Fantasy Football Week 10: Players Ready to Break Out

Dolphins RB Reggie Bush scampering into the end zone against the Colts.
Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Everybody is looking for Doug Martin.

Not the player himself, but that breakout star who will single-handedly win you your fantasy week. 

Entering Week 8, Doug Martin was a proficient low-end No. 1, high No. 2 running back on most fantasy teams. 

Now two weeks later, the heralded rookie is the talk of the NFL and a must-start option in all fantasy leagues. 

In Week 10 of the 2012 NFL season, four more players enter on the cusp of a breakout performance. 

So without further ado, here they are.

4. Josh Freeman vs. San Diego

Bucs QB Josh Freeman directing the offensive line.
Adam Bettcher/Getty Images

Josh Freeman has been superb over his last four games. 

Since Week 6 alone, Freeman has thrown for 1,257 yards with 11 touchdowns and just one interception. 

Thanks in big part to new addition Vincent Jackson and the consistency of Mike Williams at wide receiver, Freeman has been able to mature in front of our eyes. 

According to Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times, Freeman had this to say about his maturity: 

"I'm more in control of whether it is emotions as far as going out and feeling those urges to make something big happen rather than letting it happen, letting the defense give it to you,” Freeman said. “There are going to be plays where you have an opportunity for a shot and you take it. I've got a lot of confidence in the guys on the outside to go and make those plays. It's definitely a different feeling." 

Even last week while rookie running back Doug Martin scampered for 251 yards and four touchdowns, Freeman was able to throw for 247 yards and two touchdowns. 

Regardless of the Chargers’ recent success against the passing game over the past two weeks, San Diego has fallen mightily to the best arms in the NFL. 

Matt Ryan, Drew Brees and Peyton Manning have combined to throw for 954 passing yards and 10 touchdowns against San Diego this season. 

While Freeman surely isn’t among the NFL elite quite yet, he sure is playing like it right now.

3. Matthew Stafford at Minnesota

Lions QB Matthew Stafford getting ready to throw against the Jaguars.
Sam Greenwood/Getty Images

The passing yards have been there, but the touchdowns have not. 

After throwing for 41 touchdowns in 2011, Matthew Stafford has tossed just eight halfway through the 2012 NFL season. 

This week, Stafford finally gets back to his true form with a huge performance against the Minnesota Vikings. 

While the Vikes have been tough on opposing quarterbacks this season—rank ninth in the NFL with 220 passing yards allowed per game—Stafford was able to exploit Minnesota for 319 yards in Week 4 this season. 

Minnesota has also given up six passing touchdowns over its past two games.

With Calvin Johnson healthy and playing at one of his favorite fields—25 receptions for 333 yards and three touchdowns at Mall of America Field—and the Lions coming in fresh off two victories, expect Stafford to tear up the Vikings this Sunday.

2. Danny Amendola at San Francisco

Rams WR Danny Amendola being congratulated after a touchdown versus the Seahawks.
David Welker/Getty Images

After sustaining a significant clavicle injury in Week 5, wide receiver Danny Amendola is now listed as questionable to play for the Rams against San Francisco this Sunday. 

However, both Rotoworld and St. Louis Post-Dispatch writer Jim Thomas expect Amendola to be in the starting lineup come game time. 

While San Francisco has been extremely tough on defense throughout the season, one area that they lack is slot receiver coverage. 

According to ESPN’s Matthew Berry, “the San Francisco 49ers (have) allowed 39 receptions to slot receivers this season; that’s tied for second-most in the NFL.” 

Despite playing in only five games this season, Amendola leads all Rams receivers in targets (49), receptions (32), receiving yards (395) and yards after the catch (146). 

If and only if Amendola is a “full go,” do not be shocked to see 10 targets for the “Danimal” against the 49ers.

1. Reggie Bush vs. Tennessee

Dolphins RB Reggie Bush trucking down the field against the Colts.
Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Reggie Bush is due. 

After his breakout performance in Week 2 against Oakland in which Bush carried the ball for 172 yards and two touchdowns, Bush has somewhat fallen off the map. 

His six-game, 100-yard game drought will officially end this Sunday when Tennessee rolls into town. 

The Tennessee Titans run defense ranks 30th in the NFL with 1,274 yards allowed on the ground and currently gives up 141.6 rushing yards per game. 

If Reggie Bush isn’t around 125 yards and one touchdown in this game I would be shocked.

 

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