Fantasy Football Likes/Dislikes: Week 10
In an effort to aid you in your lineup-setting endeavors, I’ll be providing a weekly glimpse into my rankings; meaning, I’ll be highlighting players I like or dislike more compared to the expert consensus rankings as listed on FantasyPros.com or who I simply like or dislike for that given week. My ranking at the time of the writing will be alongside the player’s name. Needless to say, that ranking will likely change as the week progresses. Bear in mind that I start this writing earlier in the week, so Expert Consensus Rankings will likely be different by the time of publication. These cannot be held against me – only used for credit.
While I do acknowledge that kickers are people too, neither they nor D/STs will be included. Finally, these cannot be held against me – only used to give credit when credit is due.
As always, feel free to reach me on Twitter for any queries before the slate and I’ll try to get back to you.
*Note that half PPR scoring applies.
Week 10 Likes
LAR vs. SEA – QB9
The recipe for Goff’s success is clear as day going into Week 10. He just had a week off, is playing at home and faces the worst fantasy pass defense in the league. I’d be willing to wager on him achieving back-to-back 300-yard games for the eighth time in his career. As it stands, the Rams are two-point favorites in what many anticipate to be a high-scoring, highly-contested NFC West battle. Goff is a shoo-in for my Top 10 quarterbacks.
TB @ CAR – QB11
Tom Brady is coming off one of the worst – and perhaps THE worst – performances of his 21-year career, so you know he’ll be playing with some extra gumption. The matchup with the Panthers isn’t the most conducive to success from a fantasy standpoint. They have, however, surrendered the seventh-most passing yards in 2020. This is an important divisional contest for the Buccaneers and Brady needs a rebound in a bad way.
CLE vs. HOU – RB6
Admittedly, this ranking will likely lower between now and Sunday. I’m not usually a proponent of starting a player who is coming off an extended break. Chubb suffered an MCL sprain Week 4 but is seemingly primed to return to the gridiron in Week 10.
It’s a timely return, too, as the Texans rank among the worst in the league in rush defense. In fact, they’ve allowed the most rushing yards and second-most rushing touchdowns to date. Chubb is risky, but I’m taking the risk.
HOU @ CLE – RB14
The Week 10 slate provides us with a few sneaky revenge narratives – Johnson versus the Cleveland Browns is one of them. Johnson is expected to be the featured running back with David Johnson in the concussion protocol.
The University of Miami’s all-time leading rusher has deserved more playing time since he was drafted. It’s time for this peacock to fly. There’s easily an avenue for Johnson to post RB1 numbers considering the 20-touch upside, scrumptious matchup, and former-team narrative. Sign me up all day long.
WAS @ DET – WR8
It’s awe-inspiring how successful McLaurin has been as a rookie and a sophomore given the lack of quality quarterback play with which he’s been surrounded. Alex Smith threw for an impressive 325 yards on Sunday after taking over for Kyle Allen. He did throw three interceptions and take two sacks, however. Even so, McLaurin remains a weekly start and I’m plugging him into my Top 10 fantasy wide receivers.
DEN @ LVR – WR26
The Alabama product has finally come into his own, averaging 5.5 catches and 99 yards over his last two games. He scored for just the second time as a rookie last week on what was an impressive route. If the volume and production steady then Jeudy may propel himself into WR2 territory before we know it.
PHI @ NYG – TE3
Goedert wasn’t ready for a full complement of snaps upon his return last week. He may not be in Week 10 either, but he should be more involved. The Giants are exploitable from any position on any given Sunday (or Thursday or Monday). I anticipate the offerings of Goedert, Travis Fulgham and Jalen Reagor to be more than agreeable.
MIA vs. LAC – TE12
Could this be Tua’s breakout performance? I wouldn’t be surprised if that came to fruition. The Chargers defense has left us wanting for the betterment of 2020. Gesicki has been a disappointment, for the most part, this year. It’s time for a rebound. He’s a fringe TE1 in my eyes. And you know what? I’m predicting a touchdown from the athletic specimen. It doesn’t hurt his chances that Preston Williams was just placed on Injured Reserve.
Week 10 Dislikes
NE vs. BAL – QB22
Newton’s saving grace is obviously his rushing ability. He’s on pace to run for 17 touchdowns. Past the halfway point of his Patriot campaign, he has only two passing touchdowns to his name. TWO! Compared to seven interceptions. The Ravens defense is a little more susceptible than we want to believe. They have only allowed 10 passing touchdowns through eight games, though. Even with byes, there are plenty of better options than Newton.
MIN @ CHI – Outside Top 25
It’s time for the up-and-down Cousins to come back down to earth. He’s coming off a three-touchdown outing and has led the Vikings to their first winning streak of the season. Realistically, however, he has not played well in tough matchups, especially not on the road.
That’s exactly what’s in front of him in Week 10 as he and the Vikings face the Bears in the Windy City. Chicago boasts the toughest fantasy pass defense in 2020, giving up 17.5 fantasy points per game to the position. The Vikings may be riding a two-game winning streak, but Cousins is riding the pine on my bench.
DET vs. WAS – RB46
This is one revenge game I’m not interested in unless we’re looking at the other sideline in the form of J.D. McKissic (former Lion). While Peterson is seeing more playing time than he should be, this matchup doesn’t bode well for Detroit’s running game.
Washington brings an underrated defense and Peterson hasn’t topped 10 fantasy points since Week 6. If forced to start a Detroit running back I will choose D’Andre Swift from now and henceforth.
LAC @ MIA – RB42
We will need to keep an eye on Ballage’s status as he did revert to the practice squad following the perfect storm of Justin Jackson, Joshua Kelley and Troymaine Pope all being unavailable. I’m banking on at least one of those gentlemen being able to contribute in Week 10. It will be a surprise if Ballage is as involved as he was on Sunday against his former team.
CAR s. TB – WR32
I can’t bring myself to bench Moore just yet. My loyalty might be deeper than it should be. His role hadn’t been the same even before Christian McCaffrey’s return. Moore has still produced, just not as consistently as we want him to.
In Week 9 he saw three targets out of Teddy Bridgewater’s 49 pass attempts – a disheartening percentage to say the least. Again, I personally can’t bench Moore in leagues consisting of 12 or more teams. Reluctantly, though, we need to reduce our outlook for Moore.
CLE vs. HOU – WR46
It was disconcerting how little Higgins was utilized following Odell Beckham’s torn ACL. He should remain a starter, although I can’t trust him until he shows he can give us a higher floor on a consistent basis.
I expect Cleveland’s game plan to consist of plenty of runs with Nick Chubb likely returning and a well-rested Kareem Hunt. Let’s take the wait-and-see approach with Higgins while hoping his Week 8 output was an aberration.
NO vs. SF – TE13
The return of Michael Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders expectedly didn’t bode well for the Cookie Monster. In fact, Drew Brees spread the football around to 12 different pass-catchers in Week 9.
For the first time in three games, Cook didn’t surpass three targets and didn’t find the end zone. Given the current state of the tight end position, starting Cook isn’t utterly frowned upon. Simply, expectations must be lowered.
CIN @ PIT – Outside Top 25
This isn’t the week to bet on Sample finding the end zone for the first time in his professional football career. He’ll register decent numbers every other game or two. And while the game script favors Cincinnati’s passing game, I’m prepared to choose Trey Burton, Logan Thomas or even the notoriously inconsistent Tyler Higbee over Sample.
Zach hails from the bustling metropolis of Cheyenne, Wyoming. Three things Zach enjoys are football, food and water. Three things Zach doesn’t enjoy are kale, mushrooms and the company of those who enjoy either (except hobbits). Zach is a life-long Broncos fan and has been playing fantasy football longer than he hasn’t. He had top-five finishes in FantasyPros’ 2016 NFL DFAC competition and the 2016 SFB480.
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