Plays, Pests, and Prayers - NFL Week 10
PLAYS
Quarterbacks:
49ers QB Brock Purdy vs. TB
The Buccaneers have the #30 defense in terms of pass yards, and #28 in pass TDs allowed, and Purdy is well overdue for a big game. With CMC and Jauan Jennings returning an already weak pass defense is going to open up even more. This hit very well for us last week with Pat Mahomes, let’s attack them again.
Rams QB Matt Stafford vs. MIA
The Miami pass defense is starting to be exposed, something I’ve been keen on since the start of the season… Josh Allen just threw for 230 yards and 3 TDs, I can see a similar game for Matt Stafford now that he’ll have Puka and Kupp to work with.
Runningbacks:
Giants RB Tyrone Tracy vs. CAR
Tracy has surprisingly usurped the lead role from Singletary despite all of the history he has with the coaching staff. Carolina is the worst team against the run this season, allowing 159.3 ypg. Brian Daboll’s career is on the ropes and he’ll need to protect himself by keeping the ball out of Daniel Jones’s hands.
Bears RB DeAndre Swift vs. NE
The Patriots have one of the worst run defenses in the league, especially since Week 3. Weeks 1 and 2 NE allowed 58 ypg, Weeks 3-9 they’ve allowed 159.4ypg.
Wide Receivers:
Rams WR Puka Nacua vs. MIA
As much as I like Stafford this week, I love Puka even more. Puka hasn’t played more than 60% of snaps this season but whenever he’s in Stafford throws to him as often as possible. I believe Puka will be the 2nd highest scoring WR this week, Ja’Marr Chase has earned that title this week.
Tight Ends:
Patriots TE Hunter Henry vs. CHI
Drake Maye’s favorite target, he’s the TE 9 since Maye took over and Chicago’s secondary is very good which will lead to more targets close to the line.
D/ST:
Giants D/ST vs. CAR
The Giants defense leads the league in sacks, and is only allowing 22 ppg. A strong/not respected defense facing Bryce Young… it’s a no-brainer.
PESTS
Quarterbacks:
Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes vs. DEN
Mahomes is coming off of his best game of the year, and it’s now time to fade him facing the best defense in the league. Mahomes has had low outputs all year and I don’t expect anything different. He might do his Mahomes thing where he plays out of his mind and overcomes this defense, but I’d rather not risk it.
Runningbacks:
49ers RB Christian McCaffrey vs. TB
The Buccaneers defense is bad, but it’s easier to get to them through the air. I don’t think SF will struggle in this game and will ease CMC back into playing football. Who’s to say how healthy he really is? I don’t see a reason to force a start with him unless you faced Ja’Marr.
Panthers RB Jonathan Brooks vs. NYG
The Giants can get got on the ground, but something is off with Carolina and their RBs. The Panthers signed Chuba Hubbard to a big deal the same week Brooks is supposed to start playing. It’s strange and if you’ve been sitting on Brooks for 9 weeks, what’s one more?
Wide Receivers:
Broncos WR Courtland Sutton vs. KC
Sutton disappears against good pass defenses, and Trent McDuffie is one of the best corners in the league.
Chiefs WR DeAndre Hopkins vs. DEN
If I’m projecting Mahomes to have a bad week against this defense, then DeHop should be brought down as well.
Tight Ends:
Cowboys TE Jake Ferguson vs. PHI
The Eagles defense has been tightening up in the pass game, and with Cooper Rush starting I expect a lot of screens and passes to the running backs. Ferguson and Lamb will be the two focuses of the Philly defense.
D/ST:
Bills D/ST vs. IND
Say what you will about Joe Flacco’s game last week, but I’m playing the numbers. His 8 games prior to the Minnesota game were outstanding.
PRAYERS
Quarterbacks:
Bears QB Caleb Williams vs. NE
- I don’t like the idea of siding with Caleb, but he’s taken advantage of bad pass defenses before, and NE gives up a lot of yards on the ground. Williams can run the ball well enough and the Patriots defense is susceptible to a random deep ball landing.
Runningbacks:
Commanders RB Austin Ekeler vs. PIT
- I know it’s bold to back a player against the Pittsburgh defense but Brian Robinson is out again, and Ekeler has only scored twice this year.
Wide Receivers:
Panthers WR Jalen Coker vs. NYG
- The Giants defense gets a lot of sacks, but they also allow a lot of yards. Bryce Young may be terrible but Jalen Coker has been establishing himself as the best receiver on the Panthers team this year.
Falcons WR Ray-Ray McCloud vs. NO
- If Drake London is out, then Darnell Mooney will draw the coverage of Alontae Taylor. Thanks to the Marshon Lattimore trade New Orleans can no longer cover multiple receivers with their two great corners.
Tight Ends:
Saints TE Juwan Johnson vs. ATL
- With all of the firing and promotion going on in the Saints management I expect them to work with the experienced veterans. Derek Carr’s known commodities… and Johnson falls into that group.
D/ST:
Rams D/ST vs. MIA
- The Dolphins offense flat-out stinks and they haven’t been able to connect on a deep ball to Tyreek in weeks. Tua is back to his old ways of throwing checkdown after checkdown like he’s a rookie again. I don’t see how this offense is going to score points without big plays. To add to that the Rams defense has been hot during this winning streak now that they’re finally healthy.
