Here are the guys you should smash(start) in your lineups and the guys you should be passing on(sitting) for week 10! These aren't guys you 100% have to start or 100% have to bench, they're just guys we believe are going to exceed expectations this week or fall short of what they're expected to do. Also, if any fantasy points are mentioned, we use PPR as our primary scoring marker and 6 point passing TDs for QBs.
Quarterbacks:
Smash
Shawn - Lamar Jackson @ NE: Lamar is due for a big Lamar Jackson game. This is the reigning MVP for a reason and I know he has been inconsistent this year. However, this defense just allowed Joe Flacco to air it out all over them. Do you remember who Flacco got benched for in Baltimore? Oh yeah, Lamar Jackson. Start him this week with top 5 upside in a favorable matchup.
Q - Joe Burrow @ PIT: This matchup is typically scary for opposing QBs, but no so much in recent weeks. Garrett Gilbert was able to move the ball confidently against this secondary last week. The defensive line is the only scary part right now, but the Bengals have had 2 weeks to prepare for this game. I think Burrow has a solid game trying to keep up with the Steelers offense.
Matty P - Drew Lock @ LV: I'm riding the Drew Lock train right now. The raiders secondary has struggled a ton this season and I think he will be able to make the most of it. Looking pretty solid through the last two games, his weapons around him are finally healthy enough for him to have some options. The Broncos offense is coming together at the right time and I think Lock continues his hot streak this week, plug him in.
Tgods - Jared Goff vs SEA: Jared Goff has been very inconsistent and coming off of that horrendous game in Miami, I can understand a bit of nervousness. However, the Seahawks secondary is BRUTAL right now, second worst in the league. Plug Goff in this week for another shootout and he'll get you at LEAST 20 points.
Pass
Shawn - Matthew Stafford vs WSH: Passing on Stafford because I started him last week over Drew Lock and I'm still mad about it. In all seriousness though, Stafford just has not been it this season. With Golladay out again and Hockenson hobbling into this game, Stafford makes me really nervous. He's going to have to hold on to the ball because his weapons will not be able to get separation and Chase Young and this WSH pass rush will feast on this. Pass on Stafford this week and for the rest of this season.
Q - Ryan Tannehill vs IND: Tannehill struggled a bit last week against the Bears defense, but I expect it to be worse this week vs the Colts. This Colts defense is no joke and I think this game will be low-scoring. Avoid Tannehill if you can, I have him outside of my top 15 this week.
Matty P - Daniel Jones vs PHI: Danny Dimes has been Danny Nickels this season and gets another matchup with the Eagles defensive line. They're going to get pressure on Jones all day and Jones struggles mightily under pressure. If you're looking for a bye-week fill-in this week, look elsewhere.
Tgods - Cam Newton @ BAL: Cam may have fooled you lastw eek getting 20+ fantasy points, but remember that was against the New York Jets defense and they barely scraped by. This is not the same Patriots team from a season ago or even the first couple weeks. Bench him this week and drop him for someone with more upside.
Running Backs:
Smash
Shawn - Duke Johnson @ CLE: David Johnson is now out with a concussion and has been placed on IR. This is Duke's backfield moving forward and this is a revenge game for him against his former team. I expect Duke to have a solid floor in the passing game and step right into that David Johnson role similar to last week. Start him if you got him on waivers.
Q - JD McKissic @ DET: With Alex Smith at the helm, McKissic should have a really solid floor moving forward. Aside from one game where they got up big against Dallas, McKissic has at least 6 catches in 4 of 5 games. As bad as Detroit has been, this should still be a competitive game. Plug in JD with confidence.
Matty P - JD McKissic @ DET: I agree with Q, smash McKissic this week, especially considering Gibson is heading into this one with a bit of a shoulder issue. If this flares up at any point during the game, McKissic would be in line for even more work against the worst run defense in the league. If you're looking for someone to plug in this week, JD is your guy.
Tgods - Jerick McKinnon @ NO: I know this is not an ideal matchup, but he is all they have right now. Tevin Coleman, Raheem Mostert, and Jeff Wilson are still out with injuries and Hasty does not look all that great. They're going to rely on McKinnon again and even though this is a good run defense, the volume should be enough to make him a solid RB2 this week. Plug him in your lineup for sure.
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Shawn - Kalen Ballage @ MIA: Ballage looked awesome this past week for the Chargers. He looked a lot more efficient than Josh Kelley has and Lynn has been open in saying that he wants Kelley to be more aggressive. If Ballage wants a spot on this active roster, he's going to need another big performance this week. However, Troymaine Pope also looked good two weeks ago and Kelley will get his fair share of work. Not sure Ballage is able to breakthrough this week. Stay away from this backfield unless you're desperate.
Q - Mike Davis vs TB: Prior to CMC coming back this past week, Davis had already struggled in the 3 games prior to him coming back. Curtis Samuel was stealing some of the goal-line work and the volume has been a bit inconsistent. Now add in the fact that the Bucs are pretty solid against running backs in fantasy, that makes me nervous. If you have a better option, use them.
Matty P - Ronald Jones @ CAR: Rojo is looking like the odd man out in this backfield. After fumbling again his workload has been dwindling. Only 10 carries over the past 2 weeks, until I see him get more involved I'm trying to avoid Rojo. Only start him if you're desperate.
Tgods - Wayne Gallman vs PHI: Gallman has actually been pretty decent the past few weeks, but very TD dependent. He was able to fall into the endzone against the Eagles defense in their last meeting, but this run defense is no joke. I think starting Gallman is a risky TD dependent play who is outside my top 30. Stay away if you can.
Wide Receivers:
Smash
Shawn - DJ Moore vs TB: Look, I know he's been so inconsistent. I own him and have started him every single week. However, with CMC out I think he has to get involved again this week if they want a chance to bear the Bucs. Moore is a big play guy and they're going to have to throw to keep up with the Bucs. He had 8 catches for 120 yards the last time they met, start DJ Moore again this week in your flex spot.
Q - Sterling Shepard vs PHI: Shepard is locked in as the Giants #1 receiving option currently. I expect another good game out of him this week as Darius Slay will be locking up Darius Slayton again. Shepard should be able to feast against the other poor cornerbacks for the Birds. Start him.
Matty P - Rams WRs vs SEA: This Seattle secondary is so bad right now, the Rams WRs should both be able to feast this week. They're going to also have to keep up with the high-powered Seattle offense, so Start Kupp and Woods and do not look back.
Tgods - Brandon Aiyuk @ NO: Similar reasoing to McKinnon, this defense has been pretty good but they're going to have to do a ton on offense to compete with the Saints this week. No Deebo Samuel again, Aiyuk has been rock solid this season and I expect nothing less this week. Start him with confidence!
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Shawn - Antonio Brown @ CAR: AB is back and got decently involved this past week. While I think this will be a bounce back game for the Bucs as a whole, I just don't know how much work AB will get. He looks good, but with Godwin, Evans, Gronk, and their running backs competing for looks, I just don't trust AB until I see more. Even when I do, I think he will be inconsistent. Avoid for now.
Q - Tyler Lockett vs LAR: I know Lockett is a top 5 WR on the season, but the inconsistency has been too much for me. You're probably stuck rolling him out there, but 4 out of the last 5 games less than 10 fantasy points just is not going to cut it. Avoid Lockett if at all possible until he gets back on track, otherwise you're hoping for a BOOM game this week.
Matty P - Marvin Jones vs WSH: Marvin Jones has actually been pretty solid the last few weeks, but if we know Marvin Jones at all based on his history, as soon as you think you can trust him, he disappears. I think he disappears this week and struggles to get 10 points this week. Stay away if you can.
Tgods - Justin Jefferson @ CHI: Justin Jefferson has been very inconsistent this season and I don't think he has a boom game this week. The Bears secondary has been good and Kirk Cousins in primetime is a no-go for me. They're going to rely heavily again on Dalvin Cook in this one, so I'm avoiding JJeff yet again this week.
Tight Ends:
Smash
Shawn - Mike Gesicki vs LAC: Gesicki has been inconsistent this season, but he's had a couple of big games. I think another big game comes this week vs LAC. With Preston Williams out, it looks like Gesicki will have to be involved as the second best passing option for Tua. We also know the Chargers are going to be able to move the ball well, so Tua will have to throw a ton to win this game, Gesicki finds the endzone this week. BOOK IT!
Q - Hunter Henry @ MIA: Hunter Henry has not been himself the past few weeks. You would think with Herbert slinging it Henry would be more involved, but he has not found the endzone in a while. I think he does this week in a bounce back game for those who have stuck with him. Give him another shot this week.
Matty P - Jimmy Graham vs MIN: Jimmy Grahampa has found the fountain of youth this season believe it or not. He's currently TE6 on the season with 5 TDs and coming off his second best game this year. Keep rolling him out there as Nick Foles continues to find him.
Tgods - TJ Hockenson vs WSH: TJ Hockenson is arguably the second most consistent TE this year. The injury heading into this week does not scare me as long as he is able to go. He's currently the 3rd best TE on the season and has been Stafford's go to guy. Start him again this week and don't think twice about it.
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Shawn - Jared Cook vs SF: Jared Cook has been a TD machine in this Saints offense. However, there were a lot of weapons missing for a lot of this season. No MT for a while and Sanders missed a few games also. I like Cook but I think he is TD dependent moving forward, as I don't know how much volume he will get in this offense.
Q - Jared Cook vs SF: Same thing as he said above, He has only had more than 3 catches once since week 2. The volume just has not been there and with Michael Thomas back, you can just drop Jared Cook into the pool of Te's ranked anywhere from 8-15 who you're praying they are able to find the endzone. If you have a better option, use them.
Matty P - Robert Tonyan vs JAX: I have been one of the biggest believers in Tonyan this season and it just has not come to fruition. I think he still has some upside but Rodgers spreads the ball around to a ton of targets and the majority of the targets go to Adams. Avoid Tonyan this week even in a favorable matchup.
Tgods - Rams TEs vs SEA: Everett has looked better than Higbee as of late, but I am avoiding both this week. Higbee and Everett cancel each other out a bit and that makes me nervous. Even in this matchup where the Rams will probably have to throw a lot, I'm avoiding them Both. If you start one you're hoping they catch a TD but I highly doubt either of them do.