Who to Start Week 10 Fantasy Football 2025: Should I Start Analysis & Lineup Decisions

Week 10 Bye Week Alert

Two Teams on Bye Week 10:

• Kansas City Chiefs
• Detroit Lions

Players to BENCH immediately:

• Chiefs: Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Rashee Rice, Kareem Hunt
• Lions: Jared Goff, Jahmyr Gibbs, Jameson Williams, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Sam LaPorta

Who to Start Week 10: By Position

Quarterback (QB) - Who Should I Start?

START WITH CONFIDENCE:

1. Josh Allen (Buffalo Bills) vs. Miami Dolphins

• Matchup: Favorable - Dolphins secondary ranked 23rd in pass defense
• Why Start: Allen has been consistent, dual-threat with rushing upside
• Projection: 22-26 fantasy points
• Recommendation: Start (lock him in)

2. Lamar Jackson (Baltimore Ravens) vs. Washington Commanders

• Matchup: Excellent - Commanders allow 4.2 points more per game to QBs
• Why Start: Jackson returned Week 9, Ravens dominating. Perfect Week 10 recovery matchup
• Projection: 24-28 fantasy points
• Recommendation: Start (elite matchup)

3. Joe Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals) vs. Baltimore Ravens

• Matchup: Neutral - Ravens tough but Burrow is reliable
• Why Start: Consistent performer, high ceiling with WR weapons
• Projection: 20-24 fantasy points
• Recommendation: Start (safe)

4. Jalen Hurts (Philadelphia Eagles) vs. Dallas Cowboys

• Matchup: Excellent - Cowboys allow 26+ points to QBs on average
• Why Start: Eagles strong team, Hurts mobile, excellent matchup
• Projection: 23-27 fantasy points
• Recommendation: Start (strong matchup)

CONSIDER BENCHING:

Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay Packers) - IF YOU HAVE BACKUP

• Matchup: Hard - Jaguars have improved defense
• Concern: Packers have lost 3 straight, team struggle
• Projection: 16-19 fantasy points
• Recommendation: Bench if you have better option (sell high)

Running Back (RB) - Should I Start This Player?

START WITH CONFIDENCE:

1. Jonathan Taylor (Indianapolis Colts) vs. New York Jets

• Matchup: Excellent - Jets allow 135+ rushing yards per game
• Why Start: Elite RB against weak run defense, full workload
• Projection: 18-22 fantasy points
• Recommendation: START (RB1 play)

2. Bijan Robinson (Atlanta Falcons) vs. Chicago Bears

• Matchup: Very Good - Bears allow 5.2 yards per carry (27th ranked)
• Why Start: Robinson elite, favorable matchup, high volume
• Projection: 16-20 fantasy points
• Recommendation: START (RB1 floor)

3. James Cook (Buffalo Bills) vs. Miami Dolphins

• Matchup: Good - Dolphins allow 4.8 yards per carry
• Why Start: Reliable RB2, good matchup, playoff contender
• Projection: 14-18 fantasy points
• Recommendation: START (safe RB2)

4. Saquon Barkley (Philadelphia Eagles) vs. Dallas Cowboys

• Matchup: Excellent - Cowboys allow 150+ yards to RBs
• Why Start: Elite RB against weak run defense, elite offense
• Projection: 16-20 fantasy points
• Recommendation: START (RB1 ceiling)

CONSIDER SITTING:

Tyrone Tracy Jr. (Arizona Cardinals) - MONITOR

• Matchup: Tough - 49ers top-5 run defense
• Concern: Week 9 production sustainable? Playoff matchup tough
• Projection: 10-14 fantasy points
• Recommendation: SIT if you have better options (backup plan)

Wide Receiver (WR) - Who Should I Start in Week 10?

START WITH CONFIDENCE:

1. Ja'Marr Chase (Cincinnati Bengals) vs. Baltimore Ravens

• Matchup: Good - Ravens secondary allowing deep routes
• Why Start: WR1 elite, Burrow targeting, high ceiling
• Projection: 15-19 fantasy points
• Recommendation: START (WR1 lock)

2. A.J. Brown (Philadelphia Eagles) vs. Dallas Cowboys

• Matchup: Excellent - Cowboys allow 12.5 targets per game to WRs
• Why Start: Elite WR1, excellent matchup, targets secured
• Projection: 16-20 fantasy points
• Recommendation: START (WR1 elite)

3. Justin Jefferson (Minnesota Vikings) vs. New England Patriots

• Matchup: Excellent - Patriots allow 8+ targets per WR1
• Why Start: Elite WR1, favorable matchup, high volume
• Projection: 15-19 fantasy points
• Recommendation: START (WR1 caliber)

4. CeeDee Lamb (Dallas Cowboys) vs. Philadelphia Eagles

• Matchup: Neutral - Eagles good secondary but Lamb will get targets
• Why Start: WR1 talent, Dak returning, high ceiling
• Projection: 13-17 fantasy points
• Recommendation: START (safe WR2, flex play)

5. Puka Nacua (Los Angeles Rams) vs. New Orleans Saints

• Matchup: Good - Saints secondary improved but vulnerable
• Why Start: If healthy, elite talent, excellent offense
• Projection: 14-18 fantasy points
• Recommendation: START (if confirmed healthy)

CONSIDER SITTING:

Devin Duvernay (Baltimore Ravens) - WATCH

• Matchup: Tough - Bengals good pass defense
• Concern: Recent decline in targets (only 3-4 per game)
• Projection: 8-12 fantasy points
• Recommendation: SIT for proven WR2/3 (backup option)

Tight End (TE) - Should I Start Week 10?

START WITH CONFIDENCE:

1. Stefon Diggs playing TE role (if available)

• Matchup: Excellent - Target machine
• Why Start: Most consistent target getter
• Projection: 14-18 fantasy points
• Recommendation: START (TE1 option)

2. Trey McBride (Arizona Cardinals) vs. San Francisco 49ers

• Matchup: Tough but McBride is elite
• Why Start: TE1 talent, consistent targets, red zone role
• Projection: 12-16 fantasy points
• Recommendation: START (elite TE)

3. Brock Bowers (Las Vegas Raiders) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

• Matchup: Good - Steelers allow TE production
• Why Start: Emerging TE1, rookie phenom, high targets
• Projection: 11-15 fantasy points
• Recommendation: START (breakout TE)

CONSIDER SITTING:

George Kittle (San Francisco 49ers) - IF UNCERTAIN

• Matchup: Tough - Defending at home against Cardinals
• Concern: Load management risk, shallow depth
• Projection: 8-12 fantasy points
• Recommendation: BENCH or play if desperate (monitor health)

Week 10 Bye Week Strategy - Complete Replacement Guide

For Chiefs Players (Can't Play):

Player	Position	Bye Replacement	Status
Patrick Mahomes	QB	Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, Jalen Hurts	Find waiver QB
Travis Kelce	TE	Brock Bowers, Trey McBride	TE1 available
Rashee Rice	WR	Justin Jefferson, A.J. Brown, Ja'Marr Chase	Proven WR1
Kareem Hunt	RB	Jonathan Taylor, Bijan Robinson, James Cook	Proven RB1

For Lions Players (Can't Play):

Player	Position	Bye Replacement	Status
Jared Goff	QB	Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen (waiver)	Stream QB
Jahmyr Gibbs	RB	Saquon Barkley, James Cook	RB upside play
Jameson Williams	WR	Puka Nacua (if healthy), CeeDee Lamb	WR2 depth
Amon-Ra St. Brown	WR	Justin Jefferson, A.J. Brown	WR1 target
Sam LaPorta	TE	Trey McBride, Brock Bowers	TE stream

Week 10 Defense/ST Recommendations

START:

• Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals (top 10 defense, favorable matchup)
• San Francisco 49ers vs. Arizona Cardinals (elite defense at home)

SIT:

• Detroit Lions (on bye - can't play)
• Kansas City Chiefs (on bye - can't play)

Advanced Week 10 Lineup Tips

Stacking Strategy:

• Pair Lamar Jackson (QB) with Mark Andrews (TE) vs. Washington
• Pair Josh Allen (QB) with A.J. Brown (WR) vs. Miami
• Pair Jalen Hurts (QB) with Saquon Barkley (RB) vs. Dallas

Handcuff Strategy:

• Own Jonathan Taylor? Ensure you have backup RB depth
• Own Ja'Marr Chase? Verify Burrow healthy (confirmed)
• Own A.J. Brown? Ensure Hurts is starting (confirmed)

Week 10 Injury Report - Final Check

Before Game Time - Confirm These:

• ✓ Puka Nacua (Rams WR) - Health status
• ✓ George Kittle (49ers TE) - Load management risk
• ✓ Dak Prescott (Cowboys QB) - Shoulder status
• ✓ All bye week players BENCHED for Week 10

Making Your Final Week 10 Decisions

The Start/Sit Framework:

STEP 1: Check Bye Weeks

• Don't start Chiefs or Lions players
• Fill with free agents or waiver pickups

STEP 2: Analyze Matchups

• Start against weak defenses (Ravens vs. Commanders)
• Sit against strong defenses (unless elite player)

STEP 3: Confirm Injury Status

• Puka Nacua healthy? Start him
• Kittle uncertain? Bench for safety
• All confirmed healthy players start

STEP 4: Use Recent Form

• Last 3 weeks > season average
• Regression imminent? Consider benching

STEP 5: Trust Your Studs

• A.J. Brown, Ja'Marr Chase, Jonathan Taylor = start always
• They produce despite matchups

Who Should I Start? Final Recommendation by Tier

TIER 1 - START ALWAYS:

• Ja'Marr Chase (WR), A.J. Brown (WR), Jonathan Taylor (RB), Josh Allen (QB), Lamar Jackson (QB)
• These players transcend matchups. Always in lineup.

TIER 2 - START UNLESS INJURY/BYE:

• Saquon Barkley, James Cook, Jalen Hurts, Bijan Robinson, Brock Bowers
• Elite talent in favorable matchups. Default start.

TIER 3 - MATCHUP DEPENDENT:

• CeeDee Lamb, Puka Nacua (if healthy), Tyrone Tracy Jr.
• Strong players but matchups matter. Analyze carefully.

TIER 4 - CONSIDER BENCHING:

• Aaron Rodgers, Devin Duvernay, George Kittle (if risky)
• Downtrends or difficult matchups. Consider bench.

Summary: Should I Start This Player in Week 10?

Use this decision tree:

1. Is he on bye (Chiefs/Lions)? → BENCH
2. Is he elite (Tier 1)? → START
3. Is matchup excellent? → START
4. Is he healthy? → START
5. Is he in decline? → Bench or flex

Apply this framework, and you'll optimize your Week 10 lineup for maximum scoring potential.

Good luck with your Week 10 start/sit decisions!