Fantasy football advice, Week 10: Who to start/sit for Minnesota Vikings vs. Washington

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 Vikings and Washington square off on Sunday, a few notable fantasy options present themselves.

Stefon Diggs will have one of his toughest matchups to date against Josh Norman, but Washington’s pass defense as a whole hasn’t been inspiring otherwise. Diggs remains a start-worthy option, as receivers like A.J. Green, Odell Beckham Jr., and Dez Bryant have posted fantasy numbers despite having Norman’s attention for much of their respective games. Diggs isn’t at the level of those receivers, but he’s talented enough to produce.

Norman’s shadowing could provide Kyle Rudolph with extra looks, and he is on the TE1 radar once again.

Matt Asiata, Jerick McKinnon, and now Ronnie Hillman have anchored a terrible Vikings backfield over the season, and if there is a game for them to right the ship, Week 10 is it. Washington has surrendered 12 rushing touchdowns in eight games — a total that has been eclipsed only by the San Diego Chargers.

Despite that, all three running backs are not advised options in fantasy lineups, and should be considered only in desperate situations until a clear workhorse emerges.

Sam Bradford, Cordarrelle Patterson, Adam Thielen, and Laquon Treadwell do not deserve fantasy consideration, although fantasy owners can be encouraged by Treadwell recording his first NFL catch in Week 9.

DeSean Jackson is listed as doubtful, which means Kirk Cousins will have to look heavily toward Jordan Reed and Jamison Crowder to move the chains. That will be harder without Jackson’s presence and against an elite defense, but the duo deserve to be started amid Washington’s pass-happy attack since volume should be there.

It will be hard to trust Cousins against the Vikings defense that has allowed the third-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks, as well as only eight passing touchdowns on the season. Cousins may rack up yards and air it out, but trusting him to light up fantasy scoreboards with touchdowns would be bold to expect. He is a QB2.

New starting running back Robert Kelley can be considered as a flex, but will likely have to find the end zone to present fantasy value. There won’t be much room to run against Minnesota’s fourth-ranked run defense.

Pierre Garcon, Matt Jones, and Chris Thompson will have a hard time finding fantasy points in such a poor matchup, and the three would best be left on benches for Week 10.