Fantasy football advice, Week 10: Who to start/sit for Kansas City Chiefs vs. Carolina Panthers

To the fantasy owners who survived 12 teams on bye over weeks 8 and 9, good news — help is on the way. With just four teams taking a break in Week 10, and with several injured players on track to return, fantasy owners can breathe a little easier, even as their seasons evolve into must-win weeks down the stretch.

When the Chiefs and Panthers square off on Sunday, a few notable fantasy options present themselves.

Spencer Ware is no longer dealing with a concussion, and can be fired up at his usual RB1 designation even against a stout Panthers front seven. With Jeremy Maclin out, the Chiefs may have to lean on their playmaking running back to anchor the offense. Travis Kelce is at the top of the pecking order for targets as a result of Maclin’s absence, and will be a TE1 as usual.

Aside from Kelce and Ware, there isn’t much to like about this matchup for a shorthanded Chiefs offense. Tyreek Hill has intriguing upside against a vulnerable Panthers secondary, but he’d be nothing more than a desperate flex option for owners in a bye week bind. Alex Smith can also safely remain on benches for Week 10.

It’s a middling matchup for Cam Newton against the Chiefs’ pass defense, but its vulnerability against the run could lead to Newton having plenty of opportunities to capitalize from inside the 10-yard line. Newton and Jonathan Stewart should be in lineups of all formats against a defense that is surrendering 4.8 yards per carry and 124.5 rushing yards per game.

Greg Olsen is an every-week TE1, and Kelvin Benjamin presents value as a WR3 option despite his volatility.

The wide receiver committee of Devin Funchess, Ted Ginn, and Philly Brown can remain safely out of lineups in a poor matchup at hand.