In this article, we take a look at the slate of games for Week 10 in an effort to give you options that we think can help you get the most out of your lineup. We are looking to maximize your lineup by giving you a few cheaper options that can help you to get your lineup loaded up in other areas.
We give consideration to the script of each of the games to determine how these games will likely play out. We also evaluate the play of the wide receivers and tight ends and how they will match up with the defenses they will face. We also look at players that are injured, or those coming back from injury. We then target plays that we like and a few that we don’t.
With the help of our defensive guru Aaron Rudnicki, let’s take a look at players that we both like and a few that we would avoid this week.
GOOD MATCHUPS
Stefon Diggs, WR, Minnesota @ Oakland ($5,100)
Bischoff: Diggs has been a blessing for the Vikings offense as he has taken the No. 1 wide receiver role for the time being. We need to remember that it was just a year ago that Charles Johnson was rolling along nicely in the Vikings offense. However, we also need to strike while the iron is hot and Diggs is hot right now, and the matchup is juicy against the Raiders in Week 10.
Rudnicki: The Raiders just gave up 17 catches for 284 yards to Antonio Brown, and both Jets WRs had strong games against them the week prior. David Amerson and D.J. Hayden remain one of the weakest CB tandems in the league, and Diggs should bounce back from a very tough matchup against the Rams last week.
Allen Robinson, WR, Jacksonville @ Baltimore ($6,700)
Bischoff: The only possible negative with Robinson this week is that his ownership percentage will be sky-high. The matchup is glorious and fellow Jaguars wide receiver Allen Hurns is banged up, and that means more opportunity for Robinson. Robinson needs around eight catches and 120 yards and a touchdown to get to value, but Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles will be looking for him early and often in this game. This is one of the better plays of the week.
Rudnicki: The Ravens appear to be keeping Jimmy Smith on the right side, which likely means he will be squaring off against Allen Robinson for most of the game. That is a matchup that Robinson should dominate as Smith has not played anywhere close to expectations this year. Allen Hurns is banged up on the other side and figures to be matched up with Lardarius Webb, who has been the Ravens best corner so that should result in more targets for Robinson.
Tavon Austin, WR, St. Louis vs. Chicago ($4,800)
Bischoff: The Rams have manufactured touches for Austin all year and that won’t change this week. His value comes in a hybrid form as he is not seeing a large volume of targets in the passing game, but he does get multiple carries per game (eight last week versus Minnesota) and it solidifies his value. He draws the Bears at home and plays out of the slot for the Rams, and that gives his a significant matchup advantage over the Bears.
Rudnicki: Despite the recent signing of Wes Welker, Austin figures to be the primary slot option for the Rams this week. That should result in a matchup against nickel corner Sherrick McManis, who has looked in over his head at times this year after spending most of his career to this point as a special teamer. Austin has proven to be an effective and surprisingly productive weapon for the Rams all year with 6 offensive TDs in 8 games.
Randall Cobb, WR, Green Bay vs. Detroit ($6,700)
Bischoff: It has been a down year for Cobb in the Packers offense but there were signs of life last week. This week he draws the Lions at home and if that doesn’t cure anything ailing him, little else will. He’ll see rookie Quandre Diggs, a sixth-round pick out of Texas opposite him at the slot corner position on the Lions defense. He should feast on the Lions and this matchup on Sunday. Cobb could have his biggest game of 2015 this week.
Rudnicki: Cobb woke up late last week against a tough Panthers defense thanks to a favorable matchup against their slot corner. The same should happen this week as he figures to avoid Darius Slay and match up against Quandre Diggs. The Lions have very limited depth at the CB position and starter Rashean Mathis missed practice this week with a concussion, so I think all signs point to a huge game for Cobb here.
Jordan Matthews, WR, Philadelphia vs. Miami ($6,200)
Bischoff: While Matthews has struggled to consistently catch the ball in his second season, he is still getting significantly targeted and his value is tied to the volume he sees in this offense. He has been targeted 37 times over the past four games and went off last week against the Cowboys. This week he gets another nice matchup playing out of the slot in the evolving Eagles offense.
Rudnicki: The Dolphins defense has been torched over the past two games, and the passing stats aren’t as bad as they could be due to all the yards they gave up on the ground. Matthews primarily lines up out of the slot for the Eagles which will help him avoid Brent Grimes, and present him with a great matchup against the much smaller slot corner Brice McCain.
Willie Snead, WR, New Orleans @ Washington ($4,900)
Bischoff: The Saints passing game has gotten in sync and they are rolling right now. Saints quarterback Drew Brees has weapons at all levels, but it is Snead that is becoming one of the most trusted options in this offense. The Washington defense is reeling with a very banged-up secondary and Vegas likes this game to be a high scoring affair, and Snead could easily reach GPP value at his price.
Rudnicki: The Washington secondary is still pretty banged up with each of the top-3 corners dealing with some type of injury of varying severity. Even if they were all healthy though, there isn’t a matchup here that would scare anybody from starting one of the top two Saints WRs. Cooks is starting to heat up with 3 TDs over his last 2 games, and Snead has quickly emerged as one of the favorite targets for Drew Brees.
Rishard Matthews, WR, Miami @ Philadelphia ($4,700)
Bischoff: We’ve seen the Eagles get beat down the field over and over again this season by receivers playing on the boundary. This plays right into Matthews’ strengths and he should see enough volume in this game to warrant GPP selection. He needs around six catches and d 80 yards with a touchdown to get to value, and his selection allows you the flexibility to load up and grab one of the “big-four” at RB this week.
Rudnicki: The Eagles have mainly been victimized by big plays to the outside in the passing game this year. That suggests that Matthews (and Kenny Stills) should have the better matchup this week, as opposed to Jarvis Landry who operates almost exclusively out of the slot. Matthews is coming off a quiet game against the Bills, but the Bills have much better outside corners than the Eagles do.
Pierre Garcon, WR, Washington vs. New Orleans ($4,800)
Bischoff: The Saints have surrendered 24 touchdown passes in 2015 and are No. 30 in passing defense in the NFL. This game looks to be one where both defenses can’t stop the other, and it could be a very high scoring game. Taking a flier on Garcon at this price is a smart, savvy move as he can reach GPP value easily in this contest.
Rudnicki: The Saints have been a very favorable matchup for opposing WRs this year, although the stats were somewhat inflated by the unusual game against the Giants in week 9. Regardless, corner Brandon Browner has clearly been one of the worst corners in the league and he figures to be matched up primarily with Garcon here. DeSean Jackson doesn’t seem back to full strength yet, and he should have a tough time going against impressive rookie Delvin Breaux.
Rob Gronkowski, TE, New England @ New York Giants ($8,000)
Bischoff: The Giants simply don’t have the personnel to stay with big, athletic tight ends as they’ve been gashed all year by legitimate tight ends. This week Gronkowski comes to town and he’ll be the best tight end the Giants see all year. I’d expect a very big day from Gronkowski, and he’s a worthy selection even at his high price.
Rudnicki: This is a bit of a perfect storm in that you have the clear No. 1 player at his position going up against one of the absolute best matchups as well. The Giants weren’t tested by the Tampa tight ends last week with Austin Seferian-Jenkins inactive, but just about every other #1 TE they faced this year has put up above average numbers. Look for Gronkowski to terrorize rookie safety Landon Collins.
Jordan Reed, TE, Washington vs. New Orleans ($4,600)
Bischoff: I’m expecting a clash of high-octane offenses in Washington this week with both defenses unable to stop the opposing offense. Reed comes in as one of Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins most trusted weapons and he’s healthy again. He’s scored three touchdowns in the past two games and he’ll extend that streak this week.
Rudnicki: The Saints gave up 3 TDs to the TE combo of Delanie Walker and Anthony Fasano last week. That bodes well for Reed’s chances here as he comes into the game healthy with 3 TDs in his last 2 games, along with an average of 6 catches and 60 yards per game this year. Washington is going to have to throw the ball to try and keep up with the Saints and that should lead to a big game from their primary red zone target.
Gary Barnidge, TE, Cleveland @ Pittsburgh ($4,800)
Bischoff: If Browns quarterback Josh McCown is playing on Sunday, then Barnidge could be your punt play of the weekend. Barnidge has gone off in recent games with McCown at the helm, and this week he faces a secondary that struggles to contain No. 1 tight ends. Barnidge should be in for a big game in Week 10.
Rudnicki: Josh McCown is expected to return to the lineup for the Browns this week and that’s a great sign for Barnidge, who tends to disappear when Manziel is playing. The Steelers defense should see a lot more time on the field without Ben Roethlisberger, and they have had some issues defending quality TEs all year.
Delanie Walker, TE, Tennessee vs. Carolina ($4,700)
Bischoff: On paper this isn’t a great matchup for any Titans offensive player, but a closer look at recent tight end play against Carolina reveals a bit of a weakness as they’ve been giving up touchdowns to tight ends recently. Walker has the eye of Mariota right now and I’d expect some garbage-time production for Walker which boosts his value.
Rudnicki: The Panthers have a great front seven and an elite shutdown corner in Josh Norman, but they are otherwise vulnerable in the secondary and particularly at the safety position. Less heralded players like Richard Rodgers and Coby Fleener have combined for 3 TDs against them the past two weeks as the Panthers had trouble closing out games in the second half. Walker is the main weapon in the Titans passing game and appears to have good chemistry with rookie Marcus Mariota.
BAD MATCHUPS
Alshon Jeffery, WR, Chicago @ St. Louis ($7,100)
Bischoff: Jeffery is a fantastic wide receiver but this is all about the kind of pressure that the Rams can bring via their front four to force Bears quarterback Jay Cutler into getting the ball out too early. When the Rams choose to blitz it just adds to the mix and it’s hard to see the Bears having much success in the passing game this week. The Rams are super stingy, giving up only five touchdowns via the pass in 2015.
Rudnicki: Jeffery is on an incredible run with 28 catches for 414 yards and 2 TDs in 3 games since returning to the lineup a month ago. He was helped by an in-game injury to CB Jason Verrett last week, but figures to have a much more challenging matchup this week. The Rams defense has only allowed 5 passing touchdowns all year, and should give the Bears offense a lot fewer opportunities than they have had in recent weeks.
Doug Baldwin, WR, Seattle vs. Arizona ($3,400)
Bischoff: Baldwin is one of Wilson’s favorite options but I expect the Seahawks to simply allow Cardinals safety Tyrann Mathieu to blanket Baldwin and not to look at him in this game. The Cardinals are stout against the pass in 2015, ranking as the No. 7 pass defense.
Rudnicki: While the Cardinals often use Patrick Peterson to shadow the opposing team’s #1 WR, it probably won’t be necessary this week. Baldwin plays primarily out of the slot, which means he figures to match up almost exclusively with Tyrann Mathieu who isn’t going to be any easier for him to get away from. Baldwin has seen his usage drop quite a bit in recent weeks and that trend should continue.
Jeremy Maclin, WR, Kansas City @ Denver ($5,500)
Bischoff: We have seen the Denver defense shut down almost everyone they’ve faced in the passing game in 2015. They are ranked as the No. 1 overall pass defense and have given up only seven touchdowns through the air this year. It’s because of the combination of excellent cornerback/safety play and the pressure the front-seven brings to the opposition on a play-by-play basis. Maclin was shut down earlier this season by the Broncos, and it is tough to see anything different in Week 10.
Rudnicki: Even if Aqib Talib misses this game due to a suspension, Maclin should see enough of Chris Harris in this matchup to steer clear of him this week. He was held to 57 yards on 4 catches in a week 2 matchup with the Broncos, and we can probably expect a similar outcome here.
Travis Kelce, TE, Kansas City @ Denver ($4,800)
Bischoff: The same things mentioned above about Jeremy Maclin are the same reasons to stay away from Kelce in Week 10. The Broncos do a great job of shutting down receivers and tight ends. This game is on the road for the Chiefs and I don’t expect much from Kelce in Week 10.
Rudnicki: The Broncos defense is generally not the one you want to face when you’re a WR but it’s not a whole lot better for tight ends. Kelce has been a solid fantasy option all year, but he hasn’t had the breakout year he was expected to. He may still finish the year strong, but this probably isn’t the week to count on him doing much.
Martellus Bennett, TE, Chicago @ St. Louis ($4,700)
Bischoff: The Rams are going to be able to generate enough pressure from their front-seven to dramatically alter the Bears ability to get the ball down the field to their receivers and tight ends. The thoughts on receiver Alshon Jeffery apply here as well, and avoiding Bennett is probably a wise move.
Rudnicki: As mentioned earlier, the Rams have only given up 5 passing touchdowns all year. They can smother opponents, particularly when playing at home in the dome. Bennett remains a very good fantasy option in most weeks, but the Rams shouldn’t have too much difficulty keeping him in check.
