Fantasy Football Week 10: Start ’em, Sit ’em

We have officially reached the halfway point of the regular season, which means fantasy football is into the final stretch. Pain.

Week Nine was another exciting yet strange week, as four games were decided by a 20-17 final score. There were shootouts, game winning drives, and, per usual, crazy upsets. Let’s look for that to happen again in Week 10 as we decide who should be starting and sitting.

Ian’s Record: 46-25

Start ’em

Dak Prescott (QB, Cowboys) vs. Packers

Dak looked back to his old self against the Bears in week 8, throwing for 250 yards and two touchdown passes while also rushing for 34 and a score. He should find success again this week with how dominant Micah Parsons and the Cowboys defense has been.

The Packers have been stout against QBs this season, but with how banged up their pass defense is right now, Dak should have a higher upside. Prescott should be a solid QB1 this week.

Raheem Mostert/Jeff Wilson Jr. (RBs, Dolphins) vs. Browns

Mike McDaniel came from the 49ers to the Dolphins. Then Raheem Mostert came from the 49ers to the Dolphins. Then Jeff Wilson Jr. came from the 49ers to the Dolphins.

Reunited with the running back community he left, McDaniel should find no trouble utilizing this duo again versus the Browns.

Cleveland ranks 29th in fantasy points allowed to running backs this season, so trying to bottle up Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle should leave doors wide open for Mostert and Wilson to rack up PPR points.

George Pickens (WR, Steelers) vs. Saints

While Diontae Johnson is still the WR1 in Pittsburgh, the departure of Chase Claypool gives Pickens the opportunity to put up solid flex numbers with Kenny Pickett.

Also keep an eye on Marshon Lattimore’s health, because if he’s out Pickens is a lock for a big day. Regardless, I’m expecting a bump in his volume and a visit to the endzone.

Cole Kmet (TE, Bears) vs. Lions

Kmet had himself a day against the Dolphins last week as the Bears’ offense continues to find their stride, catching five passes for 41 yards and two touchdowns. Don’t look now, but it appears Matt Eberflus has finally unlocked Justin Fields’ core strengths as a quarterback in the NFL.

The matchup this week for Kmet is delicious, as the Lions rank near dead last in fantasy points allowed to tight ends this season. Look for Chicago’s offense to keep rolling and rebound this week against Detroit.

Sit ’em

Aaron Rodgers (QB, Packers) vs. Cowboys

Like Lil Wayne said this week, “RIP to the season we should’ve gotten rid of 12 before the season.”

Rodgers has yet to surpass 20 fantasy points this season, and he’s been unable to get anything going with his receivers.

Don’t expect much else against the Cowboys, as they should have no trouble keeping him off the field. What’s more, Allen Lazard has been limited in practice, Sammy Watkins is banged up, and Romeo Doubs is out. Enough said.

James Conner (RB, Cardinals) vs. Rams

After returning from injury the past three weeks, Conner regained the reins as Arizona’s lead back. He saw 45 snaps, but only ran the ball seven times for 45 yards. His fantasy value was somewhat saved by catching five passes, assuming you’re in a PPR league.

Nevertheless, the Cardinals’ offensive line has been plagued by injury as they’re now down all three of their starting interior linemen. This should cause LA no trouble in containing the run game.

Adam Thielen (WR, Vikings) vs. Bills

The philosophy that’s worked for receivers like Jaylen Waddle, Tee Higgins, Tyler Lockett, etc. has not been working for Adam Thielen, and that philosophy is that having a stellar WR1 to worry about will present higher volume for the WR2.

Thielen’s production has just been too up-and-down to consider him a viable fantasy option, especially this week against the Bills and with T.J. Hockenson now stealing targets too.

Look for Vikings wide receivers to see little action past Justin Jefferson as the Bills’ secondary continues to heal itself.

Gerald Everett (TE, Chargers) vs. 49ers

Keenan Allen’s continued inability to see the field has definitely helped with Everett’s target share, but his production has still been wishy-washy. He has at least seven targets in three straight games (7, 9, 8) but only caught five in each contest.

Heading to San Francisco this week, don’t expect Justin Herbert to get comfortable with his tight end. The 49ers have allowed the ninth fewest fantasy points to tight ends this year, so with his recent history of dropping balls I don’t see him being targeted too much.

BYES: BALTIMORE RAVENS, CINCINNATI BENGALS, NEW YORK JETS