Andy Dalton, Quarterback, Cincinnati Bengals
Dalton was a hot commodity two weeks ago when he threw for five touchdowns, however that was a short-lived status as he went from the frying pan to the freezer last week when he played Miami. In Week 10, Dalton and the team travel to Baltimore to play the Ravens who have given up an average of only 10.8 fantasy points to visiting quarterbacks. Coming off of a week with zero touchdowns and three interceptions, forget about Dalton’s performance from two weeks ago, because the Ravens do not offer a friendly enough matchup to consider Dalton a top fantasy quarterback you should have on your roster this week. If you must start him, expect low-end QB2 numbers.
Projected Statistics: 22/32, 290 yards, one touchdown, one interception
Matt Ryan, Quarterback, Atlanta Falcons
Fantasy owners who drafted Ryan this year, have clearly not been rewarded with an elite QB1. The loss of Julio Jones, and the scarcity of Roddy White have been devastating to Ryan’s overall performance. Things will not be any easier when the Seahawks travel to the Georgia Dome in Week 10. Ryan has been downright terrible over the last two weeks, where his seven interceptions more than double his two meager touchdowns. It may be hard to bench Ryan since quarterback pickings are slim, but if you can, I highly recommend it against the Seahawks defense who gives up the second fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks.
Projected Statistics: 33/60, 312 yards, one touchdown, two interceptions
Cecil Shorts, Wide Receiver, Jacksonville Jaguars
Week 10 the 0-8 Jaguars travel to Tennessee to take on the Titans. Unfortunately, this game already has 0-9 written all over it. While Shorts has less competition now with fellow receiver Justin Blackmon out of the way, due to another suspension, keep in mind that the Titans defense is joke this year limiting opposing wide receivers at home to under 10 fantasy points. This is not the week to trust Shorts on your fantasy team as the whole Jacksonville offense will struggle tremendously against a quite-improved Titans defense. Temper expectations of Shorts to a low-end WR3 if you need him.
Projected Statistics: Five receptions, 63 yards, zero touchdowns.
Anquan Boldin, Wide Receiver, San Francisco 49ers
Boldin surely tops people’s minds when they think of disappointing fantasy players this season. He started off they year quite nicely scoring upwards of 30 fantasy points and a touchdown in his first 2013 game. Well, that was weeks ago, and Boldin has yet to put up a touchdown since Week 4 as he continues to be a fantasy fail each week. In Week 10 the 49ers host the Carolina Panthers whose defense is in the top five in defending wide receivers. As of late, Colin Kaepernick seems to have tunnel vision for his favorite target, Vernon Davis, leaving Boldin out in the cold. The bench is where Boldin should sit once again against this unfavorable matchup.
Projected Statistics: Three receptions, 29 yards, zero touchdowns.
Jarrett Boykin, Wide Receiver, Green Bay Packers
A few weeks ago, Boykin was a popular waiver wire target people were scurrying to acquire to fill the voids in the Packers’ receiving corps. Unfortunately for Boykin, his time of fantasy relevance has come to a screeching halt. After Aaron Rodgers went down with a shoulder injury early in last week’s game, nearly the entire passing game for the Packers was abandoned as they switched to their run game. Week 10 against the Philadelphia Eagles, does propose a favorable matchup, however, Boykin’s presence in the Packers offense with a backup quarterback under center will be minimal, as well your fantasy points. Look elsewhere to fill your flex position this week.
Projected Statistics: Two receptions, 27 yards, zero touchdowns.
BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Running Back, Cincinnati Bengals
The time has arrived where Green-Ellis has taken a backseat to his fellow running back, Giovani Bernard. Green-Ellis has not been involved in the short-passing game, has sadly posted less than 10 fantasy points in each of the past four weeks, and has scored three rushing touchdowns for the season. Week 10 the Bengals play in Baltimore where the Ravens stingily allow the fewest fantasy points to running backs. Look for another lackluster performance from Green-Ellis as his carries will be limited and he continues to timeshare versus a staunch defense. This ultimately equates to limited fantasy value for Green-Ellis in Week 10.
Projected Statistics: 16 attempts, 56 yards, zero receptions, zero yards, zero touchdowns
Ray Rice, Running Back, Baltimore Ravens
Fantasy owners of Rice have to be shaking their heads at Rice’s lack of involvement in the Ravens offense this season. Rice has only averaged a pathetic 2.7 yards per carry this year and has only rushed for more than 50 yards once.
Week 10 offers Rice a matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals, who unfortunately, are in the top five teams in defending running backs. Once again, look for Rice to earn mediocre at best fantasy points in what appears to continue to be par for the course when it comes to the floundering Ravens offense.
You may not have many other running back options so if you start Rice, prepare for low-end flex fantasy numbers from this former RB1.
Projected Statistics: 12 attempts, 37 yards, two receptions, 14 yards, zero touchdowns
Ryan Mathews, Running Back, San Diego Chargers
After finally presenting fantasy owners with better than average showings in Weeks six and seven, Matthews returned to his usual fantasy-flop status last week with just seven carries and 34 rushing yards and a few straggly fantasy points. Week 10 the Chargers host a well-rested Denver Broncos who are known to allow many more points through the air than on the ground. With the emergence of Danny Woodhead, Matthews has been virtually limited from catching any passes, so consider the inconsistent running back one who will get a few early down carries, with no end zone work in sight in Week 10. He is not a viable start this week, and should be on your fantasy bench.
Projected Statistics: 9 attempts, 35 yards, zero receptions, zero yards, zero touchdowns
Jared Cook, Tight End, St. Louis Rams
Week 10 takes the St. Louis Rams to Indianapolis to play the Colts. This will be a difficult, to say the least, road game for Cook dealing with a backup quarterback and a Colts defense who has only allowed one touchdown score to a tight end all season. Cook, who only has two touchdowns to boast for 2013 is better off left off your fantasy roster this week. Healthy tight ends not on a bye week are scarce, but if you can scrounge up one who has a better matchup this week, use him instead, as Cook will not offer much of a contribution to your fantasy score in Week 10.
Projected Statistics: Three receptions, 38 yards, zero touchdowns.
Heath Miller, Tight End, Pittsburgh Steelers
Speaking of tight ends offering little value in Week 10, avoid Miller if you can. Miller has scored an awful average of less than four fantasy points in his last few games, and has one lonely touchdown to show for the season. In Week 10 Miller and the Steelers will square off with the Buffalo Bills who may have a struggling offense, but their defense has only allowed three other tight ends to score a touchdown against them. Miller surely will not find his name on this list after playing Buffalo this week. Keep Miller out of your lineups in Week 10, as his fantasy points will not be a boost to your team.
Projected Statistics: Four receptions, 47 yards, zero touchdowns.