TGIF fantasy followers and welcome back to my Start/Sit HUB! Mike Hubbard Jr here, providing insightful information that can help you win your fantasy league week in and week out. For all things fantasy football, follow me on Twitter (@FantasyHubbard) and Instagram (@fantasyhubbard). You can tweet me or message me on either social media with any questions you might have regarding the fantasy football season.
No matter what your fantasy record is at this point in the season, I hope you’re enjoying the experience and continue to fight for wins. Stay informed and play smart.
Week 10 is underway following the TNF game between the Ravens and the Dolphins. The Ravens looked lost against Miami’s defensive scheme this week resulting in a 22-10 loss. Upsets are starting to become more regular at this point in the season making pregame predictions even more challenging than usual. If you had the Dolphins winning by double digits, Mike Gesicki going without a catch on 7 targets, Hollywood Brown gaining just 36 receiving yards on 13 targets, and Tua (who didn’t start the game) rushing for the Dolphins only offensive TD, congrats you might be psychic.
Week 10 BYEs this week include the Bears, Bengals, Texans, and Giants. Check those lineups and manage accordingly. Sunday looks to be another fun slate of games. The matchup I look forward to watching the most this Sunday is the Seahawks/Packers game. I’m hoping for a healthy Rodgers and healthy Wilson going head-to-head in a high scoring battle.
I’m here every Friday with start and sit suggestions that can impact your team each week. My decisions as always include obvious and not so obvious picks. I would also like to clarify that my sit suggestions are based on the assumption you have or can add a player that has a better chance at success.
Good luck this week and continue to check out my weekly articles.
Falcons @ Cowboys
Start – Ezekiel Elliot – Zeke and the Cowboys are coming off a bad loss to the Broncos in Dallas. The offense looked lost and confused as the Broncos shut them down for almost the entire game. Even in a game where the Cowboys fate was basically sealed after 3 quarters, Zeke was still involved running 10 times for 51 yards and caught a few passes for 25 receiving yards. The cowboys are going to want to take out their anger on the Falcons and put up points early and often. The offense works best when Zeke gets his touches and I expect that week in and week out. The Falcons defense is anything but scary this season. Fire up Zeke and basically all offensive Cowboys this week.
Sit – Mike Davis – Mike Davis continues to fall off the radar. Patterson is the guy in Atlanta, and he is not only getting more volume but also turning that volume into production consistently. Davis isn’t making the most of his reduced chances making him an easy sit decision. Davis hasn’t seen double digit carries since October 10th, has yet to surpass 53 rushing yards in a game, has yet to surpass 25 receiving yards in a game, and has only 2 total TDs this season.
Saints @ Titans
Start – AJ Brown – AJ and the Titans shocked the Rams last week and did it without any big-time offensive performances. Brown had another 11-target performance and has now averaged 10 targets in his last 4 games. Those targets only resulted in 5 receptions for 42 receiving yards, but those 5 receptions are more than any other player. No Titan had more than 4 targets in week 9 other than Brown. Without Derrick Henry, the Titans are going to have to continue to feed AJ if they want to win.
Sit – Adam Trautman – Trautman saw most of the TE snaps in week 9. He recorded 4 receptions for 47 receiving yards on 7 targets which are all season highs for him. This week the Saints take on the Titans who are not letting opposing TEs do much this season. The Saints will want to expose the Titans terrible WR defense. Siemian and/or Taysom Hill should be targeting WRs and run the ball in this one. Now with the news of Kamara missing practices, there’s more opportunity and potentially a nice workload for Mark Ingram this weekend. I would avoid Trautman.
Jaguars @ Colts
Start – Michael Pittman Jr – Pittman is becoming more reliable every week. His chemistry with Carson Wentz is rapidly growing and so are the hopes of Colts fans. The trifecta that is Wentz/Taylor/Pittman is lethal and has defenses taking notice. Pittman has 4 TDs in his last 3 games and gets the Jaguars defense this week that shouldn’t be able to contain him from overachieving.
Sit – Laviska Shenault Jr – The Jags have rookie Trevor Lawrence at QB who likes to air it out. The Colts are good at facing RBs but struggle to contain pass catchers. That definitely helps Shenault’s chances this week, but he has to compete for targets with Jamal Agnew, Marvin Jones Jr, and Dan Arnold. The Jags don’t score enough to make Laviska a good option. Proceed with caution.
Browns @ Patriots
Start – Brandon Bolden – Bolden might be in position to have a giant game. Both Harris and Stevenson have been missing practices and if they are unable to play Sunday, Bolden will get a bigger workload. Bolden excels in pass catching and that might be needed if/when the Browns stay competitive. Keep a close eye on the RB situation for New England this week leading up to Sunday. If Harris or Stevenson does play, Bolden will be riskier but still a solid option.
Sit – Baker Mayfield – Baker played well in week 9 but gets the Patriots this week. Bakers confidence should be up right now, but I don’t know if that’ll be the case come Sunday. The Browns best chance is to stick to the run in this game and hope its effective. The Patriots will try to shut down the run, forcing Baker to throw his way to a victory. I’m taking the Patriots defense over Baker Mayfield. I think New England will cover at home.
Bills @ Jets
Start – Dawson Knox – Dawson Knox is expected to play in week 10 against the Jets and it’s perfect timing. The Bills just lost to the Jaguars without either team scoring a TD. Josh Allen will want to win more than ever, and Knox is a reliable target when healthy. They have connected for 5 TDs in the 7 games they played together this season. I would fire up all Bills this week.
Sit –Michael Carter – Michael Carter has surprised me this season in a good way. It can’t be easy to impress on a Jets team that has had no success in a while. Unfortunately, this week he gets one of the best defenses in the NFL. The Bills shut down opposing RBs and it should continue this weekend. I don’t see the Jets succeeding unless Mike White looks great and throws a lot. Carter could see a lot in the pass game, but I don’t want to rely on that. Too many better RB options this week.
Lions @ Steelers
Start – Pittsburgh DST – I am expecting a low scoring game here for both teams. The Pittsburgh defense has been good lately and look to handle the winless Lions with ease. Pittsburgh should use Najee Harris on the ground and through the air and that should be enough to establish and maintain a lead. The defense should be able to contain Swift and Hockenson, and Goff isn’t a big threat to take over a game. Start the Steelers defense this week as they are a top 5 option.
Sit – Ben Roethlisberger – Big Ben and the Steelers have won 4 games in a row, while the Lions are trying to avoid recording their 9th consecutive loss this season. Roethlisberger has been mediocre at best this season, but he shouldn’t have to be better than average to beat the Lions. This game has Najee Harris written all over it with a likelihood of Diontae Johnson production. I don’t expect a lot from Ben these days, especially when he doesn’t throw down the field enough.
Buccaneers @ Washington
Start – Mike Evans – Tom Brady gets the WFT this week. Brady should be drooling at this matchup regardless of who he has for pass catchers. There are possibilities that Antonio Brown, Rob Gronkowski, and Chris Godwin might not be able to play. No matter who is in or out, Brady is great with Evans and that connection will only get stronger with the absense of any reliable targets. A Brady/Evans stack this week looks great.
Sit – Antonio Gibson – Gibson is in a fantasy rough patch lately. He had 8 carries for 34 rushing yards and 3 receptions for 20 receiving yards in week 9. Gibson hasn’t scored in over a month, and he is averaging just 43 rushing yards per game over his last 3 games despite a total of 32 rushing attempts. It doesn’t help that he plays for a team with a terrible defense that creates repetitive scenarios where the offense is trailing a lot. I like McKissic over Gibson this week.
Panthers @ Cardinals
Start – James Connor – The unfortunate injury to Chase Edmonds early in week 9 led to a huge performance for James Connor who found the endzone 3 times. Edmonds is currently doubtful for this Sunday and has a chance of being placed on short-term IR. The Cardinals will use Connor heavily against the Panthers this week. He has been a threat for 2 TDs in any game while the Cardinals utilized him and Edmonds together. Without Edmonds it feels like the sky is the limit for Connor. Not the greatest matchup for him this week but too much upside to not play him.
Sit – Robby Anderson – Robby Anderson is continuing to fade away from fantasy relevance. He has 16 receiving yards in his last 3 games. McCaffrey is back and will get his big workload per usual while PJ Walker is going to get the QB1 start for Carolina. Can he resurge Andersons season? Can the surprising re-signing of Cam Newton put a spark in Robby’s step? My prediction is no it cannot. Don’t get cute here, sit and/or drop Anderson.
Vikings @ Chargers
Start – Keenan Allen – Justin Herbert played very well against the Eagles last Sunday and has the Chargers confident going into their week 10 matchup with the Vikings. Keenan Allen had a season high 12 receptions in week 9 that led to 104 receiving yards. He now has 24 targets in his last 2 games while Mike Williams has been trending downward with just 6 receptions is his last 3 games played. The Vikings defense is hardly scary, so I expect the Herbert to Allen connection to be strong yet again.
Sit – Kirk Cousins – Kirk and the Vikings have been hit or miss this season. Cousins hasn’t had 200 passing yards in each of his last 2 games and gets the Chargers defense this week that is friendly to opposing RBs. Kirk should get Cook heavily involved if they want a chance at this win. You never know when Cousins will defy the odds and have a monster game with Thielen and Jefferson, but I don’t have Kirk in the top 15 fantasy QBs this week.
Eagles @ Broncos
Start – Javonte Williams/Melvin Gordon – The Eagles defense hasn’t scared many teams this season. The Broncos are coming off a huge win in Dallas and are looking to make the Eagles another notch on their belt. The Eagles are defending WRs quite nicely but RBs are a different story. Williams and Gordon should have their chances in a game that could swing in different directions. Both RBs are looking to build on a sloid performance and get a good matchup this week to do so. Both RBs are starters this week for me.
Sit – Jalen Hurts – I don’t like to put Hurts in the sit category because he can quickly produce fantasy points in most game flows. The new look Eagles offense has been dedicated to running the ball a lot and it has gotten them a blowout win against the Lions and a last second loss to the Chargers. I don’t expect the game plan to change against the Broncos unless they jump to a double-digit lead early. Hurts hasn’t been the greatest passer this season but has made up for it with his rushing abilities. The goal line hand offs are what is killing Hurts in fantasy recently. I have 10 QBs I would rather start this week but only 10 so tread lightly.
Seahawks @ Packers
Start – Russell Wilson – Russell is due to return from injury this week and start in a huge matchup with the Packers. The Seahawks are desperate for wins and the Packers are coming off a loss with the uncertainty of Aaron Rodgers chances of playing this week. A Rodgers/Wilson instant classic could be epic. If Wilson can play like he did prior to injury and can stay healthy, the Seahawks should let Russ cook. I like Wilson, Metcalf, and Lockett this week.
Sit – Gerald Everett – Even though Russell Wilson is back at QB1 for Seattle, Gerald Everett is too much of a wild card for fantasy owners. He can’t be started confidently. Everett is slightly more appealing with Wilson playing and not Geno Smith, but the stats speak for themselves. 14 receptions for 135 receiving yards and a TD sound like great numbers, but I’m afraid those are his total numbers for the entire season.
Chiefs @ Raiders
Start – Derek Carr – Carr is coming off a bad loss to the Giants. I’m sure he will want to go home and try to beat up on the awful Chiefs defense on SNF. Both offenses have been questionable to say the least at times. This game will come down to who will get their offense back on track first. The Chiefs have 36 offensive points in their last 3 games and seem like they have the bigger hill to climb. Carr has Waller and Renfrow catching his passes with the addition of deep threat DeSean Jackson. Carr should be able to put up points on KC this week.
Sit – Bryan Edwards – Bryan Edwards has not lived up to his preseason potential WR1 aspirations. He has been outperformed by Hunter Renfrow this season and Henry Ruggs in the games he was able to play while active. The acquisition of DeSean Jackson doesn’t help Edwards volume. Edwards is coming off a no reception game, has only 1 game with more than 3 receptions, and has found the end zone just once. A great matchup this week but I’m sure you can find better options.