Fantasy Football: Week 10 Sunday Superlatives
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
The tenth Sunday of the NFL season saw the dynamic Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens continue to not only look like arguably the best team in the AFC but perhaps in the entire league.
We also witnessed a day where we saw the two biggest double-digit underdogs in NFL betting come away with outright wins (Atlanta +14.5 /+600 and Miami +12/+450). NFL fans saw star QB Patrick Mahomes return in vintage fashion with a league-high 446 yards passing and three touchdowns in a loss to Tennessee.
Let's take a look back at the week that was.
Welcome Back Party
Patrick Mahomes, QB, Chiefs
The reigning MVP, who missed the last two games with a dislocated kneecap, returned to action Sunday against the Titans and was stellar throwing for 446 yards and three touchdowns. Owners were happy to see the star signal-caller not show any signs of rust as the fantasy playoffs are only three weeks away. Mahomes can safely be fired up to carry all fantasy teams for the stretch run commencing with next Monday’s AFC West tilt against the Chargers. The boys out in Vegas have the divisional showdown listed with the highest total of the week (52.5).
Surprise of the Week
Darius Slayton, WR, Giants
Slayton, an emerging rookie out of Auburn, surprised everyone with his second two-touchdown receiving game in the last three weeks on Sunday against the Jets. Daniel Jones has developed a connection with the rookie wideout in the absence of star WR Sterling Shepard (concussion). Slayton, who caught 10 of 14 targets for 121 yards, has posted double-digit PPR fantasy points in four games and become a viable WR3 heading towards the fantasy playoffs.
Biggest Busts
Cooper Kupp, WR, Rams
This performance was easily the biggest shock of Week 10. Kupp, who was the best wide receiver back in Week 8 against the Bengals posting 35 PPR fantasy points in the SI Fantasy Football World Championships, was a total bust Sunday against the Steelers. Kupp, who came in with five 100-plus yard receiving games, failed to make a single catch on four targets. Kupp will look to get back in sync with QB Jared Goff next Sunday night when the Rams return home to face the Bears. The oddsmakers have the Rams listed as seven-point favorites in early wagering.
David Johnson, RB, Arizona Cardinals
Johnson burned his fantasy owners for the second time in four weeks. Back in Week 7, the veteran running back frustrated his owners with just one carry for two yards despite getting the start against the Giants. The fifth-year pro, who missed the last two weeks dealing with an ankle injury, was started in more than 90% of leagues letting down owners with ten total yards and a fumble against Tampa Bay. Splitting time with Kenyan Drake, combined with his ankle injury, means Johnson can not be trusted in any starting lineup with upcoming games against the 49ers, Rams, and Steelers.
Top Quarterback
Lamar Jackson, QB, Ravens
The second-year signal-caller is easily the frontrunner for MVP honors. Once again, Jackson performed at an elite level both with his arms and his legs. Jackson showed pinpoint accuracy completing 15 of 17 passes (88.2 %) and was electric on the ground rushing for 61 yards and two touchdowns against the Bengals. His 35.65 fantasy points were tops among all quarterbacks in Week 10. Fantasy owners of Jackson can easily expect a top-five overall finish every week from the league's most potent weapon.
Top Running Back
Derrick Henry, RB, Titans
The veteran running back was dominant on Sunday, shredding the Kansas City defense for a season-high 188 yards on the ground. The fourth-year back out of Alabama, who now has 10 touchdowns on the year, posted the most PPR fantasy points (33.1) of any running back in Week 10. With eight double-digit PPR fantasy performances, owners can safely depend on Henry as an elite RB1 with favorable matchups on the horizon for the fantasy playoffs.
Top Wide Receiver
Christian Kirk, WR, Cardinals
This performance was the game fantasy owners have been looking for from a player so many invested high draft capital in obtaining this summer. Kirk, who caught six of 10 targets for 138 yards and three touchdowns, was sensational Sunday against the Buccaneers posting a league-best 37.8 PPR fantasy points. The second-year Texas A&M wideout missed three games with an ankle injury. He finally scored his first touchdowns of the season in Week 10. Kirk may find things more difficult next week on the road against a 49ers defense that held him to two catches for eight yards back in Week 9.
The New Sheriff In Town
James Washington, WR, Steelers
The second-year wideout, who played at Oklahoma State with Steelers starting quarterback Mason Rudolph, has finally started to display the connection many fantasy owners were anticipating. Washington, who caught six of seven targets for 90 yards and a touchdown, has now posted career-best receiving efforts in consecutive weeks. The young playmaker will look to build off his recent success on Thursday night against AFC North division rival Cleveland. Washington, owned in less than 8% of leagues, will be among the hottest waiver adds with plus-matchups against Cincinnati in Week 12 and Arizona in Week 14.
Stop & Take Notice
Michael Thomas, WR, Saints
The star wideout took full advantage of his plus-matchup with the Falcons on Sunday. Thomas, who leads the NFL with 73 receptions, hauled in all of his targets for 112 yards and a touchdown in Week 10. The fourth-year wideout, who has posted 16-plus PPR fantasy points in every game this season, is primed to keep his double-digit PPR fantasy point streak alive in Week 11 when New Orleans faces off with a Tampa Bay defense he torched for 11 receptions for 182 yards and two touchdowns back in Week 5. Giddy up!
Kyler Murray, QB, Cardinals
The rookie quarterback, who had failed to top 241 yards passing three straight games, posted his fourth 300-yard effort of the season in Week 10. Murray, who was finally able to connect with star WR Christian Kirk, threw for 324 yards and three touchdowns against the Buccaneers. In Week 11, Arizona will go on the road against a San Francisco defense that has only allowed seven passing touchdowns heading into Monday’s night game against Seattle.
More Advice from SI Fantasy:
—Tuesday’s Bull Market Fantasy show with Jim Cramer
—Jaime Eisner’s waiver wire pickups: Brian Hill, Darius Slayton and suggestions for deeper leagues
—Frankie Taddeo’s droppables, with some big-name players you shouldn’t feel bad about cutting
—Bill Enright’s injury report has the impact on everyone who got hurt in Week 10
