Week 10 Startability Index (Start ‘Em/Sit ‘Em)
Is it really already Week 10, meaning fantasy playoffs are just a blink of an eye away? Well, I better give you some good fantasy advice this week!
The Packers and Redskins are two of the four teams on a bye, and owners will be scrambling to find suitable replacements for the greatness of Aaron Rodgers and fleeting greatness of RG3 — especially those who own both. This week’s Startability Index will cover one quarterback who makes a nice substitute this week. Plus, your requests from Twitter and Facebook, and a lot of other guys I think may be straddling the starting lineup line.
Need advice on a player not covered? Request away and I’ll get back within a couple hours. (No more than two-at-a-time, please!)
Quarterbacks
Ryan Fitzpatrick at New England (7): Fitzpatrick has his issues, but he puts up big numbers against the Patriots. On the one hand, he has over 300 yards in each of his last three games against the Pats. On the other hand, he also threw four picks in each of the last two, hence the lower Startability number.
Christian Ponder vs. Detroit (4) Ponder has put up some stinkers lately (only 63 passing yards in his last game.) The (probable) loss of Percy Harvin this week is not helping matters.
Matt Stafford at Minnesota (8): Stafford has been hot for some time now, throwing for more than 250 yards in every game since Week 2. The TD total could be higher, but with Calvin Johnson getting back on track, this week could be a good opportunity to see more end zone.
Running Backs
Frank Gore vs. St. Louis (6): A solid 16 carries a game each of the past two weeks. Gore was largely shut down by the Rams last season.
Fred Jackson at New England (4): Only start in PPR leagues! Jackson has done very little strictly on the ground this year (1 TD, no game over 71 yards), and New England has yielded little to opposing running backs. In their first meeting, Jackson rushed for 29 yards, but he did have three receptions for 50 yards.)
Steven Jackson at San Francisco (2): Jackson split the workload last week with Daryl Richardson, a trend that will probably continue. One whole running back usually fails against the 49ers, so one-half of a whole running back is probably going to be out of luck.
Taiwan Jones at Baltimore (5): Jones may be electrifying but he is entirely unproven. Plus, we are not sure how the split in carries will break down between Jones and Marcel Reese. But Baltimore has given up the 5th most rushing yards in the league so he could be worth a shot.
Michael Turner at New Orleans (9): Even with the presence of Jacquizz Rodgers, Turner has averaged 22 carries the past two games. The Saints have the worst rushing defense in the league, surrounding 5.3 yards per carry. You do the math.
Wide Receivers
Kenny Britt at Miami (6): Britt has been inconsistent, but keeps getting his targets. He should find more success against the 30th ranked pass defense in the league.
Dez Bryant at Philadelphia (6): Bryant has been slowed by the hip injury last week but continues to be Tony Romo’s second-favorite target. The Eagles are giving up 21 points on average to opposing receivers.
Brian Hartline vs. Tennessee (8): Hartline will continue as Ryan Tannehill’s favorite target in this game. Perhaps Hartline will add to his one touchdown on the year against a team that has given up 20 of them!.
Jeremy Kerley at Seattle (5): Kerley is coming off a career-best seven catches for 120 yards. But no receiver in the Jets offense deserves to have higher than a (5) Index score at this point, especially if they are traveling to Seattle.
Lance Moore vs. Atlanta (6): The Falcons have a tough passing defense and have only surrendered eight passing touchdowns. But this game has the makings of a shootout and Moore should see plenty of targets with the defensive attention on Marques Colston.
Tight Ends
Brent Celek vs. Dallas (4): Since his 157-yard performance Week 2, Celek has been pretty invisible. He is getting 4-6 targets a game but the plays are not expansive enough, and he’s not finding the end zone. Celek is still worth stashing, though, as he could always become more visible in the offense.
Owen Daniels at Chicago (5): Owens has become a stable part of this offense once again, and has brought in a touchdown in each of the last two games. Opposing tight ends from prolific offenses can sometimes take advantage of the Bears Cover 2.
Defense
Pittsburgh vs. Kansas City (10): See opponent.
