Fantasy Football Start 'Em or Sit 'Em: Week 10 Edition
Oct 16, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans wide receiver Rishard Matthews (18) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

Each week, we break down those tough, questionable, fantasy football start or sits. Let’s see what week ten has in store for us.

Playoff races are heating up, not just in the NFL, but in the fantasy football world, too. We’ve reached the season’s latter half, and we’ll check in on who starts and who sits.

Buffalo, Detroit, Indianapolis, and Oakland all have BYE weeks upcoming. You’re going to need some fillers to replace the likes of Derek Carr, T.Y. Hilton, and the suddenly red hot Golden Tate, among other big names.

Start ‘Em

Steve Smith Sr., WR, Baltimore Ravens

After missing back to back games at the Meadowlands against the Giants and Jets, Smith returned last week and caught four passes for 47 yards against the Steelers. While his numbers weren’t very impressive, his return to Baltimore’s offense is an encouraging sign.

As long as Smith is on the field Sunday, he should be in line for a healthy dose of targets against a Browns defense allowing over 275 pass yards per game.

Sit ‘Em

Robert Kelley, RB, Washington Redskins

Kelley impressed overseas against the Bengals, however, his success could be short lived. Matt Jones is working his way back from injury, but his status still remains cloudy ahead of Sunday’s game. Whether Jones makes it back or not could be moot for Kelley, who will oppose a Vikings defense allowing less than 100 yards per game on the ground (93.1).

Start ‘Em

Zach Ertz, TE, Philadelphia Eagles

Owned in just over half of ESPN.com leagues, Ertz has plenty of upside heading into week ten. His eight catch and 97 yard performance against the New York Giants was his first productive game since week one. All signs point to another productive game in week ten.

The Eagles will host an Atlanta Falcons team that has allowed the second most pass yards per game of any team. They’ve also allowed the fourth most fantasy points to opposing tight ends, making Ertz a viable option in all formats.

Sit ‘Em

Christine Michael, RB, Seattle Seahawks

The injury to Thomas Rawls has opened the door for Michael to step in and produce. While he’s found some success in Seattle’s backfield, don’t expect that to continue. Rawls is nearing return from injury, and the Seahawks will travel to New England to face a tough Patriots defense.

You’d be best served finding another option for your RB2/FLEX position next week.

Start’ Em

Trevor Siemian, QB, Denver Broncos

Derek Carr, Andrew Luck, and Matthew Stafford all won’t play in week ten, which means you could be in need of a BYE week filler. Trevor Siemian has only produced one game over 20 points (standard scoring), but could serve as a useful one week filler.

The Broncos will travel to New Orleans to test the league’s bottom ranked pass defense (allowing 300 yards per game). Give the youngster a shot.

Sit ‘Em

Colin Kaepernick, QB, San Francisco 49ers

Speaking of quarterbacks who you could play in week ten, there’s Colin Kaepernick. Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should, though. The enigmatic signal caller hasn’t impressed since gaining the starting job back, and life won’t get much easier next week.

The 49ers will go on the road to face the Arizona Cardinals who claim the league’s third best pass defense. Yikes.

Start ‘Em

Los Angeles Rams Defense

Jeff Fisher‘s men have played good defense at times this season, holding opponents to under 17 points on four occasions. They’ve also been erratic at times, allowing over 30 points on three other occasions. Which Rams defense shows up in week ten is hard to predict, but they’re worth gambling on.

They’ll face a Jets team that could be on the verge of collapsing after a tough loss to Miami. There’s also a chance Bryce Petty will make his first NFL start, which could bode well for an inconsistent, yet talented defense.

Sit ‘Em

Denver Broncos Defense

Wait, bench the vaunted Denver defense? Your ears and eyes don’t need surgery, but yes, the Denver defense is mortal. After a poor showing in Oakland, they’ll travel to New Orleans to face the Saints.

Denver is worth starting every week, but if you have a second defense stashed on the bench, consider rolling with them instead. The Saints have proven to be a different team at home and could spell trouble for the new wave of the ‘Orange Crush.’

Start ‘Em

Rishard Matthews, WR, Tennessee Titans

Coming off his best game of the season, Matthews is a good gamble to repeat success in week ten. He’s scored five touchdowns over his past five games, and has recorded a minimum of at least three catches in all but one game this season. Simply put, Marcus Mariota isn’t afraid to look his way.

At home against and average Green Bay defense (and injury riddled secondary), Matthews is worth a start this week.

Sit ‘Em

Allen Hurns, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars

After a breakout 2015 season, Hurns, and the rest of the Jaguars offense, has sputtered this year. He left Sunday’s contest with ankle and concussion issues, and may not suit up next week.

Even if Hurns can go, he’s best off on your bench facing the league’s second-ranked pass defense in the Texans (allowing just 190.5 yards per game).