Fantasy Football Start/Sit This Week: Start 'Em or Sit 'Em (Week 10)

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Nailing your start/sit calls in a given week can be the difference between winning and losing

Using our fantasy football projections as a guide, let’s get you prepped for this week’s fantasy football decisions.

This article is geared toward 12-team, half-PPR scoring formats with only one starting quarterback -- though the general advice can be loosely applied to most formats. Injury information may change after this article is published. You can stay up to date with this week’s injury news via our NFL player news page.

All betting references refer to the NFL odds at FanDuel Sportsbook. All statistics via NFL Next Gen Stats and Pro Football Focus unless otherwise stated.

Week 10 Fantasy Football Start/Sit Advice

Week 10 Starts

Bryce Young (QB, Panthers)

Bryce Young is an appealing one-week streaming option as the Carolina Panthers visit the New Orleans Saints. He completed 28 of 39 passes for 276 yards and three touchdowns against the Denver Broncos in Week 9, a notable bounce-back against a defense that had created plenty of pressure. New Orleans subsequently gets a quarterback who showed he can move the offense through the air, and the Saints entered the week allowing the fifth-most passing yards per game. Young is more of a lower-end QB1 or strong two-QB-league play than a must-start, but the matchup and recent passing volume are encouraging.

Ollie Gordon II (RB, Dolphins)

Ollie Gordon II has not been especially efficient lately, but his workload is difficult to overlook. The Miami Dolphins gave him 16 carries in Week 9, and he has handled at least 17 carries in four of his previous five outings as the primary ball carrier. This week, the Dolphins face an Indianapolis Colts defense allowing 4.8 yards per carry to running backs, the third-highest figure entering Week 10. Gordon offers little receiving-game insulation, so he fits best as a volume-based RB2 or flex rather than a high-ceiling PPR option.

Zay Flowers (WR, Ravens)

Zay Flowers is a strong bounce-back candidate for the Baltimore Ravens against the Los Angeles Chargers. His recent box scores have been ugly, but injuries at quarterback have contributed to that slump; before the past two games, Flowers ranked fifth among wideouts in fantasy points per game and was producing an excellent 3.7 yards per route run. Baltimore is expected to turn to Jacoby Brissett this week, bringing some uncertainty but also the potential for more stable passing. The Chargers have allowed the fifth-most fantasy points per game to receivers, giving Flowers clear WR2 upside if the new quarterback can get him the ball.

Hunter Henry (TE, Patriots)

Hunter Henry has been remarkably efficient for the New England Patriots, catching 86.5% of his targets, the best mark among non-running backs with at least 30 targets through Week 9. His 2.16 fantasy points per target also ranks third among qualifying tight ends. The matchup against the Detroit Lions is especially inviting: Detroit has surrendered 25.1 fantasy points per game to tight ends, almost twice the league average. Henry is a compelling TE1 play if he is cleared to play; check his foot-injury status before the early Sunday kickoff in Munich.

Zach Charbonnet (RB, Seahawks)

Zach Charbonnet is back in the mix for the Seattle Seahawks and has already shown useful volume following his return from injury. He handled 16 carries for 77 yards last week, an average of 4.8 yards per rush, while also adding a reception. Now he gets a Las Vegas Raiders defense that has allowed the fifth-most fantasy points per game to running backs. His role still carries some committee risk, but the combination of rushing volume and favorable opponent makes Charbonnet a viable RB2 or flex in Week 10.

Week 10 Sits

Matthew Stafford (QB, Rams)

Matthew Stafford looks like a risky one-quarterback-league start even with the Los Angeles Rams drawing a seemingly friendly matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. He scored just 11.22 fantasy points against Washington in Week 9 and has not finished higher than QB12 in a week without Davante Adams this season. With Puka Nacua also sidelined, the receiving corps lacks the star power that has driven a substantial share of his production. Stafford has limited rushing value to rescue a quiet passing day, so there is more risk here than the matchup alone suggests.

Ashton Jeanty (RB, Raiders)

Ashton Jeanty remains an intriguing pass catcher, but the Las Vegas Raiders have struggled to create rushing opportunities for him. He managed just 20 scrimmage yards against San Francisco in Week 9 and has failed to reach 30 rushing yards in five consecutive games. That is a troubling trend ahead of a meeting with a Seattle Seahawks defense that allows the fourth-fewest rushing yards per game. A potential rookie-quarterback debut for Las Vegas adds another layer of uncertainty, leaving Jeanty as a risky, reception-dependent flex rather than a comfortable RB2.

Tre Tucker (WR, Raiders)

Tre Tucker has the speed to produce a big play on any given Sunday, but the matchup makes him tough to trust. Seattle has surrendered a league-low 99.6 receiving yards per game to wide receivers while limiting opponents to a 10.1% explosive-pass rate, also the lowest in the NFL through Week 9. Tucker has already shown a volatile weekly floor, and uncertainty at quarterback only increases the risk of limited catchable volume. Fantasy managers with a steadier WR3 or flex option should lean that direction.

Tucker Kraft (TE, Packers)

Tucker Kraft faces a brutal assignment when the Green Bay Packers host the Minnesota Vikings. Minnesota has allowed just 3.9 receptions and 9.3 fantasy points per game to tight ends, both league lows, with only one touchdown surrendered to the position through eight games. Kraft also managed one catch on three targets in Green Bay's Week 9 matchup, showing how easily his weekly opportunity can shrink when the passing game flows elsewhere. He still has touchdown upside, but his expected volume and opponent make him a shaky TE1 compared with a favorable streamer.

DK Metcalf (WR, Steelers)

DK Metcalf has the physical tools to overcome a difficult matchup, but his actual efficiency has been underwhelming for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He has caught just 51.6% of his targets and averaged 1.3 yards per route run this season, both troubling figures for someone who relies on splash plays. Metcalf has topped 60 receiving yards only twice, and his first meeting with the Cincinnati Bengals produced three catches for 31 yards, albeit with a touchdown. That scoring dependence makes him a low-floor flex despite a game script that could call for Pittsburgh to throw.

Fantasy Football Start/Sit FAQ

Who should I start in fantasy football this week?

The best starts are typically players with strong recent usage, favorable matchups and a reliable path to touches or targets. Matchup-specific factors and changes in workload should also be considered before setting your lineup.

Who should I sit in fantasy football this week?

Players can be worth sitting when they face difficult matchups, have seen their role decrease or carry significant risk due to injuries or inconsistent usage. Even proven players can be matchup-based sits in a given week.

How do you decide who to start or sit in fantasy football?

Start/sit decisions should account for a player's expected volume, recent production, matchup, offensive role and game environment. Comparing those factors against your other lineup options can help determine which player offers the best combination of floor and upside.

Should I start a player with a difficult matchup?

It depends. A difficult matchup can lower a player's expected production, but high-volume players can still deliver strong fantasy performances regardless of the matchup. The player's role and expected opportunity should usually carry more weight than matchup alone. Another huge factor is whether or not you have quality alternatives on your roster.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.