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Look at how far we’ve come. We somehow only have four or five weeks left in the regular season. We’re starting guys like Peyton Barber, who we didn’t even know was on an NFL roster when we drafted. These are the kind of things that make people crazy, but hopefully you’re beating the public to grabbing the next starting running back. It’s definitely a survival of the fittest. With limited time between now and the trade deadline, you need to be active. Look at unconventional ways at improving your team including starting a wide receiver at the flex spot or trading a RB for a WR in one deal and getting a better RB for a lesser WR in another deal in the same league. The end result is always what makes the impact on the field.
Below is a list of guys I’m focused on for one reason or another this week. They’re especially important in daily fantasy sports (DFS) leagues like DraftKings. If you’re curious about guys you don’t see listed here, you can always find me on Twitter (@MrT_BroBible) to ask questions, but remember to mention league specifics like PPR. You can always ask about trades as well.
You Know Who You Should Start?
Jay Cutler (QB – Chicago)
Four weeks ago we thought we’d never see Cutler be productive again, but here we are. He played well against the Vikings before the bye week and gets the Buccaneers this weekend. Tampa Bay has given up the fourth most points per game to fantasy quarterback and all of Cutler’s weapons are healthy and ready to go.
Chris Ivory (RB – Jacksonville)
The switch of offensive coordinators in Jacksonville to Nathaniel Hackett means positive things for the Jaguars running game. We saw that last week when Ivory got plenty of work on his way to 18 carries for 107 yards. Expect the same this week since the Texans allow 18.8 fantasy points a game to running backs.
Terrance West (RB – Baltimore)
There’s still plenty of questions about West and the Ravens ability to run the ball, but Cleveland heals all wounds. The Browns have allowed a rushing touchdown in all but one game this year and allow the third most points to fantasy RBs.
J.J. Nelson (WR – Arizona)
Times have changed in Arizona. Nelson has supplanted Michael Floyd as the #2 WR in Arizona and has shown well in his last two games. Now he gets to go against one of the worst passing defenses in the league. Expect Nelson to see 8 or so targets and his breakaway speed means big plays await. It doesn’t hurt that San Francisco has given up at least two touchdowns to wide receivers in six of their last seven games.
Rishard Matthews (WR – Tennessee)
We heard a lot about Tajae Sharp leading up to this season, but it’s Matthews who’s risen up as the top dog in the Titans receiving core. Matthews has scored touchdowns in four of the last five games and faces a juicy situation with the Packers defending him on Sunday. The Titans will be chasing points in this road game, so Matthews will be peppered with work and can get things done against a subpar secondary.
Dennis Pitta (TE – Baltimore)
Baltimore’s opponent on Thursday night is Cleveland and that bodes well for Pitta’s output. Cleveland has allowed the most yardage in the league to tight ends and have given up eight touchdowns in nine games to the position. We just old man Jason Witten beat up the Browns linebackers and safeties for a big game and now Pitta comes to town.
Other guys you should start: Carson Palmer (QB – Arizona), Joe Flacco (QB – Baltimore), Dak Prescott (QB – Pittsburgh), Jordan Howard (RB – Chicago), Devonate Booker (RB – Denver), Mark Ingram (RB – New Orleans), Giovani Bernard (RB – Cincinnati), Kelvin Benjamin (WR – Carolina), Tyrell Williams (WR – San Diego), Kenny Britt (WR – Los Angeles), Steve Smith (WR – Baltimore), Corey Coleman (WR – Baltimore), Jamison Crowder (WR – Washington), Zach Ertz (TE – Philadelphia), Zach Miller (TE – Chicago), Lance Kendricks (TE – Los Angeles), Will Tye (TE – New York Giants)
You Know Who You Should Sit?
Andy Dalton (QB – Cincinnati)
The “Red Rifle” has been rather prolific this year, coming into Week 10 as the 11th best fantasy QB. He has, however, feasted against poor pass defenses and that’s the Giants strength. The Giants have only given up one 300-yard passer this season and have only allowed multiple passing touchdowns in two games. With plenty of good streaming options available this week, Dalton should be benched in favor of an alternative.
Carlos Hyde and DeJuan Harris (RB – San Francisco)
This is a catch all for whichever RB starts for San Francisco because Hyde is still nursing a shoulder injury. Opportunity leads to starts in fantasy football, but you only want to play one of these guys if you’re desperate this week. Arizona has only allowed double digit points to running backs in one of their five home games this year. Arizona expects to get a big lead, which will lead to plenty of passing, but not much rushing from the 49ers.
Christine Michael (RB – Seattle)
Everyone who had been waiting for Michael to take off was so excited at the beginning of the year, but what we’ve seen in recent weeks will send that crowd to tears. The Seahawks have a terrible offensive line, which doesn’t help Michael’s cause, but he’s not doing much on his own either. Coach Pete Carroll keeps talking about getting C.J. Prosise more work and the Seahawks were pass heavy last week. These all are signs to avoid Michael immediately.
Stefon Diggs (WR – Minnesota)
Pat Shurmur worked to get the football to Diggs last week and that led to 13 catches. The problem is there’s no other wide receiver on the roster that the Redskins will fear, so that should mean that Josh Norman will follow Diggs around the field. That definitely cripples his value as I’m not sure he’s good enough to dominate Norman like A.J. Green did
Willie Snead (WR – New Orleans)
Besides the fact that Snead is clearly the #3 option behind Brandin Cooks and Michael Thomas, he’s in store for a dog fight this week. Snead will go head-to-head with Chris Harris, arguably the best slot corner in the league, this week. The Broncos have also shown an inability to stop the run recently and are now missing Derrick Wolfe, so look for the Saints to be more run-heavy this week.
Austin Hooper (TE – Atlanta)
Hooper was one of the targets last week as a streaming tight end and he performed well in place of Jacob Tamme. Unfortunately he shouldn’t be used again this week as he takes on the Eagles. Philadelphia has plenty of holes at cornerback, but they’re damn good at defending TEs, only allowing four points a game to the position.
Other guys you should sit: Blake Bortles (QB – Jacksonville), Kirk Cousins (QB – Washington), LeGarette Blount (RB – New England), Rob Kelley (RB – Washington), Ryan Mathews (RB – Philadelphia), Isaiah Crowell (RB – Cleveland), Jerrick McKinnon (RB – Minnesota), Matt Asiata (RB – Minnesota), Rashad Jennings (RB – New York Giants), Jeremy Maclin (WR – Kansas City), Julian Edelman (WR – New England), Will Fuller (WR – Houston), Gary Barnidge (TE – Cleveland), Julius Thomas (TE – Jacksonville), C.J. Fedorowicz (TE – Houston), Cameron Brate (TE – Tampa Bay)