Between the Hashes- Week 10 Edition

Well, last week was a tough week from a Fantasy perspective for this guy. Lost my overall lead in one league, and missed a chance to gain ground towards a playoff seed in my other league.

I also missed the boat on a few players that I thought had excellent match-ups- Matt Cassel vs Miami. Michael Vick was kept bottled up for the most part against the Bears.

There were some positives though as workhorses like Rams RB Steven Jackson and Raiders RB Michael Bush coming off the bench provided a spark for Fantasy owners. Cowboys TE Jason Witten found the end zone in their win over the Seahawks, as did Falcons WR Julio Jones who caught two TD’s from QB Matt Ryan.

It’s the push towards the playoffs now in Fantasy Football and everyone knows by now the players they need to start on their team each week moving forward. So here’s some players I like this week, just in time for the first Thursday night game of the year tonight.

Bye Week Teams this Week: None

Quarterbacks

Tony Romo (DAL)- The Bills virtually have no pass rush, Romo should have no problem having a good fantasy day. Keep in mind Miles Austin is out with a hamstring injury.

Prediction: 245 yards/ 1 TD/INT

Eli Manning (NYG)- I know the Giants are playing San Francisco in San Fran, but Eli has been very, very productive in his last 3 starts. He threw for 250 yards and 2 scores last week in New England. No doubt it will be a tough match-up against the 49ers D, if anything, he’ll throw it a ton and he may have Hakeem Nicks back this week.

Prediction: 260 yards/ 1 TD/INT

Matt Schaub (HOU)- The Texans face the Buccaneers who lost DT Gerald McCoy for the season with a biceps injury, but claimed former Patriots DT Albert Haynesworth off waivers this week. Schaub should be able to throw easily at home this week, and he really rises up the charts if WR Andre Johnson can play and he did practice this week. Tampa’s giving up 21 FPG to QB’s over the last five weeks.

Prediction: 220 yards/2 TD/INT

Running Backs

LeSean McCoy (PHI)- Eagles will look to exploit that Cardinals D that gave up three TD’s to Ray Rice a few weeks ago. McCoy has been on fire, and that should continue this week no doubt.

Prediction: 112 yards/TD

Michael Bush (OAK)- Gotta put my boy Bush in here again this week. He came through for me last week and is proving to be the best handcuff in the NFL. The Raiders are a run-based offense, and with Carson Palmer continuing to get his feet wet, they’ll hand the rock to Bush tonight against the Chargers. Raiders are keeping RB Darren McFadden out at least this week with his ankle injury.

Prediction: 88 yards rushing/35 receiving yards/ TD

Darren Sproles (NO)- I like Sproles this week, but really only if you need him in a flex spot. Falcons aren’t bad against the run, but the Saints get him active in each ballgame and he should  be in this one. Falcons have given up the least amount of points to RB’s the last five weeks, but I see Sproles catching passes out of the backfield with RB Mark Ingram still hobbled.

Prediction: 45 yards rushing/65 receiving yards/TD

Wide Receivers

Dez Bryant (DAL)- Miles Austin is out for a few weeks and Bryant is the guy. Bills do not have a pass rush, so Romo should have all day to throw, the Bills CB’s aren’t helpful either. Start with confidence.

Prediction: 96 yards/TD

Anquan Boldin (BAL)- Boldin was clutch last week against the Steelers, making some tough catches late in that ballgame. This week he’ll face a young Seahawks CB group that both he and Flacco should be able to exploit, especially with Ben Grubbs back on the line. Use him if you need him.

Prediction: 75 yards receiving

Antonio Brown (PIT)- Brown has really moved up the ranks throughout this season with the Steelers. The Bengals are easier to throw on then run, and without WR Emmanuel Sanders, he should get the start. If you need him, you should give him a start too, cause he will catch passes in what is now a passing offense in Pittsburgh.

Prediction: 70 yards/TD

Tight Ends

Jermichael Finley (GB)- Going back with Finley again this week. He’s scored in both career meetings against the Vikings. Minnesota gives up the 8th most FP to TE, so start ’em if you got ’em.

Prediction: 60 yards/TD

Aaron Hernandez (NE)- Hernandez has lit it up against the Jets in his career. He’s caught 14 passes for 208 yards and a TD in three games. He has Tom Brady throwing to him. He’s viable.

Prediction: 65 yards/TD

Greg Olson (CAR)- QB Cam Newton is still throwing the ball well, and Olson is a safety valve for him. Some weeks he disappears, but this week he should see success against the Titans. Tennessee is yielding the 3rd most FPG to TE’s the last five weeks.

 

Good luck to everyone in Week 10!