It is unbelievable that we have arrived in week ten of the NFL season. Without question, time slows down for no one. At this point, there are managers that see their fantasy seasons on the brink. They have starts and sits questions that need answering to keep their playoff hopes alive. If this is the position that you find yourself, no worries! My weekly articles are here to help! This one shall be known as the Week Ten Fantasy Starts/Sits edition. I present these editions to help bring inner tranquility in the fantasy football realm.

To be clear, as has been the case the past six weeks, all position rankings are taken from ESPN. Without doubt, there surely will be disagreements about the players listed below. If that is where you find yourself, let’s talk about it! Equally certain, there will be managers that have questions about players that are not included. Simply give me the names of the players you are having trouble deciding upon and I will get some research done and get back to you.

In week nine, there were only two teams on bye. Fantasy managers can only wish that were the case this time around, however, as four teams are on the shelf. Those teams are Cleveland, Green Bay, Las Vegas and Seattle. If there are any players from those teams on the roster, it would certainly be wise to plan ahead.

Further, the early Sunday morning game returns, as the Giants and Panthers head to Munich. The game starts at 8:30 am central, so be aware. With nothing further to discuss, we can get right to it.

Week Ten Starts

Quarterbacks

Aaron Rodgers, New York Jets

To be sure, no one could have expected that it would take ten weeks before Aaron Rodgers would appear in a start/sit article. Yet, that is exactly where we find ourselves after a huge letdown this season, from the Jets team overall and Rodgers in particular.

For this week ten fantasy starts/sits edition, I will not recount all of the misery that has descended on Rodgers. We are all aware of what has gone on in New York. No, this article looks forward. In doing so, we see that the Arizona Cardinals are next up on the Jets schedule.

Fortunately for Rodgers, the Cardinals rank a lowly 20th in defending quarterbacks. Rodgers threw three TD passes against Houston without a turnover. Expect the same level of performance against Arizona. Likeable or not, if Rodgers is on the roster, he should be in starting lineups Sunday afternoon.

Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars

Given the result of his final pass against Philadelphia (interception), it may be surprising to find Trevor Lawrence not on the bench on this Week Ten Fantasy Starts/Sits edition. Truly, that is understandable given that in addition to the pick, Lawrence saw his six game streak with a touchdown end. Further, he threw for the fewest yards since week four.

The above leads to a question: why the recommendation? As is so often the case, the matchup is the key factor here. That being so, Lawrence needs be in starting lineups this weekend. Next up is a team in Minnesota team that just allowed Sam Darnold to throw for 290 yards and three touchdowns.

As a result, the Vikings bring their 23rd ranked QB defense into Jacksonville on Sunday. Add in the fact that four teams are on bye this weekend leads to the conclusion that Lawrence needs to be on the field in both real and fantasy football.

Note: Lawrence is dealing with an injury to his left shoulder and may not play Sunday. Check his status frequently and do not put him in lineups unless he is 100 percent cleared to take the field.

Running Backs

Tyrone Tracy, New York Giants

In many cases, I dislike recommending players involved in games overseas. Such is the case with Tyrone Tracy as he and his Giants teammates head to Munich to face the Panthers. The matchup here dictates overwise, however. Carolina is dead last against RBs. No other reason is really necessary, is it?

In case there is, here’s another reason: Tracy has been a revelation this season. Two games ago he rushed for 145 yards and scored a touchdown versus the Steelers. Last week, he averaged 4.1 yards per carry against Washington. Expect a similar performance against Carolina. Remember that this game starts early so get Tracy into lineups, overseas game or no.

Aaron Jones, Minnesota Vikings

In week nine, Aaron Jones didn’t show out against Indianapolis. He carried the ball 21 times, but for only 64 yards. That comes out to a paltry 3.0 YPC. However, he was active in the passing game, catching all four of his targets for 18 yards. Be advised: that was just a warmup for this weekend.

Next on the schedule is the Jaguars in Jacksonville. As should be readily apparent to all fantasy observers by now, Jacksonville isn’t a good team, especially on defense. Their rush D has cratered near the bottom to 27th. Bottom line: those that have Jones on their rosters (including me) need to make sure that he is front and center come Sunday afternoon.

Wide Receivers

Keenan Allen, Chicago Bears

Obviously, things have not gone well for the Chicago Bears over the past two games. First, they committed the bonehead play of the year for their lack of coverage on that last second heave in the Washington game. Then, this past Sunday, they got their doors blown off by Arizona.

Even as that is the case, there is good reason to recommend Keenan Allen as a starter on this Week Ten Fantasy Starts/Sits edition. If you are looking for a receiver that has targets, look no further than Allen. He had 10 on Sunday. Granted, the fact that he only turned those into four receptions is a concern.

Even so, Allen and QB Caleb Williams will find it easier going against New England. The Patriots rank only 20th against WRs in fantasy. That fact alone is enough to place him in lineups on Sunday.

Ricky Pearsall, San Francisco 49ers

Most surely, all fantasy managers are aware that the 49ers have health issues at wide receiver. Brandon Aiyuk isn’t coming back this season. Deebo Samuel has been injury prone. Where does that leave us? Look no further than Ricky Pearsall.

After overcoming his own scary offseason incident, Pearsall caught seven of nine targets for 59 yards in the first two games of his career. Coming off a bye and working with the first team offense in practice, Pearsall has a chance to shine against Tampa, the 28th ranked WR defense. There’s no reason to overthink it. Pearsall is a clear starter in week 10.

Tight Ends

Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints

Knowing full well that Taysom Hill can be a boom or bust player, I am going to recommend him anyway. The reason is simple: He came alive against Carolina and there is every indication that he will do so again against Atlanta. In the game with the Panthers, Hill caught four of five targets for 41 yards. Additionally, he carried the football five times for 19 yards and a touchdown.

In truth, Hill is one of the most versatile players in the game when healthy, as he is now. As for Atlanta, their ranking against TEs is in the dumpster at 23. They just allowed Jake Ferguson to catch seven passes for 71 yards. This Week Ten Fantasy Starts/Sits edition expects Hill to produce likewise quality fantasy numbers in this game.

Fantasy Football Week Ten Sits

Quarterbacks

Dak Prescott, or any other Dallas Cowboys Quarterback

As we have all seen, the Dallas Cowboys season has imploded. To make matters worse, Dak Prescott was injured in the game against Atlanta.

At the end of the day, it matters not if Prescott or backup Cooper Rush starts against the Eagles. Philadelphia ranks eighth versus fantasy QBs. Whichever QB takes the field, keep him far from your starting lineup.

Note: the word has already come down. Prescott will miss significant time. The Cowboys have to put Rush into their lineup. However, you don’t have to.

Joe Flacco, Indianapolis Colts

Going into last week, there were many in the fantasy community excited about the Colts switch at QB to Joe Flacco. He was a much added player, and he was expected to raise his offensive teammates a notch or two in fantasy as well. Unfortunately, the result didn’t quite pan out. Flacco completed 16 of 27 passes for 170 yards against Minnesota. Worse, he didn’t throw for a touchdown turned the ball over twice.

Looking ahead to week ten, the going gets no easier for Flacco. Next opponent is Buffalo. Even though the game is at home, this Week Ten Fantasy Starts/Sits edition sees a dark day ahead as the Bills rank 12th against QBs this season. It may make sense to start Flacco in a game later in the season, but this is not the time to do so.

Running Backs

Travis Etienne, Tank Bixby, Jacksonville Jaguars

As noted above, there is good reason to recommend Lawrence as a starter this weekend. However, there is no such comfort in giving the go ahead to the Jaguars’ backfield. Whichever player you want to mention has no significance, whether it is Travis Etienne or Tank Bixby.

The Vikings come into the Jacksonville matchup ranking an impressive sixth against RBs. Meaning, the two will split time against a tough defense. Bixby has gotten the best of the touches between him and Etienne of late, but the situation is less than ideal. The smart play this weekend is to keep both players a significant distance from fantasy starting lineups.

Ray Davis, Buffalo Bills

If you are searching for a player that made the most out of a single catch this season, Ray Davis goes to the top of the list. Davis caught just two passes against the Dolphins Sunday, but turned one of them into a 63 yard touchdown. Other than that, however, it was a near invisible day for Davis.

He carried the ball only four times for 20 yards. To expect that Davis would repeat that TD feat going forward is way too much to ask. He doesn’t have a any other scores this season. Next up is Indianapolis. The Colts only rank 18th against runners, which might indicate a decent matchup for Davis.

Even so, this Week Ten Fantasy Starts/Sits edition doesn’t see Davis coming anywhere close to that TD run of last week. Recommendation: keep him on the bench this time around.

Wide Receivers

Marvin Harrison, Jr, Arizona Cardinals

Few players were as hyped going into the draft as was Marvin Harrison, Jr. To be fair, there have been times this season that he has lived up to the hype. He’s had some 100 yard receiving games and has five touchdown catches on the season.

As good as that sounds, the going has been real tough of late for Harrison and his fantasy managers. In the past five weeks, he has a single game of 100 or more receiving yards and just one TD. Further, he’s had three games with two or fewer receptions.

As for this week, the New York Jets lie in wait. The Jets just happen to be the best defense against wideouts to be found in fantasy. In the final analysis, it makes plenty of sense to leave Harrison on the bench against New York if at all possible.

DeMario Douglas, New England Patriots

Undoubtedly, DeMario Douglas was one of the bigger waiver adds last week. Even as that is so, an in depth look at his resume reveals some issues. First, even with seven catches of nine targets, all Douglas came away with was 35 yards. Second, in the past three games, he has averaged just 7.0, 6.0 and 5.0 yards per catch. For a running back, that is fine, but won’t cut it at receiver. Worse, Douglas has one TD so far.

The next team on the horizon doesn’t give much hope for Douglas, either. Despite their other issues, the Bears rank a solid sixth versus WRs. Unfortunately for Douglas and his fantasy managers, this Week Ten Fantasy Starts/Sits edition clearly indicates that he should be riding the bench this week.

Tight Ends

Dalton Schultz, Houston Texans

In week nine, Dalton Schultz didn’t have an easy time against the Jets. New York came into the game with the ninth best defense against tight ends. After everything was said and done, they showed exactly why they have that ranking.Schultz finished with just three catches of six targets for 21 yards. As he has been the case all season, Schultz failed to find the endzone.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t get any easier in week ten as Houston takes on Detroit on Sunday night. For reference sake, the Lions just happen to rank number three against fantasy tight ends. Add it all up and the bottom line indicates Schultz is a hard bench sit this weekend.

The Last Word

Thank you for joining me for this Week Ten Fantasy Starts/Sits edition! Follow me on X (formerly Twitter) @kevin62wilsea. Please feel free to share this article. Be sure to turn to bellyupsports.com  and bellyupfantasysports.com for all the MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL happenings and the latest sports news!