NFL Week 10 Fantasy Football Guide

Week 10 is the beginning of the final stretch in fantasy football. Some of you are 7-2, 8-1 or even undefeated. But most of us are anywhere between 3-6 and 6-3. These last five weeks are what separates the contenders from the pretenders. Most bye weeks are over, the depth charts are set, and most lineups are set in stone (with the exception of the FLEX). These last five weeks are all considered must-wins to get to the fantasy playoffs.

Here are my starts and sits for Week 10:

Keep in mind, this is not the article to be looking for if you want to know if you should start Aaron Rodgers (when he's not injured) or Calvin Johnson. Start your best players in almost any scenario.

STARTS

Quarterback

Eli Manning vs. the Raiders

Ryan Tannehill vs. the Buccaneers

Jake Locker vs. the Jaguars

We all saw what Nick Foles did to the Oakland Raiders last week, and Eli Manning has had a week to prepare for this matchup. Eli has not thrown an interception in his last two games as the Giants offense has seemed to turn a corner as far as balance is concerned. Look for Eli to pass for over 300 yards and a few touchdowns. Ryan Tannehill has been a perfect bye-week fill in this year, and against the Bucs he is a good play for those who have Tom Brady. The Bucs have not been as good in the pass game that we all expected this season, and with the dire situation in Miami, look for the "leader" of that team to step up and play well. Jake Locker has been a surprising fantasy quarterback this season. He has a touchdown in all but one game this season, and should get at least one against the Jaguars.

Running back

C.J. Spiller vs. the Steelers

LeVeon Bell vs. the Bills

Zac Stacy vs. the Colts

Stacy and Bell have earned the full workload on their respective teams, and should be must starts as RB2's this week and for the rest of the season. C.J. Spiller practiced this week for the first time all season it seems like, and the Bills will look to get their young star back into the mix in a big way. Also, E.J. Manuel comes back this weekend, which bodes well for Spiller in the read option game as well. Owners who have held on to Spiller will be rewarded the rest of this season should he stay healthy.

Wide Reciever

Keenen Allen vs. the Broncos

Alshon Jeffery vs. the Lions

Cecil Shorts vs. the Titans

Keenan Allen has been producing at a WR1 rate the last few weeks with around 400 yards and three touchdowns in the last four games. The Broncos will score a lot of points and for the Chargers to keep up, they will need to throw the football. Alshon Jeffery has really come on as one of the best second options in the NFL, and with Jay Cutler back he should continue to be a solid WR2. Cecil Shorts led the NFL in targets during the first six weeks of the season, and now with Blackmon suspended again, he is the main target in the Jaguars offense and should be starting in every PPR format. In standard leagues he is a good FLEX option, as he will see 8 or more targets almost every week.

Tight End

Antonio Gates vs. the Broncos

Julius Thomas vs. the Chargers

Delanie Walker vs. the Jaguars

Antonio Gates will be one of the weapons Rivers will rely on to try and keep up with the Broncos, and will get a ton of looks in the middle of the field. Julius Thomas returns from bye and should be back into your lineups as a TE1 for the rest of the season. He will easily accumulate double digit touchdowns when the season is over. Delanie Walker is a perfect bye-week fill in for those who have to sit Rob Gronkowski this week. Walker faces the Jaguars who have not been great defending the tight end this season.

Defense

Tennessee vs. the Jaguars

Philadelphia vs. the Packers

The Titans defense is an underrated bunch, and against the Jaguars this week, they are a must start. The Eagles have an interesting matchup this week as Aaron Rodgers is hurt. The Birds run defense is very good, so the Packers will need to win through the air. Look for the Eagles to get some sacks and maybe even a few turnovers this week.

SITS

Quarterback

Matt Ryan vs. the Seahawks

Joe Flacco vs. the Bengals

Matt Ryan gets Roddy White back this week, but since the Seahawks secondary is so deep, don't expect Ryan to light up the scoreboard. Roddy White torched Richard Sherman in their last meeting, but many are skeptical that White is fully healthy. Be cautious if you start Matt Ryan this week. Joe Flacco faces off against another good secondary in the Bengals, but Flacco just has not been good this season in fantasy football regardless of the opposing team. He only has passed for 11 touchdowns, which is not enough for fantasy purposes. By comparison, Nick Foles has thrown 13 in just 14 quarters of play.

Running back

Eddie Lacy vs. the Eagles

Trent Richardson vs. the Rams

Eddie Lacy has led the NFL in rushing in the last few weeks, but the Eagles run defense is very good. With Aaron Rodgers out, the Eagles defense can key on Eddie Lacy and stack the box to help the front seven. Lacy will still get a ton of carries, but do not expect him to repeat his recent success against a good Eagles rush defense. Trent Richardson has been a massive disappointment in Indianapolis so far, and against a Rams defense who can stop the run, Richardson will likely disappoint again. When he can figure out how to hit the gaps and use a bit more patience, Richardson will be a star, until then he may struggle.

Wide Receiver

Andre Johnson vs. the Cardinals

Harry Douglas vs. the Seahawks

Andre Johnson has had tremendous success with Case Keenum, but going against the Cardinals secondary this week could change that. Patrick Peterson is one of the best cover corners in the game, and if Keenum floats the ball deep to Johnson, Peterson will catch up to it. Harry Douglas has been a savior for many fantasy players over the last few weeks, but the Seahawks have two of the best corners in the game in Richard Sherman and Brandon Browner. Douglas will draw Browner this week, and may have a tough time getting off the line of scrimmage. Sit Douglas this week if you have another option.

Tight End

Jason Witten vs. the Saints

Brent Celek vs. the Packers

Brent Celek faces the Packers defense who have some good safeties and linebackers as far as pass coverage goes, look for Zach Ertz to be the better tight end this week. Jason Witten is likely going to start if you have him, but beware. He only has three weeks with double digit fantasy points and the Saints' Kenny Vaccaro will be on him all day. Witten has been a disappointment this season, and may have another disappointing day.

Defense

Chicago vs. the Lions

New Orleans vs. the Cowboys

The Bears and Saints have been two of the better fantasy defenses this year, but have tough matchups against two great offenses. The Lions and Cowboys have two of the most talented units in the NFL, so if you have another option, stay away from these two this week.

Good luck this week, and join me on Sunday's for a live fantasy thread where I will answer your questions from 11 to Noon EST.

Any other questions, ask me on Twitter @PFF_JCollacchi.

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