We are 10 weeks into the NFL season and every result, both in the NFL and in fantasy football, takes on greater importance. With each passing week, more teams will be ruled out of the playoffs, while seeding orders continue to flip-flop with each result.

In many fantasy leagues, this week marks the final opportunity to make trades with league mates. Be sure to check your leagues for the trade deadline, and if you want to make a move, my weekly buy-low/sell-high article is available here.

Also, for those looking for a one-off starter for this weekend at QB, TE, Kicker, or Defense, my streamers article is available here.

Below, though, I’ll list a handful of players that you should be starting or avoiding this weekend. As always, start/sit decisions are contextual, but I’ll give my reasoning and you can make up your own mind.

START: Joe Flacco, QB, Cincinnati Bengals

Joe Flacco is currently listed as questionable for Sunday’s AFC North battle t=with the Pittsburgh Steelers, but he is fully expected to play. The veteran is dealing with a shoulder issue, but that didn’t prevent him from throwing for 470 yards and four touchdowns against the Bears before his Week 9 bye.

The Steelers have allowed 269.4 passing yards per game so far, the most in the NFL, and gave up 342 passing yards and three touchdowns to Flacco in Week 7.

Flacco is the QB1 overall in fantasy points per game since joining the Bengals in Week 6 (25.5) and is a must-start this week.

Start: RJ Harvey, RB, Denver Broncos

With J.K. Dobbins now on IR, this one may seem obvious. However, most platforms have Kansas City listed as a bad matchup for his rookie replacement, which could put some people off.

There is also the whims of Sean Payton to consider, which is another reason to be cautious. However, the Chiefs are middle of the pack against the run this year, and the Broncos would be wise to keep Patrick Mahomes off the field as much as possible.

A run-heavy approach would make sense for Denver, and you’ve either held Harvey this long, or traded for him, so you can’t not play him now. I expect him to put up, at the very least, flex-worthy numbers in a starting role tis week.

Emari Demercado, RB, Arizona Cardinals

Emari Demercado is most likely available on waivers in your league, after serving his punishment for fumbling through the end zone vs the Titans. However, after being brought back into the fold over the last couple of weeks, he has emerged as Arizona’s most explosive runner, and it’s not close.

Demrcado has produced big plays in each of the past two games, and should continue to see more work this weekend. The 49ers defense is still banged up, and the Cardinals should be able to move the ball consistently this Jacoby Brissett.

If you’re in need of a flex this weekend, Demercado could prove a savvy pickup from waivers.

SIT: Kareem Hunt, RB, Kansas City Chiefs

Isiah Pacheco looks set to miss another week through injury, leaving Kareem Hunt, Brashard Smith, and Clyde Edwards-Helaire to share work again.

Hunt us the obvious lead back of the three, but was given just 11 carries against a miserable Buffalo run defense last week. This weekend, he faces the Broncos, who are tied with Cleveland for the fewest rushing yards allowed per carry this season (3.6).

Andy Reid has the creativity to unlock Denver’s elite defense, and the Chiefs’ gameplan will likely entail more nuance than handing the ball to Hunt. Also, if Brashard Smith is to see a post-bye rookie bump, Hunt will be limited to short-yardage and end-zone usage from here on.

The veteran always carries touchdown upside, but the Broncos have allowed just five rushing touchdowns in 10 games so far.

START: Wan’Dale Robinson, WR, New York Giants

Wan’Dale Roinson has had double-digit targets in three of his last four games. Fantasy kingmaker Jameis Winston is set to start for the Giants this weekend, which should be exciting news for anyone rostering Giants pass catchers.

I couldn’t decide if Robinson’s high target volume counteracted the introduction of Winston, or if it meant that we should expect otherworldly numbers this weekend.

I then realized that it doesn’t matter, because he should either continue to put up solid numbers, or be a top-five fantasy receiver this weekend. Either way, you should start Robinson against the Packers this weekend.

SIT: Xavier Worthy, WR, Kansas City Chiefs

Chiefs receiver Xavier Worthy has put up two single-digit PPR scores in his last three games, and things don’t get easier this weekend. The second-year speedster is now firmly behind Rashee Rice, who is the team’s catch-and-run specialist, a role he has taken over from Travis Kelce.

Worthy has an ADOT (average depth of target) of 11.9 yards this season, the third highest on the team, behind Tyquan Thornton (25.5) and Nikko Remigio (18.0). The Broncos have pressured opposing quarterbacks at the third highest rate this year (28.5%), and quick passes will likely be the order of the day for the Chiefs.

That makes Rice and Travis Kelce (ADOT – 6.1 yards) more likely to handle the majority of receiving work, with Brashard Smith another option. Worthy is always an upside play, if you need to shoot for ceilings over floors, but his floor is lower than usual this weekend.

That’s it for this week’s starts and sits, but be sure to check out my “buy-low/sell-high” and “streamers” articles for tips in those areas.

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Thanks for reading!