Week 10 - Players to Start and Sit
This is the Fantasy Nerd's look at the best and worst matchups for Week 10 of the 2023 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 Justin Jefferson, Patrick Mahomes, or Christian McCaffrey. 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 (DET, QB)Right now, the Chargers are giving up the most passing yards per game making Jared Goff a nice QB1 option for Week 10 - especially after two straight disappointing games. LA also gives up the third most fantasy points per game to opposing QBs.
Start 'em C.J. Stroud (HOU, QB)C.J. Stroud has been a nice fantasy surprise ranking as the 7th-best fantasy QB after nine weeks. Fresh off a record 470 yard, 5-touchdown performance last week, Stroud should keep the momentum going, but the Bengals defense will likely present a decent challenge. Still, we'd keep the rookie penciled into lineups.
Start 'em Kenneth Walker (SEA, RB)Kenneth Walker has averaged just 5 points over his last two games, but single digits are not unreasonable when facing Baltimore and Cleveland. He should bounce back nicely here against the Commanders who rank in the middle against the run and just gave up 22.9 fantasy points to Rhamondre Stevenson last week.
Start 'em Najee Harris (PIT, RB)Najee Harris has just as many games with single digit outcomes as he does double digits. He also saw an uptick in carries last week after seeing just seven the week prior. We're locking Najee in as a solid RB2 against a Packers run defense that flirts with the Top 10 in most fantasy points allowed.
Start 'em Deebo Samuel (SF, WR)It appears that Deebo Samuel will return this week as he's been able to practice. Deebo was able to start the season out strong, but injuries have cost him time and forced fantasy managers to look elsewhere for points. Hopefully he'll suit up and return to the field in this one as Jacksonville can be thrown against. They've consistently given up multiple double-digit games to opposing teams' top two wideouts.
Start 'em Calvin Ridley (JAC, WR)Like Najee above, Calvin Ridley has just as many double-digit days as he has single digits. He's been a great example of a boom or bust type player. We're hoping for a boom against the Niners who will be fresh off a bye and giving up the 3rd-most fantasy points.
Start 'em Trey McBride (ARI, TE)The wild card here is going to be Kyler Murray who we're expecting back this week. If he can lean on Trey McBride in his return to action, McBride could be in for a nice fantasy day. The Falcons have been very generous to tight ends this season. With four teams on bye, McBride could be a solid addition to your lineup.
Start 'em Dallas Cowboys (DAL, DEF)Daniel Jones is out for the season and the Giants are down to Tommy DeVito. The Cowboys are going to eat him alive. Expect pressure all game and plenty of fantasy points...for Dallas.
Start 'em Brandon Aubrey (DAL, K)Staying with the Dallas theme, Brandon Aubrey belongs in every lineup that you can get him. He has yet to miss a field goal this year and is facing a Giants defense that will struggle to keep up.
Sit 'em Jordan Love (GB, QB)There's not much fantasy love for the Packers QB right now. After a nice start to the season with three straight 20+ point games, Jordan Love has failed to crack the 20 point margin since. Now he gets the Steelers who have kept Lamar Jackson, Matthew Stafford, and Trevor Lawrence to 14 points or less.
Sit 'em Deshaun Watson (CLE, QB)After a decent return to the game last week, Deshaun Watson faces a much more difficult task in Week 10 against the Ravens. While Watson's shoulder appeared to be just fine, we can't dismiss his matchup. Nobody gives up fewer points to QBs than Baltimore making Watson a sit for us.
Sit 'em Tyler Allgeier (ATL, RB)It's difficult to fully understand what's going on in Atlanta - particularly with the RB position. Bijan Robinson is barely getting used and Tyler Allgeier has seen double digit carries in four of his last five games. It's obvious that it will remain a timeshare for the moment which means that Allgeier could still be considered a flex option against a very forgiving Arizona defense...but not much more than that.
Sit 'em AJ Dillon (GB, RB)With Aaron Jones back in the lineup, AJ Dillon's carries have been reduced to single digits as have his fantasy points. In fact, the only time it appears that Dillon could deliver double digits is when Jones was hurt. As long as Aaron Jones is in the game, AJ Dillon should be on your bench.
Sit 'em Tank Dell (HOU, WR)This guy is so dynamic with three big games this season. Unfortunately, he's not able to consistently deliver those games with plenty of quiet weeks in between. The Bengals could keep him quiet this week as they're allowing the fourth-fewest catches and fifth-fewest touchdowns to wide receivers on the season.
Sit 'em Christian Watson (GB, WR)It's no stretch to say that Christian Watson has been a disappointment for fantasy managers. He's had one trip to the endzone all year and is averaging just 7.8 points per game. He's also dealing with check and back issues putting his effectiveness into question. Even in a plus matchup, Watson is a risky fantasy play.
Sit 'em Jonnu Smith (ATL, TE)There has been a lot of buzz around Jonnu Smith as of late. His 100-yard game last week delivered a whopping 21 fantasy points, but most of that came off of a single 60-yard touchdown - not a feat that's easily repeatable. He's sharing duties with Kyle Pitts and faces an Arizona defense that has given up the 3rd-fewest fantasy points.
Sit 'em Jacksonville Jaguars (JAC, DEF)The Jacksonville defense has been pretty decent all year, but a matchup with the Niners means streaming someone else. Nobody gives up fewer fantasy points to opposing defense / special teams than San Francisco.
Sit 'em Chris Boswell (PIT, K)Chris Boswell has five straight games of single digits and we expect that trend to continue this week. Green Bay ranks near the top in fewest field goal attempts allowed on the season.
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.
jamisdiablo CommentedNov 9, 2023 9:20 am
PPR league... sitting lamar and flowers this week for purdy and deebo (just picked up Purdy) since I also have CLE defense and can't being myself to sit them and I KNOW Lamar's going to turn it over... if Deebo's IN that's a fine change of pace yes? (Will also help me when BAL is on a BYE in week 13...) thanks!
Ed Chan CommentedNov 9, 2023 3:18 pm
Pretty good strategy! My only concern is whether Deebo will be on a limited touch count since it's his first game back in a month. If he's got no limitations, then I can see Purdy to Deebo a really good combo. I got Deebo too, so I'm hoping he's a full go!
Nerd CommentedNov 9, 2023 7:26 pm
Agreeing with Ed Chan
mrock CommentedNov 11, 2023 1:20 pm
I would start Lamar and Deebo if you can. Still keeping CLE defense though.
Hinzie22 CommentedNov 11, 2023 11:21 am
Would you start Tank Dell or Jaylen Warren? .5ppr. Thanks!
Nerd CommentedNov 11, 2023 11:23 am
Tank Dell - good luck!
Ed Chan CommentedNov 11, 2023 1:16 pm
Tank as well.
mrock CommentedNov 11, 2023 1:20 pm
Tank
Nerd CommentedNov 11, 2023 12:43 pm
Crazy that it's a legitimate comparison, but it is. Still, I would go with Lamar. Good luck!
mrock CommentedNov 11, 2023 1:20 pm
Lamar
Nerd CommentedNov 11, 2023 2:09 pm
Purdy
Ruthie CommentedNov 11, 2023 1:21 pm
Replacement for Tua on bye...Trevor Lawrence, Joshua Dobbs, Geno Smith, or Taylor Heinicke (non-ppr 4 PTD/6 RTD)?
Thanks!
mrock CommentedNov 12, 2023 8:48 am
Geno
jamisdiablo CommentedNov 12, 2023 9:23 am
dobbs
Thomas Fortsch CommentedNov 11, 2023 1:32 pm
I’d go Geno Smith. No Sweat or Chase on Washington D Line anymore so Geno will have time to throw. I’m also calling 2 tds for Lockett !
mrock CommentedNov 12, 2023 8:49 am
Sam Howell
jamisdiablo CommentedNov 12, 2023 9:23 am
murray
mrock CommentedNov 12, 2023 8:49 am
Reed
jamisdiablo CommentedNov 12, 2023 9:23 am
redx
mrock CommentedNov 12, 2023 8:49 am
Ford
jamisdiablo CommentedNov 12, 2023 9:23 am
jsn
Ed Chan CommentedNov 11, 2023 9:30 pm
I'd actually lean toward McBride, should get some looks from Kyler, more so than Brown if Robert Woods is back for the Texans.
mrock CommentedNov 12, 2023 8:49 am
McBride
Ed Chan CommentedNov 11, 2023 9:28 pm
Michael Thomas or Noah Brown? Half PPR. Doubs and Reynolds are available on the waiver wire. With Mahomes on a bye, I have Goff playing this week. Any possible magic between Goff to Reynolds?
mrock CommentedNov 12, 2023 8:51 am
Thomas assuming that he plays. If not, Noah Brown -> Doubs -> Reynolds
Robsta CommentedNov 12, 2023 5:38 am
1/2 PT PPR - 2 questions below:
WR - Ridley or D Johnson?
FLEX Spot: Ridley, D Johnson or Javonte Williams? Thanks
mrock CommentedNov 12, 2023 8:53 am
WR - Dionate Johnson
Flex - Williams
Ed Chan CommentedNov 12, 2023 12:00 pm
Montgomery for me.
Gswain24 CommentedNov 15, 2023 8:00 pm
Dionte Johnson
Adam Thielen or
Noah Brown for week 11??
Recent News & Advice
