NFL Red Light, Green Light: Players Who Can Help and Hurt In Week 10
There are two simple nuggets of knowledge I try and use to help me every weekend when I'm setting my countless number of fantasy rosters. Number one is to “keep it simple stupid.”
Don’t spend hours pining over one guy to start or sit because the truth is one player really shouldn’t be making your fantasy team. Have confidence and go with your first instinct. Remember, a great deal of fantasy is luck. So gamble when it’s appropriate.
The second thing to do is go with consistency. You can’t always listen to the “experts” or projections because they are often wrong. For example, Roddy White was listed as questionable for Thursday’s game and had his best game of the season.
Unless a guy is in real danger of not playing, stick with him. A stud is going to perform for you more often than not, regardless of matchup.
So here it is. A breakdown of all thirteen games and the list of players I'm giving the Red or Green light in week 10. Good luck.
Cincinnati at Indianapolis
1 of 13
BENGALS
STOP
Carson Palmer – Inconsistent but his team will more than likely be playing from behind. He may throw a few TDs, but expect some turnovers.
Bengals Defense - Peyton Manning rarely has trouble leading the Colts into the end zone. This game won’t be any different.
GO
T.O.- Don’t expect a game like last week, but his production is through the roof right now.
Chad Ochocinco – T.O. might garner some double teams, leaving Chad in some single coverage situations. He needs a bounce-back game, and this could be it.
Cedric Benson – My favorite Bengal of them all this week for two reasons. The Colts can’t stop the run, and he will get the lion's share of the carries.
COLTS
STOP
Blair White – A shoulder injury may keep him from playing.
Colts Running Backs – Addai and Hart may not play. Donald Brown and Javarris James will split carries again but there’s no way to gauge who will get what.
Pierre Garcon – Appears to be No. 3 option behind Wayne and Tamme.
Colts D – Not a particularly strong unit. I’d pass.
GO
Peyton Manning – Averaging 300 yards passing per game and should be fuming following last week’s lackluster performance.
Reggie Wayne – He’s already the top option and with every injury becomes an even more popular option.
Jacob Tamme – Doing a good job filling in for Dallas Clark. He should have another good week.
Cleveland at New York Jets
2 of 13
Browns
STOP
Colt McCoy – The Jets defense will be licking their chops.
Cleveland Receivers – Revis Island can be a lonely place, and Cromartie’s corner ain’t too much better.
GO
Peyton Hillis – Beast that could churn out a touchdown or two. Plus he’s a receiving threat out of the backfield. Expect numbers similar to the ones he put up against Pittsburgh a few weeks ago (90 total yards).
Browns Defense - If you can hold Brady to one TD pass then they should feast on this anemic offense. Not my top choice, but they may force a few turnovers and this should be a low scoring game.
Jets
STOP
Shonn Greene – I expect L.T. to get more carries and the goal line feed.
Santonio Holmes – Don’t let the 114 yards from last week fool you. 54 of them came on one play. Plus Edwards, Keller and L.T. are more targeted by Sanchez.
Matt Sanchez – 2 touchdowns and five picks in his last four outings. I’d pass on him.
GO
Braylon Edwards – Back against his own team. Expect him to play well.
LaDainian Tomlinson – Will get you points on the ground and through the air. He leads the team in rushing and receptions.
Dustin Keller – Hasn’t scored in a few weeks but leads the team in receiving touchdowns with five. Could score this week and is a good option in a league where you need a TE.
Jets D – They should have a field day with Colt McCoy.
Minnesota at Chicago
3 of 13
Vikings
STOP
Sidney Rice – Don’t know if he will play, but either way, don’t expect much.
Brett Favre – Could find the end zone but is far from worthy of being a starter at this point.
GO
Adrian Peterson – Will continue to post big numbers, especially if Favre struggles.
Bernard Berrian – Stock on the rise and Harvin might not play.
Percy Harvin – The Vikings' best receiver. A must-start, if migraines don’t keep him out of the game.
Visanthe Shiancoe – Favre’s favorite target. He returned to the end zone last week for the second time this year.
Vikings D – Bears O-Line is bad and Cutler is a turnover machine.
Bears
STOP
All Bears receivers – Knox, Bennett, and Hester are inconsistent at best. None are worth the risk.
Greg Olsen- Like the receivers you never know what you’ll get from him. I’d look at other TE options unless I was desperate.
GO
Jay Cutler – Will put up big numbers but you have to live with the turnovers.
Matt Forte – Has slowed down a bit the past few weeks, but he’s a dual threat and not a bad start this week.
Bears D – Like Cutler, Favre will give the ball away and his injured ankle makes him less mobile.
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Tennessee at Miami
4 of 13
Titans
STOP
Any receiver not named Moss-–Sorry Gage, Washington, and Williams, but you’re not worth the risk.
GO
Randy Moss – Always shines in team debuts! Young has a big arm and Moss is more explosive than Justin Gage.
Vince Young – If he plays, Moss gives a downfield target and reliable possession receiver.
Chris Johnson – Moss’s presence will open up running lanes for him. He should cross the sticks at least once and maybe twice.
Titans D – The fantasy leading defense; Pennington making season debut.
Dolphins
STOP
Ricky Williams – Has not been much of a factor and Ronnie Brown is able to carry larger load than in recent seasons.
Davone Bess – Pennington has many solid attributes. A strong arm is not one of them.
Chad Pennington – Wrong week to make first start of the season.
Dolphins D – Tennessee was a good offense before and should be even better with Moss.
GO
Brandon Marshall – Should benefit from the presence of Pennington.
Ronnie Brown – If in need of a third back for Sunday, he’s not a bad option. Don’t expect a ton of yards but he could score a TD and pick up some receiving yards out of the backfield.
Houston at Jacksonville
5 of 13
Texans
STOP
Texans D – They haven’t done much this season and their on the road this week.
Matt Schaub – Wearing the overrated tag well. Only 3 TD’s the last four weeks.
GO
Andre Johnson – Don’t worry about last week. He should be back to his usual self on Sunday.
Arian Foster – The Texans best offensive option. He’s a must start.
Jaguars
STOP
Receivers – Can’t find one I’d add this week.
Jags D – This could quickly turn into a shootout.
GO
Marcedes Lewis – An every week start as a TE or WR 3, Garrard’s favorite target especially in the red zone.
Maurice Jones-Drew – Finally showing signs of life. Play him.
David Garrard – Except for the game against Tennessee, he’s been a good start over the past month. Should perform well against Houston.
Detroit at Buffalo
6 of 13
Lions
STOP
Matthew Stafford – I hope you have someone better.
Jahvid Best – Has cooled off following a hot start. I’d pass on him.
GO
Calvin Johnson – MegaTron is a must start.
Nate Burleson – 3 TD’s the last four weeks. If you need a number 2 or 3 receiver don’t be afraid to plug him in.
Lions D – They are better than you think and if you need a D this one could force a few turnovers for you.
BILLS
STOP
Fred Jackson – No good.
C.J. Spiller – Even worse
Bills D – Don’t even think about it.
GO
Steve Johnson – Leads the team in targets, receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns.
Ryan Fitzpatrick – This should be a shootout.
Carolina at Tampa Bay
7 of 13
Panthers
STOP
I would not play anyone on this team. The Panthers are absolutely dreadful.
GO
Steve Smith - Assuming they will be playing from behind he might get a late score.
Buccaneers
STOP
Kellen Winslow – 0 touchdowns this year!
GO
Mike Williams – Freeman’s top target.
LeGarrette Blount – Should run wild on Carolina.
Bucs D – Will look like the Defense from the Dungy era this weekend.
Kansas City at Denver
8 of 13
Chiefs
STOP
Thomas Jones – Looks to be slowing down. Hid last two starts have been lackluster.
Chiefs D – Broncos shouldn’t have a problem moving the ball on them.
GO
Matt Cassel – 8 touchdowns to only one interception in his last four games. Could take a chance on him if your QB is on bye.
Jamaal Charles – Always good for a combo of rushing and receiving yards. The Chiefs best back at the moment.
Dwayne Bowe – 6 touchdowns in his last four games. Start him this week.
Broncos
STOP
Denver D – Not scaring anyone.
Knowshon Moreno – Unless you have no one else stay away from him.
GO
Kyle Orton – He’s matchup proof. Definitely a proven every week starter.
Jabar Gaffney – Consistent yardage but needs to score. Useful if you’re looking for a No. 3 receiver.
Brandon Lloyd- As long as Orton is throwing, he will continue to shine.
St. Louis at San Francisco
9 of 13
Rams
STOP
Rams D – Consistent but a middle in the pack defense.
Sam Bradford – A good, young quarterback, but I’m not expecting much.
GO
Danny Amendola – Bradford’s go to guy. Start him.
Steven Jackson – Their best offensive weapon.
49ers
STOP
Vernon Davis – Only one reception in his last game with Smith at QB.
Troy Smith – Could post solid numbers. Could fall flat on his face.
GO
Michael Crabtree – Might benefit due to change in signal caller.
Frank Gore – Similar to Jackson.
49ers D – Will make life tough for Bradford and company.
Dallas at New York Giants
10 of 13
Cowboys
STOP
Dallas D – Got destroyed by Green Bay now they must play in New York.
Miles Austin – Quickly fading from fantasy relevancy.
Cowboys Running Backs – Might not get a chance to run much. It’s a good chance they will be playing from behind.
GO
Dez Bryant – The only star shining for this team.
Giants
STOP
N/A
GO
Ahmad Bradshaw – Could do damage late if G-Men have a big lead.
Brandon Jacobs – Could get some goal line work and 10-15 carries.
Eli Manning – START HIM!!!
Hakeem Nicks – START HIM!!!
Mario Manningham – START HIM
Kevin Boss – An option if you need a TE.
Seattle at Arizona
11 of 13
Seahawks
STOP
Matt Hasselbeck – Coming back from a concussion.
Justin Forsett – Has become irrelevant since Lynch’s addition.
GO
Seahawks D – They should exploit Arizona’s quarterback problem and lack of a running game. Held Arizona to 10 points in the first meeting.
Mike Williams – Hasselbeck’s favorite target. Needs to redeem himself for the past two weeks.
Marshawn Lynch – If he’s going to have a breakout game this is it.
Cardinals
STOP
Quarterbacks – Doesn’t matter who starts.
Beanie Wells – Seattle’s defense is stout against the run.
Tim Hightower – Doesn’t get enough carries to matter.
GO
Cardinals D – Could feast on weak Seattle offense and ailing Hasselbeck.
Larry Fitzgerald – One of the best. It doesn’t matter who’s at quarterback.
New England at Pittsburgh
12 of 13
Patriots
STOP
Wes Welker- He needs to prove he’s worthy of starting again.
Deion Branch – Doing what he does best. Showing up and then disappearing.
Patriots D – 34 points to the Browns!
Running Backs – Pittsburgh doesn’t give up much to opposing ball carriers.
GO
Tom Brady – If you feel confident in another QB go with them but he’s feasted on this D in the past.
Aaron Hernandez – Top red zone target for this team.
Steelers
STOP
Heath Miller – Doesn’t seem to be catching Big Ben’s eye.
GO
Hines Ward – Is at best a number 2 or 3 option.
Mike Wallace – Maybe the greatest deep threat in the NFL. Don’t expect too many receptions but he’s always one big play away from having a huge game.
Ben Roethlisberger – Doing well since his return, I’d expect him to take this defense apart.
Rashard Mendenhall – Should be a repeat of what Hillis did last Sunday.
Steelers D – USE WITH CAUTION!!! They let the Bengals back into the game Monday and it’s a short week.
Philadelphia at Washington
13 of 13
Eagles
STOP
Brent Celek – Don’t expect much from him. There’s just not enough ball to go around in Philly.
GO
Michael Vick – Was doing well before he was knocked out of the last game with the ‘Skins. Should post solid numbers.
Jeremy Maclin – Has been mediocre the past two games but Jackson will draw the attention of both Hall and Landry. Some things should open up for him.
DeSean Jackson – Regardless of coverage, he is too diverse to be completely shut down.
LeSean McCoy – Very Westbrook like. He leads the team in receptions.
Eagles D – Forced Manning to throw two interceptions.
Redskins
STOP
Running Backs – Torain and Portis are on the mend and not yet 100 percent.
Receivers not named Moss – This includes Tight ends. The Redskins offense is a mess.
Donovan McNabb – I’m not expecting much from him even if it is against his former employer.
GO
Santana Moss – The best receiver on the team but might be blanketed by Philly’s secondary.
Redskins D – Opportunistic but were shredded by the Lions in their last game. They are more of a yellow light. Use caution.
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