The fantasy football playoffs are right around the corner with Week 9 of the NFL season in the books. Reaching your league’s postseason could be decided by one correct call of who to start or sit or by just a single pick-up off the waiver wires. It’s going to be a crucial Week 10 for a lot of folks out there, so without further ado, let’s breakdown the projected fantasy outputs of a number of players this week.
[sc:Football ]
Complete NFL Week 10 Fantasy Points Projections
**data courtesy of ESPN Fantasy Football (for standard league/non-PPR formats)
Sunday, November 15
Detroit Lions vs. Green Bay Packers (1:00 PM ET)
Team/Position
Player
Projected Points
Detroit
Lions D/ST
2.6
QB
Matthew Stafford
14
RB
Joique Bell
4.9
WR
Calvin Johnson
10.6
TE
Eric Ebron
5.8
Green Bay
Packers D/ST
9.5
QB
Aaron Rodgers
22.8
RB
James Starks
10.2
WR
Randall Cobb
12.8
TE
Richard Rodgers
7.9
[sc:NFL240banner ]How tasty can this matchup be for owners of Green Bay players? Well, maybe as tasty as Aaron Rodgers’ life when he gets to be with Olivia Munn. Rodgers is bound to erupt against Detroit’s punching bag defense after scoring 32 fantasy points, albeit in a loss to Carolina last week.
In fact, ESPN has Rodgers projected as the top scorer among all players in Week 10. Rodgers aside, owners should also not forget to start James Starks, who’s a top 13 running back this week, largely in due part to Eddie Lacy’s slump and a favorable matchup with Detroit’s league-worst run defense.
As for the Lions, there’s Calvin Johnson, who’s expected to finish with a higher output than the eight points he produced against back in Week 8 against the Chiefs.
Sunday, November 15
Dallas Cowboys vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1:00 PM ET)
Team/Position
Player
Projected Points
Dallas
Cowboys D/ST
6.7
QB
Matt Cassel
11.8
RB
Darren McFadden
13.4
WR
Dez Bryant
8.8
TE
Jason Witten
6
Tampa Bay
Bucs D/ST
6.7
QB
Jameis Winston
11.3
RB
Doug Martin
10.4
WR
Mike Evans
9.2
TE
Austin Seferian-Jenkins
4.3
Dallas Cowboys vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1:00 PM ET)
Tony Romo is still a week away from being eligible to play, meaning Dallas has at least that much time to stomach Matt Cassel playing under center. Unless you’re simply desperate for a quarterback in deep leagues, it’s better to stay away from Cassel the same way you’d avoid someone with the plague. Dez Bryant’s production, meanwhile, won’t reach his full potential until he gets a better quarterback to play with, which explains the lowly projection of just 8.8 points against Tampa Bay.
With their passing game remaining cloudy, look for the Cowboys’ backfield— just Darren McFadden, really— to light it up on Sunday. McFadden is a top five running back this Week, as he’s expected to get a ton of carries once again. For those keeping count, McFadden has averaged 25.3 carries and has racked up 333 rushing yards in the last three games.
Speaking of running backs, Tampa Bay’s Doug Martin is looking to bounce back following a letdown performance in the Giants game, wherein he only had 31 rushing yards on 11 touches. How about a new nickname, Doug?
Sunday, November 15
Carolina Panthers vs. Tennessee Titans (1:00 PM ET)
Team/Position
Player
Projected Points
Carolina
Panthers D/ST
9.1
QB
Cam Newton
17.3
RB
Jonathan Stewart
11.1
WR
Ted Ginn Jr.
6.1
TE
Greg Olsen
8
Tennessee
Titans D/ST
6.8
QB
Marcus Mariota
13.7
RB
Antonio Andrews
8.7
WR
Harry Douglas
5.6
TE
Delanie Walker
6.7
If only Marcus Mariota could face the Saints’ defense every week…
After passing for 371 yards and four TDs with no interceptions on his way to a 32 fantasy-point Sunday in Week 9, the Oregon product unfortunately is nothing less than a sitting duck to Carolina’s defense that is 12th in the league against the pass and second in interceptions (12). Another reason to sit Mariota: the Panthers allow just 13.12 fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks this season.
Sunday, November 15
Chicago Bears vs. St. Louis Rams (1:00 PM ET)
Team/Position
Player
Projected Points
Chicago
Bears D/ST
7
QB
Jay Cutler
13.2
RB
Jeremy Langford
9.1
WR
Alshon Jeffery
10.7
TE
Martellus Bennett
7.3
St. Louis
Rams D/ST
11.8
QB
Nick Foles
10.7
RB
Todd Gurley
17.2
WR
Tavon Austin
8.1
TE
Jared Cook
3.1
Jay Cutler showed up last week against San Diego, passing for 345 yards and two touchdowns with one interception to lead the Bears to a rare victory. Rare is the operative term here, as we don’t expect Cutler to bring out the guns against St. Louis’ defense that ranks fifth against the pass.
Add to that the possible absence of Alshon Jeffery, who is nursing a groin injury. Per Rotowire, Jeffery is considered day-to-day and could be a game-time decision come Sunday in St. Louis. If Jeffery misses Sunday’s tilt, then Jeremy Langford could be in for an increased workload as the Bears’ starting running back in lieu of the still hurting Matt Forte.
On the other side, St. Louis’ defense and Todd Gurley are the two candidates to be team’s fantasy superstar of the week. Gurley, in particular, should have a field day running circles around Chicago’s inept run defense that allows 121.6 rushing yards per game.
Sunday, November 15
New Orleans Saints vs. Washington Redskins (1:00 PM ET)
Team/Position
Player
Projected Points
New Orleans
Saints D/ST
4.5
QB
Drew Brees
17.9
RB
Mark Ingram
13
WR
Brandin Cooks
8
TE
Benjamin Watson
5.9
Washington
Redskins D/ST
2.6
QB
Kirk Cousins
15.8
RB
Matt Jones
10.6
WR
DeSean Jackson
7.1
TE
Jordan Reed
8.1
You don’t look at the Saints and think of defense. Instead, you survey their players because you know Drew Brees is going to fire bombs on any given Sunday. Brees, who is second in the league with 2,763 passing yards, has been lights out the last two weeks, compiling 892 yards and 10 touchdowns during that span.
Over in Washington, DeSean Jackson’s owners are hoping the wide receiver is in for an uptick in production after catching just three passes for 15 yards against the Pats in Week 9. His owners can remain optimistic in this matchup against New Orleans’ lousy defense, though. Jordan Reed, on the other and, has been a threat to steal Cousin’s attention, as the tight end has caught for 90 yards and three touchdowns in the Redskins’ last two games.
Miami Dolphins vs. Philadelphia Eagles (1:00 PM ET)
Team/Position
Player
Projected Points
Miami
Dolphins D/ST
6.4
QB
Ryan Tannehill
14.4
RB
Lamar Miller
9.6
WR
Jarvis Landry
8.9
TE
Jordan Cameron
5.6
Philadelphia
Eagles D/ST
8.3
QB
Sam Bradford
13.6
RB
DeMarco Murray
15.2
WR
Jordan Matthews
8.5
TE
Zach Ertz
6.1
The loss of Cameron Wake was a big blow to Miami’s defense, and the vicious pass rusher’s absence is a major reason to sit the Fins’ defense in Week 10 versus Philadelphia. For the Eagles, Miami’s tattered defense is music to their ears, especially to DeMarco Murray. While Murray isn’t matching the monster numbers he put up last season, he’s a powder keg waiting be lit up against Miami’s stop unit that has surrendered an average of 23 fantasy points per contest to opposing running backs.
Sunday, November 15
Cleveland Browns vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (1:00 PM ET)
Team/Position
Player
Projected Points
Cleveland
Browns D/ST
5.3
QB
Josh McCown
13.9
RB
Duke Johnson Jr.
6
WR
Travis Benjamin
8.2
TE
Gary Barnidge
8.6
Pittsburgh
Steelers D/ST
8.5
QB
Landry Jones
12.2
RB
DeAngelo Williams
15.7
WR
Antonio Brown
10.1
TE
Heath Miller
3.4
The only thing consistent for the Browns is their ability to manufacture controversies. And for this week, it’s back to their usual conundrum of who to start under center. This ongoing quarterback conundrum, however, carries significant implications on the potential fantasy output of other players.
If the Browns elect to start Manziel, expect Travis Benjamin’s value to rise, as the wide receiver appears to have a pretty good chemistry with Johnny Football. If it’s McCown, then Gary Barnidge could be see a steady stream of targets again after a relatively low 35 receiving-yard performance against Cincy in Week 9.
But enough with the carnival that is Cleveland. Let’s just marvel at the prospect of DeAngelo Williams destroying Cleveland on the ground this Sunday. There’s no reason for owners to leave Williams neither on the bench nor on the waivers, considering the mouth-watering matchup against Cleveland’s league-worst run defense.
With Le’Veon Bell out, Williams should meet his expected production with ease. Take note that opposing running backs have averaged 23.16 fantasy points against Cleveland this year.
Sunday, November 15
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Baltimore Ravens (1:00 PM ET)
Team/Position
Player
Projected Points
Jacksonville
Jaguars D/ST
4.9
QB
Blake Bortles
17.6
RB
T.J. Yeldon
9
WR
Allen Robinson
11
TE
Julius Thomas
5
Baltimore
Ravens D/ST
7.4
QB
Joe Flacco
14.9
RB
Justin Forsett
14.1
WR
Kamar Aiken
7.8
TE
Crocket Gillmore
4.7
Go easy on the running backs in this game. Both teams’ run defenses have been superb—at least on paper—this season with Jacksonville and Baltimore ranking inside the top ten in this category. Instead, look for Allen Robinson to fill up the stat sheets against Baltimore’s lackluster pass defense. Robinson faced top-notch secondaries in the Bills and the Jets the last two games, but neither of which stopped him from accumulating 29 fantasy points. He is a must-start in Week 10.
Sunday, November 15
Minnesota Vikings vs. Oakland Raiders (4:05 PM ET)
Team/Position
Player
Projected Points
Minnesota
Vikings D/ST
5.6
QB
Teddy Bridgwater
12.7
RB
Adrian Peterson
12.9
WR
Stefon Diggs
8.5
TE
Kyle Rudolph
2.9
Oakland
Raiders D/ST
5.4
QB
Derek Carr
17.3
RB
Latavius Murray
9.8
WR
Amari Cooper
9.8
TE
Clive Walford
3.6
Diggs put up a dud the last time out, recording just four fantasy points against the Rams’ tough defense. Diggs, however, should get back to the business of embarrassing secondaries in Week 10, as he’s about to face Oakland’s league-worst pass defense that allows 314.6 passing yards per contest. Owners should also keep an eye on Latavius Murray, who’s yet to clear NFL’s concussion protocol. That said, the latest report regarding Murray’s status suggests that the running back would be ready to go this Sunday.
Sunday, November 15
New England Patriots vs. New York Giants (4:25 PM ET)
Team/Position
Player
Projected Points
New England
Patriots D/ST
7.4
QB
Tom Brady
22.4
RB
LeGarrette Blount
11.4
WR
Julian Edelman
11.2
TE
Rob Gronkowski
10.8
New York
Giants D/ST
2.1
QB
Eli Manning
15.9
RB
Rashad Jennings
5.3
WR
Odell Beckham Jr.
12
TE
Will Tye
4.8
This isn’t the Super Bowl so please calm down and stop making too much about Eli Manning’s penchant for beating the Patriots. That said, it’s alright to start Manning this week with New England allowing opposing quarterbacks to muster close to 17 fantasy points per game this season.
The trio of Brady, Edelman, and Gronkowski, on the other hand, all figure to make it rain this Sunday against the Giants’ faulty pass defense that features a pass rush that only has nine sacks to date and one that gives up 307.8 yards per game. The Giants should be left rotting in the waivers this week and for the foreseeable future.
Sunday, November 15
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Denver Broncos (4:25 PM ET)
Team/Position
Player
Projected Points
Kansas City
Chiefs D/ST
4.8
QB
Alex Smith
13.3
RB
Charcandrick West
7.4
WR
Jeremy Maclin
8.6
TE
Travis Kelce
6.3
Denver
Broncos D/ST
10.5
QB
Peyton Manning
15.8
RB
C.J. Anderson
8.6
WR
Emmanuel Sanders
11
TE
Vernon Davis
3.5
Denver will be without DeMarcus Ware and Aqib Talib due to various reasons this Sunday, but there’s so much talent left in the Broncos’ stop unit that it’s foolish to sit the team’s defense against Kansas. This level of confidence, however, must not spill onto Denver’s backfield, as Kansas City does own a stingy run defense that has allowed just four rushing touchdowns thus far this season—all scored by Cincy way back in Week 4.
Over at the Chiefs’ side, Charcandrick West appears to be an enticing flex play even when considering Denver’s top-rated defense. West has been the undisputed alpha male in the Chiefs’ backfield, rushing for 207 rushing yards on 42 massive carries the last two games.
Sunday, November 15
Arizona Cardinals vs. Seattle Seahawks (8:30 PM ET)
Team/Position
Player
Projected Points
Arizona
Cardinals D/ST
10
QB
Carson Palmer
15.8
RB
Chris Johnson
8.5
WR
Larry Fitzgerald
9.6
TE
Jermaine Gresham
2.9
Seattle
Seahawks D/ST
6.8
QB
Russell Wilson
15.3
RB
Marshawn Lynch
10.8
WR
Doug Baldwin
5.2
TE
Jimmy Graham
7.4
CJ2K has been quite a story this season, rewarding owners who took a flier on him on draft day with 85 points to date. Playing in Seattle, though, is a real deterrent for Johnson’s owners to start him, as the Seahawks have given up just seven rushing touchdowns in their last 17 home games.
As for the Seahawks, it would be better for owners to find a more suitable quarterback to start than Russell Wilson. Wilson has been underwhelming at CenturyLink Field when up against Arizona, as he’s averaged a measly 155.6 passing yards with three scores and two picks in three home games versus the Cardinals. Also take note that the Cardinals are No. 1 in the league in interceptions with 13, making their defense a fun start on Sunday.
Monday, November 16
Houston Texans vs. Cincinnati Bengals (8:30 PM ET)
Team/Position
Player
Projected Points
Houston
Texans D/ST
3.1
QB
Brian Hoyer
15.3
RB
Alfred Blue
5.9
WR
DeAndre Hopkins
12.2
TE
Ryan Griffin
2.6
Cincinnati
Bengals D/ST
7
QB
Andy Dalton
19
RB
Jeremy Hill
9.8
WR
A.J. Green
12.7
TE
Tyler Eifert
8.5
It’s either you’re Hoyer’s mother or just a dude grasping for straws to have the Texans quarterback on your starting lineup. To be clear, we consider Hoyer as one of the worst starting quarterbacks this season, and we’re not alone in that thinking. The Texans’ roster isn’t an absolute mess, though. For one, there’s DeAndre Hopkins, who is a top three wide receiver this week.
Unlike Hoyer, Dalton is a must-start quarterback this Monday, as Houston lets opposing quarterbacks register 18.34 fantasy points a game.
