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Fantasy football lineup advice based on Week 10 matchups. Chris Mangano gives his In-depth matchups analysis, lineups start and sit recommendations, and players he loves or hates.
Welcome to our Week 10 matchups analysis and starts/sits column for fantasy football. We'll be covering every matchup from every Sunday game to help you make the best decisions for your fantasy lineups. We'll also be updating this as injury reports come in so check back often.
This article will cover the early slate of games, beginning at 1 PM ET on Sunday. Also, check out our late game matchups analysis and our MNF matchups analysis.
Check back here each week to get advice for your toughest start/sit decisions and take a look at our consensus rankings each week. Find me on Twitter @ChrisMangano for more insight and help to your start/sit questions.
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:- 2025 fantasy football rankings
- Running back (RB) fantasy football rankings
- Wide receiver (WR) fantasy football rankings
- Tight end (TE) fantasy football rankings
- Quarterback (QB) fantasy football rankings
- FLEX fantasy football rankings
- Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
- Kicker (K) fantasy football rankings
- Dynasty fantasy football rankings
Matchups Analysis - 1:00 PM ET Games
The early slate has eight games this week as four teams are on bye. Set those lineups in time by analyzing each matchup below to gain the best advantage.
Saints at Bengals
Matchups We Love:
Drew Brees (QB, NO)
After having 30 or fewer attempts in three straight games, Brees attempted 36 passes against the Rams and lit them up for 346 yards and four touchdowns. He draws another favorable matchup against a Bengals defense allowing 330 yards and more than two touchdowns per game to quarterbacks. There is the risk that the Saints go back to throwing less in a game they should control, but Brees is still a weekly must start in a great matchup.
Alvin Kamara (RB, NO)
Despite the return of Mark Ingram, Kamara continues to dominate the running back work and now has at least 19 touches in every game since the team's Week 6 bye. He gets a fantastic matchup against a Bengals run defense allowing 4.9 YPC and over 100 yards per game while also giving up over six catches per game out of the backfield. Kamara is a locked-in RB1 play.
Michael Thomas / Tre'Quan Smith (WR, NO)
The Saints surprisingly signed Dez Bryant this week but he will not be ready to play, so Thomas and Smith should continue their usual roles on the outside. Since the team's Week 6 bye, Thomas has out-targeted Smith 28 to 13 and has out-gained him 275 yards to 85. The Bengals allow the fifth most receptions to receivers and are giving up over 200 yards per game. Thomas is an easy top-five play at the position while Smith offers upside as a flex start.
Benjamin Watson (TE, NO)
Watson's last three game lines: 6/43/1, 0/0/0, and 3/62/1 are the definition of a roller-coaster. The Bengals allow the second most receptions and third most yards to tight ends so this could be another good week for Watson. There is risk in starting him, but the matchup is good and he is a solid streaming option.
Andy Dalton (QB, CIN)
Dalton has only thrown for more than 265 yards three times all season but does have two or more touchdowns in all but one game. He has a great chance to put up his third 300-yard game and continue his two-plus touchdown streak against a Saints unit giving up 325 yards and more than two touchdowns per game. Dalton is a top-12 option this week with plenty of upside.
Tyler Boyd / John Ross (WR, CIN)
With A.J. Green set to miss at least two weeks with a toe injury Boyd will step in as the team's lead receiver. Already receiving a 23% target share he has a chance to eclipse 25% or more with Green out. Second-year player John Ross is expected to be healthy and ready to go, and he could really be the big beneficiary here. This is a great matchup for both as the Saints are allowing the most receptions and yards to receivers. Boyd is a high-end WR2 with WR1 upside while Ross is an upside flex start.
Matchups We Hate:
Joe Mixon (RB, CIN)
Mixon had one of his best games as a pro against a poor Buccaneers defense turning 21 carries into 123 yards and two scores. He faces a much tougher opponent this week as the Saints are allowing just 3.1 YPC and 52 yards per game, both best in the league. With Gio Bernard back Mixon will likely lose some touches as well. He can't be benched but he has to be considered more of a low-end RB1 this week.
Other Matchups:
Mark Ingram (RB, NO)
After being used heavily before the team's Week 6 bye, Ingram hasn't had more than 16 touches in a game and had just 10 last week at home against the Rams. The Bengals run defense is not strong, however, giving up almost 5 yards per carry and over 100 yards per game, but Ingram's lack of usage makes him more of an upside RB2 play.
C.J. Uzomah (TE, CIN)
The matchup isn't great, the Saints allow less than four catches per game and the seventh-fewest yards to tight ends, but like Jeff Heuerman a week ago, Uzomah is likely to see a big increase in usage. With A.J. Green out Uzomah should be used more in the passing game and especially in the red zone. Green has seen 35% of the team's targets inside the 10 and 50% of red zone targets. Uzomah has a great chance to score and is a great streaming option. In a better matchup, he'd be a must-start.
Falcons at Browns
Matchups We Love:
Tevin Coleman / Ito Smith (RB, ATL)
Coleman was finally used in the passing game coming out of the team's bye, turning seven targets into five catches, 68 yards, and two scores. In the prior three games, Coleman hadn't topped two receptions or 13 touches. Ito Smith, meanwhile, continues to get enough work to be fantasy relevant with double-digit touches in three straight and four touchdowns over that span. Both get a great matchup this week against a Browns defense allowing 4.6 YPC and over 115 yards on the ground while also giving up five receptions and 50 yards through the air. Coleman is an upside RB2 while Smith remains a viable flex option.
Austin Hooper (TE, ATL)
After back-to-back nine catch, 70 plus yard games, Hooper now has back-to-back three catch games and hasn't topped 50 yards in either. He is in a bounce-back spot this week, however, as the Browns allow the sixth most receptions to tight ends and over 60 yards per game. Hooper is once again on the fringe TE1 radar.
Baker Mayfield (QB, CLE)
Despite a string of three favorable defenses, Mayfield has yet to throw for over 300 yards but has thrown for two touchdowns in each of the last three. He gets another favorable defense this week as the Falcons are allowing 316 yards and more than two touchdowns per game to quarterbacks. Mayfield is a great streaming option once again.
Duke Johnson (RB, CLE)
Welcome back Duke Johnson! Whether it was the coaching changes or just a fluke, Johnson showed flashes of what we saw from him last year catching all nine of his targets and converting them into 78 yards and two scores. Fluke or not, the team should use him often once again as the Falcons give up a league-high 8.5 receptions per game to backs. Johnson is a risky start, but he has tons of upside this week.
Jarvis Landry / Antonio Callaway (WR, CLE)
Landry has a massive 31% target share over the last three games but has turned that into just 24 catches and 186 yards, reminiscent of his days in Miami. Callaway, meanwhile, continues to do little with his opportunities. Both have a chance to boom this week facing a Falcons secondary allowing the seventh most receptions, just under 200 yards, and more than 1.5 touchdowns per game to receivers. Landry is a high-upside WR2 while Callaway is a boom/bust flex option who has real boom potential in this one.
David Njoku (TE, CLE)
A week after getting zero targets Njoku rebounded with four catches and 53 yards but failed to score. He may not find the end zone again this week, the Falcons have only allowed three tight ends to score all year, but he offers a nice floor as they give up the seventh most receptions and over 50 yards per game to the position. Njoku remains a top-10 option among tight ends.
Matchups We Hate:
None
Other Matchups:
Matt Ryan (QB, ATL)
Ryan shredded a strong Washington defense in Week 9 and now has 350 or more passing yards in five of the last six and three or more touchdowns in four of those games. The Browns are giving up just under 300 yards per game but only allow 1.5 touchdowns. Still, with the way Ryan and the Falcons offense is playing he is a weekly top-5 option at the position.
Julio Jones / Calvin Ridley (WR, ATL)
Over the last three games, Jones leads the Falcons with 36 targets while Ridley is second with 18. Mohamed Sanu is almost non-existent with just nine. The Browns allow the 10th most receptions to receivers and 186 yards per game, so both Jones and Ridley should have chances. Jones is a weekly high-end WR1 while Ridley is an upside WR3 start.
Nick Chubb (RB, CLE)
Since Carlos Hyde was traded in Week 7, Chubb leads ALL running backs with 84% of his team's carries. That kind of share makes him a weekly must-start even in a just so-so matchup against a Falcons defense allowing 4.3 yards per carry and just under 80 yards per game. Chubb has yet to have less than 80 total yards in the three games he has started and has scored in two of them. He offers a safe floor with decent upside as well.
Lions at Bears
Matchups We Love:
Jordan Howard (RB, CHI)
While Howard has not been having much success on the ground, averaging just 3.4 yards per carry over the last three, he has scored in three straight games. He has a chance to keep the scoring streak going, and should be more successful running, against a Lions defense allowing 5.5 yards per carry and 134 yards per game, both worst in the league. Howard should offer a nice floor as an upside RB2.
Matchups We Hate:
Matthew Stafford (QB, DET)
Behind a banged-up offensive line and missing his number one target, Stafford could do little against the Vikings in Week 9 taking 10 sacks and throwing for just 199 yards, his lowest output of the season. He was also held without a touchdown for the first time all year. Things aren't likely to get any better facing a Bears defense giving up just 250 yards and less than two touchdowns per game. They also will be getting Khalil Mack back which is bad news for Stafford. He is outside the top-12 this week and fantasy players should look for other options.
Kerryon Johnson (RB, DET)
The return of Theo Riddick in Week 9 all but killed Johnson's value as he had only 12 carries and three receptions. Now he must face a Bears defense allowing the second fewest yards per game to running backs and just 3.4 yards per carry. Johnson is nothing more than a touchdown-dependent flex play this week.
Allen Robinson / Taylor Gabriel / Anthony Miller (WR, CHI)
Robinson looks set to return from his groin injury and said Thursday that he feels 100%. In games Robinson, Gabriel and Miller have all played the target breakdown is Robinson 42, Gabriel 38, and Miller 22. The Lions have a stout secondary and ended Adam Thielen's 100-yard game streak last week. On the year they are giving up the fewest receptions and just 140 yards per game to receivers. Robinson and Gabriel can't be considered more than WR3/4 plays while Miller is nothing more than a pure desperation start.
Other Matchups:
Theo Riddick (RB, DET)
While Kerryon Johnson has to deal with the tough Bears front, Riddick will get mismatches against linebackers who allow over five catches per game to running backs. If the Lions fall behind Riddick could see usage to what he saw last week when he caught seven passes for 36 yards. He has a decent floor in this one but limited upside as a PPR flex play.
Marvin Jones / Kenny Golladay (WR, DET)
In the Lions first game without stud receiver Golden Tate, Jones led the team with eight targets while Golladay disappointed with just four. Neither did a whole lot with the opportunities they had, but will have chances against a Bears defense allowing the ninth most receptions to receivers and over 180 yards per game. Jones is a WR3 play while Golladay is more of a flex start.
Mitch Trubisky (QB, CHI)
Trubisky was not required to do much in a 41-9 drubbing of the Bills in Week 9, attempting only 20 passes, his fewest of the year. The Lions are only allowing 235 yards but do give up two touchdowns per game to quarterbacks. Trubisky should use his legs more this week as well and offers low-end QB1 appeal.
Tarik Cohen (RB, CHI)
With the Bears manhandling the Bills in Week 9 Cohen was asked to do very little, getting just seven total touches. This game should be closer and Cohen should get plenty of looks. The Lions are the worst run defense in the league and give up just under 5 receptions per game to backs. Cohen is a low-end RB2 play with upside.
Trey Burton (TE, CHI)
Like most of the Bears, Burton wasn't needed to do much in Week 9 against the Bills though he did catch his fifth touchdown of the season. He should be more involved this week and gets a Lions defense that allows just over four catches and 50 yards per game to the position. They've also allowed a tight end to score in half of their games. Adam Shaheen is set to return from injury but he shouldn't impact Burton too much just yet. Burton is a low-end TE1 in this matchup.
Cardinals at Chiefs
Matchups We Love:
Josh Rosen (QB, ARI)
The entire Cardinals offense looked better under new coordinator Byron Leftwich, including Rosen who had season highs in yards (252) and touchdowns (2). Now he gets a cream-puff matchup against a Chiefs defense allowing over 300 yards and just under two touchdowns per game to quarterbacks. Rosen is a nice streaming option in deeper leagues and is worth a stash if you're struggling at the position.
David Johnson (RB, ARI)
Although Johnson still couldn't get anything going behind the Cardinals awful offensive line, he did tie his season-high with 41 yards through the air. The Cardinals should continue to utilize him better and he gets a great matchup against a Chiefs defense allowing 5.1 yards per carry and over 100 yards per game. They also give up the second most receptions to backs. Johnson is a high-end RB2 with upside in Week 10.
Larry Fitzgerald (WR, ARI)
Like Rosen and Johnson, Fitzgerald had his best game of the season with new OC Leftwich, turning 12 targets into eight catches for 102 yards and a score. He gets a great matchup against a Chiefs secondary allowing the sixth most receptions to receivers and giving up 180 yards and just under one touchdown per game. Fitzgerald is a high-floor WR3 start.
Kareem Hunt (RB, KC)
Hunt has been playing Gurley-like as of late with 553 scrimmage yards and eight touchdowns over the last four games. His hot streak should continue against a Cardinals defense giving up over 130 yards on the ground and more than one touchdown per game to running backs. Hunt is a locked-in top-3 option at the position.
Matchups We Hate:
Travis Kelce (TE, KC)
Since Week 2, Kelce has at least five catches and 61 yards in every game and has six touchdowns on the year. He will be tested this week, however, against a Cardinals defense that allows just 3.5 receptions per game (fourth lowest) and just 41 yards per game (sixth lowest). They also haven't allowed a tight end to score since Week 2. You can't bench Kelce but you should temper expectations.
Other Matchups:
Ricky Seals-Jones (TE, ARI)
Seals-Jones only has two catches for 12 yards in each of his last two games but he draws a good matchup against a Chiefs defense allowing the eighth most receptions to tight ends and over 70 yards per game. While he comes with considerable risk, he is worth a streaming start in very deep leagues.
Patrick Mahomes (QB, KC)
Another week, another 300-yard multi-touchdown game for Mahomes. He has now thrown for over 300 yards with at least three touchdowns in six games and has done so in four straight. This is by no means a great matchup for him, however, as the Cardinals are allowing the fewest points to quarterbacks. On the year passers are averaging just 24o yards and one touchdown against this defense. Still, Mahomes is matchup-proof though he may not have the massive ceiling we are used to.
Tyreek Hill / Chris Conley (WR, KC)
Hill has seven touchdowns on the season and leads the Chiefs with 64 targets but has only caught seven passes over the last two games. Conley, meanwhile, could get a big bump with Sammy Watkins potentially out with a foot injury. The matchup is good, the Cardinals allow the 10th most receptions to receivers but just 160 yards. Hill remains a weekly WR1 while Conley would make for an upside flex play if Watkins is indeed out.
Patriots at Titans
Matchups We Love:
Josh Gordon (WR, NE)
Gordon is coming off his best game of the season, a five catch, 130-yard, one touchdown performance against the Packers and appears to be fully entrenched in the Patriots offense. He draws a smash matchup on the outside where he should see plenty of Malcolm Butler who has been destroyed this year by just about everyone. Gordon offers tons of upside in this matchup and should be started everywhere.
Marcus Mariota (QB, TEN)
Mariota has now strung together two solid games and has at least 30 rushing yards in both, finally looking healthy. He gets a great matchup against a Patriots defense allowing 285 yards and more than two touchdowns per game to quarterbacks. As a bonus, they are allowing 6.3 yards per carry to quarterbacks, second highest in the league. Mariota offers a solid floor and is a good streaming option.
Matchups We Hate:
Rob Gronkowski (TE, NE)
It appears Gronkowski will return after missing Week 9 and looking far less than 100% in Week 8. There are concerns that his back is still not fully right and it doesn't help that the Titans are allowing the seventh-fewest receptions to the position. It's hard to bench Gronk when he is active, but if you have a more dependable option you may want to give him a week.
Other Matchups:
Tom Brady (QB, NE)
Brady is not putting up the gaudy numbers we are used to as he has four games with one or fewer touchdowns and has only eclipsed 300 yards three times. Part of that is the Patriots improved run game which should be boosted by the return of Sony Michel. This is also not a great spot for Brady, as the Titans are allowing just 238 yards and barely more than a touchdown a game. You could make a case for benching Brady this week if you have a top-8 option at the position, but he is still the goat and can't be counted out.
Sony Michel / James White (RB, NE)
Michel looks set to get back on the field this week which makes Cordarelle Patterson fantasy irrelevant once again. In the five games, Michel has started, excluding Week 7 when he got hurt early, he has averaged 20.25 attempts, one touchdown, and 15.93 PPR points. In that same span, White has averaged 8.5 targets, 6.5 receptions, one touchdown, and 20.8 PPR points. Both make for fine plays this week against a Titans defense allowing 90 yards on the ground and 4.5 receptions to backs. Both can be considered RB2 plays, though White is better in PPR.
Julian Edelman (WR, NE)
Since returning from his four-game suspension, Edelman ranks second on the team with 44 targets and two touchdowns. The Titans pass defense is nothing to fear, but they can really be exploited on the outside. Still, this is not a bad spot for Edelman and he remains a weekly WR2 especially in PPR formats.
Dion Lewis / Derrick Henry (RB, TEN)
Lewis has taken over this backfield the last two weeks, out-touching Henry 42 to 22 over that span. The Patriots are allowing just 87 yards per game to running backs, but give up over six receptions. Lewis should do well in the passing game and is a solid RB2 play. Henry remains nothing more than a touchdown-dependent RB3.
Corey Davis (WR, TEN)
Davis continues to get peppered with targets, seeing 10 more in Week 9 but still only has one touchdown in 19 career games. He could make it number two against a Patriots defense that allows just over one touchdown per game to receivers and more than 13 receptions. Davis remains a solid WR3 but lacks massive upside.
Redskins at Buccaneers
Matchups We Love:
Josh Doctson / Maurice Harris (WR, WAS)
Harris has out-targeted Doctson 14 to 10 over the last two games and has filled the hole Jamison Crowder has left. Harris is in a great spot this week as the Bucs are allowing over 150 yards to slot receivers, most in the league. It's a good spot for Doctson as well against a defense allowing the third most receptions to receivers. It should be noted that Crowder practiced in a limited fashion Thursday, and if he plays Harris will be all but worthless. If he sits Harris is an upside WR3. Doctson meanwhile is an upside flex play.
Jordan Reed (TE, WAS)
Reed has been one of fantasy's biggest disappointments. Healthy all year he has only one touchdown and has topped 50 yards just twice. If he can't do it this week it may be time to cut ties. The Buccaneers allow the fourth most receptions to tight ends, the most yards, and have allowed a touchdown in all but three games. Reed is a risk but offers a ton of upside this week.
Matchups We Hate:
Adrian Peterson (RB, WAS)
It's bad enough the entire Washington offensive line is injured, but factor in a Buccaneers run defense allowing less than four yards per carry and under 80 yards per game, and it's hard to like Peterson this week. He has averaged 22.4 carries in wins, and just eight in losses, so if you're rostering him this week you have to hope Washington gets the W.
Peyton Barber (RB, TB)
Barber has three games with 16 or more carries and five games with 13 or less so you really never know what kind of volume to expect. With the Buccaneers rarely playing from ahead he often gets game-scripted out. Despite the Falcons blasting Washington last week, this is still a very good defense that allows only 77 yards on the ground. Barber can't be considered more than a touchdown-dependent RB3.
Other Matchups:
Alex Smith (QB, WAS)
Smith is back to delivering good, but not great, fantasy games as we had been accustomed to seeing in years past. If he's ever going to have a great game this should be it. The Buccaneers give up over 320 yards and more than two touchdowns per game to quarterbacks. Potentially getting Jamison Crowder back should help as well. Smith is a viable streaming option this week.
Kapri Bibbs (RB, WAS)
Bibbs has yet to see more than four carries or catch more than four passes in a game, but he's found the end three times. With Chris Thompson ruled out yet again, Bibbs should resume his pass-catching role. It's not worth much, unfortunately, and he is nothing more than a desperation flex play.
Ryan Fitzpatrick (QB, TB)
Fitzpatrick took back over starting duties in Week 9, and after throwing two first-half interceptions almost got benched. But head coach Dirk Koetter stuck with him and he ended his day with 243 yards and four touchdowns in a losing effort. He has been confirmed the starter again this week and gets a Washington defense giving up over 270 yards and just under two touchdowns per game. Fitzpatrick leads the league on passes that travel more than 15 yards, and his DGAF mindset makes him a weekly top-10 option, so long as your league doesn't penalize turnovers too badly.
Mike Evans / Adam Humphries (WR, TB)
Of Fitzpatrick's four touchdowns two went to receivers. Just like everyone expected Humphries caught them both. Wait, what? Fitzpatrick targeted Humphries eight times which was second only to Evans' 10. Unfortunately for Evans he only caught one of those passes. It appears Chris Godwin and DeSean Jackson are barely fantasy relevant at this point. Jackson for what it's worth played less than half the snaps last week. The Redskins secondary is nothing to fear and they were torched by the Falcons a week ago. Evans, despite the poor outing, remains a WR1 while Humphries is an interesting flex play, especially in PPR formats.
O.J. Howard (TE, TB)
Howard is having a breakout sophomore campaign and it really doesn't matter who is throwing him the ball. In Week 9 with Fitzpatrick back under center, he caught three passes but had two touchdowns. He has now scored double-digit PPR points in every game outside of Week 1. The matchup with Washington is good but not great as they allow just under five receptions per game. Still, Howard is a threat to score every week in this offense and remains a weekly must-start.
Bills at Jets
Matchups We Love:
None
Matchups We Hate:
Nathan Peterman (QB, BUF)
Peterman has three touchdowns and 12 interceptions in eight NFL games. Moving on.
Josh McCown (QB, NYJ)
In one of the week's biggest surprises, Sam Darnold showed up to practice in a walking boot and was immediately ruled out for Week 10. That means Josh McCown will inherit the starter role for at least this week and possibly longer. McCown was good for the Jets last year, throwing for over 2,900 yards, 18 touchdowns and nine interceptions in 13 games. The Bills are not an easy matchup, however, allowing just 225 yards and barely over one touchdown per game. McCown is nothing more than a desperation QB2 start.
Isaiah Crowell (RB, NYJ)
Despite the loss of Bilal Powell, Crowell has seen no increase to his touches and has 14 or fewer in three straight games. Facing a Bills run defense allowing just 4.1 yards per carry and less than 90 yards per game, Crowell is nothing more than a touchdown-dependent RB3.
Chris Herndon IV (TE, NYJ)
Herndon's touchdown streak ended at three in Week 9, but he did lead the team with four receptions for 62 yards. Now he will be without Sam Darnold at quarterback while facing a Bills team allowing the sixth fewest receptions to tight ends. Herndon should be benched if possible.
Other Matchups:
LeSean McCoy (RB, BUF)
McCoy only has 23 rushing yards on his last 21 attempts, but he has 10 receptions over the last two games which are keeping him on the fantasy bubble, especially in PPR formats. The Jets allow just 4 yards per carry and 88 yards per game on the ground but do give up over five receptions per game. McCoy is nothing more than a PPR flex start with little upside.
Kelvin Benjamin (WR, BUF), Zay Jones (WR, BUF)
In the last two games with Nathan Peterman, Jones leads the team with 10 catches while Benjamin has six on 16 targets. Benjamin has a ridiculous 259 air yards over that span, however. This is actually a great matchup, as the Jets allow the fourth most receptions and 180 yards per game. But Peterman is throwing them the ball so...Jones can be considered the "safer" of the two, while Benjamin is a boom/bust play only.
Elijah McGuire (RB, NYJ)
McGuire returned from I.R. and looked good in his first game, running for 23 yards on six carries and catching three passes for 37 yards. While he should be in line for more work it's probably too soon to start him, but if you're desperate he makes for a viable flex start in PPR formats.
Jermaine Kearse (WR, NYJ)
Both Robby Anderson and Quincy Enunwa are looking doubtful for this week, which would leave Kearse as McCown's only viable weapon. Last year in games Kearse and McCown played together he averaged 11.55 PPR points. The Bills are middle-of-the-pack against receivers, and Kearse will never put up huge numbers, but he is a solid flex start in PPR leagues.
Jaguars at Colts
Matchups We Love:
None
Matchups We Hate:
Donte Moncrief / Dede Westbrook / Keelan Cole (WR, JAX)
In the Week 8 game before the team's bye, Moncrief led the team with seven targets, while Westbrook had five and Cole just three. With the return of Leonard Fournette the Jaguars will likely play a slower pace and Bortles should attempt fewer passes. This is a receiving group to avoid if you can.
Marlon Mack (RB, IND)
Mack has been great since coming back from injury in Week 6, running for a ridiculous 347 yards on 56 carries (6.2 YPC) with three touchdowns. Rookie guard Quenton Nelson has opened huge holes for him and he is running with a burst. He'll be tested this week, however, against a Jaguars front allowing just 3.8 yards per carry and 88 yards per game. You can't bench Mack but you should temper expectations.
T.Y. Hilton (WR, IND)
After having 10 or more targets in each of the first three games, Hilton has only 15 total over the last three he has played in. Still, prior to his one catch game in Week 8 he had caught at least four passes in every game. The Jaguars are not the vaunted pass defense they were a year ago and will be without A.J. Bouye, but Hilton will still see plenty of Jalen Ramsey. He can't be considered more than a WR3 in this matchup.
Jack Doyle (TE, IND), Eric Ebron (TE, IND)
In games, Doyle and Ebron have both played Doyle has out-snapped Ebron 193 to 70, out-targeted him 22 to 12, and has four red zone targets to Ebron's three. Ebron played just 18% of the snaps in Doyle's return in Week 8. Both are in a tough spot this week against a Jaguars defense limiting tight ends to just 3.5 receptions and 40 yards. Doyle gets enough volume to remain a low-end TE1, while Ebron is nothing more than a touchdown-dependent play.
Other Matchups:
Blake Bortles (QB, JAX)
It took 41 attempts, but Bortles eclipsed his yardage total from the previous two games combined, throwing for 286 yards and one touchdown. He now has one or fewer touchdowns in six of eight games, and the return of Leonard Fournette could limit his attempts. The Colts are allowing 275 yards but just 1.6 touchdowns per game. Bortles is nothing more than a low-end QB2 play.
Leonard Fournette (RB, JAX)
Fournette has yet to finish a game this year but looks on track to finally play and be healthy coming out of the team's Week 9 bye. When healthy this year Fournette was in a three-down role, but with the addition of Carlos Hyde, you have to wonder how much work he'll get right out of the gate. The Colts are allowing 4.2 yards per carry and just under 100 yards per game, but if possible we'd prefer to wait one week before starting Fournette.
Andrew Luck (QB, IND)
Luck is on pace for 46 touchdowns this year and has thrown three or more in five straight games. The matchup with the Jaguars is not great as they allow just 200 yards and one touchdown through the air. Still, Luck appears matchup proof and is an every week starter at the position.
