Apple’s Fantasy Projections: Week 10

It will be interesting to see if Randy Moss is still smiling as a member of the Tennessee Titans. He has bounced around quite a bit lately, but he is still very talented and is the 9th ranked fantasy wide reciever for Week 10. (Photo from Creative Commons, user Keith Allison)

Quarterbacks                             Opponent

1. Peyton Manning (Ind)                Cin
2. Eli Manning (NYG)                     Dal

• He is playing against one of the worst pass defenses in the NFL and the situation in Dallas is a mess after firing Head Coach Wade Phillips. Eli is an easy start this week.

3. Michael Vick (Phi)                      Was

• Expect solid numbers from Vick in his return. He has been electrifying this season when he has been able to play. He will do well on the big stage of Monday Night Football against an inconsistent Redskins defense.

4. Matt Schaub (Hou)                    Jac
5. Ben Roethlisberger (Pit)            NE
6. Tom Brady (NE)                         Pit
7. David Garrard (Jac)                   Hou

• Garrard is a solid second-string QB, but if you are ever going to start him, this is the week. Expect a high-scoring shootout against the Texans with little defense.

8. Kyle Orton (Den)                       KC
9. Vince Young (Ten)                     Mia

• He may have lost Kenny Britt, but he added Randy Moss. If you are ever going to start Young, why not this week against a shaky Miami secondary.

10. Brett Favre (Min)                     Chi
Sleeper pick:
Josh Freeman (TB)                      Car

• This is always a risky start, but any QB is a top-tier fantasy player when playing the Panthers.

Running backs

1. Adrian Peterson (Min)              Chi
2. Chris Johnson (Ten)                 Mia
3. Arian Foster (Hou)                   Jac

• The one thing you can count on in a matchup between the Texans and the Jaguars is a lot of offense and little defense. Expect big numbers from Foster again.

4. Ahmad Bradshaw (NYG)        Dal
5. Rashard Mendenhall (Pit)       NE
6. Frank Gore (SF)                      StL
7. Maurice Jones-Drew (Jac)      Hou

• This is not the MJD of the past, but he is always a must-start, especially against the weak Houston defense. This is his opportunity to be the MJD of last year.

8. Jamaal Charles (KC)             Den
9. Steven Jackson (StL)             SF
10. Peyton Hillis (CLE)              NYJ

• He has asserted himself as one of the premier backs in the league. If he weren’t playing against the grueling Jets defense, he would be a top-5 fantasy RB this week.

Sleeper pick:
LeGarrette Blount (TB)            Car

• He could have 100 yards and 2 TDs or he could have 30 yards no TDs. The good news is he is playing the Panthers, so he is a legitimate start this week.

Wide receivers

1. Hakeem Nicks (NYG)           Dal

• He has become Eli Manning’s favorite target and one of the best receivers in the league. Expect his big numbers continue against the pathetic Cowboys defense.

2. Andre Johnson (Hou)          Jac
3. Reggie Wayne (Ind)            Cin
4. Terrell Owens (Cin)             Ind

• Yes, TO is a top-5 fantasy wide receiver. In a game against the Steelers last week, TO was the only bright spot for the Bengals struggling offense. He has officially replace Ochocinco as their #1 reciever.

5. Calvin Johnson (Det)          Buf

• He may have struggled last week, but Johnson is a must-start every week. He had 101 yards and 3 TDs against the Redskins in Week 8. And most importantly, he is up against the winless Bills.

6. Larry Fitzgerald (Ari)          Sea
7. DeSean Jackson (PhI)       Was
8. Mike Wallace (Pit)              NE

• With Santonio Holmes gone and Hines Ward getting older, Wallace has become Big Ben’s favorite target. He has put up big numbers every week since Big Ben’s return, and don’t expect that to change.

9. Randy Moss (Ten)            Mia

• Why not, his name is Randy Moss. If you are an owner, you are obligated to start him, especially against a weak Miami defense.

10. Brandon Lloyd (Den)       KC

Sleeper pick:
Steve Johnson (Buf)             Det

• He is the best receiver nobody is talking about. His numbers are incredible this year, and he has been nearly the entire offense for the Bills this year. He has 7 TDs in his last 7 games.

Tight ends

1. Jacob Tamme (Ind)           Cin

• Only the Colts can lose Dallas Clark and replace him with somebody even better. As long as Peyton is his QB, expect big numbers from Tamme the rest of the season.

2. Vernon Davis (SF)            StL
3. Aaron Hernandez (NE)     Pit

• In an embarrassing loss last week to the Browns, Hernandez caught 2 TD passes from Tom Brady. The Pittsburgh defense is tough, but owners must start Hernandez.

4. Visanthe Shiancoe (Min)  Chi
5. Jason Witten (Dal)            NYG

• Be wary of starting any member of the Cowboys this week, especially with Jon Kitna at Qb, but Witten is probably the most reliable option they have.

6. Dustin Keller (NYJ)           Cle

• The Jets don’t put up many points, but they are playing the Browns. The Browns did beat the Saints and the Patriots in the last three weeks, but it wasn’t because of their defense.

7. Mercedes Lewis (Jac)       Hou
8. Brandon Pettigrew (Det)    Buf

• Anybody playing against the Bills should go immediately to your starting lineup, enough said.

9. Chris Cooley (Was)           Phi
10. Kellen Winslow (TB)        Car

• Anybody playing against the Panthers should go immediately to your starting lineup, enough said… again.

Sleeper pick:
Benjamin Watson (Cle)         NYJ

• The Browns may have no defense, but their offense has been inspired under the new leadership of rookie Colt McCoy. If they weren’t playing the Jets this week, he would have made the top-10.

***Atlanta and Baltimore have already played (Joe Flacco, Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, Ray Rice, Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez would have made the list)