As mid-November approaches, every week from here on out is a big week in fantasy football leagues. Whether you're jockeying for a first-round bye or simply fighting for a playoff berth, every matchup feels like a must-win. Injuries, byes, tough matchups, and frustrating usage can throw a wrench into your plans and force you to rely on waiver wire pickups or bench sleepers, and that makes start 'em, sit 'em decisions all the more difficult. Week 10 is no different, which is why we're here with lineup advice and DFS tips to help you through the week.
Keep in mind that four more teams — the Chiefs, Falcons, Cowboys and Jets — all have byes. That means players such as Patrick Mahomes, Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce, Julio Jones and Ezekiel Elliott, among others, won’t be available for your lineups. Combine that with all the injury/illness worries -- Ben Roethlisberger, Baker Mayfield, Matthew Stafford, Chris Carson, Miles Sanders, Joe Mixon, Nick Chubb, Raheem Mostert, Christian McCaffrey, Kenyan Drake, Devonta Freeman, Kenny Golladay, Deebo Samuel, Allen Lazard, David Montgomery, Justin Jackson, David Johnson, Damien Harris, Matt Breida, and more -- and you have a week where more than a few fantasy owners are shorthanded.
Let's get into which players you should stick with, which you should considering benching, and which you should pick up as possible replacements.
WEEK 10 FANTASY: Sleepers | Busts
Fantasy Football Week 10 Who To Start: Quarterbacks
Regular starts
Aaron Rodgers, Packers (vs. JAX), Russell Wilson, Seahawks (at LAR), Kyler Murray, Cardinals (vs. BUF), Deshaun Watson, Texans (at CLE), Josh Allen, Bills (at ARI)
Stronger starts
Lamar Jackson, Ravens (at NE). The Patriots struggled with former Raven Joe Flacco, giving up big plays in the passing game while also wilting against the run. That should help lift Jackson out of a slump back into a QB1.
Drew Brees, Saints (vs. SF). Brees should go to work on the injury-riddled 49ers pass defense like Aaron Rodgers did.
Jared Goff, Rams (vs. SEA). Goff should throw for a high volume opposite Russell Wilson, and the Seahawks cannot cover his wide receivers anywhere on the field.
Justin Herbert, Chargers (at MIA). This is a bit tricky against a Dolphins defense that can be nasty at home, but Herbert keeps putting up numbers with his aggressive play.
Tom Brady, Buccaneers (at CAR). They should have strong running on their side this week to make Brady more comfortable with play-action shots to his talented receivers.
Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers (vs. CIN). Check to make sure Roethlisberger (COVID) is cleared to play, but he’s a good bet for 250 yards and two touchdowns as the floor again.
DFS bargains
Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins (vs. LAC, $5,600 on DraftKings, $6,800 on FanDuel). The Chargers’ secondary is pretty vulnerable right now everywhere, and their pass rush isn’t the same of late. Tagovailoa will have another solid day in his second home start.
Baker Mayfield, Browns (vs HOU, $6,000 on DraftKings, $7,000 on FanDuel). Check to make sure Mayfield (COVID) is cleared to play, but he should be chucking often in a good matchup opposite Deshaun Watson coming off a bye.
Deep streamers
Derek Carr, Raiders (vs. DEN), Drew Lock, Broncos (at LV), Nick Foles, Bears (vs. MIN)
WEEK 10 PPR RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
Fantasy Football Week 10 Who To Sit: Quarterbacks
Weaker starts
Joe Burrow, Bengals (at PIT). The numbers say the Steelers’ pass defense is having issues, but they will be motivated to play better at home to bury Burrow behind his shaky line. Minkah Fitzpatrick can also cause problems with his inside coverage.
Carson Wentz, Eagles (vs. NYG). He can probably grind to a passable day, but the Giants can limit the damage.
Kirk Cousins, Vikings (at CHI). They should stick with a run-heavy game plan, and this matchup isn’t very favorable anywhere for big passing production.
Ryan Tannehill, Titans (vs IND). The Colts contained Lamar Jackson’s passing and athleticism last week, and Tannehill is in for another underwhelming night.
Teddy Bridgewater, Panthers (vs. TB). The Bucs’ blitzing will be more effective against Bridgewater, who is quieted after surprising in Kansas City.
Matthew Stafford, Lions (vs. WAS). We’ll see if Stafford (concussion) goes, but you can do much better anyway assuming he has no Kenny Golladay (hip) again.
Deep traps
Cam Newton, Patriots (vs. BAL), Jake Luton, Jaguars (at GB), Daniel Jones, Giants (vs. PHI)
WEEK 10 STANDARD RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
Fantasy Football Week 10 Who To Start: Running backs
Regular starts
Alvin Kamara, Saints (vs. SF), Dalvin Cook, Vikings (vs. CHI), Aaron Jones, Packers (vs. JAX), Derrick Henry, Titans (vs. IND), James Robinson, JAX (at GB), James Conner, Steelers (vs. CIN), Miles Sanders, Eagles (if he returns, at NYG), Josh Jacobs, Raiders (vs. DEN), Nick Chubb (if he returns) and Kareem Hunt, Browns (vs. HOU), Chase Edmonds and/or Kenyan Drake, Cardinals (vs. BUF), Giovani Benard, Bengals (at PIT)
Stronger starts
Antonio Gibson, Washington (at DET). He has a terrific matchup, and even the sudden split with J.D. McKissic doesn’t hurt much because of his TD potential. McKissic can be considered in deep PPR formats.
D’Andre Swift, Lions (vs. WAS). By the numbers, Washington isn’t bad against the run, but his volume is starting to go back up and he can get it done as a receiver and scorer even with limited rushing yardage.
Zack Moss and Devin Singletary, Bills (at ARI). The Bills should want to run a little more this week, and Moss is secure anyway because of key catches and red-zone scoring chances. Singletary is more of a consideration for PPR.
Mark Ingram and JK Dobbins, Ravens (at NE). The Patriots’ run defense is reeling, and the Ravens should be relentless to get the ball into the hands Mark Ingram in his first game back and their young breakout back.
Phillip Lindsay, Broncos (at LV). The backfield touches have become more committee-like, as Lindsay has been the better, more explosive runner than Melvin Gordon. He should excel in this excellent matchup.
Wayne Gallman, Giants (vs. PHI). He’s hard to trust for big yardage, but he’s seeing the ball near the goal line enough to think he can sneak away with 50 yards and a score with Devonta Freeman (ankle) out.
DFS bargains
Duke Johnson Jr., Texans (at CLE, $5,000 on DraftKings, $5,800 on FanDuel). There’s a good chance David Johnson misses the game with a concussion, setting up a nice high-volume revenge game for Duke.
Leonard Fournette, Buccaneers (at CAR, $5,500 on DraftKings, $6,400 on FanDuel). It’s hard to believe anymore in Ronald Jones, but Fournette, who was a force in the first matchup against the Panthers, could rumble to another big day with a boost from receiving production.
WEEK 10 DFS CASH LINEUPS: DraftKings | FanDuel
Fantasy Football Week 10 Who To Sit: Running backs
Weaker starts
Mike Davis, Panthers (vs. TB). He’s been supersub for Christian McCaffrey (shoulder) before, but the Bucs will probably swarm against the run again and can also contain him as a receiver.
Jerick McKinnon, 49ers (at NO). It’s hard to trust him or JaMycal Hasty, as it’s pretty much become a TD-dependent backfield, and the Saints are tough up front.
Melvin Gordon, Broncos (at LV). Phillip Lindsay is the Denver back of choice to deploy now even in a very good spot against the Raiders.
All Rams (vs. SEA). They could mix it up after the bye between their three backs, so avoid if you can, as the Seahawks are much better vs. the run than pass.
All Chargers (vs. MIA). They are getting so random in making sure they don’t have to play much of Joshua Kelley. Even with Justin Jackson (knee) also hurting, it’s hard to feel good vibes about the Kalen Ballage revenge-game narrative.
All Patriots (vs. BAL). Damien Harris is dealing with a chest issue, and Rex Burkhead and James White complicate things, too. The matchup isn’t great enough to take a flier on any.
All Dolphins (vs. LAC). Salvon Ahmed and Jordan Howard didn’t do much damage on the Cardinals, even with the latter scoring. The Chargers have become much weaker through the air than on the ground.
WEEK 10 DFS TOURNAMENT LINEUPS: DraftKings | FanDuel
Fantasy Football Week 10 Who To Start: Wide receivers
Regular starts
Davante Adams, Packers (vs. JAX), DeAndre Hopkins, Cardinals (vs. BUF), Michael Thomas, Saints (vs. SF), DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, Seahawks (at LAR). Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, Buccaneers (at CAR), Allen Robinson, Bears (vs. MIN), A.J. Brown, Titans (vs. IND), D.J. Moore and Robby Anderson, Panthers (vs. TB), Stefon Diggs, Bills (at ARI), Keenan Allen, Chargers (vs. MIA), Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson, Vikings (at CHI), Terry McLaurin, Washington (at DET), Will Fuller, Texans (at CLE), Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp, Rams (vs. SEA), Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers (at NO), Tyler Boyd, Bengals (at PIT), Travis Fulgham, Eagles (at NYG), D.J. Chark, Jaguars (at GB)
Stronger starts
JuJu Smith-Schuster and Diontae Johnson, Steelers (at CIN). They should stay busy for Big Ben, as they have found a rhythm getting the ball to al three wideouts and tight end Eric Ebron. They can’t solely trust the running game, as evidenced last week.
DeVante Parker, Dolphins (vs. LAC). The Chargers’ secondary was elite last season. That’s not the case this season. Parker is also warming up to Tua and Preston Williams (leg) is dinged up.
Mike Williams, Chargers (at MIA). This Williams can play the role of Christian Kirk making big plays away from Keenan Allen.
Christian Kirk, Cardinals (vs. BUF). This Kirk can keep playing himself, as he can get open to stretch the field with Tre’Davious White or a double-team on DeAndre Hopkins.
Marquise Brown, Ravens (at NE). Hollywood is overdue for a successful long-shot TD, and it comes this week.
Jarvis Landry and Rashard Higgins, Browns (vs. HOU). They should be busy helping Baker Mayfield trying to counter what Deshaun Watson does with Will Fuller and others.
Darnell Mooney, Bears (vs. MIN). The Vikings struggle most with speed receivers, so he’s the best bet to deliver with Allen Robinson.
Antonio Brown, Buccaneers (at CAR). He is getting more volume than expected immediately from Tom Brady, and it should pay off with a score in a rebound game.
Curtis Samuel, Panthers (vs. TB). He could go back to cooling off, but it’s more likely he keeps cutting into Robby Anderson's and D.J. Moore's production.
Nelson Agholor, Raiders (vs. DEN). All the former Eagle does is fly around and make big plays that Henry Ruggs III was supposed to make for Derek Carr.
DFS Bargains
Brandin Cooks, Texans (at CLE, $5,600 on DraftKings, $6,300 on FanDuel). He’s cooking with gas since unleashed with Deshaun Watson, and the Browns have no answers.
Chase Claypool, Steelers (vs. PIT, $5,800 on DraftKings, $6,100 on FanDuel). They should move him around well inside and outside to get him into the end zone along with a 6-for-60 type line.
Jerry Jeudy, Broncos (at LV, $5,600 on DraftKings, $5,800 on FanDuel). We’re not chasing points here. Jeudy is getting hot because of Drew Lock, and he'll stay productive working inside against this secondary.
WEEK 10 FANTASY: Top pickups | FAAB budget planner | Buy-low, sell-high
Fantasy Football Week 10 Who To Sit: Wide receivers
Weaker starts
Marvin Jones, Lions (vs. WAS). Washington stymied the Giants’ wideouts last week, and no Kenny Golladay (hip) drawing attention hurts him here.
A.J. Green and Tee Higgins, Bengals (at PIT). The Steelers will contain what they do outside around Tyler Boyd because of pressure up front.
Darius Slayton and Sterling Shepard, Giants (vs. PHI). The Eagles will be better equipped to pressure Daniel Jones and handle these receivers downfield.
Emmanuel Sanders, Saints (vs. SF). They are getting versatile throwing the ball around, so don’t buy into him having a particularly notable “revenge” game.
Corey Davis, Titans (vs. IND). He was blanked last week, and the matchup is just as tough this week.
Cole Beasley, Bills (at ARI). The Cardinals have been weak in the slot, but Josh Allen will keep looking aggressively deep outside.
All Colts (at TEN). T.Y. Hilton, Michael Pittman Jr. and Zach Pascal are so blah to play with low ceilings.
Jakobi Meyers, Patriots (vs. BAL). He gets cooled off against a much tougher secondary than the Jets.
MORE WEEK 10 DFS: Best stacks | Best values | Lineup Builder
Fantasy Football Week 10 Who To Start: Tight ends
Regular starts
Darren Waller, Raiders (vs. DEN), T.J. Hockenson, Lions (vs. WAS), Rob Gronkowski, Buccaneers (at CAR), Mark Andrews, Ravens (at NE), Evan Engram, Giants (vs. PHI), Dallas Goedert, Eagles (at NYG)
Stronger starts
Noah Fant, Broncos (at LV). Fant will have this position to himself with Albert O (knee) down for the season, and he should get revved up against the Raiders, who should have given up a bigger game to the Chargers’ tight ends.
Eric Ebron, Steelers (vs. CIN). He keeps getting love all over the field and scored on a fun play last week. It doesn't hurt that the Bengals struggle against the position.
Hunter Henry, Chargers (at MIA). He nearly scored multiple times on the Raiders, and he'll hit paydirt here.
Jordan Reed, 49ers (at NO). He should be healthier to become a key target for Nick Mullens, and the Saints don’t cover the position well.
Jimmy Graham, Bears (vs. MIN). He is red hot now, and the Vikings can struggle covering tight ends as much as wide receivers.
Robert Tonyan, Packers (vs. JAX). He keeps splitting work with others, but he should have a big scoring play against a bad tight end defense.
DFS Bargain
Austin Hooper, Browns ($3,900 on DraftKings, $5,000 on FanDuel). Hooper will return from his appendicitis and be busy right away in a good matchup helping Jarvis Landry and Rashard Higgins without OBJ.
Fantasy Football Week 10 Who To Sit: Tight ends
Weaker starts
Jared Cook, Saints (vs. SF). The 49ers are nasty against the position, and it was a rough game against the Buccaneers for him.
Jonnu Smith, Titans (vs. IND). He scored last week but did little else working with Anthony Firkser, and the Colts cover the position better than anyone in the league.
Logan Thomas, Washington (at DET). The QB change to Alex Smith changes the pecking order of the receivers, and it doesn’t favor Thomas.
All Texans (at CLE). A Darren Fells and Jordan Akins committee isn’t helpful to anyone.
All Rams (vs. SEA). Gerald Everett or Tyler Higbee? This is more like a Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp game.
All Colts (at TEN). Trey Burton or Mo Alie-Cox? Roll the dice and you’ll likely get craps.
Fantasy Football Week 10 Who To Start: Defenses
Stronger starts
Steelers (vs. CIN), Ravens (at NE), Bears (vs. MIN), Eagles (vs. NYG), Packers (vs. JAX), Saints (vs. SF), Giants (vs. PHI), Dolphins (vs. LAC), Buccaneers (at CAR)
DFS Bargain
Lions (vs. WAS, $2,600 on DraftKings, $3,900 on FanDuel). The Lions need to have a strong defensive outing at home, and getting the suddenly turnover-prone Alex Smith behind a shaky line helps if they can get a lead.
Fantasy Football Week 10 Who To Sit: Defenses
Weaker starts
Rams (vs. SEA), Washington (at DET), Vikings (at CHI), Cardinals (vs. BUF), Bills (at ARI), Patriots (vs. BAL), Raiders (vs. DEN), Browns (vs. HOU)
