Fantasy Football Week 10 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em

After nine wild weeks of fantasy football, making the right lineup decisions is as important as ever. Whether you’re fighting for a playoff spot or trying to fend off your league’s last place punishment, consider starting and sitting these players for the best chance to top your opponent this week.

NOTE: All point values mentioned in this article are in ESPN’s Standard PPR scoring

Start ‘Em

Jaxson Dart, QB, New York Giants vs. Chicago Bears

Since taking over as New York’s starting quarterback, Dart has been a great fantasy option. The rookie has scored 20 or more points in three of his six starts, narrowly missing the mark twice with 19.84 in Week 4 and 19.42 in Week 8. 

This week, he faces a Chicago defense that has been terrible against the pass, allowing 237.6 passing yards per game (25th in the NFL) and 20 passing touchdowns (30th in the NFL).

Last week, Joe Flacco had plenty of success against the Bears’ defense, scoring 30.7 points. Expect Dart to have similar success, scoring at least 20 points for the fourth time in his career while locked into your lineup.

Rashid Shaheed, WR, Seattle Seahawks vs. Arizona Cardinals 

As expected, Shaheed was moved before the trade deadline, getting shipped from the Saints to the Seahawks.

While landing on a new team with under a week to learn the playbook may frighten Shaheed owners, this could actually help him score points this week. Seattle acquired him for his speed and downfield ability, so the team could let him run plenty of verticals on Sunday while he learns the rest of the offense.

Shaheed also has a decent matchup, facing Arizona’s defense that ranks 18th in fantasy points allowed to wide receivers. Start him and reap the rewards of his big play ability.

Cade Otton, TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New England Patriots 

Baker Mayfield began the season with plenty of mouths to feed, but injuries have absolutely ravaged Tampa Bay’s offense. The Bucs are without Mike Evans (collarbone) for the foreseeable future, and Bucky Irving (shoulder/foot) and Chris Godwin (fibula) both missed practice Wednesday and Thursday and seem in line to miss this week’s contest against the Patriots.

Behind standout rookie receiver Emeka Egbuka, Otton is now Mayfield’s second-best option in the passing game. The tight end also has a favorable matchup in Week 10, going up against a New England defense ranking 23rd in fantasy points allowed to the position.

With Otton climbing the totem pole, he’s in line for more targets and can be played with confidence.

Sit ‘Em

Kimani Vidal, RB, Los Angeles Chargers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Prior to Week 9, Vidal had filled in for injured starter Omarion Hampton quite nicely, rushing for over 100 yards twice in three contests while scoring once through the air and on the ground. 

However, he struggled last week, turning 12 attempts into 30 yards. This week could be similar to last, as Los Angeles faces a Steelers defense that’s limited star running backs Josh Jacobs to 33 yards and Jonathan Taylor to 45 yards in back-to-back weeks. 

Also, star left tackle Joe Alt will miss the rest of the season with an ankle injury, and the Chargers struggle to run the ball without him. It’s best to look for other options and avoid Vidal this week. 

T.J. Hockenson, TE, Minnesota Vikings vs. Baltimore Ravens

One of the popular picks among tight ends on draft day, Hockenson has not lived up to expectations, scoring double-digit fantasy points only twice all season. 

J.J. McCarthy is back at quarterback for the Vikings after dealing with an ankle injury, but in the three games McCarthy has started, Hockenson has only six catches on 10 targets for 38 yards and a touchdown. 

Until McCarthy proves he’ll look Hockenson’s way more often, leave him on your bench.  

Daniel Jones, QB, Indianapolis Colts vs. Atlanta Falcons

After an offseason move to Indianapolis and a blazing hot start, Jones seemed like a brand new player and was dubbed “Indiana Jones.” 

Unfortunately, Jones reverted back to “Danny Dimes” in Pittsburgh last week, playing more like he did during his time with the New York Giants. Against a Steelers defense that seemed helpless heading into Week 9, Jones threw three interceptions and fumbled twice. 

This week, Jones faces an even tougher defense, as Atlanta allows the sixth-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks. He also travels overseas to play in the NFL’s first ever regular-season game in Berlin, which usually results in lower-scoring games. 

Sit Jones this week.