Lust: Running Backs Dominate Fantasy League in Week 10

Can you believe it’s already week 10? I mean seriously. I feel like football just started.
With college football winding down, Ebola becoming a bigger star than Kim Kardashian, and National Doughnut Day becoming a real thing (you can’t get more American than that), you might have been a bit behind over the past few weeks when it came to your fantasy team. And that’s okay — I’m here to help.
This week is all about the running backs. You can’t go wrong with any this week, and that’s why I’ve only found one that I don’t like, and that was just barely a dislike.
Mark Ingram is back at home and is still the only real starter for the Saints, and he’s been dominating the field. Jeremy Hill is taking Giovani Bernard’s place on the Bengals while Bernard is out, and is doing a fantastic job. Marshawn Lynch is going up against a Giants defense, who have allowed an average of 119 rushing yards to opposing backs per game.
And we all know what he can do.
It’s really difficult to find a wrong choice in running backs this week. If you have a running back who’s starting this week on a football team, you should be just fine. Here are my choices for the week.
QBs I like in Week 10:
Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers (@New York Jets): Over the past two weeks, Big Ben has thrown 12 touchdowns. Six per game. He and Antonio Brown have connected for three of those touchdowns, and this week the Steelers take on the New York Jets, who have given up an average of 20 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks (the most in the league). It’s not hard transitioning to the Jets, so I would expect Roethlisberger to post at least 25 to 30 points this week.
Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos (@Oakland Raiders): This one should be a bit of a no brainer. The Raiders are 0-8, and Manning and the Broncos have carried themselves to 6-2. Manning has a wide array of targets to throw to across the field, and he has never gone below 230 passing yards in any game this season (nor has he gone below 20 fantasy points in any game). Manning is a surefire pick for most weeks, but if for some reason you were on the fence about this one, push yourself to fall off on the Manning side.
QBs I don’t like in Week 10:
Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions (vs. Miami Dolphins): I’m not sure how, but last week the Dolphins kept Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers to -2.2 fantasy points. That’s negative fantasy points. I’ve only seen that one other time since I started fantasy football four years ago. The Dolphins have allowed the least amount of fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks this year with an average of 11.5 points. With Calvin Johnson still listed as probable, I wouldn’t count on Stafford to provide anything more than maybe 15 points this week. Check your other options.
Mark Sanchez, Philadelphia Eagles (vs. Carolina Panthers): Please please don’t freak out about Mark Sanchez. He came in the game for the Eagles on Sunday and threw a touchdown immediately, yeah, but he also proceeded to throw two interceptions. His last game in the NFL was on January 30, back in 2012. I suppose if you have no other options, Sanchez is somewhat viable. But this week he’s going against a Panthers defense who have still only allowed an average of 17 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks, and are also averaging two sacks a game. I don’t think Sanchez is ready for linebacker Luke Kuechly and safety Roman Harper.
RBs I like in Week 10:
Jeremy Hill, Cincinnati Bengals (vs. Cleveland Browns): Last week against the Jaguars, Hill filled Giovani Bernard’s shoes with feet that were almost too big. He finished the game with two touchdowns on 154 yards off of 24 attempts, and totaled 28 fantasy points. This week he goes against the Cleveland Browns, who have given up an average of 18 fantasy points per game to opposing halfbacks, as well as an average of 139 rushing yards per game (second to most). Not to mention, Bernard missed practice on Tuesday, and as of Wednesday was considered questionable. Watch for Hill on the waiver wire, he’s gonna be a solid pickup this week.
Mark Ingram, New Orleans Saints (vs. San Francisco 49ers): We all know what the Saints can do at home, with their 12th man behind them. When you take that and add it to the fact that Ingram is still the Saints’ only viable option (along with Travarus Cadet), and then add that to the fact that Ingram has totaled 272 yards and three touchdowns in the past two games, you get one thing: play Mark Ingram. The 49ers are a tough defense for sure, as they’ve only allowed 85 rushing yards per game to opposing backs this year. But Ingram isn’t going to be sharing the ball much this week, as Khiry Robinson is listed as questionable and Pierre Thomas is still listed as out. Ingram is a tough halfback and doesn’t give up the ball easily, so I would expect some solid numbers from him this week.
RBs I don’t like in Week 10:
Frank Gore, San Francisco 49ers (@New Orleans Saints): This is kind of a tough choice, as there aren’t many running backs this week that I don’t like, and he’s the only one who doesn’t have an obvious matchup victory this week. Gore hasn’t really been wowing anyone lately, and the Saints’ Cameron Jordan and Junior Gallette are two of the fiercest defensive lineman to ever play for the Saints. Over the last three games, Gore has put up the following numbers: 3.8 points, 2 points, and 5.8 points. That’s not really anything to write home about. A risky decision, but I’d explore your other options if I were you.
WRs I like in Week 10:
Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers (@New York Jets): Easy. Brown can’t be stopped. Over the last three games, Brown has put up 58 fantasy points in total, and has caught for an incredible 367 yards on just 30 receptions, which is more than 10 yards per reception. Brown and Roethlisberger have been a couple to battle with, and this week they go up against the pass-allowing New York Jets secondary. Brown is an easy WR1 start this week.
Jordy Nelson, Green Bay Packers (vs. Chicago Bears): A historically heated matchup between two talented teams. But last time the Packers’ receivers let em have it. Don’t expect that to change. In their earlier meeting this year, the Bears allowed 48 fantasy points to the Packers receiving core. That was four touchdowns and 239 yards. Nelson made up for 108 of those yards and two of those touchdowns. This week it’s in Green Bay, and I’d expect Rodgers and Nelson to connect for at least two scores.
WRs I don’t like in Week 10:
Dez Bryant, Dallas Cowboys (vs. Jacksonville Jaguars): This is a tough one. Bryant is a great receiver, but with Romo still questionable, it’s hard to tell if Bryant can do anything with Brandon Weeden. Bryant managed a last minute touchdown to add some fantasy value last week, but other than that, Weeden was a bit of a let-down. You’ll have to base this one solely off of Tony Romo and whether or not he returns for their game in London. If he doesn’t, consider other options in your WR spots.
Anquan Boldin, San Francisco 49ers (@New Orleans Saints): Boldin is usually somewhat of a solid choice, but I’d watch it this week. Last week against the Saints, Cam Newton finished the game with a 35.7% completion rating. His passes were swatted out of the air consistently, and he ended his game with an interception and no touchdowns. Kaepernick isn’t someone who can change that, and Boldin is one of Kaepernick’s top targets. Look around the waiver wire and see who you might be able to pick up if you’re stuck with Boldin.
TEs I like in Week 10:
Jimmy Graham, New Orleans Saints (vs. San Francisco 49ers): I know, I know, Graham is on my list just about every week. This week, he’s finally listed as probable. Over the past two weeks he’s been a mix of questionable and probable, leaving fantasy owners in a confusing mess. It’s hard to find good tight ends in fantasy football, but Graham seems to be one who provides at least solid numbers, even while injured. Over the past two weeks (while listed as questionable), Graham has put up a total of 26 fantasy points, as well as a touchdown per game. Back in the dome, listed as probable, and going against a 49ers team who has allowed 325 yards and three touchdowns to opposing tight ends this year may mean some serious success for Graham this week.
Heath Miller, Pittsburgh Steelers (@New York Jets): Like I said earlier, Big Ben has thrown for 12 touchdowns in the past two games. And the Jets have allowed the second most fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends this season (averaging at 11.7). Miller has been a non-factor for a bit, but I think this week Roethlisberger might open up and send him a couple, maybe even for a score. If you’re feeling adventurous and just a bit risky this week, or you just can’t decide on a tight end to play, put in Miller, he may surprise you.
Taylor Lust is a HottyToddy.com contributor and Fantasy Football guru. He can be reached at tdlust@go.olemiss.edu.