Welcome back to my weekly Start/Sit HUB! Today is Thursday so we have a TNF matchup to get to. Mike here, providing you with information that can help you win your fantasy league week in and week out. For all things fantasy football, follow me on Twitter (@FantasyHubbard).
Tonight we get to watch some NFL football. That’s the good news, the bad news is that it is the Carolina Panthers visiting the Chicago Bears. These teams combined record is 3-14. That is not pretty football. But luckily fantasy football doesn’t have to be pretty, just effective. The Bears are favorites by 3 points with an over/under of 38.5. Battle of rookie QBs in prime time, what could go wrong? My prediction for this game is a Bears win by a score of 17-13.
I’m here every week during the fantasy football season 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.
TNF START/SIT
Start – Adam Thielen – Adam is the easiest start for me in both of these games. The most reliable in fantasy and a safer pick given the matchup. Bears are average in defending WRs and Thielen has to be rookie Bryce Youngs favorite target. Thielen has 3 times as many receptions as anyone in a Carolina uniform this season. Defenses are aware he is most of the receiving yards on the team and he still gets his. Thielen had a down week catching 5 of his 6 targets in week 9 for 29 yards. That was following an awesome run of targets, receptions, yards, and scores for the veteran WR. Bryce young has thrown 8 TD passes this season; Adam Thielen has 4 of them. If they want to be competitive, they will need to target Thielen.
Sit – DJ Moore – DJ is facing the Carolina defense this week which is one of the few things you can say that is looking positive in Carolina. Since DJ’s epic 230-yard and 3 TD game in week 5, he has averaged 7 targets, 5 receptions, and 51 yards each game. Of course, that can fluctuate immensely, but given that Justin Fields is doubtful this week makes me think it might be another average game for Moore. Don’t look now but Darnell Mooney has just 1 less yard than DJ in the last 4 weeks combined and Cole Kmet has 16 receptions in his last 2 games. Moore’s volume seems like it’s going in the wrong direction. Moore is just outside my top 25 WRs this week.
Happy Saturday to all fantasy fans reading this and welcome back to my Start/Sit Hub.
Week 10 began on Thursday when the Bears edged out the Panthers by a score of 16-13. D’Onta Foreman was the only stand out fantasy player in that game rushing for 80 yards and a TD. Bears have to travel to Detroit next while Carolina hosts the Cowboys next. Both teams might be in trouble. Next week we have a TNF matchup between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Baltimore Ravens. Huge divisional game with playoff implications. Seems like a primetime game we can all look forward to finally.
The games that I’m looking forward to watching in week 10 include the Texans/Bengals, the 49ers/Jaguars, and the Lions/Chargers. Rookie phenom Stroud facing a hot Joe Burrow, a win streak for the Jags playing against the losing streak of the 49ers, and a game with high scoring written all over it. Enjoy your weekend of football and good luck getting that fantasy W.
WEEK 10 BYES: Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles, Miami Dolphins, LA Rams
START OF THE WEEK
Start – Dalton Kincaid – Kincaid has become one of Josh Allen’s favorite targets, especially when it comes to the red zone. The rookie TE has been targeted 26 times over Buffalo’s last 3 games and caught 23 of them. That’s a great completion percentage when targeting Kincaid. Denver is the worst team in defending TEs (could argue Philadelphia) so this game could be big for the Bills who are just looking for positives.
Colts @ Patriots (GERMANY 9:30AM ET)
Start – Michael Pittman – Pittman is a more reliable WR in fantasy. No matter the QB, Pittman shows up. In Michaels 9 games this season he failed to reach 50 receiving yards just once. He has scored 3 TDs including 2 in his last 3 games and has 5 games with 11+ targets and 6 games with 8+ receptions. The New England defense isn’t going to be able to stop him and Minshew should be able to get it to him often. Pittman doesn’t have a history of success facing New England, but we haven’t seen the Patriots play like they have in recent memory.
Sit – Zach Moss – Jonathan Taylor has eased his way back into RB1 form for the Colts and it is affecting Moss. Zach has seen his carries drop in each of his last 2 games and he has been uninvolved in the pass game. Moss might get some chances, but I don’t expect a lot from him here.
Texans @ Bengals
Start – Joe Burrow – Burrow has been in MVP form since week 4’s ugly loss to Tennessee. From then on, he has thrown 10 TD passes and just 2 INTs. Burrow shouldn’t have too much trouble with the Texans secondary, although Tee Higgins has been ruled OUT, and Ja’Marr Chase is currently questionable. I still think Burrow gets it done at home. CJ Stroud will want to give him a run for his money.
Sit – Devin Singletary – Singletary is the RB in Houston right now since they ruled Dameon Pierce out for week 10. Singletary has gotten double digit carries in each of his last 3 games but over that span has rushed for 3.2 YPC. It will be difficult to get a run game going against Cincinnati, especially with your rookie QB making headlines with his impressive play. I wouldn’t start him unless pickings are slim.
Saints @ Vikings
Start – Taysom Hill – Another week, another Taysom Hill TD. No matter the way he scores, that is fantasy points for you. Vikings might be able to bottle up him and maybe Kamara on the ground, however I can see Hill being used in the red zone and getting chances to throw/rush/receive. Saints should be able to throw on the Vikings.
Sit – Rashid Shaheed – This sit spot could come back to haunt me, but Shaheed is going there for week 10. Rashid has 3 or less receptions in all but 1 game since week 2. He is a true boom or bust option seeing as he has 33 or less receiving yards in 4 of his last 7 games yet he has 2 games with 85+ yards and a TD. You feeling lucky?
Packers @ Steelers
Start – Aaron Jones – Jones is healthy and cleared to play for week 10. He is coming off a game where he saw 20 carries that resulted in 73 yards and a TD. He also contributed 26 receiving yards catching 4 of 6 targets. If they can continue that volume for Jones this week, he should have a great shot at production.
Sit – Christian Watson – Watson is not getting the looks he needs to be productive for your fantasy team. He scored in his first game in week 4 catching just 2 receptions. He has 3 or less receptions in each game this season and his lone score was 6 weeks ago. Steelers usually put up a good defensive game at home. Watson has 26 targets this season and has caught just 12 of those which is under .500.
Titans @ Buccaneers
Start – Chigoziem Okonkwo – Going with Okonkwo here due to the fact that the Bucs have has trouble defending opposing TEs. Just look at Dalton Schultz last week or Dalton Kincaid the week prior. He is in a great spot to catch his first TD of the season.
Sit – Tyjae Spears – Tampa Bay’s rushing defense is up toward the top of the league. Not just the matchup isn’t good, but also the fact that Derrick Henry has double digit carries every game this season while Tyjae has none. Most production should be coming though the pass game for Spears but not enough appeal.
49ers @ Jaguars
Start – Calvin Ridley – Ridley looked more like himself in week 8 prior to Jacksonville’s BYE week. He caught 6 of his 10 targets for 83 yards which is his 5th game with at least 8 targets. SF has been surprisingly vulnerable to opposing WRs this season and it’s a great time to kick them while they are down if they have the chances.
Sit – Trevor Lawrence – Lawrence has won 5 consecutive games and gets to take on the 49ers who happen to be on a 3-game losing streak. Lawrence might be pressured heavily but is capable. I don’t like the matchup for Trevor and his stats haven’t been great. Lawrence has only 2 games this season where he’s accounted for more than 1 TD.
Browns @ Ravens
Start – Ravens D/ST – Lamar should be the obvious start here but I’m trying the Ravens defense. Browns played Arizona last week and yes, they won big but nothing in the box score was eye opening other than Amari Coopers big game. Ravens are at home and are holding opponents to a league low 13.8 points per game which drops to 10 when they play in Baltimore.
Sit – Deshaun Watson – Watson got the struggling Cardinals last week and looked pretty good, however now they face the Ravens defense which has been elite. In the first meeting between these 2 sides, the Ravens won by 25 points and the Cleveland QB had a dreadful day. Dorian Thompson-Robinson threw 3 INTs while filling in at QB. Watson will have to play very well to disrupt Baltimore’s current high level of play.
Falcons @ Cardinals
Start – Drake London – London and the Falcons are on their 4th consecutive game against defenses that struggle with opposing WRs. London has 7+ targets, 5+ receptions, and 54+ yards in 4 consecutive games. Cardinals shouldn’t be a problem given they have allowed opposing teams to score at will. Since Taylor Heinicke has taken over as QB1, London has been targeted 7 times in both games.
Sit – Falcons D/ST – Going with the Falcons D/ST here when I almost went with Kyler Murray. His first game back has me nervous, but he could perform well. The Falcons D/ST is what Murray will be dealing with. If Murray gets hot and uses his rushing abilities, it could be a longer day than expected for Atlanta’s defense.
Lions @ Chargers
Start – Jared Goff – Goff is in a great spot here. Chargers defense is one of the more favorable matchups for Goff in the coming weeks. I expect a heavy dose of Amon-Ra St Brown, Sam LaPorta, and both RBs. All are pass catching options for Goff in a game that has an over/under of 48.5. I expect Goff to be a top 10 fantasy QB this week.
Sit – Quintin Johnston – Quintin Johnston has not scored this season and has yet to have that impact game that puts people on notice. His best game was a 50-yard performance. Even with injuries to other pass catchers in LA, Johnston still hasn’t separated himself from anyone and seems to be favored a lot less compared to Allen, Ekeler, Everett. I will wait to see a breakout game before I start him given, I have other options.
Giants @ Cowboys
Start – Dak Prescott – Dak has really turned up his game in the last 2 weeks despite only winning 1 of them. Prescott was so close to more production last week but still was great as a fantasy QB. He now has 678 passing yards, 7 passing TDs, 10 caries, and 33 rushing yards since Dallas’ BYE in week 7. Giants haven’t been terrible defending opposing QBs but it’s the Giants who are epic underdogs. Cowboys by 17 is a lot. Tony Pollard is the obvious must start player here, but Dak shouldn’t have much trouble himself.
Sit – Wan’Dale Robinson – Robinson scored his 1st TD of the season last game which is the 2nd of his young career. Robinson, and the Giants in general are unreliable and don’t score nearly enough to make their WRs appealing. You might want to rely on garbage time if you have to start him.
Commanders @ Seahawks
Start – Sam Howell – Howell is facing Seattle this week and will want to try to build on their recent win over the Patriots. Howell is 2nd in the NFL in passing yards and leads the entire NFL in passing attempts and completions. So, fire up Logan Thomas, Terry McLaurin, and Jahan Dotson given the volume. Keep an eye on Curtis Samuels game status as well.
Sit – Zach Charbonnet – The Seahawks haven’t been running the ball as much as they normally have in recent seasons. Both Zach and Kenneth Walker don’t have double digit carries in either of their last 2 games and both haven’t had an impact in the pass game in that timespan either. Seahawks best option here is to air it out often.
Jets @ Raiders
Start – Breece Hall – Hall has erupted, and it is no surprise that when he gets the chances, he makes the most of them. Vegas has a hard time defending opposing RBs and Hall is on too much of a good roll to stop now. Breece has scored in 3 of his last 4 games and has 3+ receptions in each of his last 5 games. Breece is the key to winning this game in my opinion.
Sit – Jakobi Meyers – What is going on in Vegas? The passing game has went from bad to worse it seems. Jets are a top defense defending WRs so let’s not get eager here. Meyers has 3 receptions in his last 2 games which will need to change for him to get back to fantasy relevance. Aidan O’Connell is the QB that will be behind center in Vegas.
Broncos @ Bills
Start – Dalton Kincaid – SEE START OF THE WEEK TOP OF PAGE
Sit – Russell Wilson – I don’t think Wilson will pay well against the Buffalo defense in Buffalo on MNF. But then again if you told me he would throw 3 TDs against the Chiefs and win by 15 points I would have told you you’re crazy. I don’t think lightening will strike twice even after a full BYE weeks rest. I do feel as though Denver could keep this a close game.