Week 10 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Advice for Difficult Fantasy Football Lineup Decisions

Most fantasy managers held their season-long drafts a couple of months ago. The goal then was to select matchup-proof players early who could stay in starting lineups all season long.

We're now halfway through the 2025 season, and there don't seem to be many truly matchup-proof players out there. Some were injured early in the season, while others simply haven't played up to expectations.

We're also in the middle of the bye-week period, meaning some managers will simply have to trust second-tier stars in difficult matchups.

Here, we'll dive into some of the trickiest situations of Week 10 and identify some players who can pull through and who should be avoided.

Start: Rachaad White, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

AP Photo/Ryan Sun

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White has failed to reach 10 fantasy points in each of his last two games. He's also set to face a New England Patriots defense that has surrendered the fourth-fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs.

However, Tampa is coming out of the bye, has had two weeks to prepare for the Patriots and isn't set to get Bucky Irving back in the lineup.

Receptions will be the keys to White's success this week. While Sean Tucker has cut into White's carry count plenty, he isn't regularly involved in the passing game. And throwing to running backs is one way to get New England off-balance.

The Atlanta Falcons had success by using Bijan Robinson in the passing game. He finished with just 46 rushing yards but added eight catches for another 50 yards.

Given Tampa's injuries at receiver, White should have a healthy point-per-reception (PPR) floor.

Sit: Zonovan Knight, RB, Arizona Cardinals

AP Photo/Rick Scuteri

Despite playing a terrible Dallas Cowboys defense and spending most of the game with the lead, Arizona Cardinals running back Zonovan Knight tallied just 6.7 fantasy points last week.

Knight's biggest issue in Week 9? Emari Demercado got hot, and the Cardinals fed him accordingly. Demercado finished with 15 touches and 78 scrimmage yards, while Knight had 11 touches and 47 yards.

The reality is that Arizona is perfectly comfortable leaning on quarterback Jacoby Brissett and simply using whoever is productive in the ground game. At least, that'll be the plan until Trey Benson is back to 100 percent and ready to take over the backfield.

The role for Knight is uncertain, and the matchup isn't exactly great. The Cardinals will be on the road against the rival Seattle Seahawks, who have surrendered just 3.5 yards per carry this season. Managers can't count on Knight getting involved as a receiver either, as he's averaged just two catches over his last three games.

Start: Michael Pittman Jr., WR, Indianapolis Colts

AP Photo/AJ Mast

Overseas games often feature sloppy football, which isn't ideal for the Indianapolis Colts. Indy is coming off a decisive loss and set to face Atlanta in Olympiastadion in Berlin.

The Falcons, by the way, have surrendered the seventh-fewest fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this season.

While all of that sounds daunting for managers of Michael Pittman Jr., the sixth-year star should still come through. He's established himself as Daniel Jones' top target and will probably see too much volume to be a true bust.

Pittman has seen at least nine targets and seven receptions in three straight games.

And while the Falcons have been a tough fantasy matchup overall this season, they haven't exactly locked down No. 1 targets. Stefon Diggs and Jaylen Waddle each topped 12 points in PPR leagues over the last two weeks.

Sit: DK Metcalf, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers

AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar

Pittsburgh Steelers wideout DK Metcalf won't face a game in Germany this week, but he still has a long road trip to play the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday night.

The Chargers have also been much more vulnerable to the run than the pass this season—fifth in net yards per pass attempt allowed, 27th in yards per carry allowed—which will likely impact Pittsburgh's game plan.

Los Angeles has surrendered the fifth-fewest fantasy points to opposing wide receivers.

This projects as a much better game for Jaylen Warren Pittsburgh's tight ends than for Metcalf. Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith won't hesitate to go with heavy personnel, and Aaron Rodgers won't just force the ball to his top wide receiver.

Matcalf has scored fewer than 10 fantasy points in two of his last three games.

*Fantasy scoring information from FantasyPros.