The Fantasy Footballers’ Starts of the Week for Week 10 (Fantasy Football)
We’ve officially hit the double digits. Week 10. The point in the season where every lineup decision feels like it could make or break your playoff hopes. One wrong bench call, one missed sleeper start, and that postseason dream slips further away. But don’t panic! The Fantasy Footballers have you covered. Every week, they are breaking down their favorite Starts of the Week to help you make the right calls when it matters most. This time, they’ve got the guys you need in your lineup. Let’s lock in those winning starts and keep that championship run alive.
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Andy’s Starts of the Week
QB- Justin Herbert vs PIT
Justin Herbert has been cooking. He’s finished as a top-5 QB in three straight games, giving fantasy managers one of the most consistent weekly ceilings at the position. The Chargers are leaning into it too, ranking 3rd in Pass Rate Over Expectation. But that’s not the only way Herbert gets fantasy points; his rushing has been top-tier this season —he currently leads all QBs in rushing yards. Yes, you read that right. This week’s matchup against the Steelers is the perfect opportunity for a huge game. The Steelers are allowing the most passing yards per game in the NFL and are 2nd to last in schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed to QBs. Everything lines up for another big day from Herbert.
RB – Kyle Monangai vs NYG
Kyle Monangai is coming off a true workhorse performance last week: 30 touches for the rookie. That’s seven more than D’Andre Swift has seen in any game as a Bear. He handled 45% of his team’s total rush attempts and targets, the same kind of elite usage we see from Christian McCaffrey. Even though Swift returns this week, Andy isn’t shying away from Monangai. The Bears play the Giants this week, who have been “straight-up diaper doo doo.” They are dead last in yards per carry (5.47), 30th in yards before contact, and 31st in schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed to RBs. Everything points to another monster outing for Monangai.
WR – Emeka Egbuka vs NE
Emeka Egbuka returns from the bye week healthy and ready to roll. Todd Bowles said he was “full speed” in practice and looked like his normal self after battling a hamstring injury. Jason pointed out how the entire Bucs passing game hit a wall before the bye, but Egbuka’s return might be exactly what sparks it again. Egbuka was maintaining a strong 23% target share before the injury, and with Chris Godwin and Bucky Irving both inactive this week, and Mike Evans out for the season, the opportunity to continue rolling is there. This week, the Buccaneers face the Patriots, who are 29th in schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed to WRs. Everything lines up for Egbuka to get back on track in Week 10.
TE – Sam Laporta @ WAS
LaPorta just keeps proving why he’s an elite fantasy TE. He’s finished as a top-5 option in three of his last four games, averaging a steady 20% target share over that stretch. The matchup against Washington’s shaky secondary is everything LaPorta’s fantasy managers could dream of. They’re a bottom-5 team in passing yards allowed per game. Expect Goff to keep feeding LaPorta in Week 10.
Jason’s Starts of the Week
Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
QB- Baker Mayfield vs NE
If Jason’s calling for an Egbuka bounce-back, you know who’s gotta deliver it… “Laser” Mayfield himself. Before the bye, Baker was clearly banged up, and the Bucs’ passing game hit a wall — just 58% completions and 5.1 yards per attempt over two weeks. But now he’s healthy again after a full practice on Wednesday, and this matchup looks like a get-right spot at home. Tampa’s putting up 28 points per game there, and Vegas has this one pegged as a shootout (48.5 O/U). The Patriots’ secondary has been their weak link all year, ranking 25th in yards per pass attempt allowed and 27th in schedule-adjusted fantasy points to QBs.
RB – David Montgomery @ WAS
When the Lions offense gets humming, you can practically pencil in a Monty TD. Detroit’s 28.5-point implied total screams scoring upside, and Montgomery continues to own the goal-line role, leading Gibbs 10–6 in carries inside the 5. Washington’s rush defense has been a mess lately, ranking 25th in yards after contact allowed and 26th in schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed to RBs over the last six weeks. Jason is expecting Monty to punch in another TD — maybe two this week. Start him.
WR – Rome Odunze vs NYG
It’s been rough for Rome Odunze lately. Since the Week 5 bye, he’s been stuck in neutral, averaging just 5.8 fantasy points per game and testing the patience of fantasy managers everywhere… and apparently his dad too. Yep, Odunze’s father has been vocal on social media about his son’s usage. But hey, when Marvin Harrison Sr. did the same, MHJ went off the following week — just saying. All jokes aside, the matchup is the perfect get-right spot for Odunze. The Giants’ defense plays man-to-man at the highest rate in the NFL (40.6%). That was Rome’s trump card from college: ONE-on-ONE opportunities. This is the week Rome stops looking lost in the shuffle and starts looking like the alpha we drafted him to be.
TE – Oronde Gadsden vs PIT
Oronde Gadsden has been on an absolute tear. Over the last month, he leads all TEs in fantasy points, receptions, and receiving yards — and get this: his 377 receiving yards over that span are the most ever by a rookie TE in any 4-game stretch. He’s not just a must-start every week — this week, Jason says he’s THE start of the week. The Steelers have been soft against TEs, ranking 30th in schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed. Whether it’s in DFS, props, or season-long — however you can get exposure to Gadsden in Week 10, do it.
Mike’s Starts of the Week
Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
QB – Matthew Stafford @ SF
Matt Stafford is playing like an MVP. His 21:2 TD-to-INT ratio is the best in the league, and he’s finished as a top-8 fantasy QB in four of his last five games. The matchup sets up perfectly, too. Since losing Nick Bosa, the 49ers have posted the second-lowest pressure rate in the NFL. And if they try to bring heat? Good luck. Stafford has a league-high 16 passing TDs with zero interceptions against the blitz. Over the last five weeks, San Fran’s defense ranks 27th in schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed to QBs. Everything points to another big day from Stafford.
RB – Jaylen Warren vs LAC
Jaylen Warren just keeps producing. He’s the RB22 on the season, averaging 18 opportunities per game and looking every bit like the Steelers’ most consistent weapon. This matchup is tailor-made for him — the Chargers are a total run funnel, ranking 27th in yards per carry allowed (4.91), 29th in explosive rush rate, and 28th in schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed to RBs over the last five weeks. If you’ve got Warren, lock him in. The efficiency and volume combo make him a rock-solid play in Week 10.
WR – Darius Slayton @ CHI
Darius Slayton has been flying just under the radar, but he is this close to a big game. Since returning from his hamstring injury, he’s seen a 23% target share across two games and played 89% of the snaps last week, catching 5 of 7 targets for 62 yards. The volume and routes are there — he’s just missed on a few big TDs the past couple of weeks. That luck could flip this Sunday. The Bears’ pass defense has been a mess, ranking dead last in yards per play allowed and 31st in schedule-adjusted fantasy points given up to WRs over the last five weeks. Slayton’s got the usage, the matchup, and the opportunity. This could be the week he cashes in.
TE – Kyle Pitts vs IND (Berlin)
We’re heading overseas for this one, and Vegas expects points — the total’s set at 48.5, one of the highest of the week. Kyle Pitts has quietly been one of the steadiest TEs in football, ranking 3rd in receptions and 3rd in target share (20%) at the position. He’s averaging five catches for 48 yards per game, which is about as safe a floor as you will find at TE. The matchup only sweetens the deal. The Colts rank 30th in schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed to TEs over the last five weeks. And if you peek ahead, Pitts’ rest-of-season schedule is nothing but green in the Strength of Schedule tool. If you are a Pitts fantasy manager, you love to see that.