The fantasy football playoff picture is starting to form for many leagues heading into week 10. But for some, it is heading down to the wire and every week is pivotal. The waiver wire pickings are slim and many fantasy footballers are going to have to play the right players on one of the heaviest bye weeks in the NFL.
Andrew Luck, Tom Brady and Philip Rivers are out this week, leaving many without a suitable quarterback for week 10.
HOT: Matt Ryan is up against a Tampa Bay defense that allows the 27th most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks as well as the most fantasy points to receivers. Ryan put up 23 last time he played the Buccaneers but has not eclipsed the 20 point mark since. There is a slim chance that he might be available in your league and is worth taking a chance on if your top QB is out with a bye.
NOT: Jay Cutler may be a play for most this week, but playing the Packers at Lambeau Field is no easy task. The Packers are coming off of a bye week and will look to get back on a winning streak after losing to the Saints in week eight. Matt Forte will be a huge factor and will carry the load for the Bears early. Cutler’s touchdown opportunities will be limited, but there is always a chance that he will put up some extra yardage and points in garbage time.
Heading into week 10, running backs are not readily available and may be a problem position for most.
HOT: Jeremy Hill is getting his second opportunity tonight as the go-to running back for the Bengals. Hill knotted 27 fantasy points last week after only scoring in the single digits in the first half. With Giovani Bernard looking like he will be out for the second straight week, Hill is a must play.
WAIVER WIRE PICKUP: Ryan Mathews is owned in just 50 percent of ESPN.com leagues after getting hurt in week two. Mathews looks to be the starting running back in his return week 11 against Oakland as Branden Oliver has been subpar over the last few weeks. Mathews is also a factor at catching the ball out of the backfield for some extra points.
NOT: Andre Williams may be getting his last start of the season for the Giants against the Seahawks before Rashad Jennings returns in week 11. Williams is averaging just over seven points per game over the last week and with Peyton Hillis getting into the action, Williams is only a play if you have no other option this week.
Wide receivers.
HOT: Mike Evans is up against an Atlanta defense that has allowed the 24th most points to opposing receivers, making him a flex or a WR2 play in a deep league this week. Evans is available in over 47 percent of leagues and should be available this week coming off of a 24 point performance against the Browns. However, there is always a chance that Vincent Jackson will take some of the yards away from Evans but the rookie is clearly the main target in the redzone.
NOT: Terrance Williams has not performed up to owners’ standards the past four weeks. The Jaguars have allowed just three touchdowns to opposing receivers in the past five weeks, making Terrance Williams a play only if you have no other options.
Tight ends.
HOT: Jimmy Graham is back to normal after being out a few weeks with an injury. If there is a chance that you can still buy low and trade a receiver or package a running back for him, do it. Graham is heads and shoulders above everyone but Julius Thomas and will give owners a clear advantage in the TE category.
NOT: After scoring 23 in week four against Washington, Larry Donnell has scored a total of 13 points over four weeks. Eli Manning has found a favorite target in Odell Beckham, Jr., limiting the chances that Donnell has to score points.
