar Aiken vs Jaguars, Brandon LaFell vs Giants, Mike Evans vs Cowboys
Sit – Michael Floyd vs Seahawks
Who will Richard Sherman cover is the real question in this matchup as opposing wide receivers have not fared well against him of late. With Larry Fitzgerald in the slot and John Brown recovering from injury I believe Michael Floyd will get the Sherman treatment making him a risky play this week. Floyd has really emerged over the last 3 weeks catching 12 passes for 215 yards and a touchdown in all three games after an injury riddled start to the the season. But I wouldn’t bet on the Cardinals receiving core this week against the league’s number one ranked passing defense.
Notables – Jeremy Maclin vs Broncos, Larry Fitzgerald vs Seahawks
Tight End
Start – Jordan Reed vs Saints
Who doesn’t get off against the NFL’s second worst defense the New Orleans Saints? Everyone that plays the Saints usually takes advantage of them and it shouldn’t be any different for TE Jordan Reed. The Saints have allowed a league worst 24 passing touchdowns putting Reed in position to catch at least one and quite possibly multiple TDs in this matchup. Last week Delanie Walker cashed in for 2 TDs to go along with 95 yards against the Saints and I expect a similar outing this week for Reed making him a TE1, get him in your lineup.
Notables – Eric Ebron vs Packers, Ben Watson vs Redskins
Sit – Vernon Davis vs Chiefs
Last week I warned fantasy owners about starting Vernon Davis as he needed time to get acclimated to a brand new offense. He disappointed owners that started him catching 0 passes on 1 target while only playing 9 snaps. While I fully expect Davis to triple his snap count from week 9 I still don’t see a huge impact to his fantasy numbers until later on this season. Keep Davis on your bench another week until he learns the playbook and the multiple Peyton Manning audibles at the line of scrimmage.
Notables – Julius Thomas vs Ravens, Kyle Rudolph vs Raiders
Defense
Start – Steelers D vs Browns
Johnny Manziel played “ok” for a half last week but he is still Johnny Manziel. Therefore, the much improved Steelers defense should thrive with a handful of sacks and multiple turnovers.
Sit – Vikings D vs Raiders
The Vikings defense has played phenomenally thus far this season under defensive wizard Mike Zimmer’s tutelige but Derek Carr has that Raiders offense playing at an elite level. I expect it to continue with Carr’s quick release and an under appreciated Raiders offensive line.
