What’s going on everyone, and welcome back to another “Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em” post here at Razzball. Today I’ll be dissecting some great Week 10 matchups, and some not-so-great matchups.
Let’s get to it!
*Note* – My Week 10 Rankings can be found here, and be sure to check out Rudy’s projections for this week here!
*Note* – I won’t be including the “studs” in any of my “Start” columns. You should always start Aaron Rodgers, Todd Gurley, or Antonio Brown!
Quarterbacks
Start ‘Em
Carson Wentz (vs. DAL)
In his last game against Dallas, he only put up close to 18 fantasy points and over the past 4 weeks, Dallas has only allowed about 19 fantasy points per game to opppsing QB’s. However, I really like Wentz this week due to the fact that he’s been playing really well as of late, he’ll be getting an additional weapon in Golden Tate, and on the year, the Cowboys still rank 26th in pass defense DVOA.
Philip Rivers (@ OAK)
In the past 3 games against the Raiders, our boy Philly Rivers has averaged close to 25 fantasy points per game. In the past 4 weeks, the Raiders have given up close to 25 fantasy points a game to opposing QB’s, and rank 32nd in run defense DVOA. It’s an absolute dream matchup for Rivers, our only problem being that it could turn into a one-sided blowout, meaning Melvin Gordon would be the main benefactor of this matchup. Even then, we still can’t bench Rivers.
Mitchell Trubisky (vs. DET)
It’s a way better matchup at home this week against Detroit than it was last week on the road in Buffalo. Against Detroit in the past 4 weeks, who still rank 30th in pass defense DVOA, opposing QB’s have completed close to 78% of their passes, and have thrown for more than 9.0 yards per attempt. He’s at home in a prime spot.
Sit ‘Em
Jared Goff (vs. SEA)
I don’t think he’s going to be a total bust this week at home, but I just wouldn’t expect for him to smash it like he’s been doing these past few games. He’s only averaged close to 18 fantasy points per game against the Seahawks in his past 3 games, and Seattle still has only allowed 18 fantasy points per game to opposing QB’s in the past four weeks. Like earlier this season when these teams first met, I would expect this to be a Gurley game. If you’ve got better options, I’d look elsewhere than Goff.
Matthew Stafford (@ CHI)
It was a week to forget against the Vikings last Sunday, as Stafford, in his first game without Golden Tate, only scored 5 fantasy points. It might not get any easier against the Chicago Bears this week, especially with the expected return of Khalil Mack. This Lions O-Line is an absolute mess, and I don’t think you can start him this week.
Running Backs
Start ‘Em
David Johnson (@ KC)
I’m hoping that now after their Week 9 bye under new OC Byron Leftwich, the Cardinals should be get their stagnant offense and David Johnson running all full steam. It’s a good matchup this week for DJ, as he’ll face off against a Kansas City defense that over the past 4 weeks, have allowed close to 5.0 yards per carry and a TD per game to opposing RB’s.
Aaron Jones (vs. MIA)
While he had a really costly fumble last week against New England but he looked good for the rest of the game with close to 17 total touches. It’s a beatable matchup for Jones this week against Miami, as the Dolphins have given up close to 28 fantasy points a game to opposing RB’s over the past 4 weeks. If you’ve got Jones, use him.
Mike Davis (@ LAR)
If Chris Carson is out, which it’s looking like he will be, Davis is a very viable start as they’ve given up close to 26 fantasy points a game to opposing RB’s over the past 4 weeks. Seattle has been very run-heavy these past couple of games, and Davis has looked good as a result of it. He’s not a back RB2/flex play this week.
Sit ‘Em
Kerryon Johnson (@ CHI)
While it was great that he finished with 15 total touches and 56% of snaps, I don’t have too much confidence in Johnson this week as he’ll be facing a tough matchup on the road in Chicago. The Bears will be getting Khalil Mack back on this D-Line, and on the season, rank 2nd in rush defense DVOA. Theo Riddick will also be back, capping some of his upside due to volume. I don’t think Johnson is a must-start this week.
Derrick Henry (vs. NE)
With only 8 touches on 20% of the snaps, it’s clear that Dion Lewis has taken over this backfield in Tennessee. Henry has become very TD dependent, so unless you haven’t already cut him, he can’t be trusted in any lineup.
Corey Clement (vs. DAL)
Not only is it a bad thing that he’s averaged fewer than 10 touches per game in the last 3 weeks, it’s a bad matchup against Dallas, a defensive unit that ranks 4th in run defense DVOA. Clement shouldn’t be in starting lineups.
Wide Receivers
Start ‘Em
Tyler Boyd (vs. NO)
With A.J. Green out this week, Boyd’s target share should skyrocket. It’s as good of a matchup as any, as the Saints have given up an astounding 55 fantasy points per game to opposing WR’s over the past 4 weeks, ranking 29th in pass defense DVOA on the year. Boyd should be Dalton’s #1 target, and is a great WR2/flex option this week.
Josh Gordon (@ TEN)
Gordon absolutely exploded last week against the packers on Sunday night, hauling in 10 targets for 5/130/1. It’s clear that he’s gaining the trust of Brady and this offense as the weeks go by, and we should be ready to reap the rewards in fantasy. He’ll likely get matched up against ex-Patriot Malcolm Butler, who has been absolutely struggling in recent weeks. It’s another great matchup to get Gordon in those fantasy lineups.
Sterling Shepard (@ SF)
In last year’s matchup against the 49ers, Shepard hauled in 11 catches for 142 total yards. While this Giants offense hasn’t looked great at times, this is still a good matchup for the young receiver, as he should avoid Richard Sherman on Monday night. If you’ve got him, start him.
Sit ‘Em
Jordy Nelson (vs. LAC)
While he did do okay against them earlier in the year, putting up 43 yards and a TD on 4 catches, he hasn’t been getting enough targets to be reliable in fantasy. It’s a tough matchup against this Chargers secondary, so I wouldn’t expect for Nelson’s production to get any better this Sunday.
Corey Davis (vs. NE)
While he did get 10 targets last week against Dallas, Davis only has 1 TD on the year, and isn’t worth trusting this week against the Patriots. He’ll likely get to face off against Stephon Gilmore, who has been playing really well so far, so his struggles will likely continue.
Doug Baldwin (@ LAR)
Unfortunately for Baldwin, the Rams own real-estate inside of his head. In his past three games against them, he’s averaged close to 4 fantasy points per game. It’s not going to get any easier for him on the road in L.A., even if the Seahawks have to throw it a lot.
Tight Ends
Start ‘Em
Trey Burton (vs. DET)
Burton did come through last week at the end, as he scored a TD, but what’s worrisome about last Sunday was the fact that he only got 3 targets. Well, the good news is, he’s likely to get featured a whole lot more at home against the Lions, who rank 30th in DVOA vs. TE’s. It’s a great matchup, and Burton should be a solid TE1 this week.
Austin Hooper (@ CLE)
Like Burton, it’s disappointing that Hooper only managed to haul in 3 targets last week. However, it’s a great matchup this week for him, as they give up a great 16.5 fantasy points per game to TE’s in the past 4 weeks. Lock and load.
Sit ‘Em
Evan Engram (@ SF)
This 49ers defense has been quite stingy to opposing TE’s, giving up just 9 fantasy points per game to the position. What’s even worse is that Engram has been super quiet, with OBJ, Saquon, and Shepard getting most of the attention in this offense. I don’t feel good about him being in lineups.
Jared Cook (vs. LAC)
Cook has now scored six fantasy points or fewer in 3 out of his past 4 games. In Week 5 against the Chargers, L.A. held Cook to four catches for 20 yards. He’ll probably repeat this production tomorrow afternoon.
Kickers and D/ST
Start ‘Em
Robbie Gould (vs. NYG)
Gould has score at least 10 fantasy points in two of his past four games. Also, the Giants have lead the NFL with the most fantasy points allowed to opposing kickers this season. Lock and load!
Los Angeles Chargers (@ OAK)
They’re playing the Raiders, who can’t seem to get the ball moving downfield. It could be a bloodbath on Sunday.
Sit ‘Em
Matt Prater (@ CHI)
It’s destined to be some pretty bad kicking weather on Sunday in Chicago, and Prater has even been struggling indoors. You can’t trust him in lineups.
Seattle Seahawks (@ LAR)
While the Seahawks defense might not be the worst unit in the world, they struggled in their previous matchups with the Rams this season, and should struggle once more on Sunday.
Alright guys, that is all my time for today. Good luck to everyone in Week 6, and I’ll be back on Wednesday for my Week 11 Rankings! As always, if you have a question or comment, don’t hesitate to leave one below!
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