By The Hudsonian, Joshua Hudson
Well this week was stressful. I’m sure many people in this great country of ours have felt some form of it, no matter who their candidate of choice was. Need an escape? I’m here for you.
Let’s talk football!
Week 10 is here and so are my Confidence Plays! To refresh what this column is, these are my confidence plays in a Start/Play/Bench format. “Start” represents your studs and numbers twos that will overachieve. Get them in your lineup, stat! “Play” represents some bench or FLEX plays that should outperform their draft position based on matchup. “Bench” presents your studs that you should temper expectations for or FLEX plays you should swap out with a bench player. And really, it’s based off my rankings. Check them out and use them as a guide!
Start
RB David Johnson (ARI) – Two things I’ve learned while playing fantasy football this season. One, start any player at any position playing against the Cleveland Browns. Two, start any player at any position playing against the San Fransisco 49ers. Especially running backs. Mark Ingram just averaged 10 yards a carry versus the 49ers run defense. I expect David Johnson to have a field day.
RB Jay Ajayi (MIA) – Well, he’s proved me wrong and I’m rolling with him from here on out. The Chargers defense is decent, but the Dolphins’ offensive line is blocking better than it has in years. Ajayi is taking it and running with it. (I’m allowed one bad joke every column.)
WR Mike Evans (TB) – He’s my number one wide receiver this week. I’m starting him and you should too. And don’t be skimpy in daily. Pay up for him. The Bears allow the most fantasy points to WRs. Seriously, pay up for him.
QB Phillip Rivers & WR Tyrell Williams (SD) – Rivers has a nice schedule the rest of the way. Williams as emerged as his wide receiver of choice. In Williams’ last 5 games, if you remove the 2 games against the Broncos, he’s averaged 6 catches for 107 yards and chipped in 2 TDs in that span. If Byron Maxwell covers him, or anyone in the Dolphins secondary, he’s likely to reach 100 yards and possibly a touchdown.
Play
QB Dak Prescott (DAL) – As an Eagles fan, I hate that Prescott has been so good. As someone who owns him in a league, I’m not sorry for it. He’s been top 10 this year and I expect it to keep going. The Steelers pass defense has been the strongest part of their defense, but the Cowboys are in the midst of a special season offensively and I would ride Prescott like a cowboy. (Okay, I’m using two in this post.)
QB Jay Cutler, RB Jordan Howard & WR Alshon Jeffrey (CHI) – Cutler looked focused and energized against the Vikings. Last I checked, they were a pretty good defense and the Bucs were not. Safe to assume Cutler, Howard and Jeffrey will have great fantasy days.
RB Terrance West (BAL) – Remember that point I made in my write up on David Johnson? West plays the Browns. Play him!
RB Darren Sproles & TE Zach Ertz (PHI) – The Falcons allow the 6th most fantasy points to RBs this season. Sproles is getting the bulk of the touches in the Eagles’ backfield and they’ll likely be playing from behind and he’s a great pass catcher. You know who else catches passes? Ertz. And he’s finally starting to catch passes as HC Doug Pederson has started to open up the offense more. Common sense is good sense, folks.
WR Terrelle Pryor Sr. (CLE) – As good as the Ravens defense has been this season, their pass defense is their Achilles’ Heel. They allow the 5th most fantasy points to WRs and Pryor seems due. I mean, it’s not like they won’t be playing behind or anything.
TE Tyler Eifert (CIN) – The biggest weak spot in the Giants’ defense is in their ability to cover tight ends. Zach Ertz just went for 8 catches and 97 yards. Eifert will be used and used often to draw attention away from A.J. Green and I like his chances to get into the end zone.
Bench
QB Kirk Cousins (WSH) – Most quarterbacks that face the Vikings tend not to perform well. And the Redskins have no running game so the Vikings can sit back and make Cousins pick them apart. I really don’t think that’s going to happen. Sorry.
RB Todd Gurley (STL) – This has certainly not been the sophomore campaign Gurley or his fantasy owners had in mind. And he gets the Jets defensive line that is really good when motivated. Maybe a QB change will help them stay focused. All I know is Gurley doesn’t seem to have confidence in the Rams offense and he’s playing like it.
WR Brandon Marshall (NYJ) – With Ryan Fitzpatrick or Bryce Petty at quarterback, I have zero faith either will get Marshall the ball consistently. That simple.
TE Martellus Bennett (NE) – This will be a Gronk day. Seattle does a lot well on defense – they’re 3rd best against TEs – and Bennett has 3 straight games under 10 pts. Hard pass.