Welcome to our Fantasy Football Plays and Fades for Week 10 (2024)! We have entered the bye weeks and injuries are happening everywhere, which makes setting your lineups difficult. This is where we breakdown matchups to help you find the right players to play and which players to avoid each week.
Bye weeks can often force our hands on who we play and who we fade, but if there’s a chance to make a choice, this article will help you make it. It’s essential to make sure you’re playing your studs, but even some of them can be risky plays depending on who they are matched up against. This article highlights key matchups for you to exploit or avoid by providing you with information on six players at each position: three to play and three to fade. Without any further ado, let’s get into it!
Quarterbacks
Plays
Sam Darnold @ JAX
- It’s hard to imagine a more “out of nowhere” quarterback than Darnold has been this season. But, there’s a point where we have to concede the fact that he’s been really solid all season. He’s averaged 8.5 yards per attempt this season and has thrown 17 touchdowns. Those are the headlining numbers in a season where he’s averaging 17.9 fantasy points per game, good enough to be QB11.
- This is an easy call. Darnold has been rock solid and he’s matched up with a Jacksonville defense that is the second-worst against quarterbacks and has given up 20 or more fantasy points to the position in six of the last seven games.
Matthew Stafford @ MIA
- Matthew Stafford with an offense that’s close to full strength is a player I want to start. He’s neared 300 passing yards and has six touchdown passes in the last two weeks. That’s equated to QB8 and QB13 finishes the past two weeks. Stafford has also had more volume on the road, averaging 37.3 attempts per game versus 31.8 at home.
- The Miami Dolphins have been solid against quarterbacks in terms of fantasy production this season. However, that number is skewed due to a three-week run where Miami played Will Levis, Jacoby Brissett and Anthony Richardson. Over the last couple weeks, they’ve had much less success against viable fantasy starters like Josh Allen and Kyler Murray.
Daniel Jones @ CAR
- Hot take alert. Daniel Jones at his best is a verified QB1. So often, that’s attached to his rushing floor. But, in every start where he’s thrown two or more touchdowns this season Jones has finished as a QB1.
- The Panthers are the fourth easiest matchup for quarterbacks in fantasy football this season. They’ve given up at least 24.8 fantasy points to the position each of the last three weeks. Jones has gotten more relief in the pass game thanks to the emergence of Tyrone Tracy. So, it feels like another solid spot for Jones to put up a solid week once again.
Fades
Baker Mayfield vs. SF
- Baker has been exceptional all season. He’s had seven QB1 games in nine weeks. But, it’s hard to go ahead and look at it and realize that as of now his options are limited. It’s been a great run for Cade Otton, but eventually we need to zag and this week feels like one of those weeks.
- The Niners defense has been solid against quarterbacks all year, giving up 16 fantasy points or less to the position in six of eight games. They’ve given up 17.5 fantasy points or less the last three weeks. With this defense only giving up 7.8 points per game to the tight end position as well, it’s a prime spot for a Baker letdown week.
Drake Maye @ CHI
- Maye has provided a huge shot in the arm for this New England offense. It’s actually showing signs of life after a very slow start to the season. With the exception of the week he went down with a concussion, Maye has thrown a touchdown pass in each of his starts. Extrapolating his first four starts across a 17-week season, Maye would score 287.3 fantasy points.
- However, the Chicago Bears have been prohibitive against quarterbacks this season. They’ve been the best fantasy defense against quarterbacks and second-best against wide receivers. It’s a bad matchup for a quarterback who is still learning the ropes.
C.J. Stroud vs. DET
- It’s been a rough five weeks for Stroud’s fantasy value. He hasn’t posted a QB1 week since Week 4 and the Texans have gotten more and more run-heavy in unleashing the fountain of youth in Joe Mixon.
- This is a usage-based call. Stroud’s last five weeks would equate to a quarterback that would barely eclipse 216 fantasy points in a 17-game season with 17 touchdown passes. The Texans are relying on their defense and running game and it makes Stroud a risky play at the moment.
Running Backs
Plays
Bijan Robinson @ NO
- The long-awaited Bijan SZN is upon us. Over the past four weeks, he’s posted 18 or more fantasy points with at least 19 opportunities in each game. That’s a 356 point pace for the season. Simply put, he’s cooking right now and Atlanta is starting to find out who it is offensively.
- The Saints have been a good pass defense team that has generated interceptions but has given up its share of the run. With this team getting older, it’s another prime Bijan smash spot.
Tyrone Tracy @ CAR
- Since Week 5, Tracy has had 20 or more opportunities in three of five games. In those three games, he’s also logged 80 percent or more of the Giants’ rushing opportunities.
- Do you need to know more than the fact that it’s the Panthers? And they’re coming off of a game where they let Alvin Kamara look like Derrick Henry. This is a susceptible defense against the run and Tracy is the type of back to exploit that.
Najee Harris @ WAS
- Najee has been a sneaky play all season. He’s been a model of consistency, posting at least an RB3 level week (RB25-36) in every game this season. At his best, he’s had three RB2 weeks and an RB1 week. Simply put, Najee has been a safe floor play throughout the season.
- The Commanders have been a solid run defense all season, yet have also given up five weeks of at least 22 fantasy points to the running back position. Najee is close to being a bellcow, so it makes for an interesting mix for a player who has been steady all season. Potential smash spot, but also a safe floor. It’s a good mix to have.
Fades
Jahmyr Gibbs @ HOU
- The Jahmyr Gibbs experience has given huge payback this season. He’s been as good as advertised all season and hasn’t posted below an RB2 week.
- But, the Texans are the fourth-best defense against fantasy running backs. We’re due for a letdown week, and with this potentially being a tough sledding week for both teams it could make for the first week where it would be beneficial to sit Gibbs.
Kareem Hunt vs. DEN
- Hunt is questionable for the week and has been limited in practice. However, his production has been volume based. He’s averaging only 3.7 yards per carry
Javonte Williams @ KC
- Williams has been a hit-or-miss player all season long. He’s starting to get his work load eaten into and head coach Sean Payton has stated that Audric Estime should be the one that gets the additonal work this week. It’s an alarming trend for a player who has all the traits of a bellcow back.
- He now sees the Chiefs, widely considered the best defense in football who hasn’t given up a single 20-point game to any backfield this season in terms of fantasy points. Estime getting an increased workload and this stout defense makes Williams an avoid.
Wide Receivers
Plays
Garrett Wilson @ ARI
- What a five-week run for a player many of us wrote off early in the season. He’s had three top-five weeks in the past give games. He’s on the field for nearly 100 percent of snaps and is commanding an elite 29.9% target share. That hasn’t been compromised by the addition of Davante Adams. It fact, he’s only been better.
- He’s got Arizona this week, the 20th best team against wide receivers in terms of fantasy points. Wilson’s decreased attention and consolidated target share has made him a must start player on a weekly basis.
DeAndre Hopkins vs. DEN
- What a difference a week makes. A week ago, D-Hop was stuck in purgatory and then he gets acquired by the best franchise in football. Fast forward, and he’s fresh off of an eight catch, 86 yard and two touchdown performance in his Chiefs debut.
- Yes, he has Pat Surtain this week. I don’t care. With Travis Kelce drawing attention, Hopkins should continue to have good weeks with the consolidated target share that is developing in Kansas City.
Rome Odunze vs. BUF
- Rome is nearing that half a season point where wide receivers begin to understand how the league works and get better at playing at this level. Odunze showed that last week with a WR17 finish where he caught five passes for 104 yards. There’s obvious chemistry being built between he and Caleb Williams and it’s the type of situation that will only get better with time.
- Chicago could be in a shootout game with Buffalo this week and it makes for an interesting spot to be able to start Odunze in a flex spot and get high upside.
- DeAndre Hopkins vs TB
- Typically, I don’t like to Play receivers until they’ve had a little more time to gel in the offense. That said, this week, they are going to need to get Hopkins the ball, and there will be plenty of opportunities. Despite losing both of their top receivers, Tampa has been able to keep its foot on the gas pedal. They’ve also given up the sixth-most points to opposing receivers. All of this points to Hopkins having a big game.
Fades
CeeDee Lamb vs. PHI
- Lamb has been a limited participant in practice all week. It’s hard to imagine him not playing. He’s been a large part of any success Dallas has had on offense this season with 53 catches for 660 yards and 26.7 percent target share.
- But, this is one of those weeks where Dallas has questions about Dak Prescott’s health as well. Lamb is a fade because of his own injury that may hobble him and questions at quarterback. Clearly you don’t sit CeeDee Lamb. He is who he is. However, it might be a good week to proceed with the understanding that a lower floor is possible.
Tyreek Hill @ LAR
- There are so many questions about why the Dolphins haven’t been themselves this season. It’s hobbled the fantasy ceiling of Hill all season, largely considered one of the safest plays.
- He had his best game since Week One last week, catching four balls for 80 yards. However, that was still only good enough for a WR30 finish. He’s still getting the snaps. But, with the emergence of De’von Achane as a potential league winner it’s still a good idea to proceed cautiously with Hill.
Quentin Johnston vs. TEN
- So, let’s be clear. The time of death call on QJ were exaggerated after his rookie season. He’s flashed some ability at times this year to the tune of two WR1 weeks. That’s one more than Tyreek Hill, for the record. He did it again last week when he caught four passes for 118 yards and a 66-yard touchdown.
- However, he’s still on an offense that isn’t a pass-first vehicle and the Titans have been sneaky good against the pass this season. I’m always going to be a #DadForLadd, so I value his steadiness.
Tight Ends
Play
Cade Otton vs. SF
- Raise your hand if you saw this Cade Otton surge coming from the start of the season? None of you. OK, good. We appreciate your honesty. But what a run it’s been following the injuries of Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. He’s responded with four-straight TE1 weeks.
- But, against a tough defense against tight ends in San Francisco, it feels like the type of week where Otton isn’t completely shut out but rather slowed down.
Dalton Kincaid @ IND
- Also raise your hand if you saw Kincaid having this slow of a season? Again? None of you. We, too, appreciate your honesty. But, it’s perplexing that someone with a nearly 22 percent target share isn’t shining more.
- It’s probably a usage issue. Buffalo has used him cautuiously and as a valve player. But, against Indianapolis this week we’re in a prime spot for him to finally smash.
Ja’Tavion Sanders vs. NYG
- Now, it’s time for a dart throw. Sanders is in a tough matchup against the Giants. He’s got a bad quarterback. There’s no getting around any of these things.
- However, he’s had two TE1 weeks in the past three, including a TE9 finish last week where he caught four balls for 87 yards. Tight end is always a touchdown-dependent position, and one is bound to come for him. Here’s hoping it’s this week.
Fades
Travis Kelce vs. DEN
- The speculation is annual now. Is Travis Kelce done? I’m now convinced he’s a robot. He’s had back-to-back TE1 weeks and has 28 targets in the past two weeks. What’s not to love?
- The matchup with Denver is the answer to that. We’re still not sure Patrick Mahomes is fully back as a fantasy QB1 and while the consolidated target share is a welcome sign, ultimately if a positive game script comes into play Kelce will see less targets. Denver is solid against tight ends. So, it’s hard to see Kelce putting up a third-consecutive double-digit catch week.
Sam LaPorta @ HOU
- What a year it’s been for LaPorta for all the wrong reasons. He hasn’t hit his 2023 heights, which was to be expected because of how heavy his touchdown output was. But he’s managed only two TE1 weeks all season. Not ideal.
- With Detroit being a run-first outfit and Houston being so good against the tight end position, it feels like another week where it’s smart to fade LaPorta. Great buy-low in dynasty formats. Not a great start right now.
Hunter Henry @ CHI
- Henry has been a good streaming option for the position this year. However, with my fading Maye it might be smart to fade Henry as well.
- He had a seven-catch game last week against Tennessee. But, against Chicago and its tough defense it’s hard to imagine a world where he replicates that output. In a low-scoring game, it’s hard to see Henry having a big week.
Plays
LAC vs. TEN
- The Jim Harbaugh effect on this defense has been real. The Chargers have been a top-10 fantasy defense in four weeks and a D/ST1 in two other weeks.
- It’s a trend that should continue this week against a Tennessee team whose main, and only, threat is running back Tony Pollard.
CHI vs. NE
- The Patriots have been a unit bolstered by its quarterback play the last few weeks and the Bears have been the best defense against quarterbacks in fantasy all season. Something’s gotta give.
- I expect it to be the Patriots, as the Bears are top-two against quarterbacks and wide receivers.
ATL vs. NO
- Atlanta hasn’t been an elite unit all season. However, in playing New Orleans it has a distinct advantage in playing a team that is breaking in an interim coach and hasn’t had much success offensively lately.
Fades
PIT @ WAS
- Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels has arguably the MVP of fantasy this season. So, for Pittsburgh to be facing a Commanders team that is surrendering the ball at a league-low level means those turnovers that defensive units are so reliant upon in fantasy football will be hard to come by.
DET @ HOU
- I’m ready to fade C.J. Stroud this week. However, I’m not ready to fade the idea of a shootout against Detroit. I think this is a high-scoring affair where Detroit is gouged by the Texans running game.
DEN @ KC
- The Chiefs might actually be hitting their stride. And if they are, it means Denver is in trouble. It’s getting harder to defend the Chiefs by a week-to-week basis and if Mahomes begins taking care of the ball then it’ll be even more difficult for Denver.
