Week 10 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Typical Stars Facing Difficult Matchups

Week 10 presents a few difficult start 'em, sit 'em decisions for NFL fantasy owners, headlined by three marquee NFC superstars.

Whether it's their impending opponent, a lackluster supporting cast or a combination of both, there are several players creating more lineup drama than usual considering their respective statures.

Read on to find out which big names should be carefully considered before being plugged in this week, including the one worth the flier, and the surprising duo that is better off riding the bench.

Matt Ryan, QB, Atlanta Falcons

Facing the Seattle Seahawks is never an easy task, but it will be arduous for Matt Ryan on multiple levels.

Ryan will be without Julio Jones, and possibly even Roddy White, who is questionable. Those are the signal-caller's top two receivers, and he is facing the league's most talented secondary, featuring Richard Sherman, Brandon Browner, Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor.

Atlanta knocked Seattle out of the playoffs this past year, and this is the first time the two teams are meeting again.

There will be no shortage of incentive for the Seahawks to exact their revenge in the Georgia Dome, which is bad news for Ryan and his fantasy owners.

After faring well in his first start sans Jones and White, Ryan has thrown seven interceptions over the past two games. Jason McIntyre of the Big Lead offered his take:

Seattle is tied for second in total takeaways and tied for the league lead with 13 interceptions this season.

Tread with caution if you're going to plug Ryan into the lineup this week, but don't be surprised if he struggles yet again.

Start/Sit Verdict: Sit

Frank Gore, RB, San Francisco 49ers

It's hard to discourage playing Frank Gore any week, since he's the workhorse behind the NFL's No. 1 rushing attack. The problem is that he's facing the Carolina Panthers, who are second in the league against the run.

This battle of strengths should be interesting to watch, but Carolina has a lot to prove in this road trip.

While the Panthers may be on a four-game winning streak, none of those victories came against teams with anywhere near .500 records. To prove they are legitimate NFC South and playoff contenders, they must step up in facing such a quality opponent.

Gore should be fresh coming off of the Niners' bye, though. His yards per carry have dropped in the past two games, but he found the end zone twice in both those contests.

Plus, the 30-year-old veteran has the most yards after contact other than Adrian Peterson among players who have had bye weeks:

An immense amount of pressure is on the Panthers to prove themselves in this one, which should lend to a conservative game plan from San Francisco.

The Niners should look to let Carolina self-destruct with mistakes while Gore pounds away at the stout defense en route to another successful Sunday.

Start/Sit Verdict: Start

Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Arizona Cardinals

On the bright side, Larry Fitzgerald is on pace for his first double-digit touchdown season since 2009 thanks to the occasionally competent quarterback play from Carson Palmer.

Arizona is coming off of a bye week after improving to 4-4, and the ever-upbeat Fitzgerald is eager to make a push for the postseason:

The bad news is that the Houston Texans' top-ranked pass defense pays a visit to the desert this coming Sunday. Houston is on a six-game losing streak and has lost to quality opponents in Kansas City and Indianapolis by a combined four points in the past two contests.

Palmer has as little mobility as any QB in the league, and he will be facing a pass rush led by terrifying defensive end J.J. Watt.

Between that and the long-developing plays of Bruce Arians' vertical passing offense, there is a rather flimsy case to advocate for Fitzgerald in Week 10.

Start/Sit Verdict: Sit