Fantasy Football Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em: Week 10

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Sully Maley, Director of Visual/Creative Media

Quarterbacks

Keith Allison
Dalton in 2017.

Start ‘Em: Alex Smith @ TB, Ryan Fitzpatrick vs WAS

These quarterbacks will be playing each other this weekend with little help from their poorly ranked pass defenses (especially Fitzpatrick). Expect a high-scoring shootout.

Sit ‘Em: Matthew Stafford @ CHI, Dak Prescott vs PHI

Stafford’s performance has been shaky this season, and he’ll play a red-hot Chicago defense in the Windy City. Dallas will travel to play an improving Eagles defense after not having won a single away game this season. Philly’s strong run defense will force Prescott to beat them with his arm, which hasn’t seemed very consistent this year.

Sleeper: Andy Dalton vs NO

Even with the absence of AJ Green, Brees will probably lead the Saints offense to the end zone frequently, forcing Dalton to pass the ball deep against the fourth-worst pass defense in the NFL. If you don’t have any great options at QB this week, consider giving him a chance.

 

Running Backs

Keith Allison
Aaron Jones playing the Redskins this past September.

Start ‘Em: Aaron Jones vs MIA, Leonard Fournette @ IND

Miami’s defense (particularly against the run) hasn’t looked very good this season, and Aaron Jones has been stepping into the spotlight as Green Bay’s RB1. Fournette (hamstring) has looked good in practice this week and even though Yeldon and Hyde will receive touches, Fournette should handle things around the goal line. Fournette owners may want to find a less risky starter this week, but if he’s your only option, you shouldn’t do bad.

Sit ‘Em: Kerryon Johnson @ CHI, Austin Ekeler @ OAK

Johnson will travel to Chicago to play the Bears’ strong defense with Khalil Mack and Allen Robinson expected to return this week, which stacks the box with skilled players against Detroit’s subpar O-Line. He also saw a recent drop in snap percentage after Theo Riddick’s return. Ekeler has seen decreased touches over the past few weeks with Melvin Gordon healthy. With only 3 carries for 21 yards last week, he can’t be counted on for big numbers.

Sleeper: Mark Ingram @ CIN

As disappointing as he’s been lately, Ingram has averaged 14.5 touches per week and plays Cincinnati, who gives the 8th most FPPG to RB’s. Ingram could come back for a big week.

 

Wide Receivers

Greg Buch
Keenan Allen in 2014, covered by Antonio Cromartie.

Start ‘Em: Larry Fitzgerald @ KC, Keenan Allen @ OAK

Fitzgerald is coming off of an 18 point week to face the NFL’s worst-ranked pass defense. Enough said. Keenan Allen should do well against an Oakland defense that has allowed the second-most pass TD’s this season as Jon Gruden pushes on with his “total rebuild”.

Sit ‘Em: Devin Funchess @ PIT, Tre’Quan Smith @ CIN

Funchess has been held to just 13 points his last two games and travels to play against the Steelers, who have allowed small numbers for WR1s four weeks in a row. Smith will play away this week as well, and after only catching two balls for 23 yards last week, the addition of Dez Bryant to the Saints roster could mean a reduced role for Smith.

Sleeper: Anthony Miller vs DET

With Allen Robinson (groin) and Taylor Gabriel (leg) out for the week, Miller’s targets could increase. With at least 9 FPPG in three of his last four games, his increased role could mean big numbers against a Lions defense that has allowed seven receiving TDs in their last four games.

 

Tight Ends

Start ‘Em: OJ Howard vs WAS, Vance McDonald vs CAR

Howard plays at home in what should be a high-scoring game with plenty of passing (see Start ‘Em Quarterbacks). Eric Ebron and Evan Engram both put up good numbers on the Redskins, and Howard is coming off a streak of 16+ points in three of his last four games. McDonald, also playing at home, has run far more routes than Jesse James in recent weeks and plays a Panthers defense that has given up plenty of points to TEs this year.

Keith Allison
Jack Doyle’s return from injury will likely reduce Eric Ebron’s impact this week.

Sit ‘Em: Eric Ebron vs JAX, Nick Vannett @ LAR

Jack Doyle (hip) is healthy again, cutting Ebron’s targets in half. Plus, the Jaguars have only given up 3 TDs to tight ends this season and often allow less than 10 FPPG for the position. Although Vannett comes off an impressive week 9 performance, he’ll be traveling this week to play the Rams, who’ve only allowed 2 touchdowns to tight ends the whole season.

Sleeper: CJ Uzomah vs NO

After a disappointing Week 9, Uzomah’s role will likely increase without AJ Green against a bad New Orleans pass defense. When Dalton decides to target him, Uzomah does well, having caught 17 of 19 balls this year and averaged over 10 yards per reception.