NFL: Week 10 Start/Sit

Bye: Dallas Cowboys, Cincinnati Bengals, Washington Redskins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Quarterbacks

Start

Chad Pennington (Dolphins) vs. Seahawks–Pennington has thrown for at least 280 yards over his past four games. The Seahawks defense allowed Eagles QB Donovan McNabb to throw 349 yards and two scores against them last week. On the season the Seahawks defense has allowed 2064 yards which is 31st in the NFL. Pennington is seventh in the league with 1991 passing yards and should shred the soft Seahawks secondary.

Matt Ryan (Falcons) vs. Saints–Ryan has thrown for at least two TDs his past two games and has become a low end QB1 fantasy starter. On the season he has a near 2-to-1 TD to INT ratio which is impressive for a rookie. The Saints are 25th in the NFL in passing yards allowed and have only 14 sacks in eight games. Ryan should have time in the pocket to connect with  WR Roddy White who is fourth in the league with 733 receiving yards.

Honorable mention: Joe Flacco (Ravens) vs. Texans

Bench

Marc Bulger (Rams) vs. Jets–Bulger does not usually fare well on grass and over the past four games the Jets have 19 sacks and forced seven turnovers. The Rams are averaging just 15 points per game and Bulger has been sacked 24 times already.

Eli Manning (Giants) vs. Eagles–Manning has not thrown for more than 200 since Week four against the Seahawks. Last season vs. Philly, Eli averaged 152 yards per game with just one TD in two games. The Eagles are fourth in the NFL with 27 sacks and have nine sacks over their past three games. They have also allowed the third fewest points in the NFC.

Honorable mention: Matt Cassel (Pats) vs. Bills

Runningbacks

Start

Jamal Lewis (Browns) vs. Broncos- In three career games against the Broncos Lewis is averaging 85 yards. The Broncos rush defense is ranked 26th which means Lewis could be in store for his first 100 yard game of the season.

Tim Hightower (Cardinals) vs. 49ers- Hightower excelled in his first career start rushing for 109 yards on 22 carries and a TD. The rookie is tied for third in the NFL with seven rushing TDS and the power back gets to showcase his skills on MNF.

Honorable mention: DeAngelo Williams (Panthers) vs. Raiders

Bench

Matt Forte (Bears) vs. Titans–Forte rushed for 126 yards against the Lions last week but has a much harder test this week. The Titans are 10th in rushing yards allowed in the league and are allowing just 13 points per game. QB Rex Grossman is also starting for the Bears which means the Titans defense will load up to try to stop Forte.

Edgerrin James (Cardinals) vs. 49ers–James did not receive a carry last week as he took a backseat to rookie Tim Hightower. He is also averaging just 3.5 yards per carry and has five fewer rushing TDs than the rookie.

Honorable mention: Willis McGahee (Ravens) vs. Texans

Wide Receivers

Eddie Royal (Broncos) vs. Browns–Royal has 14 catches for 140 yards and a TD in his last two games. The rookie is seventh in the league with 47 receptions and makes a savvy start this week with a banged up Broncos backfield.

Kevin Curtis (Eagles) vs. Giants–Curtis returned from a hernia injury in Week 8 and showed no rust last week catching six balls for 83 yards. He struggled last season against the Giants but a healthy Curtis means  Donovan McNabb will look at him quite often.

Honorable mention: Matt Jones (Jags) vs. Lions

Sit

Steve Breaston (Cardinals) vs. 49ers–With WR Anquan Boldin returning last week Breaston had two receptions for 39 yards. In his previous four games he caught at least seven passes.

Torry Holt (Rams) vs. Jets–Holt finally had a decent game catching six balls for 58 yards and a TD. It was his first TD since week 2 against the Giants. He is having a terrible season averaging just 43 yards per game

Honorable mention: Kevin Walter (Texans) vs. Ravens

Tight End

Start

Mercedes Lewis (Jags) vs. Lions–Lewis has caught at least three passes in his last three games. He is the 13th most targeted TE and faces a bad Lions secondary this week.

Honorable mention: Visanthe Shiancoe (Vikings) vs. Packers

Sit

Kevin Boss (Giants) vs. Eagles–Boss sprained his ankle last week against the Eagles and was limited in practice this week. His role has increased in the offense but does not make a good start against a tough Eagles defense.

Honorable mention: Donald Lee (Packers) vs. Vikings

Kicker

Start

Neil Rackers (Cardinals) vs.49ers- Rackers has made at least one field goal in every game but one. He is coming off his third double-digit scoring game of the season and has a good matchup against the 49ers at home on Monday night.

Honorable mention: Jon Kasay (Panthers) vs. Rams

Sit

Kris Brown (Texans) vs. Vikings- Brown has scored just 12 points his last three games and has not attempted a field goal in either of them. He has converted all 10 of his field goals but is not getting enough opportunities.

Honorable mention: Olindo Mare (Seahawks) vs. Dolphins

Defense

Start

Dolphins vs. Seahawks–The Dolphins defensive unit forced four turnovers against the Bills in Week 8 and intercepted Broncos QB Jay Cutler three times last week. They also held the Broncos to just 14 rushing yards and face a Seahawks team that has scored the third fewest points in the NFC

Honorable Mention: Panthers vs. Raiders

Sit

Pats vs. Bills–The Pats did not record a sack or a takeaway last week against the Colts. They have just 14 sacks on the season and  QB Trent Edwards has been consistent throwing for at least 225 yards his past three games.

Honorable Mention: Colts vs. Steelers