Week 10 Fantasy Football Rankings: Top Matchup Plays at Every Position

By (Featured Columnist) on November 6, 2012

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We've entered the push for the fantasy playoffs, as the 10th week of the NFL season brings with it the final month of the fantasy football season in leagues where six teams advance to the playoffs.

That makes every game a do-or-die proposal for many fantasy owners, as for every 8-1 team that's already making plans for the postseason, there's a 5-4 team glancing nervously at the standings and cursing the existence of Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin.

For those fantasy owners, squeezing the most points out of their lineup is critical, and I'm here to help you do just that by pointing out some of Week 10's top fantasy matchup plays.

And no, I'm not going to tell you to start New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees or Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice.

That sort of goes without saying.

QB: Ryan Fitzpatrick, Buffalo Bills (at NE)

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The Buffalo Bills may well be rethinking that $24 million in guaranteed money that they gave quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick a year ago.

That's especially true since over the past four games, the eighth-year pro has averaged fewer than 200 passing yards a game and the Bills have gone 1-3.

Fitzpatrick has thrown only three touchdown passes over that stretch, but the stage could be set for a bounce-back this week in New England.

Fitzpatrick has topped 300 passing yards in each of his past three games against the Patriots. He threw four touchdown passes in their first meeting this season, and New England has surrendered the third-most fantasy points to the quarterback position this season.

Other quarterbacks with favorable matchups: Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons (at NO), Ryan Tannehill, Miami Dolphins (vs. TEN), Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions (at MIN)

RB: Michael Turner, Atlanta Falcons (at NO)

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Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Even though he's become the very definition of a plodder at this stage in his career, ninth-year veteran Michael Turner has still proven to be a viable fantasy commodity.

The Atlanta Falcons running back ranks inside the top 20 at his position through nine games.

There's a good chance that Turner will keep that somewhat surprisingly good production rolling this week when the undefeated Falcons visit the New Orleans Saints, whose porous defense has given up the second-most fantasy points per game to opposing running backs this year.

Other running backs with favorable matchups: Reggie Bush, Miami Dolphins (vs. TEN), Stevan Ridley, New England Patriots (vs. BUF), Vick Ballard, Indianapolis Colts (at JAX)

WR: Malcom Floyd, San Diego Chargers (at TB)

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Donald Miralle/Getty Images

It's been a mixed bag so far this season for San Diego Chargers wide receiver Malcom Floyd.

While the seventh-year veteran is on pace for the first 1,000-yard season of his career, Floyd has reeled in only two touchdown catches so far.

With that said, there's a good chance that the 31-year-old could find the end zone for the third time Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who have allowed 13 touchdown receptions and the second-most fantasy points per game to opposing wideouts in 2012.

Other wide receivers with favorable matchups: Nate Washington, Tennessee Titans (at MIA), Cecil Shorts, Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. IND), Steve Johnson, Buffalo Bills (at NE)

TE: Greg Olsen, Carolina Panthers (vs. DEN)

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Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

The last several weeks have been very quiet for Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen.

He hasn't found the end zone since Week 4 and has amassed only 14 catches for 139 yards over the past four games.

The sixth-year pro failed to take advantage of a very favorable fantasy matchup a week ago against the Washington Redskins, but hopefully the results will be different this week against a Denver Broncos squad allowing the third-most fantasy points to tight ends this season.

Other tight ends with favorable matchups: Jermaine Gresham, Cincinnati Bengals (vs. NYG), Anthony Fasano, Miami Dolphins (vs. TEN), Martellus Bennett, New York Giants (at CIN)

DEF: Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. KC)

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Joe Sargent/Getty Images

The Pittsburgh Steelers were once one of the most formidable defensive units in both the National Football League and fantasy football. 

While the former is still very much the case, the latter is no longer true.

The Steelers rank a moribund 25th among fantasy defenses to this point in the season, but if there ever was a game for the Pittsburgh defense to shine, it's Monday night against the Kansas City Chiefs, who are the friendliest fantasy matchup for opposing defenses in 2012.

Other defenses with favorable matchups: Dallas Cowboys (at PHI), Miami Dolphins (vs. TEN), Seattle Seahawks (vs. NYJ)

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