Week 10 Rankings Update

Week 10 Wide Receivers

Rank	Player Name	Opponent	Notes
1	Larry Fitzgerald	vs. SEA	-
2	Marques Colston	at STL	Probable(flu)
3	Vincent Jackson	vs. PHI	-
4	Randy Moss	at IND	-
5	Reggie Wayne	vs. NE	-
6	DeSean Jackson	at SD	-
7	Wes Welker	at IND	-
8	Roddy White	at CAR	Questionable(knee)
9	Chad Ochocinco	at PIT	-
10	Brandon Marshall	at WAS	Probable(back)
11	Miles Austin	at GB	-
12	Calvin Johnson	at MIN	Probable(knee)
13	Greg Jennings	vs. DAL	-
14	Donald Driver	vs. DAL	-
15	Steve Smith	vs. ATL	-
16	Devin Hester	at SF	-
17	Mike Sims-Walker	at NYJ	-
18	Sidney Rice	vs. DET	-
19	Nate Burleson	at ARZ	-
20	Derrick Mason	at CLE	-
21	Anquan Boldin	vs. SEA	Probable(ankle)
22	Jerricho Cotchery	vs. JAC	-
23	Santonio Holmes	vs. CIN	-
24	Hines Ward	vs. CIN	-
25	Steve Breaston	vs. SEA	Probable(knee)
26	T.J. Houshmandzadeh	at ARZ	-
27	Dwayne Bowe	at OAK	-
28	Percy Harvin	vs. DET	-
29	Michael Crabtree	vs. CHI	-
30	Lee Evans	at TEN	-
31	Earl Bennett	at SF	-
32	Bernard Berrian	vs. DET	Questionable(hamstring)
33	Braylon Edwards	vs. JAC	-
34	Malcom Floyd	vs. PHI	-
35	Austin Collie	vs. NE	-
36	Jeremy Maclin	at SD	Probable(foot, hand)
37	Roy Williams	at GB	-
38	Terrell Owens	at TEN	Questionable(hip)
39	Pierre Garcon	vs. NE	-
40	Devery Henderson	at STL	-
41	Santana Moss	vs. DEN	-
42	Johnny Knox	at SF	-
43	Mohamed Massaquoi	vs. BAL	-
44	Davone Bess	vs. TB	-
45	Mark Clayton	at CLE	-
46	Eddie Royal	at WAS	-
47	Greg Camarillo	vs. TB	-
48	Donnie Avery	vs. NO	-
49	Laveranues Coles	at PIT	-
50	Mike Wallace	vs. CIN	-
51	Torry Holt	at NYJ	-
52	James Jones	vs. DAL	-
53	Justin Gage	vs. BUF	Sidelined(back)
54	Patrick Crayton	at GB	-
55	Nate Washington	vs. BUF	-
56	Josh Morgan	vs. CHI	-
57	Andre Caldwell	at PIT	Probable(-)
58	Chris Chambers	at OAK	Probable(foot)
59	Deion Branch	at ARZ	-

WR Notes: It doesn't figure to be a standout game for Mike Sims-Walker, who is facing Darrelle Revis and a Jets pass defense that leads the league in yards per attempt allowed by a wide margin. But sitting the SkyWalker if you don't have another top-20 option smacks of overthinking things. I still go back to FootballOutsiders' study that matchups don't make that big a difference on fantasy production, especially at wide receiver. It's difficult to bench a guy that has produced WR1 numbers. … DeSean Jackson + San Diego's gambling secondary should equal a lot of big plays. … Roddy White has been a little up and down, but I'm shocked by the emailers that consider benching him every week. Even against the Panthers, it's not an option unless you have three top ten receivers.

Steve Breaston averages 6.5 targets a game. It doesn't change than much when Anquan Boldin plays, so still use him against the Seahawks this week if Boldin is active. … Now is the time to try to trade for Calvin Johnson. Fantasy championships are won with front-line talent and risk-taking. There will be a few desperate Megatron owners out there ready to give him up for a receiver that has played better lately. … Chris Chambers is still Chris Chambers – an inconsistent player. He had only four targets last week and isn't 100% healthy. Most importantly, he plays on the shaky Chiefs offense. Stay away.

Owners needing a lifeline this week could do a lot worse than Greg Camarillo and Davone Bess against the Bucs. … Upgrade Lee Evans a handful of spots if Terrell Owens' hip injury doesn't improve. … Cincy's starting cornerbacks are playing as well as any duo in the league, so you could consider benching Santonio Holmes or Hines Ward. In the end, they are tough to sit unless you have three top-20 options. … Earl Bennett has earned the right to start most weeks. … Not buying the Roy Williams resurgence, especially against a Packers team that plays good, physical press coverage.

In August, Rashard Mendenhall was called "ordinary" by the Pittsburgh media. He finished September in Mike Tomlin's doghouse, with seven carries for the month. Now it's early November, and he's an every-week fantasy starter.

Mendenhall is a reminder of a few fantasy maxims. 1. Things change fast. It doesn't matter how ugly your starting lineup looks in Week 3 if it's peaking near playoff time. This year's Pierre Thomas, next month's Mendenhall, is still out there.

Second lesson: If you are going to gamble in fantasy drafts, gamble with youth at running back. Mendenhall went in drafts after Larry Johnson, who owners had hopes would bounce back for the third straight year. He went after Willie Parker, who we saw begin to collapse last year.

I ranked LaDainian Tomlinson out of the top-15 this year, which was met by cries that Rotoworld was giving up on the old star too fast. He was going to be healthy and turn it around! I did a poor job because LT2 wasn't rank him nearly low enough. No matter how much we adjust for a running back's decline once it starts, we almost never adjust enough.

Mendenhall still has a lot to prove as an NFL running back. He doesn't help on passing downs much, and he's prone to losing yards and piling up short gains before breaking a few long ones. He doesn't always fight through traffic.

The profile is remarkably similar to a bigger version of Willie Parker in his prime. That approach isn't perfect for the Steelers, but it will lead to top-10-15 fantasy running back production. He'll get the vast majority of carries on a team that should play with the lead often and has an outstanding passing game. That's more than enough for all the owners that smartly gambled on youth in August, then had the patience to see it emerge.

Week 10 Quarterbacks

Rank	Player Name	Opponent	Notes
1	Drew Brees	at STL	-
2	Peyton Manning	vs. NE	-
3	Tom Brady	at IND	Probable(right shoulder)
4	Aaron Rodgers	vs. DAL	Probable(feet)
5	Brett Favre	vs. DET	Probable(hip)
6	Tony Romo	at GB	-
7	Kurt Warner	vs. SEA	-
8	Philip Rivers	vs. PHI	-
9	Jay Cutler	at SF	-
10	Donovan McNabb	at SD	-
11	Joe Flacco	at CLE	-
12	Ben Roethlisberger	vs. CIN	-
13	Carson Palmer	at PIT	-
14	Alex Smith	vs. CHI	-
15	Matt Hasselbeck	at ARZ	Probable(ribs)
16	Matt Ryan	at CAR	-
17	Chad Henne	vs. TB	-
18	Vince Young	vs. BUF	-
19	Kyle Orton	at WAS	-
20	David Garrard	at NYJ	-
21	Trent Edwards	at TEN	Probable(concussion)
22	Matt Cassel	at OAK	-
23	Marc Bulger	vs. NO	-
24	Mark Sanchez	vs. JAC	-
25	Josh Freeman	at MIA	-
26	Brady Quinn	vs. BAL	-
27	Matthew Stafford	at MIN	Probable(knee)
28	Jake Delhomme	vs. ATL	-
29	Jason Campbell	vs. DEN	Probable(ankle)
30	JaMarcus Russell	vs. KC	-

So we're on a new weekly schedule with Thursday Night Football starting. By popular request, the rankings will go up by Wednesday evening at the latest. (Rankings will continue to first appear on Season Pass Tuesdays at noon, with full projections on Wednesdays.)

QB Notes: The loss of two Philadelphia cornerbacks should help Philip Rivers this week. So does the fact that San Diego gives up running quickly when they face quality rush defenses. … Ben Roethlisberger and Carson Palmer probably won't put up huge numbers in a game that is likely to be a defensive struggle. But who are you going to bench them for … Alex Smith? Maybe because he faces the Bears, but it gets too shaky after that. … I'm staying away from slumping Matt Ryan against one of the pass defenses in the league. You attack Atlanta on the ground.

I'm intrigued by Josh Freeman, but haven't been able to watch the game yet. The matchup is right and his running ability could give him significant value in 2 QB leagues the rest of the way. … David Garrard just hasn't been competent against quality opponents, so expect an ugly game against a rested Jets defense. … Jay Cutler is going to have to continue throwing like crazy to keep up with Chicago's terrible defense, not to mention running game. He's on his way to a remarkably similar season to the one that we would have expected in Denver. … Kurt Warner owners have to live with the ups and downs. With the schedule he has, there shouldn't be a lot of downs coming up.

Chad Henne isn't a bad play if you need help this week, but how many teams really need help? It's hard not to have a reasonable QB1 on your roster in this pass-crazy season. … Kyle Orton has a very small margin for error most weeks. I think the Broncos will find a way to blow out the Redskins, but Orton's lack of vertical plays makes him a QB2, and not a particularly exciting one. … Joe Flacco threw for 342 yards on 35 attempts last time against Cleveland in a 34-3 win. Cam Cameron will continue to throw the ball even with a lead so the young quarterback gets work. Hard to sit him.


Week 10 Running Backs

Rank	Player Name	Opponent	Notes
1	Adrian Peterson	vs. DET	-
2	Chris Johnson	vs. BUF	-
3	Ray Rice	at CLE	-
4	Frank Gore	vs. CHI	Probable(eye)
5	Maurice Jones-Drew	at NYJ	Probable(knee)
6	Michael Turner	at CAR	-
7	DeAngelo Williams	vs. ATL	Questionable(knee)
8	Ronnie Brown	vs. TB	-
9	Cedric Benson	at PIT	-
10	Pierre Thomas	at STL	-
11	Steven Jackson	vs. NO	-
12	Rashard Mendenhall	vs. CIN	-
13	Matt Forte	at SF	-
14	Thomas Jones	vs. JAC	-
15	Marion Barber	at GB	Probable(thumb)
16	Ryan Grant	vs. DAL	-
17	Marshawn Lynch	at TEN	-
18	Ricky Williams	vs. TB	-
19	Brian Westbrook	at SD	Probable(ankle)
20	Tim Hightower	vs. SEA	-
21	LeSean McCoy	at SD	-
22	Kevin Smith	at MIN	-
23	Mike Bell	at STL	-
24	Laurence Maroney	at IND	-
25	Joseph Addai	vs. NE	-
26	Darren McFadden	vs. KC	Probable(knee)
27	Knowshon Moreno	at WAS	-
28	Chris Wells	vs. SEA	-
29	Jonathan Stewart	vs. ATL	Questionable(heel)
30	Ladell Betts	vs. DEN	Questionable(ankle)
31	Shonn Greene	vs. JAC	-
32	Julius Jones	at ARZ	-
33	LaDainian Tomlinson	vs. PHI	Probable(hip)
34	Chester Taylor	vs. DET	-
35	Donald Brown	vs. NE	-
36	Carnell Williams	at MIA	-
37	Reggie Bush	at STL	-
38	Fred Jackson	at TEN	-
39	Darren Sproles	vs. PHI	-
40	Felix Jones	at GB	-
41	Jamaal Charles	at OAK	-
42	Kolby Smith	at OAK	-
43	Justin Fargas	vs. KC	-
44	Willis McGahee	at CLE	-
45	Jamal Lewis	vs. BAL	-
46	Derrick Ward	at MIA	Questionable(knee)
47	Correll Buckhalter	at WAS	-
48	LenDale White	vs. BUF	Probable(flu)
49	Tashard Choice	at GB	-
50	Kevin Faulk	at IND	-
51	Jerome Harrison	vs. BAL	-
52	Ahman Green	vs. DAL	-
53	Michael Bush	vs. KC	-
54	Bernard Scott	at PIT	-
55	Willie Parker	vs. CIN	-
56	Maurice Morris	at MIN	-
57	Rashad Jennings	at NYJ	-

RB Notes: Who said workhorses are dead? Eight running backs are on pace for 1,400 yards rushing. That's mostly due to excellent efficiency, though, not heavy use. Only four runners are on pace for 300 carries. Another four – DeAngelo Williams, Maurice Jones-Drew, Ryan Grant, and Thomas Jones – are on pace for 290-300. … In theory, Brett Favre's boffo first half should allow Adrian Peterson to have a few more monster games. All Day does not have many difficult matchups left. One "risk" this week is that they don't need him much. He only had 15 carries last time against Detroit, but still had a nice fantasy day. This is definitely a week you can use Chester Taylor as a flex.

Taylor isn't the only backup worth a strong look this week because of a mismatch. Mike Bell could clean up late in a potential Saints blowout. We expect the Dolphins to manhandle Tampa Bay up front, which should lead to nice games from Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams. Atlanta's rush defense has struggled in recent weeks, so Jonathan Stewart isn't a terrible option. Take those quality backups over some weak starters like LaDainian Tomlinson. … We like Ladell Betts because he can carry the load by himself and is a quality receiver. His matchup isn't friendly, but he could rack up receptions if the Redskins fall behind early, so he's a better option in PPR leagues. … The Patriots know the Colts are vulnerable to the run when they have a lot of small defensive backs on the field, which is inevitable. As long as Sammy Morris doesn't play, Laurence Maroney has earned a little trust with his last two efforts. Fantasy Nation may not be confident in him, but the Patriots oddly still are.

DeAngelo Williams' schedule gets a lot tougher down the stretch. He's a logical sell-high after a few more strong games, although you need to get a ton of value. … Matt Forte probably won't get a lot done on the ground Thursday night, but look for a high scoring game in which he does plenty of damage in the receiving game. … The Chargers have improved their run defense, but I'd use both Brian Westbrook and LeSean McCoy against them – assuming Westbrook plays. If he doesn't McCoy is a RB2 instead of a flex. … It's hard to get too excited about Jamaal Charles. Kolby Smith is already splitting up the work and could steal touchdowns. … It appears Donald Brown will make his return, which makes Joseph Addai much less exciting.


Week 10 Wide Receivers

Rank	Player Name	Opponent	Notes
1	Larry Fitzgerald	vs. SEA	-
2	Marques Colston	at STL	Probable(flu)
3	Vincent Jackson	vs. PHI	-
4	Randy Moss	at IND	-
5	Reggie Wayne	vs. NE	-
6	DeSean Jackson	at SD	-
7	Wes Welker	at IND	-
8	Roddy White	at CAR	Questionable(knee)
9	Chad Ochocinco	at PIT	-
10	Brandon Marshall	at WAS	Probable(back)
11	Miles Austin	at GB	-
12	Calvin Johnson	at MIN	Probable(knee)
13	Greg Jennings	vs. DAL	-
14	Donald Driver	vs. DAL	-
15	Steve Smith	vs. ATL	-
16	Devin Hester	at SF	-
17	Mike Sims-Walker	at NYJ	-
18	Sidney Rice	vs. DET	-
19	Nate Burleson	at ARZ	-
20	Derrick Mason	at CLE	-
21	Anquan Boldin	vs. SEA	Probable(ankle)
22	Jerricho Cotchery	vs. JAC	-
23	Santonio Holmes	vs. CIN	-
24	Hines Ward	vs. CIN	-
25	Steve Breaston	vs. SEA	Probable(knee)
26	T.J. Houshmandzadeh	at ARZ	-
27	Dwayne Bowe	at OAK	-
28	Percy Harvin	vs. DET	-
29	Michael Crabtree	vs. CHI	-
30	Lee Evans	at TEN	-
31	Earl Bennett	at SF	-
32	Bernard Berrian	vs. DET	Questionable(hamstring)
33	Braylon Edwards	vs. JAC	-
34	Malcom Floyd	vs. PHI	-
35	Austin Collie	vs. NE	-
36	Jeremy Maclin	at SD	Probable(foot, hand)
37	Roy Williams	at GB	-
38	Terrell Owens	at TEN	Questionable(hip)
39	Pierre Garcon	vs. NE	-
40	Devery Henderson	at STL	-
41	Santana Moss	vs. DEN	-
42	Johnny Knox	at SF	-
43	Mohamed Massaquoi	vs. BAL	-
44	Davone Bess	vs. TB	-
45	Mark Clayton	at CLE	-
46	Eddie Royal	at WAS	-
47	Greg Camarillo	vs. TB	-
48	Donnie Avery	vs. NO	-
49	Laveranues Coles	at PIT	-
50	Mike Wallace	vs. CIN	-
51	Torry Holt	at NYJ	-
52	James Jones	vs. DAL	-
53	Justin Gage	vs. BUF	Sidelined(back)
54	Patrick Crayton	at GB	-
55	Nate Washington	vs. BUF	-
56	Josh Morgan	vs. CHI	-
57	Andre Caldwell	at PIT	Probable(-)
58	Chris Chambers	at OAK	Probable(foot)
59	Deion Branch	at ARZ	-

WR Notes: It doesn't figure to be a standout game for Mike Sims-Walker, who is facing Darrelle Revis and a Jets pass defense that leads the league in yards per attempt allowed by a wide margin. But sitting the SkyWalker if you don't have another top-20 option smacks of overthinking things. I still go back to FootballOutsiders' study that matchups don't make that big a difference on fantasy production, especially at wide receiver. It's difficult to bench a guy that has produced WR1 numbers. … DeSean Jackson + San Diego's gambling secondary should equal a lot of big plays. … Roddy White has been a little up and down, but I'm shocked by the emailers that consider benching him every week. Even against the Panthers, it's not an option unless you have three top ten receivers.

Steve Breaston averages 6.5 targets a game. It doesn't change than much when Anquan Boldin plays, so still use him against the Seahawks this week if Boldin is active. … Now is the time to try to trade for Calvin Johnson. Fantasy championships are won with front-line talent and risk-taking. There will be a few desperate Megatron owners out there ready to give him up for a receiver that has played better lately. … Chris Chambers is still Chris Chambers – an inconsistent player. He had only four targets last week and isn't 100% healthy. Most importantly, he plays on the shaky Chiefs offense. Stay away.

Owners needing a lifeline this week could do a lot worse than Greg Camarillo and Davone Bess against the Bucs. … Upgrade Lee Evans a handful of spots if Terrell Owens' hip injury doesn't improve. … Cincy's starting cornerbacks are playing as well as any duo in the league, so you could consider benching Santonio Holmes or Hines Ward. In the end, they are tough to sit unless you have three top-20 options. … Earl Bennett has earned the right to start most weeks. … Not buying the Roy Williams resurgence, especially against a Packers team that plays good, physical press coverage.

Week 10 Tight Ends

Rank	Player Name	Opponent	Notes
1	Antonio Gates	vs. PHI	Probable(foot)
2	Vernon Davis	vs. CHI	Probable(shoulder)
3	Dallas Clark	vs. NE	-
4	Brent Celek	at SD	-
5	Jason Witten	at GB	-
6	Jeremy Shockey	at STL	-
7	Greg Olsen	at SF	-
8	Heath Miller	vs. CIN	-
9	Kellen Winslow	at MIA	-
10	Tony Gonzalez	at CAR	-
11	Visanthe Shiancoe	vs. DET	-
12	Dustin Keller	vs. JAC	-
13	John Carlson	at ARZ	-
14	Zach Miller	vs. KC	-
15	Todd Heap	at CLE	-
16	Brandon Pettigrew	at MIN	-
17	Fred Davis	vs. DEN	-
18	Tony Scheffler	at WAS	-
19	Marcedes Lewis	at NYJ	-
20	Donald Lee	vs. DAL	-
21	Ben Watson	at IND	Probable(back)
22	Randy McMichael	vs. NO	-
23	Bo Scaife	vs. BUF	-
24	Anthony Fasano	vs. TB	Questionable(hip)
25	Sean Ryan	at OAK	-

TE Notes: Dallas Clark won't have 14 catches this week. The Patriots will build their defense around shutting down Clark first, and they have the safeties to pull it off. You can't sit him, but expect a quieter week than usual. … Greg Olsen's one-week explosion could extend into Week 10. San Francisco's pass defense has slowly declined all year, and we expect a shootout Thursday night. … As an Antonio Gates owner, I like it when the Chargers face a quality rush defense. They have learned to quickly give up on LaDainian Tomlinson and concentrate on a pass-heavy approach. With Philadelphia short in the secondary, Gates should have a big game.

Vernon Davis should be able to back up his midweek talk because Chicago's secondary is not physical and they don't have a linebacker that can cover him. … Jason Witten has been a disappointment. It's not a bad time to buy low because he still gets a lot of targets. He's never been a burner, but he's finding it more difficult to make plays after the catch than ever. Still, we don't trust Roy Williams and Witten's production should inch up. … Game one of the Josh Freeman era was encouraging for Kellen Winslow owners, but let's see how the kid does when he's not set up in the red zone a few times. This week will be telling, because Miami has struggled to cover tight ends all year. … Dustin Keller is available in a lot of leagues – he shouldn't be.

Week 10 Team Defense

Rank	Player Name	Opponent	Notes
1	Ravens Def/Spec Team	at CLE	-
2	Vikings Def/Spec Team	vs. DET	-
3	Saints Def/Spec Team	at STL	-
4	Broncos Def/Spec Team	at WAS	-
5	Steelers Def/Spec Team	vs. CIN	-
6	Eagles Def/Spec Team	at SD	-
7	Dolphins Def/Spec Team	vs. TB	-
8	Bengals Def/Spec Team	at PIT	-
9	Jets Def/Spec Team	vs. JAC	-
10	Falcons Def/Spec Team	at CAR	-
11	Fortyniners Def/Spec Team	vs. CHI	-
12	Redskins Def/Spec Team	vs. DEN	-
13	Chiefs Def/Spec Team	at OAK	-
14	Titans Def/Spec Team	vs. BUF	-
15	Cowboys Def/Spec Team	at GB	-
16	Chargers Def/Spec Team	vs. PHI	-
17	Panthers Def/Spec Team	vs. ATL	-
18	Cardinals Def/Spec Team	vs. SEA	-
19	Bears Def/Spec Team	at SF	-
20	Packers Def/Spec Team	vs. DAL	-
21	Colts Def/Spec Team	vs. NE	-
22	Patriots Def/Spec Team	at IND	-
23	Jaguars Def/Spec Team	at NYJ	-
24	Bills Def/Spec Team	at TEN	-
25	Raiders Def/Spec Team	vs. KC	-
26	Seahawks Def/Spec Team	at ARZ	-
27	Buccaneers Def/Spec Team	at MIA	-
28	Browns Def/Spec Team	vs. BAL	-
29	Lions Def/Spec Team	at MIN	-
30	Rams Def/Spec Team	vs. NO	-

Week 10 Kickers

Rank	Player Name	Opponent	Notes
1	Ryan Longwell	vs. DET	-
2	Stephen Gostkowski	at IND	-
3	John Carney	at STL	-
4	David Akers	at SD	-
5	Nate Kaeding	vs. PHI	-
6	Matt Stover	vs. NE	-
7	Nick Folk	at GB	-
8	Mason Crosby	vs. DAL	-
9	Josh Scobee	at NYJ	-
10	Rob Bironas	vs. BUF	-
11	Dan Carpenter	vs. TB	-
12	Matt Prater	at WAS	-
13	Robbie Gould	at SF	-
14	Neil Rackers	vs. SEA	Probable(right calf)
15	Steven Hauschka	at CLE	-
16	Shayne Graham	at PIT	-
17	Jeff Reed	vs. CIN	-
18	Olindo Mare	at ARZ	-
19	Shaun Suisham	vs. DEN	-
20	Joe Nedney	vs. CHI	-
21	Jason Elam	at CAR	-
22	Jay Feely	vs. JAC	-
23	Rian Lindell	at TEN	-
24	Sebastian Janikowski	vs. KC	-
25	John Kasay	vs. ATL	Questionable(groin)
26	Jason Hanson	at MIN	-
27	Connor Barth	at MIA	-
28	Phil Dawson	vs. BAL	-
29	Ryan Succop	at OAK	-
30	Josh Brown	vs. NO	-

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