Week 10 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Chris Johnson and Struggling Stars Who Will Shine

It may be getting late into the 2011 NFL season, but rest assured, not all is lost for those fantasy football studs-turned-duds that you jumped on in your league's draft, sacrificing your first pick (or, say, $50 in an auction draft).

Week 10 should give these blunderous big names the perfect chance to break out of their respective doldrums and get your fantasy squad back on the winning track.

Chris Johnson, RB, Tennessee Titans

If you're on the fence about whether or not to drop Chris Johnson once and for all, do yourself a favor and sit there for at least one more week.

Even if it's tough to find a comfortable seat.

CJ0K will be up against a Panthers defense that's as fantasy-friendly as you'll find in the NFL this season, especially against opposing running backs. Carolina has thus far allowed 4.6 yards per carry and 11 touchdowns on the ground and will be just as lenient with a back of Johnson's past acumen.

If Johnson can't thrive under those conditions, then you'll know for sure that it's time to cut your losses, once and for all.

Philip Rivers, QB, San Diego Chargers

Will Philip Rivers find his way out of the woods and into the clearing (so to speak) this season?

Tough to say, but a good game against the Raiders wouldn't be a bad place for him to start. Oakland's defense has allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks of any unit in the NFL this season.

Meanwhile, Rivers is coming off a game against the Packers in which he proved to be spectacularly productive. Set aside Rivers' three picks, and you'll see a guy who just threw for 385 yards and four touchdowns against a similarly flimsy pass defense.

Shy away if you'd like, but you'll miss out on a good week for a good quarterback.

Santonio Holmes, WR, New York Jets

Santonio Holmes' fantasy value has died a quiet death this season, as he's yet to even approach the 100-yard receiving mark in a single game in 2011.

Whatever the root cause may be—Mark Sanchez's ineptitude, the emergence of Dustin Keller, the addition of Plaxico Burress, etc.—you can bet Holmes will have plenty of chances to bounce back in a big way this weekend when the Jets host the Patriots.

Yes, those same Patriots who sport the league's worst pass defense by a comfortable (or uncomfortable) margin.

If Sanchez can't find Holmes against New England's secondary, then it may just be time for Gang Green's quarterback to get his eyes checked.