The Biggest Start/Sit Decisions for Week 10 (Fantasy Football)
How are we already at Week 10? Double digits! Playoffs will be here before we know it, so it’s crunch time to lock down every possible advantage. With The Fantasy Footballers’ Start/Sit tool, you can tackle those tough lineup decisions each week and give yourself the edge you need for your playoff push. Let’s dive right into the good stuff and break down the players who are making the FootClan’s toughest start/sit decisions this week.
Kyler Murray or Tua Tagovailoa?
Oh no, not this one again. Last time it was Kyler vs. Tua, and I recommended Tua, thinking Kyler would struggle against a tough Dolphins defense. Kyler responded by throwing for 307 yards and two touchdowns.
“I’ve lost three times this year because of Kyler Murray.” pic.twitter.com/dg4vR4loiP
— Fantasy Footballers (@TheFFBallers) November 6, 2024
This week, Kyler’s up against another challenging defense—the Jets, who are holding quarterbacks to an average of just 13.6 fantasy points. Can he deliver a 30+ point performance despite the matchup? Or are we looking at a repeat of last week’s dud against Chicago? One thing is for sure: you’ll need titanium underpants to throw him into your lineup after last week’s performance.
Even though the Dolphins fell to the Bills last week, Tua looked back in form—comfortable, poised, and totally in control. He threw for 231 yards and two touchdowns, showing the spark Miami’s offense needed. This week, they get a Monday Night Football showdown with the surging Rams, who will definitely put up points, so Miami will have to keep up. Sure, the playoff hopes are gone, but Tua isn’t one to throw in the towel. I’m expecting him to bring everything he’s got, record aside. The Rams just allowed Geno Smith to score three TDs through the air. I expect Tua to have a big game.
Verdict: I side with the Footballers this week and will start Tua over Kyler. That is, unless you played against Ja’Marr Chase this week, then swing for the fences with Kyler. Why not, right? He’s got the potential to go nuclear, even against a tough defense. He’s done it before! What’s that saying? “Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.” So, if you’re chasing points and need that big upside, I won’t blame you one bit for betting on Kyler. If you can’t afford less than 10 fantasy points from your quarterback, then Tua is the better bet this week.
Josh Downs or Brian Thomas Jr.?
The Colts are second in the AFC South. Am I reading that right? Yep, still in the hunt for playoffs. This week the Colts will need to put up points if they want to beat the Bills, who are averaging the fourth most points per game at 28.9. With Pittman nursing an injury, Josh Downs has been leading the Colts in targets. This week Pittman has been declared OUT. The matchup is also ideal for Downs to see a ton of action. I think we leap to 10+ targets—and hopefully a TD from Downs this week.
Buffalo's Defense utilizes the 4th highest % of 2-high safety looks this year.
(insert 30for30 voice)… what if I told you:
Josh Downs has an astounding 40% TPRR against 2-high, the highest of ANY receiver in the NFL.
— Kyle Borgognoni (@kyle_borg) November 7, 2024
Brian Thomas Jr. hasn’t necessarily seen insane targets, but when he does get the ball, it’s for big yardage and touchdowns. He’s the big-play guy. He’s currently the WR11 on the season, with five TDs and 595 receiving yards. The matchup for BTJ is exactly what you want—the Vikings are allowing the most points to the wide receiver position, averaging 37.5 per game. The problem? Trevor Lawrence is unlikely to start. He’s dealing with a shoulder injury to his non-throwing arm. In his place? Mac Jones. Jones threw more interceptions last year than touchdowns and lost his starting job. As much as I want to root for the former first-round draft pick, I just don’t see how he’ll be able to get it down the field to Brian Thomas Jr. Jones was dead last in 2023 for yards per attempt and 29th for touchdowns.
Verdict: Even though the matchup looks great for BTJ, I’m sticking with Josh Downs this week. Both players are getting passes from backup QBs, but I’m betting on Flacco having a better outing, even with the tougher matchup, over Mac Jones.
Rome Odunze or Xavier Legette?
I love this one! It’s the battle of the first-round rookies. While Rome Odunze was drafted much earlier, Xavier Legette has truly carved out his own role on a less-than-ideal offense. Right now, he’s actually outpacing Odunze by five spots in fantasy wide receiver standings. Against it all, Legette has really shown up for the Panthers, especially in the red zone. Legette has four receiving touchdowns to Odunze’s one. But who comes out on top this week? The matchups are tight—only a 1.4-point difference between the defensive matchups. The over/under on the games is also within two points of each other. We’re going to have to dive even deeper into what we think the game script will look like for both of these teams.
The Panthers just traded away Diontae Johnson and Jonathan Mingo. They have put full faith in Legette as their WR1. The Panthers activated Jonathon Brooks off of IR, and he will get his first start for Carolina. The Giants allowed Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren to run for over 150 yards last week. This game may not need a big game out of Legette if the running game is successful.
The big issue for the Chicago Bears is giving Caleb Williams enough time to throw, but luckily, the Patriots’ pass rush is one of the worst in the league. When Williams has time, he can make some serious plays downfield. This could be a big game for Odunze—maybe even a breakout. Legette has more touchdowns so far, but I think this is the week we see Odunze start to turn things around with some positive touchdown regression and some big plays against the Patriots.
Verdict: Odunze. The breakout is coming.
Tank Bigsby or Travis Etienne Jr.?
No, and No. I’m benching both Bigsby and Etienne this week if I can. This offense isn’t going to be in the red zone often enough for either to score with Mac Jones under center. I’d consider picking up an Austin Ekeler or a Jaleel McLaughlin if you need a spot start at running back. If you’re looking to flex these guys, look away. I’d flex TEs before I’d consider either Jaguars back. The matchup against the Vikings is also another reason to avoid them if possible as they have only allowed 12 fantasy points to running backs three times. Those running backs carried the ball at least 15 times to achieve that. I don’t see how either Etienne or Bigbsy carved out that kind of role this week (or any week really) without an injury to the other.
Verdict: Neither if you can, but Etienne if you must. At least he’ll get some checkdowns. In fact, go trade Etienne for Courtland Sutton. You don’t need both Jaguars backs, especially with the injury to Trevor Lawrence.
Would you trade Travis Etienne Jr. for Courtland Sutton? pic.twitter.com/uwASuivwhx
— Fantasy Footballers (@TheFFBallers) November 8, 2024
Week 10 is packed with tough start/sit decisions, but with tools like the Fantasy Footballers Start/Sit Tool and a closer look at the matchups, you know where to find the edge. If you’ve got any other start-sit questions, always feel free to hit me up on X. And don’t forget to tune in to Mike every Sunday morning before kickoff for his final Start/Sit advice. Now, go set your lineups, and let’s secure another W this week.
Comments
Jonathon Taylor or Dandre Swift in my Flex this week? PPR league.