Welcome back, RotoBallers! Below you will find part one of our Week 10 NFL matchups & fantasy football start/sit analysis for the 2016 NFL football season. Pierre Camus (@pfunk00) breaks down the first half of the Week 10 matchups to help you prepare your lineups to win this week. Be sure to also check out part two of this week's matchups analysis by Ben Ruppert (@Ben_Ruppert_21).

Each week of the NFL season, we will be breaking down individual matchups and providing you with some fantasy football advice and lineup recommendations based on matchups that we love, matchups that we hate, and some high-risk/high-reward players, as well. It’s essential to analyze the weekly NFL match-ups to find lineup sleepers and gems, while also avoiding those players who may turn out to be busts.

Editor's Note: New users that sign up on FantasyAces, make a $20 deposit, and enter any game will receive our full season NFL (or NBA) Premium Pass for free, a $59.99 value. Just email [email protected] with your new FantasyAces username - and boom, that's it! We will email you with your Premium pass.

 

Week 9 Recap

Greatest Hits: Tim Hightower (RB, NO), Michael Thomas (WR, NO), Aaron Rodgers (QB, GB)

Tim Hightower isn't going away any time soon. He saw the bulk of the carries again in Week 9, outcarrying Mark Ingram 23-16. Don't think he isn't worth a flex play once again, as Denver has given up its share of rushing yardage this season. Michael Thomas is emerging as the top WR threat in New Orleans and after this week has a favorable schedule as the fantasy playoffs approach. With 10 TD in the last three games, the buy-low window on Aaron Rodgers is officially closed. The Packers face three straight road games ahead, two against tough NFC East opponents. Still, he is undeniably in the top-five QB conversation once again.

Greatest Misses: Mark Ingram (RB, NO), Frank Gore (RB, IND), Latavius Murray (RB, OAK)

We all knew the 49ers defense was bad, but now we must understand that this is an historically bad defense. Only one other team has allowed more than 1,000 rushing yards on the season (the Browns naturally). San Fran has now yielded 1,329 in nine games. When a backup RB (Hightower) and a bust (Ingram) can each rip off 100-yard games, you need to plan accordingly. Start every player in the backfield when the Niners come to town. Frank Gore continues to defy Father Time and prove his worth as an every week fantasy starter with no threat to his workload. Murray is perhaps the most frustrating player in all the fantasy world. He won't have too many more three-TD games, but the next time he does, it will likely be after you've benched him.

 

Chiefs @ Panthers - Sunday 11/13 @ 1:00 PM EST

Matchups We Love

Kelvin Benjamin (WR, CAR) - He didn't quite break out last week, finishing with five catches for 76 yards, but he has at least managed to go over 70 yards in four straight games. His scoreless drought now extends back to Week 4, however, after pulling in four TD in the first four games. Benjamin remains a solid WR2 this week, as he shouldn't face a big dose of Marcus Peters on the left side of the field.

Tyreek Hill (WR, KC) - Can we officially declare Hill as the WR1 on Kansas City? Jeremy Maclin is out for Week 10, but has struggled mightily for fantasy teams this season. Tyreek the Freak has shown big play ability, scoring four TD on the year compared to just two for Maclin despite seeing just 28 targets. He is converting those into a 78.6% catch rate and now should see a much bigger workload. Carolina's secondary has been very beatable this year, which makes Hill a sneaky add even in season-long leagues.

Travis Kelce (TE, KC) - Surely he will be motivated to make a statement after his premature ejection against the Jags. Kelce hasn't quite proven to be an elite tight end, but he is capable of big games as evidenced by his performances in Weeks 3 and 8. This time around he faces a defense that allows the second-highest fantasy point total to the TE position. He has the highest upside of any tight end in Week 10.

Matchups We Hate

Charcandrick West (RB, KC) - West simply couldn't do anything to show he deserves a share in the Chiefs' backfield with Ware out last week. West turned 13 rush attempts into 39 yards against a mediocre Jacksonville team and now faces a Carolina team that is better against the run. He is only worth holding onto as a handcuff to Ware, should he experience a setback.

Notable Players

Cam Newton (QB, CAR) - With half a season officially in the books, it's clear we won't have a repeat MVP. Newton struggled again last week in L.A. with 225 yards in the air, 40 on the ground and one passing TD. He gets home cooking in Week 10, however, and faces a Chiefs defense that has been wildly erratic this year. He'll have his chances, but is yet to prove himself as a dependable QB1 week-in and week-out this season.

Albert Wilson (WR, KC) - If you're desperate for a WR this week, Wilson should be the next most likely candidate to reach the end zone for the Chiefs. Chris Conley is questionable this week, but hasn't scored yet in 2016. Wilson's involvement has been sporadic this year, but he did manage 42 yards and a score in Week 9.

 

Broncos @ Saints - Sunday 11/13 @ 1:00 PM EST

Matchups We Love

Mark Ingram (RB, NO) - It's been a while since he made this list, but ripping off 158 yards on the ground, including a career best 75 yard run changes things in a hurry. On the surface, facing the champion Broncos and their vaunted defense would seem to relegate Ingram to flex status again. Denver has been susceptible to the run, however, allowing 113 yards to Latavius Murray, 111 yards to Melvin Gordon, 97 yards to Jeremy Hill and 88 yards to Devonta Freeman. Ingram should provide enough value to make him a solid RB2 even if Tim Hightower sees more snaps.

Brandin Cooks (WR, NO) - Cooks has scored in three of the last four games and is yet to see less than six targets in a game this year. He is proving to be much more than simply a deep threat. The absence of Aqib Talib should play into Cooks' favor as he will instead face Kayvon Webster. Many daily players will avoid the Saints receiving corps completely, making Cooks a high-end differentiation play in Week 10.

Devontae Booker (RB, DEN) - This is not the time to panic and sit Booker. He faces the Saints, who actually passed Cleveland as the worst fantasy run defense outside of San Fran. The talk of Kapri Bibbs stealing carries shouldn't be overly concerning. Bibbs saw just eight snaps and hasn't shown enough outside of one big play to warrant taking Booker's job. If you're considering swapping Booker for Bibbs, think about Oakland's Jalen Richard, his big run in Week 1 and subsequent value. Booker should be one of the top RB plays this week.

Emmanuel Sanders (WR, DEN) - Believe it or not, the Saints are in the bottom half of fantasy points allowed to wide receivers. They yield a fair amount of yardage, but have mostly kept receivers out of the end zone (five TD in eight games). Sanders should have the better matchup between the two Denver receivers this week, as improving Delvin Breaux returns from injury to match up against Demaryius Thomas.

Matchups We Hate

Willie Snead (WR, NO) - Snead gets the displeasure of facing Chris Harris Jr. in the slot this week. He has been trending downward recently anyway as Michael Thomas takes on a more significant role. Snead hasn't scored since Week 2 and has only surpassed 60 receiving yards once since Week 1. His fantasy value isn't dead for the year, but he doesn't deserve a spot in your lineup this week.

Notable Players

Drew Brees (QB, NO) - Of course you're starting Drew Brees at home, even though he faces the best pass-rushing team in the league. If Aqib Talib sits this one out, breathe a sigh of relief and count on Brees producing enough volume to keep him among the top 10 QB performers this week.

 

Texans @ Jaguars - Sunday 11/13 @ 1:00 PM EST

Matchups We Love

Lamar Miller (RB, HOU) - Miller certainly hasn't lived up to most fantasy owners' expectations, but we should keep in mind he is seventh in the league with 637 rushing yards. Jacksonville is firmly in the middle of the pack against the run. If Miller reaches the end zone, he could wind up with a top five finish among all runners in a week where Shady and Gore are on bye.

Chris Ivory (RB, JAX) - We could be seeing a situation similar to Miami, where a team that has been relying too heavily on an ineffective QB finally realizes they need to run the ball. Not that I'm predicting a 200-yard outburst by Ivory, but he has proven capable of big games in the past, running for as much as 166 last season in New York. The Texans' tough pass defense should make feeding Ivory the ball Jacksonville's best chance at winning. He certainly looked like himself last week with a 107-yard effort against KC. All of a sudden, Ivory is worthy of RB2 consideration again.

Matchups We Hate

Allen Robinson (WR, JAX) - A.J. Bouye has been tremendous this season, grading out as one of PFF's top corners. Meanwhile, A-Rob is posting a disappointing 48.1% Catch% this season and is yet to crack 80 receiving yards in a game. He has become a low-ceiling WR2 play in PPR formats who needs to reach the end zone to deliver for fantasy owners.

Blake Bortles (QB, JAX) - Sorry Blake, no garbage time points this time. The Garbage King will be facing one of the toughest pass defenses in the league. This also figures to be a low-scoring affair with another struggling QB on the other side. The Jags should focus on establishing their running game once again (as they should have since Week 1), taking the ball out of Bortles' hand as much as possible. Don't bet on too much value this week.

Notable Players

DeAndre Hopkins (WR, HOU) - The sad truth is that Hopkins is not capable of consistently putting up WR1 numbers with Brock Osweiler at the helm. He's contributed three truly productive weeks for fantasy owners with more duds than I care to mention. The Jags don't have anyone who can shut Hopkins down, including rookie Jalen Ramsey, but it's hard to muster enough faith in Osweiler to recommend Hopkins as anything but a high-ceiling WR2 in standard leagues.

 

Bears @ Buccaneers- Sunday 11/13 @ 1:00 PM EST

Matchups We Love

Jordan Howard (RB, CHI) - Just as he was being left for dead, Howard surged back onto the scene. Nobody expected the rookie to gash the Vikings for 200 total yards, but that's exactly what he did. Jeremy Langford and Ka'deem Carey don't seem to pose any realistic threat to his workload and this matchup should be an excellent chance for Howard to build on his momentum from Week 9. He projects as a low-end RB1 in all leagues.

Alshon Jeffery (WR, CHI) - The return of Jay Cutler may not put the Bears back in the playoff hunt, but it should put Jeffery on the fantasy radar once again. Cutler's favorite target notched 63 yards and a touchdown last week. In Week 10, he gets to matchup against rookie Vernon Hargreaves who has allowed 19 catches on 27 targets for 298 yards and a TD the last two weeks alone.

Mike Evans (WR, TB) - OK Mike, we get it. Evans made a statement on Thursday night, going off for 150 yards and two touchdowns on another ridiculous target total of 17. He is making a case as the most valuable player for fantasy leagues in 2016 and is locked in as a WR1 each week. Facing Tracy Porter won't faze him one bit - the former Saints' standout has been targeted heavily this year and it will be no different this game.

Matchups We Hate

Cameron Meredith (WR, CHI) - It has been a roller coaster season for Meredith since he debuted in Week 3. His first two games produced six catches for 52 yards. The next two games he caught fire, catching 20 balls for 243 yards. His last two games have seen him catch a total of two passes for 36 yards. It would seem Jay Cutler doesn't have nearly as much faith in Meredith as Bryan Hoyer did. With Brent Grimes on the other side, Meredith should be completely avoided in this matchup.

Cameron Brate (TE, TB) - Brate scored for the second straight week on Thursday Night Football in Week 8. That gives him four touchdowns on the season, not bad for TE that wasn't a starter when the year kicked off. The problem is that the volume hasn't been there. Brate has caught a total of 12 passes in the last four games, making him TD-dependent for PPR formats. Chicago is fairly tough against the tight end, making Brate a TE2 for this week.

Notable Players

Jay Cutler (QB, CHI) - Tampa's defense has been extremely vulnerable to the pass this year (513 yards by Derek Carr might ring a bell). Cutler isn't going to be asked to win the game as he has in the past, however, with Howard running effectively. Cutler isn't reliable enough to qualify as a streaming option either. In his three starts this season, he's thrown a total of two TD and two INT. His days as a fantasy starter are well behind him.

Mike James (RB, TB) - Need a deep sleeper at RB or a punt play for GPP? James is a four-year veteran who recently re-signed with Tampa Bay to serve as the complement to Peyton Barber. James has produced mostly lackluster numbers and eventually fell out of favor with the Bucs, but he has shown some big play ability. Remember Week 8 in 2013 when he went off for 158 yards in Seattle? He won't see 28 carries this week, but he does present a modest chance to reach the end zone.

 

Vikings @ Redskins - Sunday 11/13 @ 1:00 PM EST

Matchups We Love

Kyle Rudolph (TE, MIN) - Washington has been extremely tough against opposing receivers, but not so much against tight ends this season. Rudolph is not only second on the team in total targets, he leads the Vikings with 11 red zone targets. That has led to four touchdowns on the year, a total that keeps him in the conversation as a TE streamer.

Jordan Reed (TE, WAS) - The Vikings haven't allowed a TD to a tight end this season, but they barely fall outside the bottom 10 in yards allowed to the position. Reed put up 99 yards and a touchdown in his return from concussion two weeks ago. If healthy, Reed is a top five TE each week. Simply put, don't do anything crazy and bench him just because the Vikings are in town.

Matchups We Hate

Kirk Cousins (QB, WAS) - Cousins has elevated himself from streaming option to reliable fantasy QB this season. He helped win games for some fantasy teams in Week 8 with 458 passing yards and a pair of touchdowns before the team's bye week. Now he gets to face the team that allows the third-fewest fantasy PPG and an 8/10 QB/INT ratio to quarterbacks. If you have another reliable choice, it may be time to give Cousins a spot on your bench.

Jamison Crowder (WR, WAS) - Crowder is coming off back-to-back 100 yard games, making him a popular flex play across the board. This rising star will have his hands full with Captain Munnerlyn in Week 10 though. The Vikings have put the clamps down on opposing receivers all season and this should be no exception.

Notable Players

Stefon Diggs (WR, MIN) - Knowing that Josh Norman lurks on the other side could suggest a downgrade to Diggs, but he won't be shadowing the second-year receiver. If there's one thing new OC Pat Shurmur made clear last week, they are going to target Diggs as much as possible. He caught a whopping 13 out of 14 targets in Week 9 and was targeted 13 times the week before. He may have less opportunities this week, but volume alone makes Diggs a WR2/3 depending on your league size.

Chris Thompson (RB, WAS) - Rob Kelley seems to have earned early down work and Matt Jones is working his way back into the lineup. Meanwhile, Thompson retains the pass-catching role and could be leaned on heavily if the run game struggles. He is merely a flex play in 12+ team PPR leagues, but may have some hidden value this week.

 

Packers @ Titans - Sunday 11/13 @ 1:00 PM EST

Matchups We Love

Jordy Nelson (WR, GB) - After consecutive games with 90+ yards and a TD, it could be dangerous betting on Nelson again but I'll take the chance anyway. Nelson should face the most favorable matchup on Sunday opposite Perrish Cox over half the time. The Packers will continue to air it out and Nelson looks to be full speed once again. Keep him locked in as a WR2 in H2H leagues.

Marcus Mariota (QB, TEN) - Few players are as hot as Mariota over the past month. The second-year QB threw for 313 yards and accounted for four total TD last week. He has 13 passing TD and two rushing TD in the last five games. The matchup itself isn't particularly outstanding, but you've got to play a hot hand while you can. Derrick Henry will already miss this game, so if Murray is limited in any way then Mariota will be asked to carry more of the offensive load.

Ty Montgomery (RB/WR, GB) - It's official - Montgomery qualifies at running back! While his owners are excited at the news, they should be almost as excited about this matchup. The Titans have allowed 397 receiving yards to running backs this season. Montgomery should maximize his dual-threat abilities and may even improve on his impressive 5.7 Y/A. Hopefully his carry count will reach double-digits this week.

Matchups We Hate

DeMarco Murray (RB, TEN) - This is the first time Murray makes this category on the year, but we have our reasons. First, Green Bay's run defense has ranked among the top three all season. Second, he has been limited in practice this week with a toe injury. Murray is still a must-start in standard leagues, but this may shape up to be one of his least productive games in what has been an outstanding season thus far.

Notable Players

Rishard Matthews (WR, TEN) - Waiver wire scavengers may be excited to see Matthews' three TD in the last two games and five TD in the last five games. While he seems to have become a preferred red zone target, that actually isn't true. He is tied for second on the team with six, the same as touchdown-less Tajae Sharpe. That total is also just one more than now-retired Andre Johnson. Matthews has managed to convert his looks, but touchdowns are not a reliable enough statistic to predict fantasy value. He could still be a flex play in deep leagues, but keep in mind that Matthews has seen less than five targets in over half of Tennessee's games this year.