Key Starters and Tough Calls - Lineup Spotlights for Week 10

Scott Engel provides Week 10 fantasy football lineups analysis, spotlighting key NFL players to start and tougher lineup start/sit decisions to make.

Welcome to Week 10, RotoBallers! Below you will find some of my spotlight choices and players to go with or consider avoiding when faced with tough lineup decisions in Week 10 of the fantasy football season.

These choices are based off my Premium Weekly Lineup Rankings, available as part of the RotoBaller's NFL Premium Pass. Enter promo code KING at checkout for a 10% discount and get access to all of my ranks in all formats, plus a full roster of tools and analysis for the entire 2020 season.

Skill position picks here are based on PPR ranks. We have added a necessary weather section for this week.

• 2025 fantasy football rankings
• Running back (RB) rankings
• Wide receiver (WR) rankings
• Quarterback (QB) rankings
• Tight end (TE) rankings
• Defense (D/ST) rankings
• Kicker (K) rankings
• FLEX rankings
• Dynasty rankings

Week 10 Weather Spotlights

Texans-Browns: As noted here on CBSSports.com, the forecast via The Weather Channel indicates 25-35 mph winds and occasional gusts over 50 mph. There is also an 80 percent chance of rain. We saw the Browns only score six points two weeks ago in a home loss to the Raiders in adverse conditions. Fade all key players in the Browns passing game other than possibly Austin Hooper because TE is so thin and you may have to be forced to go with him if you don’t have Travis Kelce this week. Hooper could conceivably post decent numbers if Baker Mayfield hits him with enough high percentage passes.

This is an ideal week for Nick Chubb to return and lead the Cleveland running game. Do not hesitate to use him unless you see any published pregame reports of a less than normal workload. If not, there should be no concerns about using him, as the Browns would not bring him back before he was ready. Duke Johnson may have to take on a heavy role as a runner and receiver in his “Revenge Game” and should certainly be started. Will Fuller takes a weather-related hit to fantasy WR2 territory and the less reliable Brandin Cooks should be reserved if you have a better option. Deshaun Watson is always a rushing threat, so he is still worthy of some starting consideration, but he is not a Top 10 play in these projected conditions.

Packers-Jaguars: The forecast here is for cloudy and windy conditions with an 80 percent chance of rain and a slight chance of snow flurries or showers. The wind is expected to be at 25-35 mph with occasional gusts over 40 mph. Aaron Rodgers threw for 291 yards and three TDs when the Packers played in windy conditions at home vs. Minnesota on Nov. 1., and all three scoring passes went to Davante Adams. These conditions appear to be more challenging, though, so Rodgers and Adam get a slight bump down at their positions outside of the Top 5. I would consider going with Jared Goff vs. Seattle or Justin Herbert over Rodgers, as they can post similar or better numbers and won’t have the weather concerns. If anyone can battle through challenging conditions it is Rodgers, but if you have another top-level QB or in the case of Goff, a guy with a superb matchup, it’s better to play it safe in the game with no weather issues.

The Jaguars will lean heavily on James Robinson against the Packers, who allow the second-most Fantasy Points Per Game to RBs. He has scored in his last three games. The conditions may curtail the aggressiveness of rookie QB Jake Luton, so D.J. Chark gets knocked down to more of a WR3 play. Green Bay is a prime streaming option against a QB making his second pro start at Lambeau Field in a very challenging environment.

Ravens-Patriots: The forecast on nflweather.com indicates rain and possibly “dangerous” winds later in the game. Lamar Jackson has not been passing the ball well at all so these conditions nearly ensure he lacks any potential for upside for this week. The RB situation in Baltimore is too uncertain to count on in any environment. Mark Andrews has become a completely TD-or-bust TE regardless of weather.

The only New England player you may be considering for usage is Jakobi Meyers, and he should not be streamed now.

Running Back Spotlights – Week 10

Leonard Fournette rushed for 103 yards and 2 TDs in the Week 2 meeting with the Panthers, who are 28^th in FFPG allowed to RBs. The Buccaneers set an NFL record low with five rushing attempts in their blowout loss to the Saints last week. Tampa Bay should rebound behind an angry Tom Brady and Fournette is the more versatile of the Buccaneers’ two RBs. One missed block, fumble or mistake from Ronald Jones and Fournette gets a larger role at any time, and he at least splits the load. He is a worthy flex play this week.

Antonio Gibson faces the Lions, who allow the most FFPG to RBs. Game script should favor him getting a good amount of carries this week and maybe more than one TD chance. He won’t see the field as much when Washington plays from behind, but this game does not have the look of a one-sided affair. Gibson is aiming for his 3rd in row with a rushing TD. He has a rushing TD in 2 of his 3 career road games. Gibson  is one of two rookies with 500+ scrimmage yards (573) & 5+ TDs (5) this season. He should be started as a RB2 this week.

Phillip Lindsay has 75-plus scrimmage yards in 3 of his past 4 games. He is aiming for his 5th in row vs. the Raiders with 50+ scrimmage yards. The Raiders are 29^th in FFPG allowed to RBs. Lindsay definitely looks like the better of the two Denver RBs right now and it is possible he could score from anywhere on the field this week.

Jerick McKinnon had 68 scrimmage yards and a rushing TD last week. He leads the 49ers with 6 TDs (career-high 5 rush, 1 rec.) this season. McKinnon has a rushing TD in 3 of his 4 road games. He is aiming for his 3rd in row with a rushing TD. The Saints are third in FFPG allowed to RBs, but McKinnon is reportedly past his “tired legs” phase and will get a heavy amount of reps regardless of game script. Potential volume as both a runner and passer makes him an adequate low-end RB2 or flex play.

Wide Receiver Spotlights – Week 10

Travis Fulgham led the Eagles with 6 catches for 78 yards and a TD in Week 8. He is aiming for his 5th in row overall with 5+ catches and 70+ rec. yards. Fulgham is also shooting for his 3rd in row on the road with 50+ rec. yards and a TD catch. Jalen Reagor is still unproven and Alshon Jeffery’s role is unclear in his return to action. Continue to start Fulgham with confidence in Week 10.

John Brown set season highs in catches (8) and yards (99) in Week 9. He has a TD catch in 2 of his past 3 games on the road. Brown gets a “Revenge Game” vs. the Cardinals this week. With Patrick Peterson likely covering Stefon Diggs, Brown should be free for some more big-play opportunities this week.

Tyler Lockett should rebound this week. Russell Wilson looks frequently for Lockett when he faces a heavy pass rushing team, and he will be going up against his biggest nemesis in that regard, Aaron Donald. He always terrorizes Seattle, and Donald has 12 sacks in 12 career games vs. the Seahawks. Wilson will be working with a backup center, so he may pepper Lockett often on higher percentage throws. Lockett has a TD catch in three of his past four games vs. the Rams. Jacob Hollister may be a decent desperation TE play as Wilson may not have as much time to go downfield this week.

Josh Reynolds may get in on the high receiving totals along with Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp,If you are looking for a viable WR to stream. The Seahawks are also without their starting CBs this week, and may look as vulnerable as they did against Buffalo.

More Weekly Lineup Prep