Christian McCaffrey among 5 Essential Fantasy Football Must-Plays in Week 10
The 2019 season has passed the midway point, which has ramped up the level of intensity towards the playoffs. It has also moved things much closer towards the postseason in your fantasy football league with just a few weeks left. Like every week, there are a few matchups where you can’t just pass up the opportunity to place in your starting lineup. Here are five must-plays for this upcoming week of action.
5. Colts D/ST
ESPN PROJECTION: 10.0 PTS
Throughout the season, the Colts have had their fair share of ups and downs on the defensive side of the ball, but they have picked up their play in recent weeks. Indianapolis has garnered eight or more points in the last four straight weeks.
What has made them even more appealing in Week 10 is a matchup against the lowly Miami Dolphins, who hold one of the league’s least productive offenses. The Dolphins are allowing opposing defenses to garner 14.4 points per contest, including double-digit outings all but once.
If you have the Colts defense, feel quite confident firing them up this week.
4. Marlon Mack
ESPN PROJECTION: 15.7 PTS
Sticking with the Colts theme, it isn’t just a favorable matchup for their defense, but also their starting running back. Mack has only surpassed the 100 rushing yard mark twice this year, but he has been a reliable option in the backfield with four double-digit fantasy point outputs.
He should be on track to add a fifth such outing in Week 10 against the Dolphins defense that ranks 29th in the league, giving up 26.4 fantasy points per game. That number has dropped a bit in the last few weeks, but it’s hard to completely buck the trend, especially with the Colts looking to pound the ball with Jacoby Brissett sidelined.
3. Drew Brees
ESPN PROJECTION: 19.9
In his return to the field in Week 8, Brees didn’t skip a beat as he proved to be a major factor with his arm against the Arizona Cardinals piling up 373 passing yards with three touchdowns that totaled a season-high 24.9 fantasy points.
It may have come against a porous Cardinals secondary, but it shouldn’t take away from Brees’ outing entirely. With another week to rest his surgically-repaired thumb, he should be in line to pile it on against the Atlanta Falcons defense.
The Falcons are currently 30th in the league against opposing quarterbacks, giving up 23.5 fantasy points per game. They have also allowed multiple touchdown passes in the last six contests. Brees should easily keep that trend going with a strong outing of his own in Week 10.
2. Christian McCaffrey
ESPN PROJECTION: 22.7 PTS
If there has been one constant on this list, it has been McCaffrey as his MVP-caliber season has put him in contention for the MVP of fantasy football as well. Regardless of the matchup, he hasn’t strayed away from lighting up an opposing defense.
The Green Bay Packers will not be any different this week as they rank 27th against opposing running back, allowing 25.9 points per contest. The Packers are coming off giving up 37.6 points to the Los Angeles Chargers in a lopsided road loss.
All that should give McCaffrey fantasy owners more confidence that he will carry their team with another stellar outing.
1. Lamar Jackson
ESPN PROJECTION: 23.7 PTS
Like McCaffrey, Jackson has been a fantasy football beast this season as he has the fourth-most points heading into Week 10 action. He has tallied more than 20 points all but once while his dual-threat ability has cemented him as a QB1.
Jackson has another favorable matchup ahead against the Cincinnati Bengals, who hold arguably the worst defense in the NFL. They currently rank 28th in against opposing quarterbacks, giving up 21.8 fantasy points per contest while allowing more than 20 points in the last four straight games.
All of that should see another colossal performance from Jackson to strengthen his MVP candidacy.
