With Week 10 of the NFL season in full swing, we have multiple high-scoring performances from Thursday night football. With the number of injuries this week, fantasy managers might be tasked with digging deep to find the right starters this week in fantasy football. Last week the start/sit list got back on track by hitting on our picks at a 70% clip. Below are my favorite start/sits for Week 10.
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Quarterbacks to Start
Kirk Cousins ATL
Since the Falcons loss to the Seahawks, Cousins has been on fire in the last two weeks throwing for 498 yards and 7 touchdowns with 0 interceptions. He has been inconsistent at times but will look to continue his hot streak against the New Orleans Saints. After a good start to the season, the Saints have allowed four straight quarterbacks to reach 18+ fantasy points. With Drake London expected to be healthy in this one, Kirk Cousins is in for a 20+ point outing in Week 10.
Brock Purdy SF
Heading into the bye week, Purdy started heating up with two performances over 24 points. Coming out of the bye week the 49ers are expected to get both Christian McCaffrey and Jauan Jennings back giving him more playmakers at his disposal. The 49ers face the Buccaneers this week who are the 2nd easiest matchups for opposing quarterbacks allowing 23.6 points per game. Expect Purdy and the 49ers to have a big day through the air.
Sam Darnold MIN
Darnold has been consistent this season with only 2 performances below 16.3 points. Despite throwing 2 interceptions last week against the Colts, he finished with 19 fantasy points due to his 290 passing yards and 3 touchdowns. This week you need to start him against the Jaguars who are allowing opposing quarterbacks to average 23.3 points per game.
Quarterbacks to Sit
Drake Maye NE
Drake Maye has provided new life to the Patriots offense and has over 19 points in two of three games he has finished this season. His rushing upside was on full display last week against the Titans as he finished with 95 rushing yards, but the rookie mistakes resulted in two turnovers that hurt his output in fantasy. The Patriots face the Bears who have been the toughest matchup for opposing quarterbacks holding them to 11.1 points per game and just held Kyler Murray to under 10 points. It is best to leave Drake Maye on your bench in Week 10.
Justin Herbert LAC
Herbert has been better as of late throwing for 4 touchdowns while scoring 43.6 fantasy points in the last two weeks. Despite his play, he is not matchup-proof and should not be started in Week 10 against the Titans. The Titans have struggled on the ground this year but have been stingy against the pass. They have only allowed 2 quarterbacks to score over 15.7 points this season and make starting Herbert this week risky.
Bo Nix DEN
Nix has been solid the last five weeks in fantasy scoring over 17+ points in four of those weeks. Last week his 259 total yards and 1 interception performance against the Ravens was saved by a receiving touchdown that helped him reach that 17-point mark. The Chiefs have been average against quarterbacks this season allowing 16.8 points per game but have one of the best blitz packages in the NFL. Nix this season has a 60.1 grade against the Blitz and will be overwhelmed in his first matchup against Steve Spagnuolo.
Running backs to Start
D’Andre Swift CHI
Despite an inefficient day on the ground against the Cardinals, Swift was able to continue his hot streak and finish with 14.2 points last week due to having 6 receptions. The Bears’ passing game has struggled this season making the running game imperative for the offensive success. Expect offensive coordinator Shane Waldron to dial up a heavy workload for the veteran running back against the Patriots who are the 5th friendliest matchup for opposing running backs.
Tyrone Tracy Jr. NYG
Tracy had a disappointing performance last week resulting in 7.9 fantasy points should be started in all formats this week. Tracy’s dominance in the Giants backfield remained as he led Devin Singletary in snaps and attempts. This week the Giants face the Panthers overseas providing the perfect matchup for another 20+ point outing from Tracy. This season the Panthers are allowing an average of 29.3 points per game to opposing running backs which is the most in the NFL.
Najee Harris PIT
Harris has been on a heater the last three weeks finishing with 20.2, 16.2, and 16.1 points. The move to Russell Wilson at quarterback has opened up lighter boxes against the Steelers and more goal-line opportunities for Harris. The Commanders rank in the upper half of the NFL defending running backs in fantasy football despite being the 5th worst defense in rushing yards allowed. Expect a big performance from the Steelers rushing attack on Sunday.
Running backs to Sit
Javonte Williams DEN
In the last two weeks, Williams has 86 rushing yards and is averaging right above 3 yards per carry resulting in 19.6 points. He has been inconsistent this season despite increasing his role within the Broncos offense becoming matchup dependent in fantasy football. The Chiefs have been the toughest matchup for opposing running backs this season and it is not one of the weeks that you should be putting Williams in your starting lineup.
Travis Etienne and Tank Bigsby JAX
The Jaguars backfield committee is a mess right now with inconsistent snaps from Etienne and Bigsby making them hard to trust in fantasy football. Bigsby will operate more on early downs while Etienne is more of the 3rd down back. On top of the backfield committee in Jacksonville, you have to deal with a tough matchup in the Minnesota Vikings who allow the 5th least points to running backs this season. Avoid starting both Etienne and Bigsby in Week 10.
Rico Dowdle DAL
Dowdle had his breakout game resulting in 22 fantasy points and seeing over 70% of snaps last week against the Falcons. He will likely play a similar snap share this week, but his outlook is grim against the Eagles. Chase Brown’s 11.8 points is the highest point total since week 4 against the Eagles and they have only allowed two touchdowns to running backs all season. Without Dak Prescott it is hard to trust anyone outside of CeeDee Lamb in your starting lineup this week.
Wide Receivers to Start
George Pickens PIT
In two games with Russell Wilson, Pickens has scored 33.5 points on 9 catches for 185 yards and a touchdown. In Week 8 he also had two touchdowns overturned due to penalties preventing an ever bigger stat line. Without Marshon Lattimore, the Commanders’ secondary provides a good matchup. This season they have allowed eight receivers to score over 14.9 fantasy points. The matchup is there for Pickens and Russell Wilson to continue their hot streak.
Darnell Mooney ATL
Mooney has been on a hot streak as of late with two straight performances over 18 points. Since Week 2 he has been averaging 72 yards per game establishing himself as one of the best free-agent acquisitions this offseason. Even if Drake London can go this week, the matchup against the Saints provides Mooney with the opportunity to continue his hot streak. The Saints have allowed the 4th most yards and 11th most fantasy points to receivers this season.
Khalil Shakir BUF
With Keon Coleman out and Amari Cooper questionable for Sunday, you NEED to get Khalil Shakir in your lineups this week. Shakir has been a steady option at receiver this season only scoring under 10 points once. He leads the Bills in first read target share since returning from injury and has a favorable matchup against the Colts. Expect a high floor from Shakir with the ability to have a 20+ point outing forcing him into that must start conversation for Week 10.
Wide Receivers to Sit
DJ Moore CHI
Moore has been disappointing this season and currently has not topped 35 receiving yards in his last three weeks. In those three weeks, he played the Jaguars, Cardinals, and Commanders who were great matchups. Despite a great matchup in the Patriots, Moore will draw Christian Gonzalez which is a tough task for any receiver. Given his recent play, it is best to leave him on your bench this week.
Jaylen Waddle MIA
Waddle was a highlight player on the “Panic Meter” this week due to his seven-game stretch of not reaching 10 points. Waddle’s role within the offense has been reduced as he currently ranks 4th on the team in target share with Tua Tagovailoa at quarterback. His average depth of target is xxxx suggesting that even when he is targeted it is not down the field. Despite a good matchup against the Rams, leave Waddle on your bench this week.
Calvin Ridley TEN
Ridley has been better the last few weeks with Mason Rudolph at quarterback but with the return of Will Levis, his outlook this week is grim. In his last three games with Levis at quarterback, Ridley scored 2.5, 1.9, and 0.5 points despite seeing 14 targets. On top of that, the Chargers have been stingy for opposing receivers ranking as the 6th toughest matchup. The smart decision this week is to keep Ridley out of your lineup and avoid another disappointing performance from the veteran.
Tight Ends to Start
Dalton Kincaid BUF
Kincaid’s underlying stats suggest he should be better than he has been this season. Among qualified tight ends, he is 5th in target rate, 6th in red zone targets, and 4th in air yards share resulting in 8.6 points per game compared to his 12.3 expected points per game. In Week 10, I think he starts to work closer to his expected points per game and is a must-start. The Bills will be without Keon Coleman and potentially Amari Cooper while the Colts are allowing an average of 12.4 points per game to tight ends.
Jonnu Smith MIA
Smith is quietly putting together a solid season in Miami for the Dolphins and has a higher target share this season than Jaylen Waddle. In his last four games, he has 21 catches for 224 yards and a touchdown resulting in 49.3 fantasy points. This week the Dolphins face the Rams who are currently the 8th best matchup for tight ends and are allowing an average of 12.2 points per game. Smith is a valuable streamer for teams dealing with bye weeks at tight end in Week 10.
T.J. Hockenson MIN
Hockenson made his season debut against the Colts last week finishing with 3 catches for 27 yards on 4 targets. Kevin O’Connell eased him back into play resulting in 33 snaps played which was behind fellow tight end Josh Oliver. I expect this number to increase this week resulting in more opportunities in the passing game for Hockenson. This week the Vikings face the Jaguars who are allowing an average of 11 points per game to tight ends. Hockenson is someone you need to start this week.
Tight Ends to Sit
Sam LaPorta DET
LaPorta needed another good week last week to instill trust among fantasy managers but managed 2 catches for 28 yards on 3 targets in the win over Green Bay. With the return of Jameson Williams, LaPorta once again takes a back seat in targets becoming the 4th option in the passing game. With a low floor, and the Texans only allowing 5.1 points per game to tight ends this season avoid starting him at all costs.
Dalton Schultz HOU
Schultz is another guy who had opportunities to step up in the passing game but has failed to do so. This season, he has failed to go for over 10 points in every game resulting in an average points per game of 5.6. The Lions are the 2nd toughest matchup for opposing tight ends allowing only 5.3 points per game. Schultz should not be in your starting lineup let alone be rostered anymore in fantasy football.
Jake Ferguson DAL
Ferguson’s bounce-back performance last week was overshadowed by the likely season-ending injury suffered by Dak Prescott. Last week Ferg went for 7 catches for 71 yards on 10 targets putting together his second-best game of the season. Without Dak Prescott it is hard to trust him against the Eagles who are only allowing 5.9 points per game to tight ends this year.
Kickers to Start
Joshua Karty LAR
Karty has not been good this season as he currently is the K28 this season with only one performance over 10 points. With a healthier offense, the Rams have been better moving the football providing Karty with more scoring opportunities. He should get plenty this week as the Dolphins have allowed the 5th most points to opposing kickers at 10.9 points per game. Karty is worth the start in Week 10
Tyler Bass BUF
Bass has been starting his redemption arc in fantasy football with two of his last three games resulting in 10+ points including a game-winning 61 yarder. Once again Bass should be in for another 10+ point performance against the Colts. The Colts this season are allowing 9 points a contest to opposing kickers.
Chad Ryland ARI
Since taking over for the injured Matt Prater, Ryland has been on a hot streak scoring over 10 points in three of his last five games. I am riding with the hot hand against the Jets this week. The Jets are the 8th best matchup for opposing kickers allowing over 10 points per game this season.
Kickers to Sit
Brandon Aubrey DAL
Aubrey’s outlook without Dak Prescott clouds his fantasy floor going forward. The Eagles this season are currently the 25th best matchup for opposing kickers making Aubrey a risky start. Unfortunately, some of the NFL’s best kickers are not must start every week in fantasy football.
Austin Seibert WAS
Seibert is the number one ranked kicker right now in fantasy football and is not worth throwing in your Week 10 lineup. He has been limited this week in practice and has one of his toughest matchups of the season with the Steelers. The Steelers are the 4th best this season at limiting opposing kickers. With the injury questions and tough matchup, I’m avoiding a dud from Seibert this week.
DEF to Start
Los Angeles Chargers DEF
The Chargers have been one of the best defenses in the NFL this season and rank 5th among defenses in fantasy football. Last week they put 19 points against the Browns and have another good matchup against the Titans. The Titans are allowing opposing defenses to score 11.5 points per game against them providing the Chargers the opportunity to put together another 10+ point performance.
Chicago Bears DEF
The Bears come in right behind the Chargers as the 6th ranked defense in fantasy football despite only scoring 3 points in the last two weeks. They will get back on track this week against the New England Patriots who are allowing defenses to score 9.6 points per game against them. Expect the Bears to be one of the top defenses in Week 10.
New York Giants DEF
The Giants have been up and down this season on the defensive side of the ball. They have an elite pass rush but struggle to stop the run this season. Despite the threat of Chuba Hubbard on the ground, I expect this Giants defense to bully a weak Panthers offensive line.
DEF to Sit
Denver Broncos DEF
The Broncos came into last week as the first-ranked defense before getting bullied by the Ravens allowing 41 points. This defense has been good this season, but a favorable schedule has contributed to their top performances in fantasy this season. You should keep the Broncos on your bench again this week as they face the Chiefs who are the 5th toughest matchup for fantasy defenses.
Pittsburgh Steelers DEF
The Steelers year after year under Mike Tomlin have one of the best defenses in the NFL. They have five performances over 10 points this season, but I don’t expect them to reach that mark this week against the commanders. Opposing defenses are averaging 2 points a game against the Commanders and it would be wise to leave the Steelers on your bench this week.
[…] the 8th best matchup for tight ends and are allowing an average of 12.2 points per game. Smith is a valuable streamer for teams dealing with bye weeks at tight end in Week […]