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Week Ten is underway, and there are plenty of matchups to sort through. Let's get to it!
Week 10 NFL Matchups: Fantasy Football Analysis & Sit/Start
Seattle Seahawks @ Atlanta Falcons, Sunday 11/10, 1PM
Match-up We Love: Falcons DEF
Yes, you read that right, I like the Falcons defense this week. This is nothing more than a gut feeling, but I'm not impressed with the Seattle offense lately, and I'm not a fan of west coast teams playing in the east for a 1PM game. I don't think the Falcons will win, but I do think this ends up being a low scoring game, and that is a good start for a fantasy defense.
Analysis: If you need a defense, taking a shot on Atlanta this week is not crazy.
Match-up We Hate: Matt Ryan, QB
If you drafted Matt Ryan, hopefully you also have a solid back-up QB. Ryan is heading a sinking ship right now in Atlanta, as evidenced by his seven interceptions over his last two games. That's a bad trend, and even if Roddy White returns this week, Ryan will still be facing the best secondary in the NFL. There is nothing, and I mean absolutely nothing, to like about this match-up.
Analysis: If you have to start Matt Ryan, temper your expectations. I'd sit him, and look for a better match-up elsewhere.
Key Injuries: Roddy White WR, ATL (questionable), Marshawn Lynch RB, SEA (probable), Percey Harvin WR, SEA (out)
Start 'Em: Russell Wilson, Marshawn Lynch, Golden Tate, Seahawks DEF, Matt Ryan, Steven Jackson, Harry Douglas, Tony Gonzalez, Falcons DEF
Oakland Raiders @ New York Giants Sunday 11/10, 1PM
Match-up We Love: Hakeem Nicks, WR
The Giants have been a disappointment this year, and that has trickled down to Hakeem Nicks' fantasy value. He still has been capable of big games, and has some huge upside. His match-up against a Raiders defense is very favorable, as they have given up the third-most fantasy points to wideouts this year. That could get worse as the team will be traveling cross country for a 1PM game.
Analysis: Consider Nicks a must start, and a candidate for a big game.
Match-up We Hate: Raiders DEF
It's easy to see a match-up against the lowly New York Giants, and play an opposing defense against them in fantasy this year, especially with the way that Eli Manning has turned the ball over. The offense can still move the ball through the air, and put up points, which can be bad news for a defense as well. The same reason we love Hakeem Nicks this week holds true for why we will be avoiding the Oakland defense too.
Analysis: Look for a better match-up elsewhere. Don't let the turnover prone Giants goat you into using the Raiders defense.
Key Injuries: Victor Cruz WR, NYG (probable), Brandon Jacob RB, NYG (doubtful), Juron Criner WR, OAK (out). Terrelle Pryor QB, OAK (probable)
Start 'Em: Eli Manning, Hakeem Nicks, Victor Cruz, Brandon Myers, Terrelle Pryor, Darren McFadden, Denarious Moore
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Tennessee Titans, Sunday 11/10, 1PM
Match-up We Love: Chris Johnson, RB
I've made no bones about my disdain for Chris Johnson in terms of this fantasy football season, but he's still a talented running back, who can put up RB1 numbers against favorable match-ups. That was evidenced by last week's thrashing of the Rams defense, and CJ2K easily had his best game of the season (150 rushing yards, 2 TD's). Match-ups don't get any better than the Jaguars, meaning Johnson could be in for another 20-plus fantasy point performance this week.
Analysis: Chris Johnson is a must start running back this week.
Match-up We Hate: Cecil Shorts, WR
With no Justin Blackmon, Cecil Shorts is once again the top receiving target in Jacksonville. While Shorts is still a useful fantasy option despite being a member of the Jaguars, he's a match-up play at best, and this is not the match-up to play him. The Titans defense is terrific, and they are especially tough on opponent's wideouts at home this year. At best, Shorts makes a low-end flex play this week.
Analysis: Leave Shorts on your bench this week unless you have no other options.
Key Injuries: Maurice Jones-Drew RB, JAX (probable), Cecil Shorts WR, JAX (probable), Michael Griffin S, TEN (questionable)
Start 'Em: Jake Locker, Chris Johnson, Nate Washington, Delanie Walker, Titans DEF, Maurice Jones-Drew, Cecil Shorts
Houston Texans @ Arizona Cardinals, Sunday 4:25PM
Match-up We Love: Garrett Graham, TE
The Texans tight end is still a free agent in many leagues, and if he's available in yours, you may want to pick him up for this week's match-up against the Cardinals. The Cardinals have an underrated defense, but they have been vulnerable to giving up numbers to opposing tight ends this year. Arizona has allowed over 700 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns to opposing tight ends this year, meaning Graham could be in for a big day.
Analysis: Garrett Graham is a must start this week.
Match-up We Hate: Carson Palmer, QB
I'll be the first to admit that i was wrong about Carson Palmer this year. I really felt he was a strong sleeper going into the season, and had plenty of weapons to throw to. Unfortunately, he's a guy that needs time to throw the ball, and the Arizona O-Line has given him little of that. The result has turned Carson Palmer into a turnover machine, and things look to get worse this week against a Houston defense that has been tough on opposing fantasy quarterbacks. A poor offensive line + JJ Watt= a long day for Carson Palmer.
Analysis: Sit Carson Palmer this week. I wouldn't even touch him as an injury or bye week fill in.
Key Injuries: John Abraham LB, AZ (probable), Rashard Mendenhall RB, AZ (probable), Arian Foster RB, HOU (out)
Start 'Em: Case Keenen, Ben Tate, Andre johnson, Garrett Graham, Texans DEF, Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Floyd, Andre Ellington, Cardinals DEF
St. Louis Rams @ Indianapolis Colts, Sunday 11/10, 1PM
Match-up We Love: Colts DEF
If you're in need of a defense this week, and the Titans are taken, you might want to give the Colts a try. They're currently owned in only 57 percent of Yahoo leagues, and have a very favorable match-up against the Rams this week. Facing Kellen Clemons at home, where the Colts have been terrific, could lead to a very good day, and probably a Colts win.
Analysis: The Colts defense makes for a solid start this week in a favorable match-up against the Rams.
Match-up We Hate: Rams DEF
The Rams defense has been a viable option at times this year, especially over the last hand full of weeks, but they are a match-up play at best. The Colts have proven they are the real deal, even without Reggie Wayne, and I would think twice before starting any defense against Andrew Luck and company, especially if the game is in Indy. Opposing defenses do not put up points against the Colts at home, and that trend should continue this Sunday.
Analysis: Avoid the Rams defense and look for a btter match-up elsewhere.
Key Injuries: Darius Heyward-Bey WR, IND (probable), Robert Mathis LB, IND (probable), Zac Stacy RB, STL (probable)
Start 'Em: Andrew Luck, Trent Richardson, Donald Brown, Coby Fleener, TY Hilton, Colts DEF, Zac Stacy, Tavon Austin, Jared Cook, Austin Pettis
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In case you missed them, here are some other RotoBaller Week 10 articles. Let’s win some leagues!
- Going Bonkers – Week 10 Sleepers for Fanduel
- Week 10 Fantasy Football Rookie Sleepers – RB, TE, QB
- Week 10 Waiver Wire – Wide Receivers (WR) & Defenses (DEF)
- Week 10 Waiver Wire Pickups – Quarterbacks (QBs)
- Fantasy Football Waiver Wire – Running Backs (RBs) for Week 10
- Week 10 Waiver Wire Running Backs (RB) – Overlooked Players
- Week 10 Waiver Wire Pickups: Tight Ends (TE)
