Scott Engel of RotoExperts.com has more than 20 years of experience in the Fantasy industry and is an inaugural member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association’s Hall of Fame. This is his seventh season providing Fantasy Football coverage and advice on Seahawks.com.
The Seahawks have a pivotal matchup against the Rams in Week 10, and at the same time, many Fantasy participants are in key matchups of their own. If your team has won six to seven games, you can truly strengthen your postseason positioning. If you have four or five wins, you must get a victory this week to feel more confident about making the playoffs. If you’re looking at a less favorable outlook than that, show respect for the league and its integrity by still competing for wins. Heck, even if you have three wins, your team could still win four in a row and qualify for a playoff berth. Four teams are on byes, so once again, you may not have the look of an ideal lineup, but your opponent may not, either. Don’t assume defeat just because you have some holes to plug.
Week 10 Recommended Fantasy Starters:
Running Backs
Tevin Coleman vs. CLE: He had his best game of the season in Week Nine, with 154 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns as the Falcons creatively utilized him in a variety of ways. He was especially effective on flat passes. Look for the momentum to continue this week against the Browns, who have allowed 25.49 Fantasy Points Per Game on NFL.com to opposing running backs, the second-highest total among AFC teams.
Jordan Howard vs. DET: He has been a consistent finisher for the Chicago offense, with four TD runs in his last three games. The Lions have remained very vulnerable to opposing ground attacks, as their 23.91 FFPG allowed is the second highest total in the NFC. Both of the Chicago RBs, Howard and Tarik Cohen, are quality starts this week. The Lions’ 1,072 rush yards allowed is the highest total in the conference.
Dion Lewis vs. NE: The resurgent dual threat has totaled 277 yards from scrimmage in his past two games. This week, he faces his former team, which is often a motivator for increased production. Lewis probably still has some Patriot buddies he would like to rib if he performs well against them. New England has allowed 550 receiving yards to opposing running backs, the second-highest total on NFL.com.
Mike Davis vs. LAR: The Seahawks RB has stepped forward admirably every time he has been asked, with the latest example being a 17-point PPR performance against the Chargers in Week Nine. Davis has been productive as both a runner and receiver when called on this season and expect another significant workload against the Rams this week. Los Angeles has allowed 871 rushing yards to opposing running backs, the third highest total in the NFC.
Wide Receivers
Amari Cooper vs. PHI: The newest Cowboy made a solid debut with his new team in Week Nine, catching five passes for 58 yards and a TD. Cooper should benefit from his change of scenery as he will no longer be the prime focus of opposing defenses like he was in Oakland. This week he faces the Eagles, who have given up 126 receptions to opposing wide receivers, the second-highest total in the NFC.
Larry Fitzgerald vs. KC: The future Hall of Famer has re-emerged to show he is not done over his past two games, with eight catches for 102 yards in his last outing and TD receptions in two consecutive weeks. The Chiefs have allowed 130 receptions to opposing wide receivers, the second highest total in the AFC.
Tyrell Williams vs. OAK: The big-play artist has been in prime form recently, with four TD receptions and two 100-yard games in his last three outings. This week, he will get chances to torch the Raiders, who have allowed 11 TD receptions to opposing wide receivers, the highest total in the AFC.
John Ross vs. NO: A toe problem for A.J. Green will push all of the Cincinnati pass-catchers into more prominent roles this week. Ross should now operate as the team’s No. 2 WR across from the quickly rising Tyler Boyd. Ross is a big-play threat with a very friendly matchup this week. No team has allowed more FFPG to opposing WRs than the Saints (36.39).
Tight Ends
Ben Watson vs. CIN: He is not quite done yet at age 37, and has scored twice in his past three games. This is a very good week to stream Watson against Bengals defense that has allowed an AFC-high 11.11 FFPG to opposing TEs.
Vernon Davis vs. TB: This is a sneaky play if you are desperate for a TE starter this week. Davis is still making key catches for Alex Smith, and no team allows more yardage to opposing TEs than the Buccaneers (650).
Quarterback
Baker Mayfield vs. ATL: if you are missing Kirk Cousins or DeShaun Watson because of byes, Mayfield is an ideal substitution this week. The rookie has thrown two TD passes in three consecutive games, and the Falcons have allowed 23.75 FFPG to opposing QBs, the third-highest total in the league.
Seahawks Fantasy Focus: The Rams have allowed 16 TD passes, the fifth-highest total in the league, so Russell Wilson should be good for another efficient outing in which you can expect two to three TD passes. He is a high-end Fantasy QB2 for Week 10. Los Angeles’ 13 TD receptions allowed is the third highest total in the NFL. Tyler Lockett has been a consistent scoring threat this year and should be locked in as a Fantasy WR3, while David Moore is a top-notch bye week replacement.
For more Week 10 advice and tips from Scott Engel and the RotoExperts team, get the Xclusive Edge Fantasy Football Package on RotoExperts.com. Use promocode “seahawks” at checkout for a special discount.
The Seahawks and Rams will meet for the 42nd time in the regular season this Sunday in Seattle. Take a look back at photos from past games played between the two teams.
Los Angeles Rams kicker Tom Dempsey (10) is seen in action during an NFL game against the Seattle Seahawks Oct. 31, 1976, in Los Angeles. (NFL Photos via AP)
Seattle Seahawks running back Ralph Nelson (44) runs upfield during an NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams in Los Angeles, Oct. 31, 1976. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Cornell Webster (38) stops Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Drew Hill (29) during an NFL pre-season game Aug. 19, 1979 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
FILE - In this Sept. 10, 2000, file photo, St. Louis Rams' Devin Bush tackles Seattle Seahawks's Ricky Watters during the second half of an NFL football game in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer, File)
St. Louis Rams running back Marshall Faulk tries to hurdle Seahawks defenders to gain more yardage on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2002, at Seattle Seahawks Stadium. Bringing down Faulk are Seattle defenders Antonio Cochran, bottom, Chad Eaton (90) and Rocky Bernard (99). Seattle beat St. Louis, 30-10. (AP Photo/Jim Bryant)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck makes a pass against the St. Louis Rams during the first half in Seattle, Sunday Dec. 22, 2002. Hasselbeck passed for 303 yards completing 20 in 32 attempts as the Seahawks win 30-10. Behind is Rams' Troyka Jackson and Seahawks' Walter Jones. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks' Alex Bannister (85) hits St. Louis Rams' DeJaun Groce after Groce caught a punt during the first quarter in Seattle Sunday, Sept. 21, 2003. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander tumbles into the endzone on top of St. Louis Rams' linebacker Trev Faulk for a touchdown in the first quarter Sunday, Oct. 10, 2004 at Qwest Field in Seattle (AP Photo/Steve Shelton)
St. Louis Rams' Marshall Faulk (28) is taken down by the Seattle Seahawks' Niko Koutouvides (53) and Ken Hamlin (26) in the first quarter of their NFC wild card playoff game in Seattle, Saturday, Jan. 8, 2005. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
Seattle Seahawks D.J. Hackett, left, and Bobby Engram celebrate Hackett's third quarter touchdown pass reception, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2005, in Seattle. Hackett had 78 yards receiving and Engram had 70 yards receiving in the game. The Seahawks won, 31-16. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
St. Louis Rams corner back Jerametrius Butler (23) breaks up a pass to Seattle Seahawks receiver Itula Mili in the first quarter of their NFC wild card playoff game in Seattle, Saturday, Jan. 8, 2005. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks' Delon Branch, right, catches a touchdown pass in front of St. Louis Rams' Travis Fisher in the forth quarter in an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 15, 2006, in St. Louis. The Seahawks won 30-28. (AP Photo/Bill Boyce)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (8) yells out a change of play from the line of scrimmage and St. Louis Rams defensive players react during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 21, 2007, in Seattle. The Seahawks won 33-6. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Deion Branch celebrates after catching a 9-yard touchdown pass during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game as St. Louis Rams' Oshiomogho Atogwe, left, and Tye Hill, right, look on Sunday, Nov. 25, 2007, in St. Louis. The Seahawks won 24-19. (AP Photo/Tom Gannam)
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Josh Wilson tries to get past St. Louis Rams' Jonathan Wade, center right, and Antonio Pittman, left, on a kickoff return in the first quarter of a NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2008 in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Seattle Seahawks running back Maurice Morris runs with the ball during an NFL football game against the St. Louis Rams Sunday, Dec. 14. 2008, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Tom Gannam)
Seattle Seahawks' Julius Jones (22) runs with the ball as St. Louis Rams' David Vobora falls behind in the second quarter of an NFL football game on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
St. Louis Rams' Laurent Robinson, left, runs with Seattle Seahawks' Darryl Tapp (55) and Ken Lucas in pursuit in the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks safety Jordan Babineaux forces St. Louis Rams wide receiver Ruvell Martin out of bounds during the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 29, 2009, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Tom Gannam)
Seattle Seahawks running back Leon Washington (33) heads downfield against the St. Louis Rams defense during the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 3, 2010, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Tom Gannam)
Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (26) runs for a touchdown against the St. Louis Rams in the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 12, 2011, in Seattle. The Seahawks won 30-13. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson runs from St. Louis Rams outside linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 30, 2012, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Seattle Seahawks' Marshawn Lynch (24) rushes as Russell Okung (76) blocks in the first half of an NFL football game against the St. Louis Rams, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
St. Louis Rams' Stedman Bailey (12) gets up after a hard hit by Seattle Seahawks' Kam Chancellor (31) in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2013, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Golden Tate (81) makes a catch against St. Louis Rams cornerback Janoris Jenkins (21) during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 28, 2013, in St. Louis. Tate ran the ball into the end zone for a touchdown. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin, right, slips past St. Louis cornerback E.J. Gaines after catching a pass for a 49-yard gain during the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 19, 2014, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Kevin Norwood carries the ball against the St. Louis Rams in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) scrambles against the St. Louis Rams in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks' Doug Baldwin (89) reaches for a touchdown pass reception against the St. Louis Rams in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
St. Louis Rams wide receiver Tavon Austin (11) catches a pass as Seattle Seahawks defensive end Cliff Avril defends during the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jermaine Kearse, right, pushes Los Angeles Rams cornerback Lamarcus Joyner away as he runs the ball during the second half of an NFL football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae Hong)
Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams players line up on the line of scrimmage in the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 15, 2016, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Scott Eklund)
Seattle Seahawks running back Eddie Lacy, left, runs past Los Angeles Rams cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Seattle Seahawks tight end Jimmy Graham, right, catches a touchdown pass under pressure by Los Angeles Rams defensive back John Johnson during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Seattle Seahawks tight end Luke Willson makes a catch for a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett, left, makes a catch for a touchdown next to Los Angeles Rams cornerback Marcus Peters, right, during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
