What You Need to Know From Week 10

Photo: Junfu Han, USA Today Sports

CAR @ CHI

• Adam Thielen is in a slump, with no scores and an average of 11.1 PPR points over the last three weeks. The matchup gets tougher this week against the Cowboys, but perhaps the game likely being over by halftime will get Thielen more garbage time opportunities.
• Chuba Hubbard was still the lead back, but he only got 50% of the snaps while Miles Sanders got 38%. No Panthers back is more than a desperation play.
• D'Onta Foreman was a strong play in likely his last game as the lead back for the Bears, with Khalil Herbert on track to return this week vs. Detroit. Both Herbert and Foreman are mere what-the-heck flex plays, but there's hope that Justin Fields' return will revitalize the offense.

IND v NE - Germany

• The Colts offense leaned heavily on Jonathan Taylor and Michael Pittman against a toothless Patriots team that didn't force them out of their offensive comfort zone. Expect the Colts to be a run-first and conservative passing team after the bye. Gardner Minshew is only a desperation play, including in 2QB/Superflex leagues. Zack Moss is droppable except in deep leagues going into his bye.
• Josh Downs was used sparingly because of a knee issue, but he still made a big play to help secure the win. With a week of rest to heal during the bye, he should be worth a waiver pickup in typical leagues if he was dropped.
• Mac Jones was terrible and ended up on the bench before the end of the game for Bailey Zappe, who wasn't significantly better and ended the game with an interception on a fake spike play. We don't know who will start in Week 12 for the Patriots after their bye, but the offensive outlook is dim either way.
• Rhamondre Stevenson and Ezekiel Elliott were strong runners and should be the focal point of the offense. Stevenson left briefly with a back issue, so Elliott is worth carrying through the bye if roster size allows.
• Demario Douglas has emerged as the clear #1 target in the passing game and is worth carrying through the bye in PPR leagues.
• Hunter Henry was missed by Jones when he was open for a score. He's not worth carrying through the bye but could be a viable streamer/desperation play if the team can get better quarterback play after the bye.

CLE @ BAL

• Deshaun Watson suffered an ankle injury in this game but played through it. He's still only a matchup QB1, and the Steelers in Week 11 isn't a great matchup. Monitor the practice reports to see if he's playing.
• Jerome Ford ran strong and should be in lineups as an every-week RB2, even though Kareem Hunt is getting the short touchdown opportunities and remains a what-the-heck-flex
• Elijah Moore scored and posted his first fantasy-relevant game since Week 3. He's a what-the-heck flex if Watson starts in Week 11.
• Lamar Jackson posted a disappointing fantasy game yet again as the Ravens actually led by multiple scores for a good part of this game. He's a boom/bust QB1 against the Bengals on Thursday night who hasn't had a boom since Week 7.
• Keaton Mitchell scored and had two big plays early, but he was barely used after that. The team has said he needs to be more involved in the offense going forward. Consider him a high-ceiling RB2 a la De'Von Achane in Week 11.

GB @ PIT

• Jordan Love was barely above 50% accuracy but hit on some downfield passes to keep the Packers in the game until the end. He's a QB2/Superflex against the reeling Chargers defense in Week 11.
• Aaron Jones' snap share was the same as Week 9, when the spread between his and AJ Dillon's production was much larger in favor of Jones. He's still worth an RB2/Flex spot against the generous Chargers defense.
• Christian Watson caught two balls on the first drive and none for the rest of the afternoon. Love is making use of Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs (especially in the red zone), and Luke Musgrave, so Watson isn't standing out like a true #1. He's not an essential hold. This pass offense is full of what-the-heck flex plays.
• Jaylen Warren was announced as the starter and once again outperformed Najee Harris. This backfield is trending in Warren's favor. He's an RB2 at Cleveland, while Harris is a low-ceiling flex at best.
• The backfield ran 31 times compared to only 23 Kenny Pickett throws. First-round pick Broderick Jones was part of a dominant offensive line performance in the running game. As long as the defense continues to keep games low-scoring, there might not be a consistent play in the Steelers passing game - including Diontae Johnson, who only caught one ball in this game.

SF @ JAX

• Brock Purdy and the San Francisco offense hummed with the return of Deebo Samuel and Trent Williams. Purdy is back to being a high-floor QB1, and the offense is back to being good enough to keep Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, and George Kittle fed even in a blowout loss.
• The 49ers tried in garbage time to get Christian McCaffrey the touchdown that would have broken the consecutive games with a scoring record that he now shares with Lenny Moore, but were unsuccessful.
• Trevor Lawrence struggled, but credit should go to a 49ers defense that, like the offense, looks renewed coming out of the bye. He's not a clear start against the Titans this week and neither is Calvin Ridley, who the team can't seem to get going in the seldom-used downfield passing game.
• Travis Etienne Jr.'s fantasy output shrunk with the rest of the offense. He was riding a wave of two touchdown games but needs the offense to bounce back to realize value.