Week 10 Start'em/Sit'em
This is the Fantasy Football Nerd's look at the best and worst matchups for Week 10 of the 2020 NFL season. Analysis is aggregated from multiple sources including FFN. FFN rankings are based upon PPR (point per reception) scoring. Given the known conditions, these matchups are the ones to watch and/or avoid.
Please Note: 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 Christian McCaffrey, Travis Kelce, or Michael Thomas. Instead, we take 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.
Start 'em Jared Goff (LAR, QB)Patrick Mahomes or Matt Ryan on bye? Jared Goff may be one of the better options to stream this week facing a Seahawks defense that is giving up the 2nd-most fantasy points to the position. Nobody is giving up more yards through the air than Seattle, and considering that QBs have averaged 29 fantasy points, Goff is definitely startable.
Start 'em Justin Herbert (LAC, QB)Think back to just a few months ago. Would you have imagined Justin Herbert being inside the Top 10 fantasy quarterbacks...on the season? Crazy right? That's the world we live in, and Herbert has looked great even in difficult matchups. Miami's defense is good, but they can be scored upon. Kyler Murray just did it last week to the tune of almost 38 fantasy points.
Start 'em Aaron Rodgers (GB, QB)With no new additions to his receiving corp, Aaron Rodgers was supposed to be washed up. The industry had all but written him off, but Mr. Rodgers comes into Week 10 as the 5th-best fantasy QB averaging 23 points each week. We expect that to continue against Jacksonville who is giving up the 3rd-most fantasy points to quarterbacks this year including 24 points to Deshaun Watson last week and 38 points to Justin Herbert the week before.
Start 'em Mike Davis (CAR, RB)With Christian McCaffrey expected to miss Week 10 with a shoulder injury, fantasy owners can feel confident plugging Mike Davis back into their lineups. Even against a tough defense like Tampa Bay's, Davis should turn in RB1-type numbers. When McCaffrey and Davis played against the Bucs back in Week 2, both put up double-digit PPR production (CMC - 25 pts, Davis - 15 pts). Another 20-point day can easily be in the cards.
Start 'em Antonio Gibson (WAS, RB)Nobody gives up more fantasy points to running backs than Detroit, so while Gibson hasn't exactly lit up the fantasy world this season, he is a great start against the Lions who are fresh off a 39-point trouncing by Dalvin Cook last week.
Start 'em Leonard Fournette (TB, RB)The Bucs backfield is a tough one to predict, but given the fact that Fournette has largely outplayed Ronald Jones for three weeks in a row, it's not terribly surprising to see him ahead of RoJo in this week's rankings. When he last saw Carolina in Week 2, it was Fournette who put up nearly 28 fantasy points and RoJo with just 10.
Start 'em Brandin Cooks (HOU, WR)The matchup is fantastic. The Browns are giving up the 5th-most fantasy points to wide receivers this year, and Brandin Cooks has been getting the kind of volume that fantasy owners look for (almost 10 targets per game over the last four).
Start 'em Jarvis Landry (CLE, WR)With no Odell Beckham Jr, Jarvis Landry was the most targeted Browns receiver with 11 targets. The Texans give up the 6th-most fantasy points to receivers and there's little doubt that Landry will continue to lead the team in targets. Coming into this week's rankings at #25, he's a high-end WR3/Flex option for Week 10.
Start 'em Jerry Jeudy (DEN, WR)Assuming Jerry Jeudy plays (he missed practice on Wednesday with a shoulder issue), look for him to remain Drew Lock's primary receiver. After a breakout game last week (7-125-1), Jeudy has an opportunity to post double-digit production against a Raiders secondary that was torched by Keenan Allen last week for 25 points and 23 points a piece to both Chris Godwin and Scotty Miller in Week 7.
Start 'em Travis Fulgham (PHI, WR)With such chaos among the Eagles receivers, it has been Travis Fulgham who has emerged as one of the top options for Carson Wentz. He put up double-digit production when he faced the Giants just three weeks ago and he's only gotten better since then. New York hasn't given up a ton of fantasy points, but they have allowed 265 yards through the air each week (8th-most).
Start 'em TJ Hockenson (DET, TE)While wide receivers have struggled mightily against Washington, tight ends have found room to score. Evan Engram put up almost 16 points last week, and Gerald Everett, Mark Andrews, and Dallas Goedert have put up double-digit production. Look for TJ Hockenson to continue producing for fantasy owners against a Washington team giving up the 6th-most fantasy points to his position.
Start 'em Eric Ebron (PIT, TE)While his 3 catches for 23 yards wasn't impressive, the trip to the endzone last week made Eric Ebron fantasy owners happy. Another trip to the endzone could be in the cards for Ebron against a Cincy team that has given up 6 touchdowns to tight ends and the 2nd-most fantasy points to them after 9 weeks.
Start 'em Green Bay Packers (GB, DEF)If you're streaming defenses (and you should be if you aren't), the Packers are available in almost 50% of all major league platforms. They'll get rookie Jake Luton starting in his very first road game. While he looked good against the Texans last week, Green Bay presents more of a challenge through the air.
Start 'em Daniel Carlson (LV, K)Surrendering the 5th-most fantasy points to kickers, look for Daniel Carlson to flirt with double-digit fantasy points. Four of the last five kickers have put up at least 10 fantasy points against Denver.
Sit 'em Cam Newton (NE, QB)Cam Newton is not finished in fantasy. He bounced back nicely last week against the Jets putting up 24.5 fantasy points, but the Ravens are not the Jets and their defense is going to make Cam struggle. Three quarterbacks have been held to just single digits. You'll have more opportunities to plug Cam into your lineup - just not this week.
Sit 'em Kirk Cousins (MIN, QB)A streamable option as of late, Kirk Cousins comes into this week's rankings at #25 putting him out of reach in even Superflex leagues. The Vikings have a tremendous run game with Dalvin Cook as evidenced by the fact that Cousins has averaged just 25 throws since Cook returned to the team. A matchup with division-rival Chicago isn't likely to change his fortunes as the Bears surrender the 2nd-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks on the year.
Sit 'em Derek Carr (LV, QB)Derek Carr has not been asked to put the team on his shoulders. In fact, he's averaged just 23.5 throws and 138.5 yards over the last two games. The ground game should once again lead the Raiders to victory on Sunday against the Broncos.
Sit 'em Jerick McKinnon (SF, RB)The Niners backfield has been like a Vegas table game. Roll the dice and gamble on who will emerge with the better fantasy day. Jerick McKinnon is the current hot hand once again, but the Saints are no slouches against the run giving up the 3rd-fewest fantasy points to the position.
Sit 'em Kenyan Drake (ARI, RB)Kenyan Drake returned to practice this week, and while he's currently labeled "day to day", there's an opportunity that he suits up for this one. If he does, he'll need to share the workload with Chase Edmonds who wasn't spectactular last week when taking over the starting role. The combo of a bum ankle and an Edmonds-timeshare makes Drake a risky fantasy option.
Sit 'em David Johnson (HOU, RB)After suffering a concussion last week against the Jaguars, David Johnson remains questionable pending clearance. Should he suit up, he'll face a Browns defense that hasn't allowed a rusher to get more than 20 fantasy points this year, and he'll likely share a few more carries with Duke Johnson who did manage to find the endzone in his absence last week.
UPDATE: David Johnson has been declared INACTIVE for Week 10.
Sit 'em Marquise Brown (BAL, WR)Lamar Jackson hasn't lived up to preseason expectations, and neither has Marquise Brown. Over his last three games, he's averaged just 2.6 receptions on 4.3 targets. It's tough to put up numbers when you're simply not involved. Right now, "Hollywood" Brown looks more like "Inglewood" Brown. He's no more than a WR4. Leave him on your bench.
Sit 'em Antonio Brown (TB, WR)Even though Tom Brady had one of his worst games ever last week, Antonio Brown still saw 5 targets and managed to haul in 3 of them. Visions of the 2013-1018 Steelers-version of Brown is just not warranted here. There's too much talent on this team, so you'll need to lower your expectations - especially in Week 10 against a Panthers defense surrendering the 6th-fewest fantasy points.
Sit 'em Marvin Jones (DET, WR)Without Kenny Golladay, Jones had a decent game last week against the Vikings. He may struggle quite a bit in this one with or without Golladay on the field. Only one other team has given up fewer fantasy points than Washington this year to wide receivers. In fact, only DeAndre Hopkins has managed to haul in 20 fantasy points with the vast majority relegated to just single digits.
Sit 'em Tyler Higbee (LAR, TE)While wide receivers have been able to almost score at will, tight ends have struggled against the Seahawks. Other than Minnesota's Irv Smith (10.4 pts in Week 5), tight ends have been kept to single digit production. Worse still - Higbee is averaging just 3 targets and just 2.5 receptions per game this season. No thanks...
Sit 'em Jared Cook (NO, TE)Ranked 13th this week on FFN, Cook will face a Niners defense surrendering the 5th-fewest fantasy points to tight ends. Only Mike Gesicki (14.1 points in Week 5) has been able to hit double-digit PPR production against this defense.
Sit 'em San Francisco 49ers (SF, DEF)After a poor showing last week, we don't expect a bounce-back game for the San Francisco D this week - not against the Saints. New Orleans gives up the 3rd-fewest fantasy points and 3rd-fewest total yards allowed to opposing DSTs.
Sit 'em Nick Folk (NE, K)Nobody gives up fewer fantasy points to kickers than the Ravens. We fully expect Baltimore to make things difficult for the Patriots on Sunday night, and if the Pats can't get into field goal range, Folk can't put up any numbers.
Join the Discussion
If asking a sit/start question, be sure to provide your scoring format and contribute to answering questions from other FN members as well.
tramz18 CommentedNov 12, 2020 2:03 pm
Here's my question. I have Montgomery who is questionable, I also have J.Kelley,Ballage and Akers and Nall.
Montgomery doesn't play until monday should i use one of the above or should i just wait and see if Montgomery is active and play him and if he's not go with Nall? Which would you use. It's PPR
Nerd CommentedNov 12, 2020 2:09 pm
As long as you're comfortable with the risk (he hasn't cleared concussion protocol yet), Montgomery should still have enough volume to make him an RB2.
Nerd CommentedNov 14, 2020 6:40 pm
Montgomery ruled out today. I might try giving Ballage a shot.
tramz18 CommentedNov 12, 2020 2:43 pm
Thanks,well honestly he hasn't provided much this year,but LAC backfield is a crap shoot at this point,your probably right,go with Mont. because of the volume.
TheBoan CommentedNov 13, 2020 6:59 pm
.5 ppr
Dobbins
Hooper
Hollywood Brown
also have Monty but im not waiting on him
Nerd CommentedNov 14, 2020 11:24 am
Dobbins for me
mrock CommentedNov 14, 2020 6:11 pm
Dobbins
TheBoan CommentedNov 13, 2020 7:03 pm
but shitter Nagy is not calling the plays soooo i kinda like that lol
drcharlie CommentedNov 14, 2020 4:37 pm
Henry
mrock CommentedNov 14, 2020 6:11 pm
Henry
Foosballer CommentedNov 14, 2020 5:43 pm
Even with Goff’s potential this week, is it worth benching Lamar Jackson?
mrock CommentedNov 14, 2020 6:12 pm
still go with Jackson
Nerd CommentedNov 14, 2020 6:22 pm
Yeah, I think you still have to go with Jackson. He hasn't been the same guy from last year, but we know what he's capable of.
T-Jugg CommentedNov 14, 2020 8:13 pm
Standard scoring, Duke or Bernard? Same question, PPR scoring.
T-Jugg CommentedNov 14, 2020 9:44 pm
Even with tough match-up, Gio's volume in standard scoring seems better than McKissic. Just my opinion (even though you weren't asking me).
jamisdiablo CommentedNov 15, 2020 9:20 am
Hey nerd! Sunday game day and the masters?!?! Yes please! Ok, please rank these flex options for me if you don’t mind... standard league: JJefferson, DParker, DChark, CEdmonds, DSwift. Thanks and may the fantasy gods be ever in your favor!
hoop2311 CommentedNov 15, 2020 9:48 am
with the terrible weather in cleveland, PPR Fuller or John Brown?
Nerd CommentedNov 15, 2020 10:25 am
Fuller
Nerd CommentedNov 15, 2020 10:27 am
Great question - Boyd has more consistency = safer place. Evans just doesn't get the targets. Hopefully AB being there helps, but we didn't see that last week.
Dr. Strangelove CommentedNov 15, 2020 10:54 am
Hey Joe- Fell from 2nd place to 5th last week. Poor Thursday night showing with AJ Brown. Need to win with 2 QB format. Brady, Mayfield, Burrows, Carr. Can I trust Brady? I feel Burrows is right to upset the Steelers. Thanks
Nerd CommentedNov 15, 2020 11:32 am
I think you still need to play Brady. Last week was a career-worst for him. I would not expect back-to-backs like that - too many weapons there. Burrow remains a strong start as well. Great superflex combo there.
T-Jugg CommentedNov 15, 2020 11:09 am
This one's a toss-up, and I have it in both a standard and PPR league: Gio or Duke?
Also, need 2 of these 3 in PPR FLEX: Gibson, Fournette, and Chark (bad weather). Really enjoying the site. Thanks for the help.
Nerd CommentedNov 15, 2020 11:33 am
I like Duke with David Johnson out.
For the flex, I like Chark and Gibson there. Good luck!
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