Week 10 Tidbits

By David Leisure

As we enter the stretch run of the fantasy football season, we will evaluate our team’s standings and whether or not we have a shot in the playoffs.  As it is with reality football, if you get into the playoffs, you have won half the battle and you become a factor in deciding your league’s championship.  To get there though, these final weeks become all that more critical.  Here are some simple steps to take to guide you through these final weeks:

Trust what got you here.

If your squad has had success so far or is on the brink of getting into the playoffs, stay true to how you have been playing the game and trust that your squad will pull things out

Do not outthink yourself.

When it comes to making lineup decisions, trust your stars and do not bench them for flavors of the week.  When you do this and it works, yes, you feel like a genius, but it is a low percentage play.  By sticking with your stars, you have less risk, and when they do outperform those flavors of the week, you feel pretty gratified.

Worry about your own team’s performance rather than your opponent’s.  

The main goal from day 1 of the season should always be to score as many points as you possibly can.  Your upcoming opponents may definitely be a challenge for you to beat, but you have no control over that. You can only control so much, and you have the control to set your best lineup possible.

Just Win Baby!

Seems simple enough, and it goes along with how your team performs,

but reality is by winning, you control your own destiny. There are obviously many variables that come into play here that can either aid or hinder your winning each week, but get the job done each week, and the championship will be in your grasp.

Week 10 Tidbits

The schedule is more full than it has been in recent weeks with less teams being on bye, so filling out your lineups should be easier in that regard, but there are certain matchups this week that may cause you to second guess starting some players that you normally would.  I will do my best to reinforce those players.

Kirk Cousins is going up against the Minnesota Vikings, who have lost three straight games, yet the mystique of their defense looms over the opposing team’s offense when it comes to weekly rankings.  I strongly recommend playing Cousins as your QB this week because fantasy football rewards quarterbacks who have to throw the ball a lot, regardless if they win or lose the football game.

The Redskins running game will be headed by Rob Kelley and it is possible that Matt Jones will be a healthy scratch this week.  The Redskins are coming off of a tie game and a bye, so they will be out to score as many points as possible. I doubt they will take the foot off of the pedal at any point in this game.  Look for Cousins to outperform his weekly rankings and be a star for your team.

Devontae Booker was a disappointment in Week 9 rushing for 22 yards on 10 carries and catching one pass for eight yards in a favorable matchup against the Raiders. The flavor of the week in Denver is backup running back Kapri Bibbs.  Who?  Yes, Bibbs caught a 69 yard pass and is now a hot pick up off of the waiver wire.  Do not bite.

Stick with Booker as the matchup this Sunday against the New Orleans Saints is just what the doctor ordered.  The Saints offense plays a lot better at home which means that the Denver Broncos offense will have to put up some points to keep up. Booker will be utilized in both the running and passing game throughout, and despite the flavor of the week, look for Booker to reestablish himself as the present and future starting running back for the Broncos.

Le’Veon Bell has yet to score a touchdown in 2016.  Have you heard this stat yet? Yes, everyone has, and that includes the Pittsburgh Steelers’ coaching staff and players alike.  What greater regular season stage for such a streak of failure to be broken than a late game feature against the Dallas Cowboys.  

This is the type of game where Bell will be featured on every offensive series and when the Steelers get inside the 10 yard line, he will be the primary target of the offensive scheme either by running the ball or catching passes out of the backfield.  I fully expect a multiple touchdown game performance by Bell this week and if you own him, or you are a daily fantasy league player, you should start him with confidence because he should come through for you big.

Follow the steps listed above and do your best to go win your leagues.  If you believe in any other players that you feel may be undervalued or unappreciated this week, feel free to share them with my readers.  I wish you all well in your Week 10 matchups and down the stretch of your fantasy football season. As always, your feedback is appreciated.