
Chris Allen compiles the Week 10 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet, filled with a look at the news, weather reports, rankings inspection and planning ahead.

I can’t think of a week with more buzz heading into the weekend.
Well, the setup is still the same. Injuries will likely shift the offensive structure of a couple of teams. Defensive matchups may upgrade or downgrade the projection for some of our stars. We’ve even got another international game. But for Week 10, the backdrop of the trade deadline adds some intrigue.
We’ve got a few squads with talent additions and others with voids after Tuesday. To go with the “normal” chaos, we have to reconsider who may or may not be on the field. But don’t worry. Even as things continue to change, the team and I have all of the rankings, projections, and content you need to get your roster ready for Sunday morning.
It was almost too quiet on Friday afternoon. I mean, don’t get me wrong. I’ll take a day with a minimal amount of extra storylines to follow on Saturday. However, we’ve still got a few issues to monitor.
A late-week lower-body injury for a WR who relies on timing routes? Great. And he was going to face a defense allowing over 30 PPR PPG to opposing receivers? Even better. Actually, the worst part is that even if Tetairoa McMillan has to sit out on Sunday, our rankers (and I) don’t have any confidence in the remaining pass catchers.
The jump from a consensus top-50 option to the triple digits says it all. At least Rico Dowdle doesn’t carry an injury designation after a quad contusion sidelined him for Wednesday’s practice. His availability ensures some clarity for the Panthers’ backfield. But we still don’t have much for New England’s rushing attack.
TreVeyon Henderson moved into the RB1 role in Week 9, and we fantasy managers still came away unsatisfied. His opportunities as a receiver were compelling, but Terrell Jennings got the goal-line work. Dwain and Freedman already assumed New England would roll with two RBs this week. But the projections don’t look very favorable for the former Buckeye.
Never mind that the Bucs’ rush defense has allowed the fifth-fewest rushing yards per game, and they’re coming off their bye. Henderson, operating out of a 60-40 split without short-yardage carries, drops his value even in a condensed backfield. But stop by on Sunday morning with your roster questions so Ian and I can help you sort through them. Until then, be sure to check out the latest injury updates from Adam and Jorge.
Brock Purdy (toe)
James Cook (ankle)
D'Andre Swift (groin)
A.J. Brown (hamstring)
Brian Thomas Jr. (ankle)
Harold Fannin Jr. (hamstring)
We’re back! Well, kind of. I figured the fall/winter months would bring us some inclement conditions. I’m not that worried, though.
BLUF: I’m still playing the primary options in both contests, but I’m lowering expectations in Chicago. Pass catchers like Rome Odunze and DJ Moore are viable, but I’d find replacements for Colston Loveland (with Cole Kmet back) and Olamide Zaccheaus.
Normally, I’d preach patience when it comes to games at or near 20 mph. Especially in this case, where the direction of the wind lessens the chance for a cross breeze.

However, each QB behaves differently when the weather becomes a factor. And what changes, whether it be play volume or efficiency, should be something we take into account. Coincidentally, we’ve seen Caleb Williams play with the winds whipping across Soldier Field before.

In that game against the Saints, Chicago’s pass rate over expectation fell to -10%. He attempted just 26 passes (fewest of the season). But, OK. You’ll look at the final score and think the game script was the reason. I’ve got two counterpoints.
One, PROE accounts for the situation, including the score. Plus, even Williams’ passing rate while the game was still in a neutral state was at its lowest point of the season (42.4%). New York is just as susceptible to the pass as they are to a strong running game. And the Bears have both. HC Ben Johnson could make things easier by having Williams keep his passes short (averaged 8.5 air yards per attempt against the Saints), but the wind and projected game flow may shrink the receiving pie for his pass catchers.
I’m always looking for spots in the ranks where fantasy managers may have some questions. The first area came in the Bucs’ backfield.

Tuesday’s news out of Tampa was the opposite of what most expected to hear. Bucky Irving has yet to take on contact and has been ruled out for what will be his fifth missed game. I expect Rachaad White to shoot up the ranks due to his projected bump in touches, but his inefficiency with the ball in his hands should have anyone pause if they’re looking to start him.
Not to mention, the Patriots have yet to allow an opposing rusher over 50 yards. It’s hard to dismiss a rusher with 18 touches in their projection. However, lowering expectations and starting high-upside receivers around White can balance out your squad. But finding one might be tough.

I kept Quentin Johnston in the clip as his outlook for Week 10 should have him down in Tier 4, too. Justin Herbert’s aDOT fell to 5.5 air yards after opening the season over 9.0 per game. But he’s not the only one with warts.
Rome Odunze’s coverage matchup will siphon looks away from DJ Moore. J.J. McCarthy hasn’t cracked 160 passing yards in a start, limiting Jordan Addison’s ceiling. Even Romeo Doubs may be in a pickle as more defensive attention may be coming his way with Tucker Kraft’s absence. Dwain does have some hope for Jameson Williams, but nobody stands out once we get deeper into the ranks.
On the bright side, we’ve got only two teams heading into their mid-season break next week. However, the skill players we’ll be missing have been some of our top performers.
In retrospect, I could’ve just said we’ll need to pull any Colts or Saints players from our lineups after Monday night. But, at least for me, seeing the names and positions forces me to check what depth I have on my squads. In any case, Danny has some thoughts on how to mitigate the one-week lapse in production. As always, I’ll complement his call-outs with a few notes of my own.



