Starts and Sits: Week 10

By Joe Goodwin

Week 10 Bye Week Teams:

Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets, Cincinnati Bengals, New England Patriots

Seattle Seahawks at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9:30am)

Start: Geno Smith, Tyler Lockett, Kenneth Walker, Tom Brady, Chris Godwin, Leonard Fournette, Cade Otton

Sit: DK Metcalf, Will Disly, Noah Fant, Marquise Goodwin (injury), Mike Evans, Rachaad White

I have now converted to believing in Geno Smith and with that, the Seattle offense.  Although the Tampa defense is solid, it is not last year’s version of a “stopper.”  I think this will be a lower-scoring game, but will still provide enough opportunities for Geno Smith to find Tyler Lockett for a few long passes and Kenneth Walker will churn up yards on the ground.  The run game had little to speak of last week against the Rams, and I don’t see this week being a big bounce back.  Since Leonard Fournette is getting involved in the passing game, his volume is enough to warrant a start.  I never like when a receiver has a rib/shoulder injury, that is why I am not endorsing Mike Evans this week.  I like Cade Otton and Chris Godwin as Tom Brady’s primary receivers.

Minnesota Vikings at Buffalo Bills (1:00pm)

Start: Dalvin Cook, TJ Hockenson, Josh Allen, Stefon Diggs, Gabe Davis

Sit: Justin Jefferson, Adam Theilen (injury), Kirk Cousins, Dawson Knox, Devin Singletary, Nyheim Hines

The Vikings had a hard time running the ball against the Commanders last week.  Even though the Bills defense is better, the only way the Vikings will be able to win is by keeping Josh Allen off the field.  Dalvin Cook will get plenty of looks in this game; both on the ground and in the air.  With the “dump off” going to be essential against the Bills, TJ Hockenson will be the primary beneficiary of those quick reads.  I don’t see the wide receivers being heavily used in this game.  It's impossible to sit Justin Jefferson, just temper expectations this week.  For the Bills, Josh Allen is an automatic start (unless that UCL injury prohibits him from playing) and, thus, Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis will work the secondary of the Vikings all day.  It's tempting to see the upside of Nyheim HInes in this match up, but until we get a clearer picture of usage, I would hold off starting him.

Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears (1:00pm)

Start: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jamal Williams, Justin Fields, Cole Kmet

Sit: D’Andre Swift, Jared Goff, Darnell Mooney

Detroit's offense last week didn’t look great against the Packers.  With an injury-prone D’Andre Swift still appearing on this week’s injury report, I think Jamal Williams will continue to get steady work and be a viable flex option.  All season long the Lions have been the “get right” game for offenses.  Last week, Detroit bucked that trend against the Packers. With that, I don’t see this being an offensive game.  I think defenses and ineffective offenses will dictate the pace of this one.  Justin Fields has turned into Mike Vick and runs without fear.  That has been the Bears best offense; just letting Fields be Fields.  With a running QB, the wide receivers generally take a step back.  As long as Cole Kmet is Fields' favorite red zone target, Kmet is a startable tight end.

Denver Broncos at Tennessee Titans (1:00pm)

Start: Latavius Murray, Greg Dulcich, Jerry Jeudy, Derrick Henry

Sit: Russell Wilson, Melvin Gordon, Cortland Sutton, all Titans past catchers

This Denver offense has a lot of potential, and from week to week, can look like to be capable of Top 10 production.  Other weeks, they make you scratch your head as they can’t extend drives and Russell Wilson looks bad.  Latavius Murray has grasped the lead back role and will continue to be a flex option this week.  Greg Dulcich is gaining momentum each week as a top tier tight end.  Jerry Jeudy is the most talented receiver and should get enough targets to warrant a start.

For the Titans, every NFL team knows Derrick Henry is going to touch the ball a lot.  And most are helpless to stop him.  Denver is a good defense, but that might not mean much.  The Titans passing attack is unstartable with Malik Willis at the helm.  With Tannehill, they are still tough to figure out and I would wait another week to see what the passing attack looks like.

Jacksonville Jaguars at Kansas City Chiefs (1:00pm)

Start: Travis Ettienne, Christian Kirk, Patrick Mahomes, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Travis Kelce

Sit: Trevor Lawrence, Marvin Jones, Zay Jones, Clyde Edwards-Helaire

Last week, Travis Ettiene ran for over 100 yards and had 2 touchdowns.  Against the Chiefs, it may not be so easy.  However, I feel like the Jaguars will try to establish the run to keep Patrick Mahomes off the field.  This will not be a good passing game for Trevor Lawrence.  I see Christian Kirk breaking free for a catch or two ( maybe even a run) to be a viable flex option.  The Chiefs were able to move the ball last week against the Titans through the air, just not score it.  I see the trend of not running the ball effectively continuing, but I do see the Chiefs scoring more touchdowns.  Travis Kelce will run his seam routes to perfection, which will open those sideline routes for JuJu Smith Schuster.

Cleveland Browns at Miami Dolphins (1:00pm)

Start: Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt, Amari Cooper, Raheem Mostert, Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Tua Tagovailoa

Sit: Jacoby Brisett, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Mike Geisicki, Jeff Wilson

The Browns offense is mimicking the Titans offense: give it to your featured back and let magic happen.  Nick Chubb has been elite this year and the Browns will continue to use him a lot.  I also see Kareem Hunt getting a lot of work as the Browns will try to keep the Dolphins offense off the field.  I can see Amari Cooper grabbing a few passes (one in the end zone too), but overall the passing game is a hold for me.  The Dolphins, with Tua Tagovailoa under center, have been the most impressive offense in the NFL.  With Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle causing havoc with defensive secondaries, the running game of Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson is hammering away at the front line.  This offense is good at making defenses guess which weapon hits first. This week, I see Raheem Mostert and his speed being exactly the hammer Mike McDaniels wants to hit the Browns with to win the game.

Houston Texans at New York Giants (1:00pm)

Start: Dameon Pierce, Saquon Barkely, Daniel Jones, Richie James

Sit: Davis Mills, Phillip Dorsett, Brandin Cooks, Nico Collins, Darius Slayton, WanDale Robinson

The Houston Texans fought hard against the league’s only undefeated team last week.  However, from a fantasy perspective, the passing game is a “roll of the dice.”  There is not one single receiver that you can count on as a startable player.  Dameon Pierce is a true workhorse for the Texans team and should be started in all formats.  For the Giants, Saquon Barkely is also the one true workhorse on his offense and should also be started across the board.  I think the Giants offense will amass some yards and touchdowns….it is just not known to whom.  I will take a flier on Richie James.  I think Daniel Jones will continue to put up solid points to be a superflex option.

New Orleans Saints at Pittsburgh Steelers (1:00pm)

Start: Alvin Kamara, Chris Olave, George Pickens, Pat Friermuth

Sit: Andy Dalton, Najee Harris, Kenny Pickett

This Saints offense has not been dependable this year.  Alvin Kamara is their lone dependable fantasy player on an offense that has seen injuries and inconsistency reign supreme.  Since Michael Thomas’ season-ending injury, Chris Olave looks to be the next young receiver the Saints produce that is worth noticing and should be started.  The Pittsburgh Steelers have not looked like a typical Mike Tomlin-led team.  The running game is anemic.  Until further notice, Najee Harris is a sit.  As for the receivers, George Pickents and Pat Friermuth have both shown flashes to use as low end options at their respective positions.

Indianapolis Colts at Las Vegas Raiders (4:05pm)

Start: Jonathan Taylor, Michael Pittman, Davante Adams, Josh Jacobs

Sit: Sam Ehlinger/Matt Ryan, Alec Pierce, Mo Allie Cox, Hunter Renfrow, Mack Hollins, Darren Waller, Derek Carr

This Colts offense just got Frank Reich fired.  Jeff Saturday takes over as interim head coach and assigned play calling duties to Parks Frazier.  My feeling is they go back to what has worked for this offense and feed Johnathan Taylor a lot.  Matt Ryan looks to be returning to health, but I would avoid the quarterbacks in Indy.  This is an offense that is under flux and worth monitoring.  I will hold on all receivers not named Michael Pittman until we know what Frazier and Saturday want from this offense beyond their two playmakers.  The Raiders are coming off a woeful performance against the Saints.  I think, like the Colts, will return back to basics and lean on their best players: Davante Adams and Josh Jacobs.  I can see Derek Carr moving the ball a bit, so if you are caught with a few bye week issues, there are worse starts than him. Darren Waller was just placed on IR today and will miss the next 4 weeks.

Dallas Cowboys at Green Bay Packers (4:25pm)

Start: Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, Dalton Schultz, Ezekiel Elliott, Tony Pollard, Aaron Jones, Allen Lazard

Sit: Michael Gallup, Aaron Rodgers, Robert Tonyan, Romeo Doubs, Chrisitan Watson, AJ Dillon

With Dak Prescott returning to full time action, the Dallas offense is in full start mode.  Dak Prescott should pick apart the Packers with throws to CeeDee Lamb and Dalton Schultz.  The running game was also featured as Zeke and Pollard will just do damage every time the Packers try to take away the passing game from Dak.  The Packers are just not playing like an offense that Aaron Rodgers leads.  I don’t see this game making Rodgers look any better.  The pass rush of the Cowboys will force the ball out quickly from Aaron, as well as a lot of draws to take advantage of the aggressive front 4.  Allen Lazard is starting to look like a top wideout, so I say start him in the hopes Rodgers looks to him to quickly get the ball out.

Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Rams (4:25pm)

Start: Kyler Murray, Zach Ertz, DeAndre Hopkins, Cooper Kupp, Darrell Henderson

Sit: James Conner, Rondale Moore, Greg Dortch, Matt Stafford (injury), Cam Akers, Allen Robinson

The first time they played, the Cardinals struggled to run the ball.  I see a similar game script as the Cardinals look to move the ball in the air.  Kyler Murray will run and throw to keep the team on the field.  His main targets will be Zach Ertz and Nuke Hopkins.  I don’t see the secondary receivers being as effective.  I also will advise fading James Conner.  For the Rams, how effective their offense will be is predicated on the health of Matt Stafford.  For now, I’ll advise to stick with their most effective players in Cooper Kupp and Darrell Henderson.  I can see a healthy Stafford lighting up the air more…monitor his health closely.

Los Angeles Chargers at San Francisco 49ers (8:20pm)

Start: Austin Ekeler, Gerald Everett, Josh Palmer, CMC, George Kittle, Deebo Samuel 

Sit: Justin Herbert, Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Jimmy Garoppolo, Brandon Aiyuk

I can see this as a back and forth match up as they battle for the rights to be California’s best NFL team.  Without realizing it, I gave each team a RB, TE, and WR to start.  You would think with that many players to start, the QB’s would be right in there.  I just don’t see Justin Herbert or Jimmy G going off.  I do see some good drives that are capped off by some TD’s.  Both teams will try to establish the run with Ekeler and CMC being heavily used.  I also see the tight ends over the middle of the field as Everett and Kittle gobble up yards.  And with the number of injuries for the Chargers, Josh Palmer gets one more week as top pass catcher.  After a few weeks to figure out how to use Deebo Samuel and CMC together, I believe this is the week we see them deployed as Option 1A and 1B for the 49ers offense.

Washington Commanders at Philadelphia Eagles (Monday Night Football)

Start: Brian Robinson, Terry McLaurin, Jalen Hurts, DeVonta Smith, AJ Brown, Dallas Goedert, Miles Sanders

Sit: Taylor Heinicke, Jahan Dotson, Curtis Samuel, Antonio Gibson,Quez Watkins

If you read this article weekly, you know that I am a big Eagles fan.  However, if you read any article that states to sit any of the Eagles’ primary offensive players, they are just trying to be contrarian.  This Eagles offense has been humming all year.  Jalen Hurts is a top 3 candidate for MVP and will continue to look that way against the Commanders.  Hurts loves to throw to AJB early and use DeVonta Smith on the outside.  And just when the defense thinks they have locked those two up, Hurts hits Goedert down the seam.  In the second half, Miles Sanders makes chunk plays on the ground and usually picks up a late TD.  As for the Commanders, this Eagles defense on the outside is tough to beat.  I see Brian Robinson pounding the ball into that line to soften up the defense.  I see Scary Terry grabbing a late TD to make him worth the start.