START ‘EM SIT ‘EM – WEEK 10

What is going on, Rush Nation? It’s time for the weekly starts and sits article here at 5 Yard Rush. I’ll outline some guys who are coming in hot and some players who you may usually start, that have the odds stacked against them this week. As well as analysis on a number of players I’ll throw you some extra names too. You can always hit me up on Twitter(@LVenes1) for any personal start ’em sit ’em headaches you may have. Let’s get into it!

 

QUARTERBACK

START: Russell Wilson, Broncos @ Titans

After his big money move in the off season, Russ hasn’t exactly hit the ground running at Mile High. He’s currently the QB21 in Fantasy. This week’s match-up with Tennessee is a major chance to blow the doors off. The Titans allow the sixth most Fantasy points to Quarterback’s, 20.8 whilst only averaging 15.2 PPG himself. Whilst the opposing run defense is sharp, they’ve let up 275.6 passing yards per game(3rd most) and just under 2 passing Touchdowns per game(4th most). Let Russ cook, it should be palatable this week. 

START: Daniel Jones, Giants vs. Texans

Brian Daboll is building a winning culture on the blue side of New York. And, Danny Dimes is at the helm. It’s no secret the Giants pass catching group leaves a lot to be desired but Jones is a great upside start this week. Although the Texans are quite good against Quarterbacks, they’re allowing a league high 180.6 rushing yards per game. Jones is fourth in rushing yards amongst all Quarterbacks with 363 on the year and three rushing scores this season. Daniel Jones will get it done on the ground this week. 

Other start ’em options: Tua Tagovailoa, Dak Prescott, Geno Smith, Tom Brady.

SIT: Justin Herbert, Chargers @ 49ers

The Chargers star studded offense is lacking options in the passing game for the third year signal caller. He’s been without Keenan Allen most of the year and Mike Williams will miss another week with his injury. On the road in San Francisco is never an easy match-up for opposing Quarterbacks and they allow less then 15 PPG to the position. Herbert is the current QB13 on the year and is in for another tough week. Seriously look at other options if your roster allows this week, in 1QB leagues.

SIT: Kirk Cousins, Vikings @ Bills

Kirk Cousins is currently a QB1 this season but has never been a week in, week out start for your Fantasy team. His pretty safe floor is probably all you can expect this week on the road, against a nasty Buffalo defense. The Bills are allowing the third least Fantasy PPG to Quarterbacks(12.7). They also rank top 10 against all other skill positions. Similarly to Herbert, I’d only start Cousins in 1QB leagues if you don’t have a different option, with a nicer match-up.

Other sit ’em options: Aaron Rodgers, Derek Carr, Andy Dalton, Jared Goff. 

RUNNING BACK

START: Jamaal Williams, Lions @ Bears

Expectation: Mid RB2.
Williams has held it down for Dan Campbell in Swift’s absence but has also managed to stay relevant with Swift in the backfield too. This is an easy start anywhere you have Williams. Chicago are awful against the Running Back position. Per game they let up 24.6 points to the position(5th most), 147.2 rushing yards(3rd most) and 30.3 rush attempts(3rd most). Swift’s ankle is also still giving him grief, logging limited participation’s on the Lions injury report in both sessions this week. 

START: Jeff Wilson Jr, Dolphins vs. Browns

Expectation: High-end RB2
Wilson returned to a Mike McDaniel offense last week, also joining up with former backfield partner Raheem Mostert, down in Miami. Jeff immediately took over as lead back straight after his trade to the Dolphins. It was a pretty even split in terms of snaps, 49%-47% in his favour over Mostert. But, Wilson received most of the red zone work and not without good reason. He’s averaging 5.1 yards per attempt this season compared to Mostert’s slightly above average 4.3. A decent debut finishing up as RB8 for week nine scoring 16.2 points in PPR leagues. They face Cleveland this week at Hard Rock who let up the 4th most Fantasy points to Running Back’s(24.6). 

N.B – Raheem Mostert is also worth starting if you need too. 

Other start ’em options: Tony Pollard, either Bears RB, James Conner.

SIT: Melvin Gordon, Broncos @ Titans

The Denver backfield is best described as a minefield. You never know who is gonna blow up at any given time. Chase Edmonds is now there along with the addition of Latavius Murray a few weeks ago, who is seeing his fair share of snaps. They face the Titans this week who is a top four defense against Running Backs. They’re only allowing 16.3 points on average per game and that is enough to defer away from any Denver rusher.

SIT: Darrell Henderson, Rams vs. Cardinals

Although none popped off, Henderson did look the best ball carrier for LA in week nine. Unfortuantely it’s the best of a bad bunch. The match-up with the Cards is favourable but the Rams backfield is a mess. You’ve got Hendo who was out produced by Rookie Ronnie Rivers in Week Eight. Akers getting back into the swing of things(eating into Henderson’s workload). And, highly touted Kyren Williams from Notre Dame primed to make his NFL debut soon. Stay away from Sean McVay’s Running Backs until we see otherwise. 

Other sit ’em options: AJ Dillon, Devin Singletary, any Commanders RB

WIDE RECEIVER

START: Joshua Palmer, Chargers @ 49ers

Expectation: WR2
The only saving grace not name Austin Ekeler for Justin Herbert. With Mike Williams sidelined with the high ankle sprain and Keenan Allen likely out again in week ten, Palmer will be the go to in this high pass volume offense. In week nine, Palmer had eight catches from ten targets, turning in 106 yards on the day. The San Francisco defense is one of the best in the league but they do let up points to Wide Receivers. They rank 12 worst with 28.1 Fantasy points on average allowed to the position. In the four matches Joshua Palmer has seen eight or more targets this season, he’s scored over 13 points. He’s a must start this week.

START: Rondale Moore, Cardinals @ Rams

Expectation: Low end WR2
After missing the first three games of the season through injury, Rondale Moore has become a vital piece of the puzzle in Arizona. He’s seen eight targets in four of his six games. And, has comfortably been in double figure Fantasy points in all four of those. He’s also coming in hot off the back of his two best Fantasy performances of the year in week’s eight and nine. The Rams let up a middle of the road 27.6 Fantasy points to wideouts. If you look back to week three for their last match(Moore was out injured), Marquiese Brown and Greg Dortch combined for 27 targets and 220 yards on the day amassing to 45 PPR points. That’s Hopkins and Moore this week. 

Other start ’em options: George Pickens, Chase Claypool, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Jerry Jeudy.

SIT: Gabe Davis, Bills vs. Vikings

Looking at this match-up it is favourable for Bills pass catchers after two tougher match-ups against the Jets and Packers. Davis has been cold since coming off the bye in week seven. He’s caught four balls off 12 targets over the two weeks. And, only just topped 5 PPR points in each week. The other issue here, Josh Allen did not practise until Friday and only logged a limited participation then. Gabe Davis is the epitome of boom or bust. If Case Keenum get’s the start, do not trust Davis in your managed leagues and he’s only a WR3/4 play if Allen does play. 

SIT: Brandin Cooks, Texans @ Giants

Brandin Cooks very publicly threw his toys out the pram after not being traded prior to the trade deadline. He sat out last week but has returned to practise and should play at MetLife this weekend. In four of his last six outings he’s failed to score double figure Fantasy points. He’s only scored a singular Touchdown on the year. And, has topped 80 yards just once. The safe floor we’ve grown accustomed too with Cooks isn’t there this year. The Giants only allow the fourth most Fantasy points to Wide Receivers with 22.1 per game. This isn’t the week to fire up Cooks if you have him rostered. 

Other sit ’em options: Allen Robinson, Robert Woods, Michael Gallup, any Packers receiver not named Allen Lazard.

TIGHT END

START: Greg Dulcich, Broncos @ Titans

Now, this young man is making a name for himself in Denver. The Rookie Tight End returned from injury in week six and snagged his first NFL Touchdown on debut. Consistently producing 11+ Fantasy points with a TE1 finish in all three of his outings plus leading the team in receiving yards in London before their bye. He’s a TE1 going forward with over 17% target share in the Broncos offense. The Titans have allowed the 4th most yards to Tight Ends this year so it’s a great match-up aswell. The rare Tight End rookie breakout is happening for Dulch. 

START: Tyler Higbee, Rams vs. Cardinals

Another player from the NFC West divisional match. Cooper Kupp aside Higbee is the only Ram I’ve been comfortable starting this year with over 20% target share. Higbee himself has had a few down weeks recently but this is the perfect get right game for him. Arizona are allowing the most receptions, receiving yards and Touchdowns to Tight Ends this year. As well as the second most Fantasy PPG(16.4). Tyler Higbee is a must start wether Matthew Stafford plays or not. 

Other start ’em options: Gerald Everett, Dalton Schultz, Cade Otton.

SIT: Pat Freiermuth, Steelers vs. Saints

It’s a tough sit this one but the Saints defense are no joke vs. Tight Ends limiting Pat’s upside this week. The Saints are only allowing 5.8 PPG and 31.9 yards both 2nd least. They’re allowing just under 3.5 receptions per game and have only conceeded one Touchdown to Tight Ends on the year. The match-up for Freiermuth is as brutal as it gets. He is however having a decent year with the woeful Quarterback play as the TE13 overall but there’s probably a better option out there for this week. 

SIT: Robert Tonyan, Packers vs. Cowboys

Unlike big Pat, this ones an easy sit. The Cowboys are another tough match-up as are the Saints with Freiermuth but you simply cannot rely on Tonyan’s usage. His target share dropped below 10% last week against Detroit who’ve been bottom three in Fantasy points allowed to Tight Ends pretty much all year. The Cowboys defense have come to play this season and have allowed the lowest yards per catch(7.6) and only one Touchdown to the position this year. Easy fade on Tonyan this week.

Other sit ’em options: Cole Kmet, Foster Moreau.

That is it for your week ten start ’em sit ’em. Hope you all have a great week ten and move yourself closer to those upcoming playoffs. Don’t forget to check out Dynasty buys and sells for your long term need, as the Fantasy trade deadlines are approaching. Until next week, keep rushing! 

Lewis.