Welcome back, readers! I am happy to return for a second year as The Sporting Tribune's fantasy football analyst. If you are new here, my mission is to help fantasy managers with any dilemmas or questions they may have through the course of the season to ultimately win their leagues. For the next 17 weeks, I will produce weekly fantasy content that will go over the waiver wire, rankings, and Start 'Em, Sit 'Em columns.
Being a fantasy manager often means having to make difficult roster decisions, but I aim to take some of the guesswork out of it with my Start 'Em and Sit 'Em column for every position. It goes without saying that I won't include obvious calls like "start Trey McBride" or "sit Tommy DeVito." Instead, I search for players that could be perceived as fringe that could propel your lineups for weekly wins.
As always, if you have any questions or don't see your players here, feel free to follow me on Twitter (X) – @JamesNewell96 and send me a message, where I typically respond in a timely manner.
DEFENSES
Start ’Em
Baltimore Ravens Defense vs. LAC (Projected FPTS – 7.9): The Ravens’ defense has been a massive bust this season. They’ve scored only negative-three fantasy points over the last three weeks against Joe Burrow, Josh Allen and Trevor Lawrence, who are all MVP candidates this season. This week they take on Justin Herbert and the Chargers’ pitiful offense. No team in the league has allowed more fantasy points (11.5) to opposing defenses than the Chargers. They have also scored the fewest points per game (15.1) and have the most giveaways per game (2.4). Expect the Baltimore defense to score the most fantasy points it has all season in this contest.
Los Angeles Rams Defense @ ARI (Projected FPTS – 8.4): The Rams’ defense looks dramatically different with Myles Garrett and Aaron Donald on the field at the same time. They immediately become one of the best plays of Week 10, going against third-round rookie quarterback Carson Beck and a Cardinals offense whose only pivotal piece is Trey McBride. The Rams’ defense should feast on some birds this Sunday.
Jacksonville Jaguars Defense @ TEN (Projected FPTS – 9.0): Over the last two games, the Jaguars’ defense has scored 33 fantasy points. It needs to be noted that those games were against Daniel Jones and Joe Fagnano. This week the unit will square off against Cam Ward and the Titans’ bottom-tier offense. Tennessee’s offense has scored just 18 points per game and ranks fifth in drives that result in a punt. Jacksonville’s defense also added Jessie Bates III, Jordan Davis and Davon Godchaux at the trade deadline.
Honorable Mentions: Houston Texans Defense @ CLE; Kansas City Chiefs Defense @ ATL; Green Bay Packers Defense vs. MIN; Seattle Seahawks Defense @ LV; Indianapolis Colts Defense vs. MIA.
Sit ’Em
Pittsburgh Steelers Defense @ CIN (Projected FPTS – 6.1): The Steelers’ defense is one of the best units in the league. However, I would avoid them this week against the Bengals, who have been on fire recently. Cincinnati’s offense has scored the second-most points per game (30.0) and has dropped 31 points in four straight games. Regardless of whether T.J. Watt and the rest of the defense manage to get some sacks and a takeaway, Burrow and company will make sure to keep their division rivals below their ceiling.
San Francisco 49ers Defense @ DAL (Projected FPTS – 6.0): Despite the Niners scoring 19 fantasy points last week against the Raiders, they still have the third-lowest pressure rate (31.6 percent) in the NFL. This week they take on Dak Prescott, who has been shredding defenses that can’t get to the quarterback. I wouldn’t recommend dropping the Niners’ defense, but I would try to find a streaming option like the Packers or Colts.
Cleveland Browns Defense vs. HOU (Projected FPTS – 6.3): The Browns’ defense as a whole is a steady unit, especially at home. They take on C.J. Stroud and the Texans this week, which could be a low-scoring affair. However, no defense has scored more than three fantasy points against Houston since Week Three. What has helped is Stroud throwing 13 touchdowns while the offensive line has given up just six sacks over the last five games. No offense has committed fewer giveaways, so I wouldn’t expect Cleveland to do anything to change that.
Lowlights: New England Patriots Defense @ DET; Atlanta Falcons Defense vs. KC; Cincinnati Bengals Defense vs. PIT; Carolina Panthers Defense @ NO.
KICKERS
Start ‘Em
Will Reichard @ GB - Projected FPTS: 8.1
Spencer Shrader vs. MIA - Projected FPTS: 8.8
Ka’imi Fairbairn @ CLE - Projected FPTS: 9.6
Tyler Bass @ NYJ - Projected FPTS: 9.3
Cam Little @ TEN - Projected FPTS: 9.9
Chris Boswell @ CIN - Projected FPTS: 8.4
Brandon Aubrey vs. SF - Projected FPTS: 9.5
Jake Bates vs. NE - Projected FPTS: 8.2
Jason Myer @ LV - Projected FPTS: 7.9
Jason Sanders vs. BUF - Projected FPTS: 7.5
Sit ‘Em
Jake Moody vs. KC - Projected FPTS: 7.0
Harrison Butker @ ATL - Projected FPTS: 7.3
Ryan Fitzgerald @ NO - Projected FPTS: 7.6
Andres Borregales vs. DET - Projected FPTS: 7.5
Cameron Dicker @ BAL - Projected FPTS: 6.1
Trey Smack vs. MIN - Projected FPTS: 7.0
Riley Patterson vs. LAC - Projected FPTS: 6.5
Charlie Smyth vs. CAR - Projected FPTS: 7.5
Eddy Pineiro @ DAL - Projected FPTS: 8.3
Matt Gay vs. SEA - Projected FPTS: 7.2