Not every bold prediction is going to hit. However, the last two weeks have been efficient if my picks were plugged into your lineups. In Week 8, James Conner (RB19), Cedric Tillman (WR3), and Bo Nix (QB2) were all worth starting, the latter two likely deciding your matchups. Last week, Xavier Legette (WR28), Justin Herbert (QB12), and Mike Gesicki (TE1) all put up respectable numbers, as well. With four teams on bye, I’m determined to keep the success going with my Week 10 bold prediction picks. As always, these players aren’t always considered “set-and-forget” starters, but I believe can swing your matchup if you need a boost.
Week 10 Bold Predictions for the 2024 Fantasy Football Season
Matthew Stafford, QB, Los Angeles Rams
Bold Prediction: 270 passing yards, 3 touchdowns
22.8 fantasy points
A lot of bold predictions are with the intention of targeting advantageous matchups. At face value, the Miami Dolphins don’t look like an advantageous matchup for opposing quarterbacks. They’re allowing just 12.0 fantasy points per game to the position. That ranks 30th amongst all teams. However, context is needed here.
The Dolphins defense has faced Trevor Lawrence, Josh Allen (twice), Geno Smith, Will Levis/Mason Rudolph, Jacoby Brissett, Anthony Richardson, and Kyler Murray this season. It’s not a strong group. Josh Allen stands out, but in their first matchup, James Cook ran wild early on for the Bills, established a lead, then held it, especially after Tua Tagovailoa exited with a concussion. Over the last two weeks, both Kyler Murray and Josh Allen have scored 22.0 or more fantasy points against the Dolphins’ defense.
My Week 10 bold prediction for Matthew Stafford is a third-straight 22.0 or more points performance for a quarterback against the Dolphins defense. Stafford has just one game of 20.0 or more points this season. That’s Week 8 (25.8 points) against the Minnesota Vikings. It’s no coincidence that both Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua returned from their respective injuries that week.
Stafford will have his full complement of weapons in Week 10 at home against the Dolphins. Miami is extremely susceptible to the run, but I don’t think the Rams will shy away from their strong and healthy pass attack. They rank eighth in the league in pass attempts (34.6) per game. Stafford himself also ranks seventh in red zone pass attempts (41) this season. Stafford has an extremely safe floor in this matchup. My Week 10 bold prediction for him is closer to his ceiling.
Tyler Allgeier, RB, Atlanta Falcons
Bold Prediction: 10 carries, 75 rushing yards, 1 touchdown
13.5 fantasy points
The running back position is a fantasy goldmine this season. It’s hard to find a player at the position that you’re not already starting. In a week with four teams on bye, you may need to throw a dart at a running back that can hopefully get you double-digit fantasy points. While it may be wiser to find one who catches passes, my Week 10 bold prediction is an investment into the Falcons’ run game.
Only 10 players with 70 or more carries this season are averaging 5.0 or more yards per carry. Tyler Allgeier is one of them. The Falcons have the only backfield with two players with 17+ red zone rush attempts this season. More specifically, while Bijan Robinson has 10 attempts inside the 10-yard line this season, Allgeier is on his tail with nine of his own.
As far as “backup running backs” go, Allgeier has weekly flex appeal in the right matchup. Week 10 is the right matchup against the New Orleans Saints. They’re entering the week on a seven-game losing streak with an interim head coach. Their offense will be without Chris Olave and lacks playmakers beyond him. With this in mind, the Falcons could dominate the time of possession and emphasize the run with a lead.
The Saints are also an advantageous matchup for opposing running backs. They’re allowing over 5.0 yards per carry and have allowed the eighth-most rushing yards to the position. They’ve also given up 10 rushing touchdowns in nine games this season. Allgeier needs more work than usual to hit on this Week 10 bold prediction, but it’s a good matchup to see an increase in carries.
Amari Cooper, WR, Buffalo Bills
Bold Prediction: 7 receptions, 100 receiving yards, 1 touchdown
23.0 fantasy points
There are likely some managers with reservations about starting Amari Cooper in Week 10. After logging just one catch in Week 8 and missing Week 9 completely with a wrist injury, it’s understandable. Cooper practiced in a limited capacity all week last week and was ultimately inactive. Heading into Week 10, he’s been limited again. A full practice on Friday would provide confidence in him being out there.
If Cooper is playing, my Week 10 bold prediction is a Bills breakout performance for him. It looks like rookie Keon Coleman will miss this matchup with a wrist injury of his own. He hasn’t practiced at all this week. Cooper should get plenty of opportunities lined up outside against an Indianapolis Colts defense that’s failed to contain such players. Just last week, Justin Jefferson caught seven passes for 137 yards. His longest catch went for 41 yards. The week prior, Stefon Diggs caught five passes for 81 yards with his longest catch going for 49 yards.
The Colts defense as a whole is one of nine defenses that’s allowed over 1,400 receiving yards to wide receivers in their first nine games. Indianapolis is allowing 383.6 total yards of offense per game. That ranks fourth in the league. In the event Buffalo jumps out to a big lead in Week 10, Cooper will likely have to produce early to hit this Week 10 bold prediction. Don’t let his lack of playing time and production since getting traded to Buffalo deter you from plugging him into your Week 10 lineup if you’re looking for a wide receiver with upside.
Make sure to check out all of our Week 10 Fantasy Football Rankings and Analysis!