The pressure of the impending Fantasy Football postseason may really be getting to some owners, as I am seeing and receiving a lot of questions where people overanalyze the matchups. Many Fantasy players tend to overthink decisions and weigh matchups too heavily in their decisions. But it’s an old Fantasy experts axiom that you do not sit your superstars, especially at key points of the season. Several people asked me if they should sit Russell Wilson in Fantasy Football Week 10 in favor of Philip Rivers last night. I responded with emphatic “nos.” Rivers has been disappointing and unreliable this season, and his Thursday night numbers were more of the same (207 passing yards, two TDs, three INTS). Meanwhile, Wilson is looking like he is nearly matchup proof.
You don’t sit your best players simply based on matchups. That’s overthinking it. Matchups should only be used to govern decisions between similarly valued or ranked players. Elite Fantasy producers become that way by posting quality numbers against all types of opposition. The defense doesn’t always win the matchup, either. Those of you who actually thought about sitting Lamar Jackson last week against New England already had it confirmed that you don’t bench your best guys based on a matchup. No lineup decision is foolproof, but you have to always rely on your best players to produce well more often than not.
Fantasy Football Week 10 Start ‘Em
Running Backs
David Montgomery vs. DET: The rookie has finally started to come on strong as hoped over the past two games, and the Bears have no choice but to ride him more. Hoping Mitchell Trubisky can lead the offense is like expecting The Rock to pass on a script. Montgomery has a terrific matchup against the Lions, who allow the most Fantasy Points Per Game to RBs.
Tevin Coleman vs. SEA: Expect a rebound performance on Monday Night Football in a major NFC West matchup. Seattle’s defense is vulnerable in all areas and they have allowed nine-rushing scores to RBs, third-most in the NFL. Jeffrey Wilson is a minor threat to steal goal-line carries, but Coleman remains a frequent scoring option and can also get into the end zone as a receiver. Plus, he is a threat to rip off a sizable run at any time. The Niners will lean heavily on Coleman and their RBs to help them control the clock and keep Wilson off the field as much as possible in Fantasy Football Week 10.
J.D. McKissic vs. CHI: This is the desperation play if your RB picture is looking bleak because of bye weeks and injuries. McKissic, who caught a 26-yard TD pass last week, is the best fit for the Detroit offense among all of their remaining RBs. The Lions are a pass-heavy team now and McKissic is a former college wide receiver who is more of a receiving back than anything else. The Bears have allowed the third-most receiving yards to RBs among NFC teams.
Wide Receivers
Jamison Crowder vs. NYG: When the Jets have a good matchup, you can count on Crowder to deliver the statistical goods. The Giants allow the second-most FFPG to WRs and Crowder will be riding the momentum of an eight-catch performance against Miami last week. He is the one guy in the Jets offense who has been rising above expectations at times this season. Lock him in for Fantasy Football Week 10.
Zach Pascal vs. MIA: There should be no more doubts about giving this guy strong starting consideration while T.Y. Hilton is out. Pascal has certainly proved he is capable of being a quality WR1 for the Colts if needed to step into that role. Plus, the Dolphins have allowed an NFL-high 14 TDs to WRs.
Ted Ginn Jr. vs. ATL: As with McKissic, we offer you a desperation play at WR for Fantasy Football Week 10. Even at age 34, Ginn is still capable of making some big plays, as he has catches of 27 or more yards in five of seven games this season. We all know about exploiting Atlanta, which allows the third-most FFPG to WRs.
Tight Ends
Cameron Brate vs. ARI: It has become legend about how bad the Cardinals are at defending the TE. There is some buzz about an O.J. Howard resurrection this week. But I actually feel safer going with Brate, who has two TD catches, which is two more than Howard.
Jacob Hollister vs. SF: This is a special for you George Kittle owners in Fantasy Football Week 10. Kittle could be a game-time decision for Monday night. If you have to wait until then to know for sure about Kittle, you can keep Hollister as your last-minute pivot. He will continue to be an option near the goal line for Wilson and he is not the worst TE2 play in the world.
Quarterbacks
Kyler Murray vs. TB: He performed pretty well last week against San Francisco and the Buccaneers allow the third-most FFPG to QBs.
Jameis Winston vs. ARI: He has thrown for 300-plus yards and at least two TDs in five of his past six games. Winston gets a Week 10 Fantasy Football matchup with the team that allows the most FFPG to QBs. Hinting to stack this game in DFS.
For help getting ready for NFL Week 10, check out our Waiver Wire Recommendations and FAAB Guide.
Sit ‘Em
Running Backs
Kenyan Drake vs. TB: He surprised the 49ers defense with an explosive performance last week, but David Johnson is back for Arizona and Tampa Bay gives up most of its yardage in the passing game while looking sturdy against the run.
Joe Mixon vs. BAL: if you are not being affected by injuries and byes in Fantasy Football Week 10, reserve Mixon if you can. He was starting to look better before the Bengals bye, but it’s been mostly a very disappointing season for him and the Ravens defense is rounding into prime form.
Kalen Ballage vs. MIA: Only use him if you are super desperate. He is averaging two yards per carry and has not rushed for 20 yards in a game yet. Ballage could quickly flop as a starter in Fantasy Football Week 10 and give way to rookies Patrick Laird and/or Myles Gaskin.
Wide Receivers
Josh Gordon vs. SF: Yes, some of you will be tempted. But midseason team switches often hinder WRs and it will be his first game with his new team against a very strong pass defense.
Marquise Brown vs. CIN: This one may surprise you, but the Bengals can be eaten up on the ground so much that they have only allowed an AFC-low 85 catches to WRs. Baltimore is not going to need big plays from their unreliable rookie WR to roll past Cincinnati. You likely have better options in Fantasy Football Week 10.
Danny Amendola vs. CHI: Although he had two eight-catch games recently, Amendola is the third option in the Detroit passing game and Chicago is second-best in the NFC in allowing FFPG to WRs.
Quarterbacks
Kirk Cousins vs. DAL: He is always a candidate to drop a stinker on you even when coming off a good outing. I’m expecting a dud against the Cowboys, who are second-best in the NFC in allowing FFPG to QBs.
Jared Goff vs. PIT: I am expecting a lower-scoring game between the Steelers and Rams in Fantasy Football Week 10. The Pittsburgh defense has really been boosted by the addition of Minkah Fitzpatrick. Brandin Cooks being out also takes away a significant threat to the defense.
Note: Once again, there are no outright benching recommendations at TE. If you have a top guy, you are starting him, and the position is further thinned out with the injury to Evan Engram. Many owners are scrambling to find a decent streamer at TE in Fantasy Football Week 10.
Got a question for Scott about Fantasy Football Week 10? Let him know in the comments below.
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