Week 10 Start ‘Em & Sit ‘Em is here to highlight a few players at each position that we would like to sit or start (where possible). Welcome to another week of quality players being on a bye. With four teams on a bye, managers are going to need all the help they can get.
This series will avoid the “obvious” answers. So, just because I don’t tell you to start the RB1 in the week doesn’t mean you should sit him. It means I just felt it was a no-brainer and didn’t need to be discussed. Also, consider these suggestions in the context of your lineup. When I say to sit a player, there are obviously going to be situations where you have no choice but to play them. Bye weeks and injuries can cause us to start players with whom we are uncomfortable. Examine your squad’s situation before blindly following this column.
Week 10 Quarterback Starts Of The Week:
Bo Nix, DEN vs. LV
After being on my sit list last week, Bo Nix is back to being a starter. Last week, his fantasy day was saved by 2 lucky touchdowns, but for the day, he completed less than 50% of his passes and had an interception. The Broncos barely beat the Texans, and Nix was not playing his best football. Nix is really a matchup-dependent player, and this weekend has another favorable matchup against division rival Las Vegas Raiders. Nix is in my top-10 QBs of the week.
Sam Darnold, SEA vs. ARI
If Sam Darnold isn’t in the MVP conversation after last week’s blowout of Washington, he should be. Darnold is 6th in passing yards and has the 3rd-best QBR in the league. He should climb in yards with another blowout this weekend, this time against the Cardinals. Darnold is quietly having a solid season and should finish as a top-10 fantasy quarterback again.
Week 10 Quarterback Sits Of The Week:
Brock Purdy, SF vs. LAR
The Denver Broncos visit the Houston Texans in what should be one of the lowest-scoring matchups of the week. I don’t care how well CJ Stroud & Bo Nix played last week and how many points their offenses put up; I’m not touching either of them this week. Last week, the Broncos faced the Cowboys’ defense which gave up the most points per game to opposing quarterbacks, and the 49ers, who have been battered up in recent weeks. The Texans & Broncos are 1st & 3rd respectively in allowing the fewest points per game to opposing quarterbacks. Last week was more of a fluke week for Stroud, but for Nix, his long-term value is here to stay; just avoid him this week.
Justin Fields, NYJ vs. CLE
Before the bye, Justin Fields might have done enough to keep his job, notching the Jets ‘ first win, but that was against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals’ defense is giving up the most points and yards per game. The Jets now face the Cleveland Browns, another team with a terrible record. The Browns’ offense is awful, but their defense can hold its own at times. They held the Packers to 10 points, but gave up over 40 to Baltimore. It’s a different Browns team that you’ll get each week, but against the Jets, I’m expecting the former to show up. I’m fading Justin Fields and expect to see the same Justin Fields we saw for their first 7 losses of the year.
Week 10 Running Backs Starts Of The Week
Rico Dowdle, CAR vs. NO
Boy, was I wrong about Rico Dowdle last week. Dowdle was on our sit list as I was concerned with the potential of splitting touches with Chuba Hubbard and facing the Green Bay Packers defense. Not only did Rico Dowdle have a big day, but the Carolina Panthers went into Green Bay and pulled off the upset win. A big reason for that was because of the play of Rico Dowdle, as he had 28.1 fantasy points on 130 yards rushing and 2 touchdowns. Rico doesn’t have the competition from Chuba that we assumed he would. Rico is a start going forward, especially this upcoming weekend, against the 1-8 New Orleans Saints.
Kyle Monangai, CHI vs. NYG
The rookie 7th-rounder, Kyle Monangai, had the best game of his promising career, with a blistering 174 yards on the ground. With D’Andre Swift out, he rose to the occasion and averaged 6.8 yards per carry. It was a phenomenal game for Monangai. Even if D’Andre Swift is back, I’m comfortable with Monangai in my flex. The New York Giants give up the 3rd most fantasy points to running backs, making both Chicago backs startable this weekend.
Week 10 Running Back Sits Of The Week
Alvin Kamara, NO @ CAR
Don’t let the name fool you, this is not the same Alvin Kamara that we’ve seen in the past. Kamara is RB27 on the year, which is on pace to be the worst finish in his entire career. That includes seasons in which he only played 13 games; he still played better. He’s only had two top-15 finishes on the week, and even with an appealing matchup ahead, I don’t have him as a top-20 back.
Travis Etienne, JAC @ HOU
This is my weekly “Whoever is playing Houston” selection as someone to sit. Last week, it was Bo Nix, and this week, it’s Travis Etienne. Etienne has quietly had four games this year with 20+ points in PPR formats and only one game under 10 points. This week, he’ll have another performance in the under-10 point club. The Texans give up the 6th-fewest rushing yards per game and the fewest overall points per game. With the way Trevor Lawrence has been playing lately, I’m not confident that he’ll be able to get many red zone opportunities for Travis Etienne.
Week 10 Wide Receiver Starts Of The Week
Rome Odunze, CHI vs. NYG
I do not care that he posted an absolute dud last week; I am starting Rome Odunze with complete confidence in week 10. He is going to return to the top-15 wide receivers for the week. The New York Giants just got torched by the Mac Jones-led San Francisco 49ers. The Bears didn’t need Odunze last week to win, and I think he’ll bounce back. Do not let that one game concern you; he’s a rockstar and will go back to being an elite option.
Christian Watson, GB vs. PHI
Someone you can probably get off of waivers and plug into your flex is Christian Watson. He’s rostered in only 33% of Sleeper Leagues heading into this week’s waiver wire. He’s only been active for two weeks and has averaged 10.15 PPR points in those 2 games. With Tucker Kraft, Green Bay’s leader in receiving thus far, the door is open for Christian Watson to rise up. Watson has always been a boom-or-bust type player, but with the offense more open, he should have a higher floor and an even higher ceiling. I’d be comfortable starting him at flex if I have a main starter on a bye or someone hurt, or a tougher matchup elsewhere on my team.
Week 10 Wide Receiver Sits Of The Week
Jakobi Meyers, JAC @ HOU
Jakobi Meyers finally got his wish and was traded from Las Vegas. I like the landing spot of Jacksonville, but I’m uncomfortable with starting him for at least a couple of weeks to see how it pans out. With the Jaguars drafting Travis Hunter, I thought he was going to be a solid #2 choice behind Brian Thomas Jr, but it took nearly a month before Hunter became fantasy relevant. I have similar concerns for Jakobi Meyers and Trevor Lawrence needing to adapt to him in the offense.
Deebo Samuel, WAS vs. DET
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels is likely sidelined for the next month or longer, and I’m fading the rest of the offense. Marcus Mariota is a significant downgrade, and the rest of the offense suffers. Despite being the lead wide receiver on the offense with Terry McLaurin also hurt, Deebo Samuel can’t perform without Jayden Daniels in the lineup. I’m not going near him for a while, unless it’s a very favorable matchup.
Week 10 Tight End Starts Of The Week:
Juwan Johnson, NO @ CAR
It’s been an up-and-down season for veteran tight end Juwan Johnson. He started the year with 3 straight games over 10+ fantasy points, followed by 3 games in single-digits, and then the last 3 games, he’s been in double-digits again. With Rashid Shaheed out of the picture now, after being traded, Juwan Johnson should see an increased target share. It’ll help with the streak he’s been on lately, and I’m starting him while he’s hot right now.
Colston Loveland, CHI vs. NYG
If Cole Kmet is unable to play, Colston Loveland is a top-10 fantasy tight end this week. Without Kmet, Loveland saw an increased role. Albeit, his explosion last week was against the Cincinnati Bengals, who have the worst defense in the NFL. The Steelers aren’t as bad, but if Kmet sits out, Loveland gets elevated.
Week 10 Tight End Sits Of The Week
Luke Musgrave, GB vs. PHI
With Tucker Kraft being shut down for the season, Luke Musgrave is the next man up at tight end for the Packers. He’s nowhere near as good as Tucker Kraft, and this offense is going to take a hit. I expect the targets to be spread across the wide receivers, with Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson reaping the benefits.
T.J. Hockenson, MIN vs. BAL
TJ Hockenson is a touchdown-dependent fantasy player. He’s only had one finish above the top-17 tight ends. Last week, he was TE18, but needed a touchdown on his 11 yards receiving. He hasn’t broken the 50-yard mark once this year. I don’t want to start someone who needs a touchdown to be remotely relevant. Hockenson is a major fade.
For your final lineup decisions, check out the FSAN Rankings Page or check out our Sit & Start live show every Sunday before kickoff on Spilled Coffee.