For those who have struggled throughout the season, there is good news. There are plenty of match ups in Week 10 that are exploitable with less than marquee players. A little roster shuffle magic could be all it takes to get your team back in contention. Here we go:
Quarterback
Matthew Stafford
Stafford and the Lions are hosting the Browns who are allowing 229 yards per game through the air and over 80 on the ground. This a good match up for Golden Tate, Marvin Jones and Matthew Stafford to air it out early at home.
Josh McCown
McCown and the Jets are going into Tampa Bay for what will likely be an ugly game but with 14 touchdowns on the season McCown faces a Tampa Bay defense that has allowed 272 passing yards and 114 rushing yards per game. The offensive scheme in New York is a scoring machine that revolves around a trio of unknown receivers exceeding expectations.
Jared Goff
Goff and the Ram put up an astonishing 51 points on the New York Giants, a team we all knew were bad but no one had embarassed them to that level yet this season. This week he faces the Houston defense that lacks the majority of their stud players. Houston is leaking like a sieve and handing over touchdowns. Goff is a strong bet on Sunday.
Running Back
Jordan Howard
Green Bay’s offense is nothing to write home about but their defense has handing over running yards at will. Green Bay is averaging 118 yards surrendered on the ground so far. Jordan Howard has struggled but he’s still on pace for a 1,000 yard season and plenty of those should come this week.
Todd Gurley
As noted, the Texans are unable to slow down opposing offenses with injuries at key positions. Todd Gurley has 686 yards and 7 touchdowns coming into this match up. If LA gets an early lead, Gurley could see a heavy load going into the final stretch against Houston.
LeSean McCoy
The Saints have a stout defense right? Well, not against running backs. The Saints are 19th against opposing running backs and playing on the road. With Kelvin Benjamin making his debut, the Bills have an opportunity to pull coverage out of the box and free up McCoy to run home.
Wide Receivers
Adam Thielen
Teddy Bridgewater is on the brink of making his return. Sam Bradford is on IR and Case Keenum faces what is likely his last (or one of his last) game(s) at quarterback. The Redskins have a strong pass defense but Thielen is one Keenum’s favorite targets and Minnesota has enough weapons to stretch the field.
Robby Anderson
I get it, I really do, Josh McCown. No one wants to trust a receiver who’s getting their targets from Josh...McCown but Robby Anderson has emerged to be one of the most reliable and valuable wide receivers of this class. If you don’t have him,get him. He’s still available in most leagues and start him against Tampa Bay for a favorable match up.
Robert Woods/Sammy Watkins
Pick your poison. Watkins and Woods are heading into a Houston game that on paper screams automatic start. Woods is Goff’s favorite receiver right now but Watkins has the speed to stretch the field and break off that big play. Either is a solid start.
JuJu Smith-Schuster
The Indianapolis Colts are one of the worst teams in the league, period. A lot of fans are starting LeVeon Bell and Antonio Brown, as you should but JuJu has taken that spot where the Steelers have a home run hitter on every play. Any time JuJu hits the field he’s a threat to go all the way. This si a great opportunity to see that in action.
Tight Ends
Charles Clay
If Clay is healthy, He’s a start against the Saints. Zay Jones is injured and Benjamin is an unknown coming into this game. However, early indications are Buffalo loves Kelvin’s abilities in their scheme. Clay could be Taylor’s safety blanket while they figure out the dynamic in Buffalo.
Evan Engram
I’m picking the Giants vs San Francisco to a high scoring affair. It has the feel of a surprise on the schedule. With Shepard back, Manning has another target but Engram remains old reliable on this offense and has maintained steady value despite the team’s struggles.
Austin Seferian-Jenkins
Jenkins goes into Tampa Bay as one of McCown’s favorite Red Zone targets. In the tight end world there are few targets more consistent in production than ASJ. I’d keep him a start until further notice.
Defense/Special Teams
The Bears are a team that can shut out anyone in the league on defense and still manage to lose. Panthers fans might think that sounds a little too familiar and still recognize the wisdom in starting a nasty defense despite their team’s record.
Jets
Tampa Bay are without both Winston and Evans on their offense. This is an excellent opportunity for the NYJ to establish themselves as a solid unit against a hobbled team.
Without DeShaun Watson the Houston offense is sputtering. Despite a trio of play makers in DeAndre Hopkins, Will Fuller and Lamar Miller, the Texans need that dynamic force to direct the field. The Rams can score early, force a one dimensional offense and terrorize Houston all day.
Special Consideration
Chris Godwin
There are too many rumors surrounding Chris Godwin to ignore. Many people familiar with the Tampa Bay camp fully expect Godwin to be a big name in the NFL soon. He has great hands, speed and skills or so the rumor goes. Today he’ll get the opportunity to start with Evans serving suspension. If you need a long shot, it’s worth a look.