Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 10: Smart Matchup Plays, Sleepers and More
More often than not, the best thing a fantasy football owner can do with a cemented roster is play the best matchups.
It works most of the time. In Week 9, San Diego Chargers running back Melvin Gordon led all scorers before Monday with 31 points thanks to an encounter with the Tennessee Titans.
For the sake of transparency, most people wouldn't have advised trotting out Oakland Raiders running back Latavius Murray against an elite Denver Broncos defense—he landed right behind Gordon with 30 points via three rushing scores.
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Call it an example reinforcing the idea that nothing is foolproof in fantasy football. The best thing owners can do it stick to matchup-based analysis after shuffling rosters on the waiver wire if necessary, so here is a look at Week 10 matchup comparisons and scenarios to know.
Quarterback
| Matt Ryan (vs. PHI) vs. Aaron Rodgers (at TEN) | Matt Ryan |
| Marcus Mariota (vs. GB) vs. Dak Prescott (at PIT) | Dak Prescott |
| Drew Brees (vs. DEN) vs. Philip Rivers (vs. MIA) | Philip Rivers |
| Eli Manning (vs. CIN) vs. Ben Roethlisberger (vs. DAL) | Eli Manning |
| Cam Newton (vs. KC) vs. Russell Wilson (@NE) | Russell Wilson |
Matchup to Know: Eli Manning, NYG (vs. CIN)
Here's a matchup owners would have avoided like the plague even one year ago.
Eli Manning of the New York Giants has never been a terrible option, but the Cincinnati Bengals have been a defense to avoid for years.
Not anymore.
Cincinnati is one of the worst defenses against quarterbacks this year, having allowed 17 or more points to six opposing passers and 16 touchdown passes by the position over eight games.
Now, keep in mind that Manning enters the game after tossing four touchdowns in Week 9. He's scored 22 or more points in two of his last three games, so another 20-point outburst seems likely.
Sleeper to Exploit: Carson Wentz, PHI (vs. ATL)
Owners have cooled on Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz, and for good reason: He was a surprise to start the season but has scored seven, five, 12 and 10 points over his last four games.
Even so, owners should pounce all over a guy owned in just 40.7 percent of leagues thanks to a Week 10 encounter with the Atlanta Falcons.
Those Falcons entered Week 9 allowing the second-most points to quarterbacks on average and have now let five opposing quarterbacks score at least 21 points. Wentz has the talent in a potential shootout to make it six.
Running Back
| Melvin Gordon (vs. MIA) vs. Ezekiel Elliott (at PIT) | Ezekiel Elliott |
| Mark Ingram (vs. DEN) vs. Jay Ajayi (at SD) | Jay Ajayi |
| Matt Forte (vs. LA) vs. Devonta Freeman (at PHI) | Matt Forte |
| Le'Veon Bell (vs. DAL) vs. Charcandrick West (at CAR) | Le'Veon Bell |
| Todd Gurley (at NYJ) vs. Devontae Booker (at NO) | Devontae Booker |
Matchup to Know: Ezekiel Elliott, DAL (at PIT)
Ezekiel Elliott is about to feast.
The Dallas Cowboys' lead back posted 21 points in Week 9 via 92 rushing yards and two scores. Call it another day at the office, as the rookie has gone for 16 or more points five times through nine weeks.
Week 10 should be business as usual for Elliott, who lines up against a soft Pittsburgh Steelers defense. Those Steelers entered Week 9 allowing the third-most points to opposing backs on average and have allowed four opposing backfields to hit 20 or more points.
A true workhorse, Elliott might hit the mark on his own.
Sleeper to Exploit: Devontae Booker, DEN (at NO)
Don't jump ship on Devontae Booker yet.
The Denver Broncos' lead back didn't impress in Week 9, but he received only 10 carries in a tough game against the Oakland Raiders.
Booker's outlook seems much better going into a Week 10 encounter with the New Orleans Saints.
"Much better" undersells it too. The Saints entered Week 9 ranked worse than the Steelers against backs. The unit had allowed 20 or more points to four opposing backfields, with highs of 36 and 52. In Week 9? The Saints let San Francisco 49ers backup running back DuJuan Harris bully his way to 17 points.
So yes, Booker has an outstanding outlook.
Wide Receiver
| Mike Evans (vs. CHI) vs. Julio Jones (at PHI) | Mike Evans |
| Mike Wallace (vs. CLE) vs. Allen Robinson (vs. HOU) | Mike Wallace |
| Odell Beckham Jr. (vs. CIN) vs. Jordy Nelson (at TEN) | Odell Beckham Jr. |
| Antonio Brown (vs. DAL) vs. Terrelle Pryor Sr. (at BAL) | Antonio Brown |
| Doug Baldwin (at NE) vs. Demaryius Thomas (at NO) | Demaryius Thomas |
Matchup to Know: Mike Evans, TB (vs. CHI)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wideout Mike Evans led all scorers at the position before Monday, shredding Atlanta with 11 catches for 150 yards and two scores, good for 27 points.
As a disclaimer, he suffered a concussion and remains in protocol. But that was a Thursday game, meaning Evans has extra time to clear protocol before an amazing matchup against the Chicago Bears.
Those Bears certainly needed the Week 9 bye. The defense had let six opposing sets of wideouts score 20 or more points. The high? A silly 54 points.
Chicago doesn't have anyone who can run with Evans, who now has 21 or more points in two of his last three outings. All signs point toward a third.
Sleeper to Exploit: Kenny Britt, LA (at NYJ)
Leaning on a member of the Los Angeles Rams probably isn't the most appealing thought, but owners should give wide receiver Kenny Britt a look.
Britt has emerged as the top receiving threat for the Rams, which has let him hit on 25 and 10 points in two out of his last three.
A matchup-based play, Britt should excel in Week 10 against the New York Jets. Darrelle Revis and others don't strike fear into anyone these days—the defense entered Week 9 allowing the most points on average to opposing wideouts.
Ugly games can sometimes create superb production from certain players. This seems to be the case here, as Britt should use a great matchup and guaranteed usage (six or more targets four games and counting) to have a nice day.
Tight End
| Jason Witten (at PIT) vs. Vance McDonald (at ARI) | Jason Witten |
| Antonio Gates (vs. MIA) vs. Greg Olsen (vs. KC) | Greg Olsen |
| Delanie Walker (vs. GB) vs. Jimmy Graham (at NE) | Delanie Walker |
| Cameron Brate (vs. CHI) vs. Dominique Jones (at SD) | Dominique Jones |
| Zach Ertz (vs. ATL) vs. Kyle Rudolph (at WAS) | Zach Ertz |
Matchup to Know: Travis Kelce, KC (at CAR)
It doesn't get much better than this.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce hasn't been the most consistent player at the position this year, but that's not saying much considering consistency seems exclusive to Rob Gronkowski.
Kelce has turned it on in recent weeks, scoring 16 points in Week 8 and five in Week 9, though it probably should have been more after late no-calls.
Alas, Kelce gets another incredible matchup in Week 10 against the Carolina Panthers, a defense that entered Week 9 allowing the second-most points to the position on average. With Carolina worried about Kansas City's rushing attack, the offense shouldn't have any problems hitting Kelce for big plays.
Sleeper to Exploit: Dennis Pitta, BAL (vs. CLE)
Baltimore Ravens tight end Dennis Pitta has yet to give his 63.8 percent of owners a big game.
That changes in Week 10. Pitta already ranks second on the team in targets, so it's a matter of finding the perfect matchup to let him run wild. He gets it against the Cleveland Browns.
It's as easy as it sounds. Cleveland entered Week 9 ranked worse than Carolina against the position and then allowed Dallas' Jason Witten to drop 19 with ease while catching passes from a rookie quarterback.
As it stands, the Pitta breakout game is inbound.
All scoring info and statistics courtesy of ESPN.com standard leagues, as are points-against info and ownership stats.
Follow Chris Roling (@Chris_Roling) on Twitter.
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