Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 10: Choosing Top Fantasy Football Locks and Flops

At the start of the season, it looked like head coach Jay Gruden had nothing but a disaster on his hands with the Washington Redskins.

He had an untenable situation at quarterback with Robert Griffin III, and Gruden knew he could not look himself in the mirror and start a player at the most important position who repeated mistakes and did not learn fast enough to warrant staying on the field.

So Gruden did what he had to do. He didn't know whether Kirk Cousins could get the job done as an NFL starter, but he certainly knew that RGIII was not the answer.

Cousins has been the Redskins' starter through the first half of the season, and both he and the team have exceeded expectations. Cousins has completed 206 of 308 passes for 1,954 yards with 10 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

When a quarterback is completing nearly 67 percent of his passes, it says that he has passed the accuracy portion of the test. While Cousins still has a way to go when it comes to finishing drives, he has shown significant improvement for the 3-5 Redskins.

Cousins has a chance to put huge numbers on the board this week, as the Redskins are at home against a weak New Orleans defense. Just two weeks ago, the Saints managed to win a game against the Giants despite giving up six TD passes to Eli Manning. A week later, the Saints were unable to contain the Tennessee Titans in overtime.

Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan and head coach Sean Payton have been at odds for a while, and it appears that the Saints' 31st-ranked defense (29th in passing yards allowed) is there for the taking.

Look for Cousins to do just that. While the Washington receiving crew of Pierre Garcon, Jamison Crowder and tight end Jordan Reed is not about to threaten any All-Pro teams, it is more than good enough to take advantage of the Saints secondary.

Make sure Cousins is in your fantasy lineup this week.

Position	Player	Team	Opponent	Lock/Flop
QB	Kirk Cousins	Washington	New Orleans	Lock
QB	Carson Palmer	Arizona	Seattle	Flop
QB	Joe Flacco	Baltimore	Jacksonville	Lock
RB	Todd Gurley	St. Louis	Chicago	Lock
RB	Ronnie Hillman	Denver	Kansas City	Flop
RB	LeGarrette Blount	New England	N.Y. Giants	Lock
WR	Randall Cobb	Green Bay	Detroit	Lock
WR	Nate Washington	Houston	Cincinnati	Flop
WR	Odell Beckham Jr.	N.Y. Giants	New England	Lock
TE	Eric Ebron	Detroit	Green Bay	Lock
TE	Delanie Walker	Tennessee	Carolina	Flop

Top Locks

RB Todd Gurley, St. Louis Rams

It may have looked like Todd Gurley failed to reach his goal in Week 9 at Minnesota when the Vikings defense held him to 89 rushing yards and one touchdown, but don't let those bottom-line numbers fool you.

Gurley may have been even more impressive against an aggressive, smart and physical Minnesota defense than he was in his previous four games when he rushed for at least 128 yards each time out. The Vikings were looking for Gurley as their No. 1 priority on nearly every play, but he was still productive. In addition to his rushing total, he also caught three passes.

Gurley needs to be in your lineup against the Chicago Bears in Week 10. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio has done wonders with a Chicago defense that was simply awful the last two years and has helped the unit put forth a respectable effort. However, Gurley is just too talented to let a hard-trying but still-developing Chicago defense slow him down at home.

Gurley could have a huge day because the motivated Rams can earn a playoff spot with a strong second half of the season. He should be good for 125 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

WR Randall Cobb, Green Bay Packers

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The Packers have come down to earth with back-to-back losses at Denver and Carolina after starting the season with six straight wins.

They return home to face the Detroit Lions, whom they have beaten 23 straight times at home. The Lions have not picked up a win in the state of Wisconsin (the Packers used to play three home games per year at Milwaukee's County Stadium) since 1991. The Lions went to the NFC Championship Game that year.

The homestand should benefit Aaron Rodgers and wide receiver Randall Cobb. The advantage of playing at Lambeau Field is tangible, but the big thing in this game is that the Packers get to attack the 26th-ranked defense in the league.

That's perfect for Cobb, who has caught 40 passes for 476 yards and five touchdowns. He is coming off a strong 4-99-1 game against the Panthers, and he should be able to carry that momentum against a defense that has been missing former players Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley all year. Preparations to play the Lions go much easier since they have moved on, and Cobb should be one of the main beneficiaries.

Make sure Cobb is in your fantasy lineup.

TE Eric Ebron, Detroit Lions

While the Lions are not likely to stop or even slow down the Packers, they should move the ball on occasion against the 23rd-ranked defense in the league.

Mistakes, including penalties and turnovers, have hurt the Lions, but they can move the ball. Quarterback Matthew Stafford should have a chance to connect with tight end Eric Ebron on some big plays.

The Packers will have to concentrate most of their defensive efforts on containing Calvin Johnson, and that means double coverage. Ebron has the size, speed and strength to get downfield, and this could be a game where he catches at least six passes for 80 yards and a touchdown. 

We are not comparing Ebron to Rob Gronkowski, Tyler Eifert or Greg Olsen. If you don't have one of those three tight ends, though, give Ebron a try in your fantasy lineup this week.

Fantasy Flops

QB Carson Palmer, Arizona Cardinals

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Carson Palmer has been one of the top success stories in the league so far this year, but he will have perhaps his toughest assignment of the year when the Cardinals go to Seattle on Sunday.

The Seahawks played indifferent football throughout the first half of the season in going 4-4 and will need a huge second half to get back in the NFC West race. They will likely fall hopelessly out of it if they lose at home to the division-leading Cardinals.

That's why the Seahawks should come up with their best defensive effort of the year against Palmer and the Cardinals. He threw for 352 yards at St. Louis against the tough Rams defense, but he had just one touchdown pass in that game.

We don't expect him to reach 250 yards in this game, and he will only throw one TD pass while getting picked off at least twice.

Keep Palmer on your fantasy bench this week.

RB Ronnie Hillman, Denver Broncos

Ronnie Hillman may be the Broncos' leading ground-gainer with 384 yards, a 4.2 yards-per-carry average and four touchdowns, but C.J. Anderson has surpassed him in each of the last two games.

Additionally, Hillman was limited in practice earlier this week, according to 9News Broncos beat reporter Mike Klis. That could have an impact on his usage against Kansas City this Sunday.

While the Chiefs have been underachieving on defense as they rank 17th in yards allowed, they are better against the run than they are against the pass. The Chiefs rank 11th in fewest rushing yards allowed.

Kansas City is also looking for payback since the Broncos stole a victory at Arrowhead in Week 2, and the Chiefs are not going to let the running game beat them.

Hillman needs to be on your bench this week.

WR Nate Washington, Houston Texans

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The Houston Texans haven't done many things right this year, but wide receivers DeAndre Hopkins and Nate Washington have been fulfilling their end of the bargain.

Actually, Hopkins has done an outstanding job, while Washington has been just decent. He has caught 26 receptions for 411 yards and three touchdowns so far this season, and he has shown he can get open and make key catches to keep drives alive.

However, this week he is up against it as the Texans have to go to Cincinnati to take on the undefeated Bengals Monday night.

Cincinnati's defense ranks 12th in yards allowed, but it is not going to give up many big plays. The solid pass rush led by defensive end Carlos Dunlap (8.5 sacks) won't give quarterback Brian Hoyer much time to get his passes off.

While Hopkins may burn the Bengals a couple of times, they will keep Washington in check. He needs to remain on your fantasy bench.