Start 'Em
Quarterbacks
Kirk Cousins vs. NO
Kirk Cousins performed well for his fantasy managers last week against the Cowboys, completing 19 of his 24 passes for 222 yards and 3 touchdowns. Cousins has been solid all season long, throwing for over 200 yards in all but one of his games this season (Week 1). He also ranks 4th in passing yards (2,328) and 6th in passing TDs (17). This sort of consistency will match up very well against the Saints. The Saints, who just traded their star cornerback Marshon Lattimore, rank 6th in passing yards allowed (239.9) and yards per completion allowed (11.1). Cousins and Atlanta's high-powered offense should have no problem producing a strong fantasy performance; managers can safely start him this week.
Sam Darnold vs. JAX
Sam Darnold continues to impress as the Vikings' QB1, producing a great performance in their win against the Colts. Darnold completed 28 of his 34 passes for 290 yards and 3 touchdowns. Darnold's fantasy production has been pretty matchup-proof this season, posting at least 19 fantasy points against defenses like Detriot, Green Bay, San Francisco, and Houston (based on fantasy.nfl.com point system). Darnold goes up against the Jaguars this week, who give up the 2nd most passing yards a game (264.3) and have given up the most fantasy points per game to QBs so far in 2024. Darnold is a must-start in week 10.
Running Backs
Tyrone Tracy Jr. vs. CAR
Tyrone Tracy Jr. has emerged as the budding RB1 in New York and is taking advantage of the opportunity. Last week against Washington, Tracy Jr. carried the ball 16 times for 66 yards, while also catching his only target for 3 yards. Though the numbers did not jump off the page last week, Tracy Jr.'s volume has been extremely encouraging. Over the past five weeks, Tracy Jr. has averaged 18 touches a game, out-touching his backfield competitor Devin Singletary. This, along with the fact that Tracy Jr.'s opponent, the Panthers, allow 159.3 rushing yards per game (worst in the NFL) and have given up a league-high 15 rushing touchdowns. Tracy Jr. is primed for another big week for fantasy managers.
Najee Harris vs. WAS
Harris has flown under the radar this year, but recently has been on a tear. Last week, he carried the ball 19 times for 114 yards, along with catching three of his four targets for 17 yards. Harris put together his third straight 100+ yard game last week, and should show no signs of slowing down. His volume alone makes him a safe fantasy option, however, his matchup is very much in his favor. With Washington allowing the 5th most rushing yards per game (142.3) and ranked in the bottom half in terms of fantasy points allowed to running backs, Harris is a must-start for fantasy managers.
Wide Receivers
Amari Cooper vs. IND
Cooper did not play in Buffalo's week 9 matchup against the Dolphins, but the expectation is that he will be back this week against the Colts. Having been with the Bills for multiple weeks now, Cooper should hit the field much more prepared, with more chemistry built with QB Josh Allen. Cooper's matchup this week is also extremely favorable for his side. Going up against the Colts, who allow the 7th most passing yards a game to opponents (233.8) and over 10 yards per completion, Cooper should be able to have his way. Fantasy managers should feel good about starting Cooper this week.
Rome Odunze vs. NE
Rome Odunze is coming off one of his best games of his rookie season last week, posting 5 receptions on 7 targets for 104 yards. Odunze has not had the quickest of starts, but his target share should only increase as the season goes on. Odunze goes up against the Patriots this week, who rank 11th in passing yards allowed per game (224.6). New England's secondary is also quite thin, with Christian Gonzalez being the only bright spot. With Gonzalez likely shadowing WRs D.J. Moore or Keenan Allen, the opportunities for Odunze should open up quite nicely.
Tight Ends
Cade Otton vs. SF
Cade Otton has been elite since the injuries to WRs Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. Last week, Otton caught 8 of his 11 targets for 77 yards and a touchdown. Since the injuries to Evans and Godwin, Otton instantly emerged as QB Baker Mayfield's go-to option, catching 8 passes for 100 yards in week 7 and 9 passes for 81 yards and 2 TDs in week 8. Otton's volume and efficiency make his matchup against a good 49ers defense irrelevant. As long as Godwin and Evans remain out, Otton should be a TE1-caliber player every week.
Mark Andrews vs. CIN
Andrews is finally starting to pick things up after a horrible start to his 2024 season. Though last week, where he posted 2 receptions for 26 yards, was not good, Andrews has been able to pick it up in recent weeks (4 touchdowns in 4 weeks). What is really enticing is that Ravens TE Isiah Likely has been ruled out for their game this week, taking away Andrews' competition at the position. Look for Andrews to bounce back against a Bengals team that has allowed the 6th most fantasy points to Tight Ends this season.
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Sit 'Em
Quarterbacks
Jayden Daniels vs PIT
In a similar theme from our Start 'Em Sit 'Ems, Quarterbacks facing off vs Pittsburgh have landed on our Sit 'Em list and Jayden Daniels continues that trend. The almost-guaranteed rookie of the year has had a remarkable season continuing even after an ankle injury three weeks ago. Daniels will have his work cut out from him with the Steelers coming to town who are ranked 2nd against Fantasy QBs this season.
Opposing QBs this season are averaging 235 pass yards, 1 TD and 1.25 INTs with 2 carries for 7 yards and only 9.84 Fantasy Points per game. These numbers are nuts, with the team only giving up more than 11 points to a QB twice with 16.5 being the highest given up. Daniels will likely have a decent game but not a flashy Fantasy-friendly game that we're used to seeing. If you have another QB on the bench that's at least mediocre, you're better off switching and saving Daniels for another week.
Kyler Murray vs NYJ
Kyler Murray is coming off his worst Fantasy performance of the year even as the Cardinals dominate the Bears last weekend. It's not the best sample for Murray this season who has had a very decent year both in Fantasy and in his season in general.
However, even for a QB like Murray who has faced off against some of the best defenses in the league he now faces his gravest test with the Jets defense coming to town who have not allowed a TD to a QB in two straight weeks. With the Cardinals receivers running through a bit of a slump especially Marvin Harrison Jr., Murray will be lucky to get to his season averages of 199 pass yards, 1.4 TDs and 39 rush yards. Facing a defense that ranks in the Top-10 in scoring and yards allowed.
Running Backs
Tony Pollard vs LAC
Pollard has scored over 10 Fantasy points in 4 of his last 5 games and is averaging over 100 yards per game in that time. Pollard has been the best playmaker on this atrocious offense since their BYE week last month but it seems his hot streak will be coming to an end. The Chargers defense has only allowed 1 running back all year to rush for over 100 yards. Playing in Los Angeles, the Chargers have only allowed 63, 83 and 67 rush yards to running backs in their 3 games.
Pollard will be the work horse in this game for the Titans and will have been game planned against. Pollard is a possible FLEX option this week if your team isn't deep in the position.
Jonathan Taylor vs BUF
Taylor was once one of the best RBs in the league this season with the Colts' dedicated running game plan. However, after the benching of Anthony Richardson, Taylor's Fantasy potential has plummeted with the higher pass rate of the Colts' offense and the usage of Trey Sermon especially on third downs.
If Taylor can show that he has the ability to run this offense on the ground then he will be back into Fantasy owners' good graces, but until then he is a risky RB2 or FLEX option. Oh right and he's facing the Bills.... so don't play Taylor.
Wide Receivers
Terry McLaurin vs PIT
For Scary Terry, Jayden Daniels and the 2024 campaign has been a much needed sigh of relief. Finally, with a great QB Terry has shown that he indeed has the skill to be a Top-5 WR in the league. But like we said in the Daniels entry above, this matchup is not the one. Havin 10-point performances for 7 games in a row now, the Steelers have the best defense versus top receivers in the league, allowing 0 TDs all season to WR1s.
The Steelers don't have exceptional cornerbacks to stop these receivers, but their game planning has been second-to-none. In their last 3 games, WR1s have included Malik Nabers, Garrett Wilson and Ceedee Lamb, who have COMBINED gotten 17 receptions for 194 yards, or averaged less than 6 receptions for 65 yards and 0 touchdowns. McLaurin is an instant start every week but not this week, not even a FLEX.
Drake London vs NO
Aside from the hip injury that had him leave last week's game early against the Cowboys, London is just not a good pick this week. Scoring a touchdown in 6 of his last 8 games, London's only games without touchdowns have come against divisional opponents. Facing off against the Saints defense this year, London only got 6 catches for 64 yards.
This game on paper should be a blowout for the Falcons which could present a great opportunity for the ball to be spread around and for the Saints to more or less "try some things out" within their offense. Look for London to have a very limited role in this game especially bas the Falcons pull away in the later stages of the contest.
Tight Ends
Evan Engram vs MIN
Engram has been one of the best pass catches on this horrible offense when healthy but a matchup against the Vikings could spell one of his worst performances yet. The Vikings defense excel at three things, rushing the passer, preventing the deep ball and controlling the run. In other words the exact gameplan to stop the Jaguars.
More Jaguars players would be on this list for the terrible matchup they're up against except no one is really playing them in their Fantasy lineups anyway. Engram has had enough bright spots where he has made it to starting lineups, but this week is a DEFINITE bench play for him. The only way he should make it to your starting lineup is in a PPR league as he will likely be targeted 15 times as the only solid player on this offense besides Brian Thomas Jr.
Sam LaPorta vs HOU
With Travis Kelce and Mark Andrews definitively getting the ball rolling in Fantasy over the last couple weeks, Sam LaPorta has taken their spot as Tier 1 TE's to sit. Coming off a 28-yard performance last week and only grabbing 10+ Fantasy points twice this season, LaPorta has become relevant in the "Fantasy Busts" circle this season.
Not his fault, the Lions' offense is predicated on running the ball A LOT and making highly-efficient slant throws or digs down the field. With a matchup against Houston looming who ranks 29th in Fantasy points allowed to TEs this season, LaPorta definitely belongs on the bench this week and may belong on the Waiver Wire soon.
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-Z.D.
-Matt Hylen
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