Welcome to the Week 10 Positional Matchups Report, aka POSAFPA. In this article, I provide an easy-to-use positional matchups table and highlight potentially exploitable matchups. If you’re curious about the process you can find a full introduction HERE where I lay out the methodology.
How to Use the Week 10 Positional Matchups Table
First, find YOUR PLAYER’S TEAM in the first column. Next, follow that line to THEIR POSITION’S column. That percentage is how much better or worse you can expect them to do compared to what they typically score.
Example:Example: Let’s say you’re deciding between Austin Ekeler (RB-WAS) and Michael Pittman (WR-IND). For Ekeler, find WAS in the first column. Follow that row over to the RB column, and you’ll see his positional matchup is 34%. That’s an extremely positive matchup. Next, for Pittman, find IND in the first column. Follow that row over to the WR column, and you’ll see his positional matchup is -09%, which is a mildly negative matchup. Given both players are averaging about 10 points per game, I’d lean Ekeler.
Offensive Week 10 Positional Matchups to Target
Don’t let Jordan Love playing through injury deter you from targeting the Jaguars’ passing game matchup. Sam Darnold finished QB8 on the week with a mildly positive matchup last week. In Week 10, he could easily finish top 6.
Zay Flowers had a monster game and gets one of the better Week 10 positional matchups. Rashod Bateman has some solid peripherals but has been up and down for fantasy. This game currently sits at a 53-point over/under which makes for solid upside from both receivers. Diontae Johnson is a good dart throw, but don’t consider starting him unless you are truly desperate.
The Bears have made it very clear that D’Andre Swift is their lead running back. He’s been averaging nearly 21 PPR points per game lately and this week he goes against New England who have been terrible against the run. Even if game script doesn’t go his way, Swift’s usage in the passing game could make up for it. Roschon Johnson is the clear handcuff in Chicago now, but his week-to-week usage is too low to start him.
Buffalo’s Dalton Kincaid had a whopping 10 targets in Week 9, bringing his 6-week target share average up to 21%. This week he gets an advantageous positional matchup against the Colts. He’s a deeper play but has the situation to be productive.
Offensive Week 10 Positional Matchups to Avoid
Drake Maye has been okay since claiming the starting position in New England. He’s averaging 16.9 points per game, and while that usually makes him a higher-end QB2, his matchup against the Bears this week is the toughest he’s faced. Consider him a deeper QB2 this week.
George Pickens, Calvin Austin, and Van Jefferson all had tepid results on a good matchup the last time they played. This week they face the Commanders; one of the tougher matchups in the league. Pickens should be considered a WR2, but the other two should be left on your bench.
If Tony Pollard is on your roster, chances are he’s starting regardless of situation, but expect a low ceiling this week. Tyjae Spears is likely to return this week. While Julius Chestnut popped up as a late waiver add last week, he did very little on the field even with Spears out, he has no weekly value at this point. It’s also worth mentioning that center Lloyd Cushenberry is likely out for the remainder of the season.
Ja’Tavion Sanders looks like a viable tight end streamer after the departure of Diontae Johnson. In a mildly positive matchup, he had an excellent 21% target share last week. This week he has a tough matchup against the Giants who have allowed 43% fewer points to opposing tight ends.
IDP Matchups
IDP Positional Matchups to Target
IDP Week 10 Positional Matchups to Target
The Cowboys don’t have the absolute best defensive linemen matchup this week, but it’s still one of the better Week 10 positional matchups. A few guys who might be available on waivers: Carl Lawson had two sacks last week in a similar quality matchup to what he will see in Week 10. Micah Parsons was back but seemingly not at 100%. Despite that, he should remain in your starting lineup. If you’re looking for a real deep option; Chauncey Golston can be considered. He played 93% of snaps last week and should have a nice floor as the Cowboys are likely to defend often in Week 10.
Check your waivers for Ram’s linebacker Christian Rozeboom. In the two weeks since Troy Reeder went to IR, he has seen his snap share go from 69% to 96%. Last week in a moderately positive matchup against Seattle, he put up 21 points. This week, the Rams get Miami who are one of the elite Week 10 positional matchups for linebackers.
The Buccaneers’ defensive backs have been on a hot streak, and their Week 10 positional matchups are great. Jordan Whitehead, Antoine Winfield, and Tykee Smith are all in play this week. If you need to dig deeper, Zyon McCollum and Josh Hayses could be used as IDP flex options.
For additional IDP waiver adds I’d recommend checking out Jon Glosser’s IDP Fantasy PLAYERS YOU NEED to Add for Week 10.
Week 10 Positional Matchup Team Trends
Notable Rush Funnel Teams: The Bills, Lions, Dolphins, Patriots, Saints, and Steelers are all rush funnels.
Pass Funnel Teams: The Ravens, Cowboys, Chargers, and Seahawks are currently the top pass funnels in the league.
IDP Targets: The Seahawks remain the top target for defensive backs though the Buccaneers are a close second.
Final Word
We’ve seen a few moderate trades so far, and while any offensive players are likely to make big splashes, the supporting players may go under the radar. That’s where I’ll have your back in the coming weeks as teams shift their strengths and weaknesses with new additions. We’ve seen Detroit go from being a top-of-the-league run defense to being a rush funnel, largely due to the loss of Aidan Hutchinson. That’s just one example of how things can turn quickly. Don’t assume that what was true in Week 6 will be true in Week 12.
Get a more in-depth start/sit breakdown for tonight’s Thursday game from fellow Nerd Steven Pintado. PLUS see what to do with the players recently traded in the NFL:
