Week 10 Start'em/Sit'em

Wednesday, Nov 10, 2021 at 9:12 pm ET

This is the Fantasy Nerd's look at the best and worst matchups for Week 10 of the 2021 NFL season. Analysis is aggregated from multiple sources including FN. 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 Alvin Kamara, Travis Kelce, or Davante Adams. 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 Carson Wentz (IND, QB)
You may not have noticed, but Carson Wentz has quietly been putting together a Top 10 fantasy season. He should finish Week 10 in the same range. The Jaguars are not the easiest matchup, but Geno Smith racked up 22 points against them in Week 8. Wentz could be a fringe-QB1 this week.

11th Most Pts to QB

Start 'em Derek Carr (LV, QB)
The matchup is great for Derek Carr, and while the Chiefs haven't exactly lit up the fantasy world as of late, there's plenty of optimism for this Sunday night game. Kansas City is giving up the 3rd most fantasy points, and we're expecting a bounce-back game from Carr.

3rd Most Pts to QB

Start 'em Jalen Hurts (PHI, QB)
On paper, this is not a good matchup, but what Hurts may not be able to do through the air, he can do on the ground. He's averaging 71 rushing yards per game this season including five trips to the endzone. His ability to remain a dual-threat is what keeps him in the QB1 discussion.

3rd Fewest Pts to QB

Start 'em James Conner (ARI, RB)
With Chase Edmonds atop the depth chart, James Conner has become the 11th best fantasy RB. With Chase Edmonds sidelined, his workload and opportunities should go up, and in theory, his production should get a bump as well. Even in a tough matchup, he should have a heavy enough workload to be a high-end RB2 this week.

5th Fewest Pts to RB

Start 'em Devin Singletary (BUF, RB)
With Zach Moss missing practice due to a concussion, there's an opportunity for Devin Singletary to see an increased workload. He's already more involved in the pass game than Moss (13 catches over the past three games). With four teams on bye, Singletary could be a low-end RB2 or solid flex play for you this week particularly if Moss misses the game.

Most pts to RB

Start 'em Cordarrelle Patterson (ATL, RB)
With half the season in the books, did you know that Cordarrelle Patterson is the 7th-best fantasy running back? He's a legitimate rushing and receiving threat, and the Falcons have used him to the fullest extent. Fantasy managers have as well. Keep him locked into your lineup even against a tough defense.

11th Fewest Pts to RB

Start 'em Mike Williams (LAC, WR)
Mike Williams had such a strong start to the season, but regression was bound to set in as 1.2 touchdowns per game was simply not sustainable. The Vikings are giving up the 6th-most fantasy points to wide receivers so the matchup here is great. Even better - the top two opposing receivers have largely done well against them (Rashod Bateman/Marquise Brown, CeeDee Lamb/Amari Cooper, D.J. Moore/Robby Anderson). This should be a get-right game for Williams. If you're cautious or feeling burned by his last three games, he makes a really solid WR3/Flex play.

6th Most Pts to WR

Start 'em Hunter Renfrow (LV, WR)
Renfrow may not put up big numbers every week, but his targets keep him in Flex consideration against the Chiefs. He's averaging 7.5 targets and has found the endzone three times so far this season. He's not going to light the world on fire, but he's a safe flex play with four teams on bye this week.

8th Fewest Pts to WR

Start 'em Jaylen Waddle (MIA, WR)
This is not a great matchup on paper, but there's no denying that Jaylen Waddle is a major part of this offense. He has averaged almost 11 targets over the last four games, and with DeVante Parker now on IR, Waddle should continue to see his involvement in the offense solidify. He's ranked 23rd this week making him a low-end WR2.

10th Fewest Pts to WR

Start 'em Noah Fant (DEN, TE)
Assuming that Noah Fant is cleared from the COVID list, this is a fantastic matchup. Nobody gives up more points to tight ends this season than the Eagles. Fant is ranked inside our Top 10 this week and should be able to find the endzone in this one.

Most pts to TE

Start 'em Pat Freiermuth (PIT, TE)
With 20 targets, 16 receptions, 145 yards, and 3 touchdowns over his last three games, there's no denying that Pat Freiermuth is a potent weapon for the Steelers right now. The Eagles gave up 13 points to Dallas Goedert last week so double-digit production is certainly within reach here.

11th Fewest Pts to TE

Start 'em Indianapolis Colts (IND, DEF)
What a great matchup for a Colts team that has finally found its rhythm. Jacksonville is giving up the 3rd-most fantasy points to opposing defenses, so expect a ton of pressure on Trevor Lawrence in this one.

4th Most Pts to DEF

Start 'em Tyler Bass (BUF, K)
Nobody gives up more fantasy points to kickers this season than the Jets, and Tyler Bass has been phenomenal. He's our top-ranked kicker this week, so keep him locked into your lineups.

Most pts to K

Sit 'em Baker Mayfield (CLE, QB)
Ranked 20th this week on Fantasy Nerds is Baker Mayfield playing a New England secondary that has largely kept opposing signal callers to minimum production (2nd-fewest in the league). Sam Darnold was shredded last week and Justin Herbert was kept to just 13 points the week prior. For the Browns to win this, they'll need to do it on the ground.

2nd Fewest Pts to QB

Sit 'em Sam Darnold (CAR, QB)
Few NFL quarterbacks have had the kind of rough weeks that Sam Darnold has. At this point, he's simply become unstartable and that is unfortunate. With Christian McCaffrey back and dynamic receivers like D.J. Moore and Robby Anderson at his disposal, Darnold should be poised for solid production, but that didn't happen. Over his last five games, Darnold has averaged just 7.4 fantasy points per game. A brutal matchup with Arizona this week isn't likely to significantly increase that.

6th Fewest Pts to QB

Sit 'em Aaron Rodgers (GB, QB)
If you have Aaron Rodgers on your team, you're still going to start him, but we'll urge a modicum of caution here. Assuming that he's cleared to play by Saturday, we're either going to see him play at a high level like he does when he has a chip on his shoulder, or he'll struggle against a Seattle defense that has only allowed one player to surpass 20 fantasy points this year (Cousins in Week 3). Stafford, Roethlisberger, Lawrence, Tannehill, and Wentz have averaged just 14.5 fantasy points. It depends upon which Aaron Rodgers shows up. If he doesn't light the Seahawks up, it's not unreasonable to see Rodgers finish this one as a QB2.

13th Fewest Pts to QB

Sit 'em Clyde Edwards-Helaire (KC, RB)
The Chiefs designated Clyde Edwards-Helaire to return from injured reserve this week, and CEH was seen on the practice field today. That's good news and he has a chance at returning to action soon. That doesn't mean that we should rush to insert him into our lineups though. The Chiefs are likely to slowly bring him back into the fold so workload will be a question mark. Until that's answered, we'd keep CEH on the bench.

10th Most Pts to RB

Sit 'em Adrian Peterson (TEN, RB)
There were some positives to Adrian Peterson's return to the NFL. He had 10 carries and found the endzone in his first game with the Titans. The sobering part is that he averaged just 2.1 yards per carry and walked away with 9 fantasy points. This week, Peterson, McNichols, and Foreman will face a Saints defense giving up the 4th-fewest fantasy points to running backs this year. Unless he can double his yards per carry, get more than the one target he saw last week, and find the endzone, it's tough to project anything but single digits for All Day.

4th Fewest Pts to RB

Sit 'em Alex Collins (SEA, RB)
All eyes are on Chris Carson who returned to practice this week after missing the last four games with a neck injury. Right now things are trending in the right direction for him, and if he suits up on Sunday, the fantasy value of Alex Collins takes a serious hit. Even if Carson doesn't play, Collins' struggles will likely continue. He's averaged just five fantasy points the last two games, and the Packers have largely held non-elite running backs in check. Collins could be droppable in all but the deepest of leagues.

14th Fewest Pts to RB

Sit 'em T.Y. Hilton (IND, WR)
The Colts veteran receiver missed last week due to a concussion and has played in just two games this year. While he's expected back against the Jaguars on Sunday, he's no longer the elite talent that he once was. Michael Pittman has surpassed him as the best option on the team, and Hilton's become too fragile to comfortably start.

7th Most Pts to WR

Sit 'em Donovan Peoples-Jones (CLE, WR)
With Odell Beckham held out of last week's game, it was Donovan Peoples-Jones who took over as the deep threat for the Browns. He scored on a beautiful 60-yard touchdown and compliments Jarvis Landry quite well. Unfortunately, the Browns are a run-first team and deep passes are few and far between. Combine that with a tough matchup against the Patriots and his ability to contribute to your team is hindered.

11th Fewest Pts to WR

Sit 'em Julio Jones (TEN, WR)
It was good to see Julio return to action, but he hasn't topped five targets since Week 2. He has also managed to put up double-digit points just once this year. With poor play and consistent injury concerns, it's tough to recommend Jones as anything more than a flex option - even in a plus matchup.

4th Most Pts to WR

Sit 'em Tyler Higbee (LAR, TE)
Higbee managed to put up 10 points last week - only the second time all season that he's been able to deliver double-digit production. He'll need season-high targets in order to match that total against a Niners defense giving up the 9th-fewest fantasy points. The game script in this one is not likely going to require the Rams to throw as much as they did last week.

9th Fewest Pts to TE

Sit 'em Austin Hooper (CLE, TE)
Over his last six games, Austin Hooper is averaging 1.6 catches per game. With Odell Beckham out of the picture, plenty of analysts thought his targets would rise...but they didn't. He was targeted just twice. Hooper is still splitting duties with David Njoku and just hasn't been an integral part of this offense. That's not likely to suddenly change.

Feweset Pts to TE

Sit 'em New York Jets (NYJ, DEF)
The Jets defense has been fairly decent this year, but a matchup with Josh Allen and the high-scoring Bills is not the time to leave the Jets in your lineup. Nobody gives up fewer fantasy points than Buffalo.

Feweset Pts to DEF

Sit 'em Jason Myers (SEA, K)
The Packers give up the 2nd-fewest fantasy points to kickers on the season, and Myers has yet to score double-digits this year. There are much better streaming options for kickers in Week 10.

2nd Fewest Pts to K

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.

RogueRaider CommentedNov 11, 2021 11:56 am

Tannehill over Rodgers? Who has the best chance for some high upside,need the W this week.

Nerd CommentedNov 11, 2021 2:04 pm

I would start Rodgers
Good luck!

jamisdiablo CommentedNov 12, 2021 10:47 am

Rodgers

drcharlie CommentedNov 13, 2021 2:04 pm

Rodgers

tramz18 CommentedNov 11, 2021 1:32 pm

I need a flex- full PPR....Slim picking's here.....do i go Bateman/ B. Scott/
A.Collins.....Leary of Bateman with Watkins coming back but who do you like ?

Nerd CommentedNov 11, 2021 2:05 pm

Yep - but I would still start Bateman
Good luck!

OldGeezer CommentedNov 11, 2021 6:49 pm

Might need an emergency flex play in half ppr. Already have Patterson and Fournette at RB, AJ Brown and DK Metcalf at WR. Chubb and C Godwin are questionable. I can pickup M Davis, M Calloway, E Moore, or D Arnold. Thoughts

Nerd CommentedNov 11, 2021 6:51 pm

It sounds crazy to say this, but Dan Arnold is a viable option in half-pt scoring. If you can't do it, then I also like Elijah Moore out of that bunch.

Good luck!

jamisdiablo CommentedNov 12, 2021 10:48 am

Moore, Calloway, Arnold, Davis... esp if its a full PPR league.

drcharlie CommentedNov 13, 2021 2:04 pm

Moore or Arnold

T-Jugg CommentedNov 12, 2021 3:13 pm

3rd QB in superflex league: should I stick with Trey Lance or drop him for Newton? (Can only roster 3 QBs)

drcharlie CommentedNov 13, 2021 2:03 pm

I would

Nerd CommentedNov 13, 2021 3:43 pm

Me too

Nerd CommentedNov 14, 2021 11:51 am

Uh - I assume we're both talking about picking up Newton...