Week 10 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Josh Freeman and Stars Destined to Struggle

Still looking to set your final fantasy football lineup for the week after watching the Oakland Raiders and the San Diego Chargers go at it? Stuck on who to start and who to sit?

Well, do yourself a favor and do whatever you can to leave these three studs-turned-duds out of the equation.

Josh Freeman, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

I know, I know, Jekyll-and-Hyde Josh Freeman is coming off a solid performance against the Saints, where he threw for 281 yards and a touchdown.

But let's be clear about something—the Texans are not the Saints, thanks in large part to a much more stringent defense. In fact, Houston has allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks of any team in the NFL this season.

Much of that success stems from the Texans' second-ranked pass defense, against which an inconsistent signal caller of Freeman's caliber would be hard-pressed to find much success whatsoever.

Brandon Jacobs, RB, New York Giants

Brandon Jacobs will once again have the Giants' starting spot at running back all to his lonesome, but that may not be such a good thing, particularly for his fantasy owners.

As big and strong a runner as Jacobs is, he'd be fortunate to find much running room against a 49ers defense that ranks first against the run, first in fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs and hasn't allowed a single rushing touchdown at home.

If Jacobs can't use his bulk to break through, Big Blue could very well opt for a speedier 'back, like Da'Rel Scott, to get the job done.

Vernon Davis, TE, San Francisco 49ers

Of course, the Giants won't be the only team with skill players getting shut down at Candlestick Park on Sunday.

The same could be said of Vernon Davis, who's topped 50 yards receiving in a game just once this season and hasn't scored a touchdown since early October.

Throw in New York's success in shutting down tight ends this season, and you've got a recipe for fantasy failure if you're looking to start Davis on your squad this week.