Fantasy Football Week 10 Predictions

Fantasy football buzz is all over the news, while veteran quarterback Mark Sanchez is back as a starting option, particularly since he will be running a potent, fast-paced offense of the Philadelphia Eagles and Chip Kelly. Talk about burying the lead.

We won't do that here in Bleacher Report's Week 10 predictions.

The Eagles head into the second half of their season and will turn to the man who truly makes the offense go, LeSean McCoy. We tap Shady, a first-half fantasy pariah, to be the MVP this week...and potentially beyond. When your starting quarterback goes down, it is time to let your bell-cow rusher carry you.

This slideshow breaks down the MVPs, breakouts, busts, bounce-back players, top matchup plays by position and best of the waiver options relative to matchup. It is your definitive guide to settle your fantasy lineups in the last of the heavy bye weeks.

MVP

LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia Eagles (vs. Carolina Panthers)

Projected stat line: 120 yards rushing, five catches for 40 yards and three touchdowns

Eagles fans and McCoy's fantasy owners have waited weeks for something like this. With Mark Sanchez now installed as the starting quarterback and Philadelphia playing host to the Carolina Panthers, who are third-worst in fantasy against running backs, per FFToday.com, McCoy is headed for a multiple-touchdown performance Monday night.

While Sanchez will be more productive in Chip Kelly's offensive system than he ever was with the New York Jets, you have to expect the resurgent McCoy to shoulder the scoring load. The reigning NFL rushing champion's best totals for the season have come in the past four games since offensive tackle Lance Johnson returned from a suspension. 

McCoy has just one touchdown at the season's midway point. He is going to triple that total in this one alone. The Panthers have allowed a fantasy-high 1,037 yards rushing through nine games, and only the Atlanta Falcons have allowed more rushing touchdowns than the Panthers' 26th-ranked run defense.

Everything has come together nicely for patient and loyal McCoy fantasy owners to enjoy a huge second half, especially since starting tackle Johnson and center Jason Kelce are back and opening the holes. Without those two stalwarts for the most of the first half, the Eagles still boasted the NFL's eighth-best rushing offense. Kelly's crew is going to surge toward the top as it turns to the running game in the wintry months.

Honorable Mention

• RB Matt Forte, Chicago Bears (vs. Green Bay Packers)
• RB DeMarco Murray, Dallas Cowboys (at Jacksonville Jaguars)
• RB Marshawn Lynch, Seattle Seahawks (vs. New York Giants)
• QB Peyton Manning/WR Demaryius Thomas/WR Julius Thomas, Denver Broncos (at Oakland Raiders)
• QB Ben Roethlisberger/WR Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers (at New York Jets)
• QB Aaron Rodgers/RB Eddie Lacy/WR Jordy Nelson/WR Randall Cobb, Green Bay Packers (at Chicago Bears)
• QB Matt Ryan/WR Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons (at Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
• TE Jimmy Graham, New Orleans Saints (vs. San Francisco 49ers)

Biggest Breakout Star

Derek Carr, Oakland Raiders (vs. Denver Broncos)

Projected stat line: 320 yards passing, two touchdowns and 35 yards rushing and one TD

Carr has had one 300-yard game thus far in his rookie season and one four-touchdown day. Even if the Raiders get blown out by Peyton Manning and company—no, especially if they do—Carr should put together one of his best games of the season.

The Broncos' No. 1-ranked run defense is going to make the putrid Raiders rushing offense look worst than its dead-last NFL ranking, so expect the onus to fall on Carr's burgeoning shoulders. If the rookie is proving anything amid the Raiders' 0-8 start, it is showing his mettle as a fighter. He told the San Francisco Chronicle's Ann Killion:

"

Am I going to go in the tank and go out in the second half and say, 'OK, they got us?' Or am I, for lack of a better term, going to man up and go out and fight and try to win the football game? ... 

If I didn't have the foundation that I have, in my faith, if I didn't know who I really was as a person, then I could be pretty upset and sad and down. It's OK to be angry or to be upset at losses, but you just have to keep fighting. If I had a problem with who I am as a person, it'd be tough. ...

This game is hard. It's hard to win. But it's not ruining me.

"

The potential for garbage-time numbers against the fourth-worst team in fantasy against quarterbacks, Denver, might make you consider James Jones, Andre Holmes, Vincent Brown and Kenbrell Thompkins to be intriguing sleepers in deeper formats, particularly if you are hit hard by this final six-team bye week.

Honorable Mention

• RB Charles Sims, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. Atlanta Falcons)
• RB Carlos Hyde, San Francisco 49ers (at New Orleans Saints)
• QB Mark Sanchez, Philadelphia Eagles (vs. Carolina Panthers)
• TE Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs (at Buffalo Bills)

Biggest Bust

Ryan Tannehill, Miami Dolphins (at Detroit Lions)

Projected stat line: 195 yards passing, just one touchdown, 15 yards rushing, two interceptions and a fumble

Tannehill is coming off a performance that has settled the questions about whether he is the quarterback of the future in Miami. His 288 yards and three touchdowns in a 37-0 home route of the San Diego Chargers' suspect secondary will do that.

The Dolphins' still-developing passer, though, shouldn't be a fantasy quarterback of the present at the Detroit Lions on Sunday. The Lions are No. 1 against fantasy quarterbacks, being the only team to remain in single digits in touchdown passes allowed to the position.

This is going to be a much longer day short on passing numbers for Tannehill, particularly on the road.

Lions head coach Jim Caldwell is not going to be surprised by what the Dolphins quarterback can do like the Chargers were, telling The Associated Press' Steven Wine, per the Detroit Free Press: "I had a chance to watch him as a college player and found him to be an unusual cat, one of those guys who has a real good presence, who's adept at running and throwing. He keeps his eyes downfield and can hurt you on the flank, which he has done time and time again."

The Lions have their No. 1 ranking against quarterbacks despite facing the likes of Eli Manning, Cam Newton, Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees and Matt Ryan. They haven't given up a 300-yard, three-TD day like Tannehill had a week ago. They won't here either.

Dishonorable Mention

• QB Eli Manning/RB Andre Williams/WR Rueben Randle, New York Giants (at Seattle Seahawks)
• QB Kyle Orton/RB Fred Jackson/RB Anthony Dixon/RB Bryce Browns, Buffalo Bills (vs. Kansas City Chiefs)
• RB Tre Mason, St. Louis Rams (at Arizona Cardinals)
• RB Mark Ingram/RB Khiry Robinson/RB Tarvaris Cadet, New Orleans Saints (vs. San Francisco 49ers)
• WR Golden Tate, Detroit Lions (vs. Miami Dolphins)

Biggest Bounce-Back Player

Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers (at Philadelphia Eagles)

Projected stat line: 285 yards passing, two touchdowns, 50 yards rushing and a TD

Newton owners have to be losing confidence in recent weeks, as a lack of supporting cast has been exposed against the Seattle Seahawks and New Orleans Saints. He has had his two worst passing days of the season the past two games.

"A lot of it is not just about him," Panthers head coach Ron Rivera told The Charlotte Observer's Scott Fowler on Wednesday. "We can put it all on the quarterback and say it's all about the quarterback, but this is a team game."

The good news is, the Eagles play wide-open games. Newton should be able to star, even in a losing effort Monday night in Philly. The stars tend to come out in prime time, so we should expect Newton to have a fantasy starter-worthy performance here.

Newton really has just rookie wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin and tight end Greg Olsen to rely on, so that trio should be productive against an Eagles defense that has been second-worst in fantasy against quarterbacks, per FFToday.com.

Honorable Mention

• WR Kelvin Benjamin/TE Greg Olsen, Carolina Panthers (at Philadelphia Eagles)
• QB Russell Wilson/WR Doug Baldwin, Seattle Seahawks (vs. New York Giants)
• RB Ben Tate, Cleveland Browns (at Cincinnati Bengals)
• WR Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions (vs. Miami Dolphins)
• TE Vernon Davis, San Francisco 49ers (at New Orleans Saints)
• WR Terrance Williams, Dallas Cowboys (at Jacksonville Jaguars)

Top QB Matchup Plays

Elaine Thompson/Associated Press

Here are the bottom eight teams versus fantasy QBs, per FFToday.com:

1. Chicago Bears (at Green Bay Packers)
2. Philadelphia Eagles (vs. Carolina Panthers)
3. New York Jets (vs. Pittsburgh Steelers)
4. Denver Broncos (at Oakland Raiders)
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. Atlanta Falcons)
6. Carolina Panthers (at Philadelphia Eagles)
7. Washington Redskins (bye)
8. New York Giants (at Seattle Seahawks)

Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks (vs. New York Giants)

Projected stat line: 225 yards passing, two touchdowns, 40 yards rushing and a TD

Wilson has run hot and cold this season, but we expect him to bounce back against a Giants defense that was ripped by Andrew Luck Monday night and has the daunting task of traveling across the country to play in one of the loudest and toughest environments in football. Good luck.

This should be a patented running and passing performance for Wilson and his fantasy owners. Ignore the fact he has struggled since his huge game at the St. Louis Rams in Week 7.

Wilson is searching for answers to get back to his previously productive self, telling Jayson Jenks of The Seattle Times:

"

I don't think I played well at all, for whatever reason. And usually I know why. Usually I know why if something is off footwork-wise or whatever. That's usually something I try to find out throughout the game so I can adjust. But, you know, I felt like I was in it. Just whatever I was trying to do, it wasn't working.

"

Everything should work just fine against the banged-up Giants defense.

Because wide receiver Doug Baldwin (groin) might be on the wrong side of a game-time decision and we expect Wilson to rebound, consider Jermaine Kearse and rookie Paul Richardson among the sleeper plays at wideout this weekend.

Honorable Mention

• Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers (at Philadelphia Eagles)
• Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons (at Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
• Jay Cutler, Chicago Bears (at Green Bay Packers)
• Mark Sanchez, Philadelphia Eagles (vs. Carolina Panthers) 
• Derek Carr, Oakland Raiders (vs. Denver Broncos)

Top RB Matchup Plays

Reinhold Matay/Associated Press

Here are the bottom eight teams versus fantasy RBs, per FFToday.com:

1. Atlanta Falcons (at Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
2. Oakland Raiders (vs. Denver Broncos)
3. Carolina Panthers (at Philadelphia Eagles)
4. New England Patriots (bye)
5. Cincinnati Bengals (vs. Cleveland Browns)
6. Tennessee Titans (at Baltimore Ravens)
7. New York Giants (at Seattle Seahawks)
8. Minnesota Vikings (bye)

Bobby Rainey, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. Atlanta Falcons)

Projected stat line: 95 yards rushing, four catches for 40 yards and a touchdown

Doug Martin (ankle) has yet to return to practice, and recently activated Charles Sims (ankle) is not quite up to speed, so expect another busy day for Rainey against the worst team in fantasy against running backs. The Falcons are the only team in the NFL to have given up double-digit rushing touchdowns to backs (12).

The best part about Rainey's potential for fantasy production is it won't have to come all on the ground. He has been a potent pass-catcher out of the backfield. Also, the Bucs are turning back to veteran quarterback Josh McCown as a starter.

The Falcons are going to score points on the Bucs as everyone has in bunches this season. Rainey is going to help the Bucs move the ball and get in the end zone. Get him active in all leagues. 

Honorable Mention

• Ronnie Hillman, Denver Broncos (at Oakland Raiders)
• Justin Forsett/Lorenzo Taliaferro, Baltimore Ravens (vs. Tennessee Titans)
• Jeremy Hill, Cincinnati Bengals (vs. Cleveland Browns)
• Ben Tate/Terrance West, Cleveland Browns (vs. Cincinnati Bengals)
• Andre Ellington/Marion Grice, Arizona Cardinals (vs. St. Louis Rams)

Top WR Matchup Plays

Here are the bottom eight teams versus fantasy WRs, per FFToday.com:

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. Atlanta Falcons)
2. Baltimore Ravens (vs. Tennessee Titans)
3. Houston Texans (bye)
4. Philadelphia Eagles (vs. Carolina Panthers)
5. Arizona Cardinals (vs. St. Louis Rams)
6. New Orleans Saints (vs. San Francisco 49ers)
7. St. Louis Rams (at Arizona Cardinals)
8. Carolina Panthers (at Philadelphia Eagles)

Roddy White, Atlanta Falcons (at Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Projected stat line: Eight catches for 120 yards and a touchdown

The veteran White has shown only flashes of his former self, but this matchup should make him as productive as he has been all season. The Bucs have given up a league-high 13 touchdowns to wide receivers through their first eight games.

This matchup is so favorable, you might want to consider Harry Douglas and Devin Hester viable options in deeper leagues, particularly if you are being hit hard by this final six-team bye week. Matt Ryan might be headed for a huge game by spreading the ball around, but Julio Jones and White are must-start options in this one.

White might not be as productive as he has been in the past, but it should be noted he is healthier now than he has been...perhaps in years. 

Honorable Mention

• Kendall Wright/Justin Hunter, Tennessee Titans (at Baltimore Ravens)
• Jeremy Maclin/Jordan Matthews, Philadelphia Eagles (vs. Carolina Panthers)
• Michael Crabtree, San Francisco 49ers (at New Orleans Saints)
• Kelvin Benjamin, Carolina Panthers (at Philadelphia Eagles)
• Jermaine Kearse, Seattle Seahawks (vs. New York Giants)

Top TE Matchup Plays

Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images

Here are the bottom eight teams versus fantasy TEs, per FFToday.com:

1. Chicago Bears (at Green Bay Packers)
2. New York Jets (vs. Pittsburgh Steelers)
3. Dallas Cowboys (vs. Jacksonville Jaguars in London)
4. Seattle Seahawks (vs. New York Giants)
5. New York Giants (at Seattle Seahawks)
6. Cincinnati Bengals (vs. Cleveland Browns)
7. Denver Broncos (at Oakland Raiders)
8. Indianapolis Colts (bye)

Larry Donnell, New York Giants (at Seattle Seahawks)

Projected stat line: Six catches for 80 yards and a touchdown

If you read the past slides, you will know we are not big supporters of the Giants at the Seahawks, the 12th Man and the Legion of Boom. This does not apply to tight ends.

The Seahawks keep getting ripped by the position, giving up two touchdowns to upstart Oakland Raiders tight end Mychal Rivera a week ago. Antonio Gates also ripped them for three scores in Week 2. Only the Jets have given up more touchdowns to tight ends this season.

While we expect it won't be easy for the Giants to move the ball, their defense should be exploited by Marshawn Lynch, Russell Wilson and company, which will make for garbage-time numbers. When the Giants get in the end zone and play comeback, expect Donnell to be the one getting the production.

Honorable Mention

• Heath Miller, Pittsburgh Steelers (at New York Jets)
• Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs (at Buffalo Bills)
• Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys (vs. Jacksonville Jaguars in London)
• Owen Daniels, Baltimore Ravens (vs. Tennessee Titans) 

Top D/ST Matchup Plays

Charlie Riedel/Associated Press

Here are the bottom eight teams versus fantasy D/STs, per FFToday.com:

1. Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. Dallas Cowboys in London)
2. St. Louis Rams (at Arizona Cardinals)
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. Atlanta Falcons)
4. New York Jets (vs. Pittsburgh Steelers)
5. Chicago Bears (at Green Bay Packers)
6. San Francisco 49ers (at New Orleans Saints)
7. Buffalo Bills (vs. Kansas City Chiefs)
8. Washington Redskins (bye)

Pittsburgh Steelers (at New York Jets)

Projected stat line: Five sacks, three turnovers and just 10 points allowed

When in doubt, trust a defense against the offensively inept Jets. This is especially true when a red-hot team and quarterback like the Steelers and Ben Roethlisberger come to New Jersey.

This could be an epic blowout that finishes off head coach Rex Ryan in New York. Seriously, the scorching Steelers offense could get him fired by next Monday.

Not only are the Jets susceptible in the secondary, but they are going to be turnover and sack-prone with Michael Vick or Geno Smith—whoever stats at quarterback. Don't even be worried about the garbage time Big Ben is going to create in a rout.

Honorable Mention

• Denver Broncos (at Oakland Raiders)
• Dallas Cowboys (vs. Jacksonville Jaguars in London)
• Arizona Cardinals (vs. St. Louis Rams)
• Kansas City Chiefs (at Buffalo Bills)
• Cincinnati Bengals (vs. Cleveland Browns)

Top Waiver-Wire Options

We have already gone in-depth on some of the waiver-wire favorites in Bleacher Report's Insider Notebook for Week 10. Here is how CBSSports.com's top 10 most-added players turned out Wednesday morning:

1. QB Mark Sanchez, Philadelphia Eagles
2. RB Terrance West, Cleveland Browns
3. TE Mychal Rivera, Oakland Raiders
4. RB Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings
5. K Brandon McManus, Denver Broncos
6. K Mason Crosby, Green Bay Packers
7. TE Charles Clay, Miami Dolphins
8. TE Owen Daniels, Baltimore Ravens
9. WR Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
10. RB Steven Jackson, Atlanta Falcons

If you missed out on those waiver-wire favorites or others, here are three players at each position who are owned in less than 60 percent of CBSSports.com leagues. B/R likes these options because of a favorable matchup, game plan or playing-time circumstances.

Quarterbacks

1. Derek Carr, Oakland Raiders (vs. Denver Broncos)
2. Mark Sanchez, Philadelphia Eagles (vs. Carolina Panthers)
3. Josh McCown, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. Atlanta Falcons)

Running Backs

1. DeAngelo Williams, Carolina Panthers (at Philadelphia Eagles)
2. Christine Michael, Seattle Seahawks (vs. New York Giants)
3. Charles Sims, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. Atlanta Falcons)

Wide Receivers

1. James Jones, Oakland Raiders (vs. Denver Broncos)
2. Jordan Matthews, Philadelphia Eagles (vs. Carolina Panthers)
3. Justin Hunter, Tennessee Titans (vs. Baltimore Ravens)

Tight Ends

1. Mychal Rivera, Oakland Raiders (vs. Denver Broncos)
2. Jermaine Gresham, Cincinnati Bengals (vs. Cleveland Browns)
3. Levine Toilolo, Atlanta Falcons (at Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Defensive/Special Teams

1. New Orleans Saints (vs. San Francisco 49ers)
2. Green Bay Packers (vs. Chicago Bears)
3. Atlanta Falcons (at Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Kickers

1. Brandon McManus, Denver Broncos (at Oakland Raiders)
2. Shaun Suisham, Pittsburgh Steelers (at New York Jets)
3. Matt Prater, Detroit Lions (vs. Miami Dolphins)

Follow @EricMackFantasy

Eric Mack, one of the giants among fantasy writers, is the Fantasy Football Lead Writer for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter, where you can ask him endless questions about your team, rip him for his content and even challenge him to a head-to-head fantasy game.