After the fireworks that occurred in Week 8, many quarterbacks came back down to earth in Week 9. However, our beloved studs still performed at a high level and provided excellent fantasy fun throughout the league.
The Bengals and Ravens both put on a show. The Eagles took flight. Heck, even the Panthers had players with high-end fantasy value in Week 9.
As is the weekly tradition, it is time to revisit the best and worst matchups heading into Week 10. Week 10 features some great offenses facing off against equally great defenses. Hopefully, the fantasy points will still roll. Let's dive in and check it out.
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2024:- Quarterback fantasy football rankings
- Running back fantasy football rankings
- Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
- Tight end fantasy football rankings
- Kicker fantasy football rankings
- FLEX fantasy football rankings
- Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
- Superflex fantasy football rankings
- IDP fantasy football rankings
- Dynasty fantasy football rankings
Fantasy Football Quarterback Matchups We Love
Jared Goff - Detroit Lions
Opponent: at HOU
Opponent Rank vs. QB: 23rd
Goff is back in the love column after a mid-tier Week 9. Goff had been playing lights out before heading to Green Bay to face a great Packers defense in the rain. The Lions rode their excellent running backs to victory and Goff did not have to do much.
Week 10 is a different story. Goff (who often excels playing indoors) and his Lions will visit the Houston Texans in a dome. The Texans have a good but not great defense. The Lions have been an all-around dominant team this season but C.J. Stroud and the Texans should still be able to make some noise on offense. Expect points and a lot of them in this game. Goff can be streamed.
“If the MVP were today, Jared Goff has to get MVP.” @stephenasmith ✍️ pic.twitter.com/3haLETeTh1
— First Take (@FirstTake) November 4, 2024
C.J. Stroud - Houston Texans
Opponent: DET
Opponent Rank vs. QB: 13th
Let's go ahead and pick two players from the same game. Stroud and the Texans have frankly been slightly above average this season. Stroud has especially struggled without his top target, Nico Collins, in recent weeks. With Collins likely back in the lineup in Week 10 and Tank Dell starting to reclaim his 2023 form, Stroud should have some success in Week 10.
The Lions have steadily improved against opposing quarterbacks in fantasy this season. However, they just allowed Jordan Love to throw for 273 yards on them, albeit without any touchdowns. Given how good the Lions rush defense is, the Texans are likely going to need to move the ball through the air. This feels like a week you can play Stroud with confidence.
Fantasy Football Quarterback Matchups to Temper Expectations
Bo Nix - Denver Broncos
Opponent: at KC
Opponent Rank vs. QB: 17th
If you have been rolling with Nix over the last few weeks, this may be a good week to look for other options. Nix will face the Kansas City Chiefs in what could be a relatively low-scoring game. Either way, the Chiefs have been an excellent defense this season.
Nix was stymied by the Baltimore Ravens in Week 9 in what was projected to be a great matchup. Although he was hot for a while, he is still a rookie who will have his ups and downs. I will personally be starting Nix's opponent, Patrick Mahomes, instead this week.
Fantasy Football Running Back Matchups We Love
Tyrone Tracy Jr. - New York Giants
Opponent: at CAR
Opponent Rank vs. RB: 32nd
Well, they don't seem to be getting any better, so why not continue to target the Carolina Panthers with our running backs in fantasy? Tracy has squarely taken over the starting job in New York. He has entered into a 65/35 split with the other running backs in the offense and has looked great.
The Panthers cannot stop anyone in the running game. I think that we fantasy managers might be able to get ourselves a few points against this defense. This is a game that the Giants should win and they should win handily. Expect Tracy to push for 20 touches and approach 100 scrimmage yards.
Saquon Barkley - Philadelphia Eagles
Opponent: at DAL
Opponent Rank vs. RB: 29th
Boy is Barkley in a smash position in Week 10. Not only have the Cowboys failed to defend the run all season, but now they have lost Dak Prescott for multiple weeks and are unlikely to have the offensive firepower to keep up in games in his absence. Barkley has a chance to run all over the yard on Sunday.
If the Eagles jump out to an early lead, then they will ride Barkley and Jalen Hurts to the end. Barkley's magical season continued in Week 9 against another soft defense in the Jacksonville Jaguars. You should fully expect Barkley to surpass 100 yards rushing for the fourth straight game and find the end zone.
SAQUON BARKLEY IS NOT OF THIS WORLD.
📺: #JAXvsPHI on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/UtCENDw6no— NFL (@NFL) November 3, 2024
Fantasy Football Running Back Matchups to Temper Expectations
Tony Pollard - Tennessee Titans
Opponent: at LAC
Opponent Rank vs. RB: 2nd
Pollard has delivered steady RB2 numbers all season. His volume has been excellent and he is catching passes. However, this Chargers defense is proving to be legitimate in the new Jim Harbaugh era. The Chargers are slowing games down and jumping out to big leads while frustrating opposing offenses on defense.
The Titans could struggle mightily in this game. It is unclear if the starting quarterback will be Mason Rudolph or Will Levis, which could potentially impact the offense's effectiveness. Even so, beware of Pollard producing numbers closer to that of a flex play in Week 10.
Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Matchups We Love
Brian Thomas Jr. - Jacksonville Jaguars
Opponent: MIN
Opponent Rank vs. WR: 32nd
The Jaguars have been the masters of the second half all season. They seem to have trouble getting off the bus and starting a game, but they sure know how to make it exciting down the stretch. This week should be no different against a good Minnesota Vikings defense, but when the Jaguars do get rolling, the fantasy fun should flow.
Thomas had a down week in Week 9 coming off a chest injury he suffered in Week 8. As he gets healthier, he should only get better for fantasy. The rookie is on pace for 1,123 receiving yards and nine touchdowns and he should have most of the targets to himself with injuries to other wide receivers in the offense.
The Vikings allow the most points to opposing wide receivers in fantasy. So go ahead and put Thomas in your lineup.
Tank Dell and Nico Collins - Houston Texans
Opponent: DET
Opponent Rank vs. WR: 30th
Let's go ahead and double down on the Lions this week. While the Lions have been better against quarterbacks of late, they have still allowed a lot of points to wide receivers. With Collins set to return from a hamstring injury, he should open up opportunities for Dell.
Collins is so good on his own that he should feast no matter what. However, with Dell now operating as the No. 2 wide receiver, he may be able to recapture some of the magic he displayed in 2023. Both players should be confidently started in what should be a high-scoring game.
Just a reminder that Tank Dell went 6-126 vs. the Jets on Thursday.
9 targets
131 air yardsWinning down the field
Creating YAC pic.twitter.com/2CScOPEzDG— Jacob Gibbs (@jagibbs_23) November 4, 2024
Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Matchups to Temper Expectations
Marvin Harrison Jr. - Arizona Cardinals
Opponent: NYJ
Opponent Rank vs. WR: 1st
Based on where you would have drafted him, Harrison has been a disappointing fantasy asset in 2024. Do not expect that disappointment to dwindle in Week 10.
The Jets have been excellent against opposing wide receivers all season long. Additionally, Harrison and quarterback Kyler Murray continue to be on different pages. They are reading books of different genres. This could be another tough one for the rookie in Week 10. Fantasy managers should plan accordingly.
Fantasy Football Tight End Matchups We Love
Dalton Kincaid - Buffalo Bills
Opponent: at IND
Opponent Rank vs. TE: 30th
Kincaid has a chance to shine in Week 10 against the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts have been allowing the third-most points to opposing tight ends in fantasy in 2024. The defense as a whole has been a mess and Kincaid has a shot to deliver solid TE1 numbers.
With the newly added Amari Cooper still acclimating to the offense, Kincaid has not yet seen a dip in targets. His 10 targets in Week 9 were his highest total of the season as well. Expect solid volume and subsequent fantasy output from Kincaid this week.
Fantasy Football Tight End Matchups to Temper Expectations
Zach Ertz - Washington Commanders
Opponent: PIT
Opponent Rank vs. TE: 17th
Ertz has rarely failed to deliver for fantasy managers in 2024, but he only caught one pass in Week 9. While it should not be overly concerning, Week 10 may not be the bounce-back we want as fantasy managers.
Pittsburgh has been solid but not great against tight ends. However, it has been an excellent defense as a whole. Quarterback Jayden Daniels should be able to escape pressure with his legs, but he will likely be looking for Terry McLaurin. Ertz could have a tough outing in Week 10.
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