Week 10 Where to Put em

Wednesday, Nov 9, 2011 at 12:00 pm ET

fantasy football rankings
Where to Put 'em is the Fantasy Football Nerd's look at the best and worst matchups for the week. Decisions are based upon the FFN rankings and matchup analysis. Given the known conditions, these matchups are the ones to watch and/or avoid in Week 10.

This list does not generally include the elite players that you are going to start regardless of matchup. You don't need us to tell you to start Aaron Rodgers, Andre Johnson, or Adrian Peterson. Where to Put 'em takes a look at other players on your team that we believe either have great matchups or should be avoided for multiple reasons. Factors like opposing defense, performance trending, and peer comparisons may influence our decisions.

Put 'em In The Game: Tim Tebow
What Tim Tebow could not accomplish through the air last week, he accomplished on the ground rushing for 118 yards versus just 124 passing yards. He could duplicate those numbers this week against the Chiefs. He's currently ranked 16th in the FFN rankings so you're not going to play him over Roethlisberger, Romo, or Ryan, but he could still produce a decent fantasy day.

Put 'em In The Game: Mark Sanchez
There simply isn't going to be a large number of times when we recommend Mark Sanchez, but this is one week where he could be a useful fantasy QB. If he can't score some points against the Patriots' 32nd-ranked pass defense, then it's time to officially give up on him for this season. The Pats bleed points to opposing QB's and WR's and Sanchez tossed 2 scores against them in Week 5.

Put 'em In The Game: BenJarvus Green-Ellis
BenJarvus Green-Ellis may not be able to replicate his Week 5 performance against the Jets (136 yards & 2 scores), but we're still looking for a solid outing. The Law Firm comes into the FFN rankings at #26 this week but we're optimistic that he'll outperform those expectations. According to our friends at Fleaflicker.com, the Jets are giving up 150 yards on the ground and the 5th-most fantasy points.

Put 'em In The Game: DeMarco Murray
DeMarco Murray has been a nice surprise filling in for Felix Jones. When owner Jerry Jones compared him to Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson, you know that Murray has found a home. He's also found his way into the FFN Top 10 RB's for Week 10. The Bills give up 14 points to opposing RB's each week and Murray should capitalize on that.

Put 'em In The Game: Chris Johnson
Chris Johnson is the leading candidate for Bust of the Year, but he put together a respectable performance last week. Sadly, CJ2K has become a match-up player. He's ranked 14th in the FFN rankings this week based largely upon his match-up against Carolina who is giving up the 3rd-most yards per game (172) and more fantasy points than any other team. His upside is great this week.

Put 'em In The Game: Dez Bryant
With Miles Austin injured, Dez Bryant moves up the Cowboys depth chart to #1 and to #5 on FFN. This is both good and bad as he'll likely see more targets, but he's also going to command more attention. Hopefully Laurent Robinson will take some of the heat off so Bryant can make some moves against Buffalo's secondary.

Put 'em In The Game: Jeremy Maclin
Arizona gives up the 4th-most fantasy points to opposing WR's and Jeremy Maclin is the most targeted receiver among the Eagles receivers. Plus...nobody gives up more yards to opposing WR's than the Cardinals at 212 yards per game. Look for Michael Vick to take a couple of shots down field to Maclin. As long as he doesn't drop the ball like he did on Monday night, he should produce nicely for you this week.

Put 'em In The Game: Santonio Holmes
Is it just us or does it seem like Holmes hasn't lived up to expectations this year? He's a match-up player and his match-up this week is pretty sweet. The Patriots give up the 3rd-most fantasy points to WR's and Santonio Holmes had his best fantasy performance this year when he faced the Pats in Week 5. Someone is going to get all of those yards. It might as well be Holmes.

Put 'em In The Game: Greg Olsen
You'll find Greg Olsen in the FFN Top 10 this week as he faces Tennessee who gives up 61 yards on average to TE's each week. When Cam Newton can't go long to Smith, Olsen is the next best target. Olsen has quietly been one of the better TE's this season. In fact he's 10th among all in fantasy production in PPR formats. His success should continue this week.

Put 'em In The Game: Jake Ballard
Just like Olsen above, Jake Ballard has quietly been producing for his fantasy owners. San Francisco's defense has been very solid this year but that doesn't mean that TE's aren't getting theirs. The 49ers are giving up the 5th-most yards to opposing TE's and just over 7 fantasy points to them per game on average.

Put 'em In The Game: Billy Cundiff
Billy Cundiff is a Top 5 fantasy kicker and ranked in the Top 5 this week on FFN. When he and the Ravens come visiting Seattle, that high-powered offense will get him into position for fantasy gold. Seattle has given up the 3rd-most fantasy points to opposing kickers this season. When a kicker can deliver double-digit fantasy points, that's a kicker you want on your team.

Put 'em On The Bench: Jay Cutler
Jay Cutler has had some nice fantasy days this year. He did fairly well against the Lions when he faced them in Week 5 throwing for 249 yards and a score. Ndamukong Suh and the Lions have been very stout this year giving up the 5th-fewest yards per game. That number is a bit skewed due to a Week 2 raping of Matt Cassel, but only Tony Romo has gotten more than 15 points against them this year and the Lions are well-rested.

Put 'em On The Bench: Josh Freeman
While still early in the week, Josh Freeman is coming into this week's FFN rankings at #11, but we're hard pressed to believe that he'll end up at that spot when all is said and done. Houston gives up the 2nd-fewest yards per game (199) through the air and the 4th-fewest fantasy points to opposing QB's. If Freeman could show some consistency, maybe he'd be worth considering but that's just not the case.

Put 'em On The Bench: Cedric Benson
We've finally given up on Cedric Benson. If we could consider him a match-up player, perhaps we'd still have faith in him, but he's failed to live up to expectations even when the match-up is good. So how's his match-up this week? Not good. Except for Ray Rice and Arian Foster, nobody has been able to get yards on the Steelers. Benson is no Rice or Foster. There are better plays this week, evident from Benson's #29 FFN ranking this week.

Put 'em On The Bench: Ahmad Bradshaw
We were pretty excited to see Ahmad Bradshaw back at practice. He's questionable to play this week, but regardless of what Giants RB suits up, none are exciting options this week against San Francisco's ridiculously tough run defense. In fact, the 49ers rank first in basically every category: fewest yards allowed, fewest TD's allowed, and fewest fantasy points allowed.

Put 'em On The Bench: Mike Williams
The sophomore slump continues as Tampa Bay's Mike Williams is currently the 48th-best fantasy wideout in the NFL and 26th in this week's WR rankings. The Texans give up a paltry 137 yards through the air each week. That's not a lot of yards to divvy up between those receivers and Williams isn't producing like we all expected him to.

Put 'em On The Bench: Sidney Rice
Sidney Rice was held out of practice on Wednesday which isn't a positive sign. He's going to face the Ravens this week who give up an average of just 8 points to opposing wideouts. Expect a performance similar to last week's Dallas showdown where he pulled in just 3 catches for 69 yards.

Put 'em On The Bench: Vernon Davis
Vernon Davis has so much potential to be a big play-maker. After a slow start, he complained loudly about his lack of involvement which resulted in 2 or 3 good weeks. Someone tell him to start complaining again, because he has performed far worse than his #8 FFN ranking this week. Unless they get him involved in the passing game, he'll have a hard time finishing among the top 10 TE's this week.

Put 'em On The Bench: Jacob Tamme
Did you have a flashback to last season when Dallas Clark got hurt and Jacob Tamme became the #1 TE? Tamme was a surprise performer last year, but that was with future HOF'er Peyton Manning. Tamme will get the start in the game against Jacksonville but he won't get the start in our fantasy lineup.

Put 'em On The Bench: Adam Vinatieri
As long as we're talking about Colts who looked better last year than they do this season (basically everyone not named Pierre), we might as well mention Adam Vinatieri. According to our friends at Fleaflicker.com Vinatieri is the 27th-best fantasy kicker. Compare that to 2010 when Vinatieri ended the season as the 3rd-best fantasy kicker. Sorry Adam - it's time to take a seat.

Join the Discussion

ergot CommentedNov 10, 2011 11:00 am

PPR flex spot - Fitzgerald or Ryan Mathews?

Thanks

JuJu's Tigers CommentedNov 10, 2011 11:00 am

RB spot - Jacobs/Morris/Helu (starting McCoy)

WR spot - Bennett/Robinson/Cribbs (starting Antonio Brown)

Flex spot from the above

Defense - Bengals or Jaguars

Thanks

Nerd CommentedNov 10, 2011 11:00 am

ergot - I'd give the edge to Mathews in this one.

JuJu's - RB: Yuck. Probably go with Helu here, however who the hell knows what Shanahan will do.

WR: I know the FFN rankings say Bennett and he'll probably do very well, I'm inclined to go with Robinson in Austin's absence. Flip a coin on the rest as far as a flex.

DEF: Rolling with the Jaguars but not by much.

JuJu's Tigers CommentedNov 11, 2011 11:00 am

Thanks for your input, Nerd. I know....my team sucks. All of my "elite" players except McCoy have been hurt or are out for the year. I've got my fingers crossed that Andre Johnson will be back soon....that's been a killer!!!!! I'm still tied for the lead in my division, but I think the tides changing.

I decided to go with the Rams for my defense.....Thoughts?

Nerd CommentedNov 11, 2011 11:00 am

2011 has been terrible for injuries. Unfortunately, the last I read on Johnson is that he's doubtful for this week (as expected) and then he's got the bye week. He should be back in top form Week 12, which is helpful if you need him in the playoffs but not as helpful if you're still trying to make it into the playoffs.

The Rams should be ok this week. The Browns are a good match-up for them.

Good luck!

Len CommentedNov 11, 2011 11:00 am

I have injury problems like everyone else. I'm torn on who to start in my Flex spot. I'm choosing between Eric Decker or Greg Olsen. The problem with Decker is Tebow. With Olsen, the Panthers seem to be using Shockey sometimes taking snaps from Olsen, but he's good. I'm starting Brent Celek at tight end. I'm starting Antonio Brown, Crabtree and Harvin at WR. Your thoughts?

Nerd CommentedNov 11, 2011 11:00 am

Unfortunately, it's tough to factor in the Tebow-effect, but I think Decker edges out Olsen. Karma will probably come back to haunt me on that.....

JACKASS PENGUIN CommentedNov 13, 2011 11:00 am

Need to know should i start Laurent Robinson over any of the following: brandon marshall, dwayne bowe or manningham? everyone is saying robinson will have big games with austin injured. please let me know>>>thanks

Lutefisk CommentedNov 13, 2011 11:00 am

Nerd,

Line up analyzer says Battle over Cruz at flex by 0.1 pt. Cruz looks to have a bit higher "low" and "high" estimate than Battle. My gut says Cruz though I don't know why. Thoughts?

Thanks.

Nerd CommentedNov 13, 2011 11:00 am

I like Laurent Robinson...a lot! He's gotten quite a few targets and he's made the most of those targets. He'll continue to get targets, particularly when Bryant gets doubled in Austin's absence. He has a great rapport with Romo and I think he could end up with a very solid fantasy performance. That being said, I still wouldn't start him over Bowe or Marshall. Manningham - perhaps (oddly he was added to the injury report after being fine in practice all week). The other players represent safer plays. Robinson is still a bit of an unknown quantity. If you can take the risk and want to take a flyer on him, go for it. Like I said - he could make you pretty happy. Personally, I'm going with Bowe and Marshall this week.

Nerd CommentedNov 13, 2011 11:00 am

As a general rule of thumb, I go with the RB at the flex spot, particularly in PPR formats. That doesn't mean that I won't go against that, as I would in your situation. I don't think the Giants will be able to run the ball against San Fran like they'd want to with Jacobs so Eli will have to throw. Manningham is suddenly questionable and Nicks is certain to be less than 100%. I'd go against the rankings and start Cruz.

JACKASS PENGUIN CommentedNov 13, 2011 11:00 am

with the mysterious knee injury to manningham would you start laurent robinson over manningham?

Thanks JP.

Nerd CommentedNov 13, 2011 11:00 am

Yes - I'd start Robinson over the suddenly-injured Manningham. I think it's the safer play.

JACKASS PENGUIN CommentedNov 13, 2011 11:00 am

Who would you play?

TE - olson or winslow

QB - hasselbeck or alex smith

Thanks, JP