NFL Fantasy Football Best/Worst Positional Matchups Week 10

Welcome to week 10 of the NFL fantasy football season. How are you? Week 10 brings another international matchup, the Atlanta Falcons versus the Indianapolis Colts. So don’t forget to include Jonathan Taylor, Bijan Robinson and Drake London in your early lineups.

This week there are also four teams on bye. The Cincinnati Bengals, Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs and Tennessee Titans have all parted ways. So don’t forget to remove Joe Flacco, Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Dak Prescott, Cee Dee Lamb, George Pickens, Javonte Williams, Patrick Mahomes and Ray Rice from your lineup.

Who leaves that for the best/worst positions in week 10? Let’s take a look.

Best/Worst Quarterback Matchup Week 10

Best Quarterback Matchup Week 10, Jaxson Dart @ Chicago Bears, Bears -3.5, 48.5 o/u

First of all, we’re getting to the time of year where the weather can start to play an important role in the game script. Note, though: Now let’s go with Dart against the Bears’ defense.

Well, the Bears’ defense ranks 28th in pressure and second in giving up explosive plays down the field. When not under pressure, Dart completes 66% of his passes. He is averaging 34.9 passing plays per game, and the Giants rank seventh in game pace (2.09).

But what makes him one of the best quarterback matchups for Week 10 is that his minimum is increased by his 22% carry share. Dart is averaging 6.38 carries per game and ranks second among quarterbacks with 3.25 designed runs per game and five rushing touchdowns.

Week 8, Baltimore Ravens’ backup quarterback Tyler Huntley rushed for 53 yards against the Bears, and in Week 7, New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Ratler averaged six yards per carry against them.

Worst Quarterback Matchuo Week 10, Bryce Young vs. New Orleans Saints, Panthers -4.5, 40.5 o/h

Young won’t let his team lose; that’s a good thing. But his record against Cover-3 defense is third-worst in the league. According to @numbersgameshow, Young is 40 of 70 for 374 yards with just one of his 11 touchdowns against this defensive scheme. He has thrown three of his six interceptions against Cover-3, which the Saints are playing at 48%, the most in the league.

Best/Worst Running Back Matchup Week 10

Best Running Back Matchup Week 10, Rico Dowdle v New Orleans Saints, Panthers -4.5, 40.5 o/u

But all is not lost, Panthers fans, as Dowdle has one of the best matchups this week (not to mention he’s just one of the best running backs in a busy running back week). Dowdle leads the league with 652 rushing yards since Week 5. He has a 56% success rate on outside runs and leads all rushers with 144 yards per game on outside runs.

Last week, the Los Angeles Rams duo of Kyren Williams and Blake Corum combined for 175 rushing yards against the Saints. In their last three games, the Saints have allowed an average of 160.3 rushing yards per game.

Worst Running Back Matchup Week 10, Rachaad White vs. New England Patriots, Buccaneers -2.5, 48.5 o/h

The Buccaneers’ run game isn’t what it used to be. White is alone on the field for a quick share of 52%, which drops to 45.5% for his opportunity share. The Buccaneers rank 22nd in run plays per game (25.4), and when relying on the passing game for the floor, White has averaged a 9.2% running route target share (45.1%).

And then there’s the Patriots’ defense. The Patriots rank first in the league against the run. They are giving up an average of 75.4 rushing yards per game. In their last three games, they have allowed an average of just 59.3 rushing yards. Last week they held Bijan Robinson to 46 rushing yards. In fact, no running back has rushed for more than 50 yards against the Patriots’ defense this season.

Week 10 Best/Worst Wide Receiver Matchup

Best Wide Receiver Matchup Week 10, Romeo Doubs v Philadelphia Eagles, Packers -2.5, 44.5 o/u

The Eagles’ defense ranks 18th in passing yards allowed per game, allowing an average of 215.9 passing yards per game for the season and 223.3 in their last three games.

The Packers aren’t setting the world on fire, only averaging 34.3 pass attempts per game, but this is all about efficiency and opportunity. The Packers rank eighth in passing yards per game at 26.4, and now with the Tucker Kraft injury, Doubs is the de facto WR1.

Last week, Doubs was on the receiving end of 10 targets, seven receptions and 91 yards. In a close game at Lambeau Field with the Eagles coming off a bye week, look for Doubs to see plenty of targets.

Worst Wide Receiver Matchup Week 10, Justin Jefferson v Baltimore Ravens, Ravens -3.5, 47.5 o/u

You certainly don’t bench Jefferson; this is just a cautionary tale. In his three games with JJ McCarthy, Jefferson averaged 4.3 receptions per game and 57.3 receiving yards. Now, not only will McCarthy be fighting to get Jefferson the ball, but he’ll also be under the watchful eye of Kyle Hamilton, and that won’t be good (for McCarthy).

Best/Worst Tight End Matchup Week 10

Best Tight End Matchup Week 10, Harold Fannin @ New York Jets, Jets -1.5, 37.5 o/u

The head coach of the Cleveland Browns Kevin Stefanski has called for more explosive plays from his offense. He has also given up play-calling duties to his offensive coordinator, Tommy Rees.

In the event of an offense, too few playmakers, Fannin is a bright spot on the offensive side of the ball.

Fannin has a route participation of 65.8% and is on the field for a quick share of 75.3%. The rookie ranks seventh among tight ends, averaging 6.4 goals per game. And now the Browns and presumably their new play-caller want an offense that averages 40.3 passing attempts per game, and they want to be more “explosive.”

The main caveat is that Fannin had a hamstring injury before the farewell game. Keep an eye on his status.

Worst Tight End Matchup Week 10, Pat Freiermuth @ Los Angeles Chargers, Chargers -3, 44.5 o/h

The Steelers use three tight ends. Luckily, Freiermuth scored a touchdown last week, which helped his fantasy production. He also ranked third in targets among tight ends. You can’t hang your fantasy fortunes hoping for a touchdown, especially against a defense that has allowed the seventh-fewest fantasy points to the tight end position (8.1).

And so…

Best versus worst is relative. Jefferson’s production is worse compared to his draft capital, while Fannin’s compares best to his. But one of the things we know is that matchups matter in fantasy football.

This is the time when our fantasy football teams compete for playoff positions. Pay attention to the matchups, and after you’ve done all your research, trust your gut.

Good luck and have fun.