Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 10: Last-Minute Fantasy Football Advice for Sunday

In the spirit of an NFL team, fantasy owners are running their own version of the two-minute drill. Week 10 is in that panicky in-between time where the first half of the season is over and the playoffs are right around the corner. 

Every move that gets made before kickoff is essential. You can't risk losing one point anymore, whether it's because you want to improve your standing before the postseason or claw your way into a playoff spot with a late surge. 

This is a great week to make a move because there are underrated players who have surged recently worth a serious look in your starting lineup. The news isn't all good, though, as there are usual stalwarts locked in a bad situation or matchup poised to disappoint. 

While you prepare to make final decisions about whom to start and sit, keep this handy list in mind before doing anything rash. 

Quarterbacks

Start 'Em: Mark Sanchez, Philadelphia Eagles

Yeah, this is real life. Forget all of your preconceived notions about Mark Sanchez. He was in a no-win situation with the New York Jets, as we've seen with subsequent quarterbacks in the last two years. 

Now, Sanchez is in the best position he's ever been in as an NFL quarterback. The weapons in Philadelphia make the ones he played with in New York look like a Division II college going up against Alabama. We got a glimpse of what the Sanchize is capable of last week against Houston. 

As Mike Sielski of The Philadelphia Inquirer wrote, Sanchez deserves the benefit of the doubt because of the team he's playing with:

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He's starting for a 6-2 team in a quarterback-friendly system, for a quarterback-friendly coach in Chip Kelly, for a fan base that won't much care what Sanchez does with his free time as long as he continues to play at least as well as he did in the Eagles' 31-21 victory Sunday over the Texans.

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The good vibes will continue on Monday Night Football in Week 10. Philadelphia is going against a Carolina defense that's allowed the second-highest completion percentage (69.3), tied for the fifth-most passing touchdowns and 10th-most passing yards allowed to opposing quarterbacks. 

Chip Kelly runs at a relentless pace on offense, keeping defenses on their heels, so Sanchez will have plenty of opportunities to put up yards and touchdowns. He's a must-start this week. 

Sit 'Em: Alex Smith, Kansas City Chiefs

Orlin Wagner/Associated Press

Alex Smith doesn't have a sexy style that screams out at you, yet he's turned into a quality fantasy quarterback this season. He's recorded double-digit points in each of the last three games and hasn't turned the ball over since Week 5. 

In fact, per ESPN on NFL's Twitter account, Smith actually has the second-best touchdown-to-interception ratio among all quarterbacks since Week 2:

Expect those streaks to end on Sunday against Buffalo. The Bills have quietly turned into a good team, thanks in large part to the efforts of their defense. They are allowing 233.8 yards per game through the air, but tighten up around the end zone with the fourth-fewest touchdown passes allowed (12). 

Kansas City's success on offense depends on establishing the run, which is where the Bills' strength on defense lies. If Jamaal Charles and Knile Davis can't get going on the ground, it puts more pressure on Smith to move the ball through the air. 

That's not when Smith is effective. He relies on play-action passes and short, quick throws to be successful. None of those play well against Buffalo's defense. 

Running Backs

Start 'Em: Bobby Rainey, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Reinhold Matay/Associated Press

Few players have been as frustrating in fantasy circles this year as Bobby Rainey. He had a breakout game against St. Louis in Week 2 with 144 rushing yards, went five straight games without breaking 41 yards before last week's 87-yard outburst. 

In other words, Rainey isn't reliable as a starter each week. The right matchup certainly makes him an appealing option, especially with Doug Martin battling an ankle injury. Rookie Charles Sims is expected to make his NFL debut this week, but Rainey is still the lead player in the backfield. 

A matchup with Atlanta is what Rainey needs to have his best game since that breakout against the Rams. He just needs an opportunity to get touches, as this stat from Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times illustrates:

The Falcons aren't capable of stopping anyone with their poor excuse for a defense. Rainey is the most consistent playmaker the Buccaneers have, so expect a heavy dose of him this week. He should find the end zone at least once along the way. 

Sit 'Em: Eddie Lacy, Green Bay Packers

John Konstantaras/Getty Images

It's a weird time to bail on Eddie Lacy now that he's finally started to put up points on a consistent basis. Yet therein lies the problem with the Packers' second-year running back.

Lacy still isn't putting up high yardage totals on the ground, yet he has found the end zone in three of his last five games and had 123 receiving yards against New Orleans. A game against Chicago would seem to signify another nice scoring game. 

However, that requires Lacy to touch the ball. One reason for his struggles this season is the Packers haven't used him that much. He's had more than 15 carries once in eight games. When you have Aaron Rodgers at quarterback, as well as Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb at wide receiver, running the ball seems pointless. 

Unless this game turns into another blowout for the Packers, don't expect to see Lacy put up many yards or find the end zone. He's too risky a start in this spot. 

Wide Receivers

Start 'Em: Sammy Watkins, Buffalo Bills

It's too late to buy Sammy Watkins' stock low and wait for it to explode. Buffalo's rookie wide receiver has taken off with Kyle Orton at quarterback. He's got 279 yards and three touchdowns in the last two games. 

Coming out of the bye, Watkins has a matchup with a Kansas City defense that's been stingy in pass defense this year. The Chiefs have allowed the fewest passing yards, so it poses a specific problem that Watkins will have to address. 

Another problem is the groin injury Watkins suffered in practice on Wednesday. Per Around the NFL's official Twitter, the star wideout will officially be listed as questionable:

However, John Wawrow of The Associated Press reported that Watkins will be on the field for the Bills. That's a huge sigh of relief for fantasy owners, as is Buffalo's lack of available playmakers. 

C.J. Spiller is out with a broken collarbone. Fred Jackson, like Watkins, is battling a groin injury and is listed as questionable for the game. With those running backs on the mend, expect a heavy dose of Watkins in the passing game. 

At the very least, Watkins will be targeted a lot. That's all you can ask for from a playmaker with his unique talents, so don't have any reservations about starting him this week. 

Sit 'Em: Michael Crabtree, San Francisco 49ers

Michael Thomas/Getty Images

Things are unraveling quickly in San Francisco. Michael Crabtree is a perfect example of where the 49ers offense is at right now. He's never been an explosive playmaker, but 9.8 yards per reception is dreadful for a guy who is supposed to be a No. 1 option. 

Colin Kaepernick is also having problems consistently getting Crabtree the ball. The 27-year-old wideout has 37 receptions on 60 targets, the worst ratio of San Francisco's primary receivers. He's also not running routes the same anymore, as Chris Biderman of Scout.com illustrated with this stat from Pro Football Focus:

Even in a week with a favorable matchup against New Orleans' soft defense, Crabtree isn't trustworthy enough to start as a flex option anymore. 

Kaepernick's best success this year has come when targeting Anquan Boldin, Stevie Johnson and Brandon Lloyd. Despite being a starter when healthy, Crabtree has quickly become the third-best option at wide receiver for this offense. 

Considering how inconsistent the 49ers have been on offense this season, it's too risky to put faith in a No. 3 receiver masquerading as a No. 1. Until Crabtree proves he's can catch the ball consistently and break big plays, you're better off letting him go. 

Stats via ESPN.com

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