Fantasy Football Week 10: Good-Bye, Bye

By Tim Bearden in News on Nov 13, 2011 3:30PM

Bye weeks aren't officially over for another week, but this week you get a break from stop-gap rosters and are armed with your full arsenal discounting injuries.

With the Thursday game already played, some teams have a head start on points this week. Chargers tight end Antonio Gates was limited by the Raiders to 54 receiving yards and no touchdowns, while Oakland running back Michael Bush continued to show why the Raiders running game is something to be feared with 157 rushing yards and one touchdown. This demonstration shows the Raiders deserve to be one of the top two rushing teams next to Philadelphia.

This early game may seem like a disadvantage, but it isn't. Knowing how well players on other fantasy teams did gives you an opportunity to set your line-up accordingly. So with teams at full strength it's better pickings. Let's see who's on the list for week 10.

Starts:

1. Drew Brees (QB) - Brees is the league leader in passing yards above Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady and Cam Newton. This week the Saints are playing the Falcons, whose secondary leaves much to be desired. Brees should breeze through this week.

2. Tom Brady (QB) - He's going up against a top rated passing defense this week in the New York Jets. He may not have a big week, but a player like Brady is hard to recommend sitting only because he has the potential to defy any team's strengths. Do keep in mind though, the Jets limited Brady to 15 fantasy points earlier this season.

3. Matt Stafford (QB) - Despite being a Bears fan, I think Stafford isn't going to have too much difficulty against the Bears this week. The Bears have one of the lower rated passing defenses with their questionable secondary. He didn't have a "star" performance against the Bears earlier this season, but he's still a good starting option.

4. Arian Foster (RB) - Foster is poised to have another big week. Tampa Bay is one of the lower rated rushing defenses allowing 132 yards per game and Foster is one of the top-rated rushers averaging 93 yards per game post-injury. If you do the math, Foster wins out.

5. Willis McGahee (RB) - With Tim Tebow leaving Denver's passing game in a bad state, McGahee should see a lot of carries this week against the Chiefs mediocre rushing defense. He's been carrying the ball well and doesn't give up a lot of turnovers. McGahee has only had three games with under 100 rushing yards.

6. Wes Welker (WR) - Welker didn't get stranded on Revis Island earlier this season and managed 124 receiving yards against the Jets. Welker is still a threat despite coverage by one of the top passing defenders in the league in interceptions.

7. Calvin Johnson (WR) - He's a deep threat against a Bears questionable secondary. He had 130 yards for one touchdown in their last match-up. He should definitely be in a slot on your roster.

8. Matt Forte (RB) - He had 116 rushing yards against the Lions in their first match-up this season. Forte has proven he can make small holes look like large gaps and has been one of the league's top rushers this season. He's a good option against Detroit.

9. Jimmy Graham (TE) - Graham has proven to be a reliable tight end for Brees. He's a go to target when coverage is tight and he has the ability to make big plays. He should do well against the Giants this week.

10. Mark Sanchez (QB) - He's my sleeper pick this week. He hasn't proven to be the wonderboy Rex Ryan wanted him to be, but against a bad Patriots passing defense he's as good of an option as any this week.

Sits:

1. Peyton Hillis (RB) - Things just aren't getting any better for Hillis owners as he is out again this week with his nagging hamstring injury.

2. Mohamed Massaquoi (WR) - Massaquoi had some setbacks this week regarding his concussion a couple of weeks ago. He's been ruled out this week again.

3. Scott Chandler (TE) - Chandler has been a minimal threat this season for the Bills. He doesn't see many targets outside the endzone and even then he's not guaranteed to be targeted. He's not a good option this week.

4. Marshawn Lynch (RB) - He's coming off a big week against Dallas, yes, but the Ravens rushing defense has been stopping running backs in their tracks all season. He's good for a few yards, but don't expect a performance like last week.

5. Josh Freeman (QB) - Houston has the second best passing defense in the league and Freeman isn't exactly a strong quarterback. The Texans should be able to limit him no problem this week. Look elsewhere for your passing needs.

6. Tim Tebow (QB) - Unlike ESPN's Matthew Berry, I'm not on the Tebow bandwagon. Kansas City's passing defense may not be the best in the league, but it's not the worst either. Tebow is too erratic under the gun to be a starting option this week. The Chiefs will also most likely rush the passer more than people think they will. You should have a better starting option.

7. Jahvid Best (RB) - Best is still out with the concussion he suffered in week 6.

8. Ryan Torain (RB) - Roy Helu is currently poised to start the game and is likely to get the bulk of the carries this week. Torain hasn't impressed much this season and probably won't get much of a chance to redeem himself this week.

9. Devin Hester (WR) - Hester's status for Sunday is officially questionable, but he still doesn't seem like a good receiving option. He hasn't quite come into his own at the role yet, despite this being his third season at WR.With his questionable status and less than sure hands, he shouldn't be an option this week.

10. Patriots (D/ST) - The Patriots allow more yards in the air than any other team in the NFL. They may stop Shonn Greene and LaDainian Tomlinson this week, but Sanchez and his receiving corp should be more than enough to make up for it.

Those are top 10 starts and sits for week 10. Next week the byes return for the final time this season. Check back here to see who's gonna make you the most points for the week.

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