Fantasy Football: Answering start/sit queries ahead of NFL Week 10

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Here are the most searched start-sit queries ahead of NFL Week 9. The start-sit decisions below are based on PFF's consensus rankings. For more analysis, sign up for a free trial of PFF+ and download the PFF app.

QB | RB | WR | TE

QUARTERBACK

Player 1	Player 2	Start?	Ranking diff.	Proj. points diff.
Justin Fields	Geno Smith	Justin Fields	+4	+1.4
Justin Fields	Tua Tagovailoa	Justin Fields	+1	-2.1
Justin Fields	Kirk Cousins	Justin Fields	+11	+1.7

Justin Fields, Chicago Bears: Over the past four weeks, Fields has averaged 16% of the team’s designed rushing attempts while averaging 102 rushing yards per game. The Detroit Lions rank 31st in the league in rushing yards allowed per game (148.8) to their opponents this season.

Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins: What Tagovailoa lacks versus Fields in the run game, he makes up for in the passing game, ranking as PFF’s No. 1 quarterback in passing grade (90.2) while coming off of back-to-back top-five fantasy finishes. The Cleveland Browns‘ defense has been average in defending the pass, ranking 19th in team coverage grade (66.9) while allowing 208.3 passing yards per game (15th).

RUNNING BACK

Player 1	Player 2	Start?	Ranking diff.	Proj. points diff.
Raheem Mostert	D'Andre Swift	D'Andre Swift	+2	-7.5
A.J. Dillon	Khalil Herbert	A.J. Dillon	+5	+0.2
Jeff Wilson	Raheem Mostert	Jeff Wilson	+1	-6.0

D’Andre Swift, Detroit Lions: Swift’s role is expected to expand as he gets healthier, including this week. Swift has shown top-10 fantasy upside when more involved in the offense, posting a top-five PPR finish in Week 1 because he was more involved in the ground game and a top-10 PPR finish in Week 2 as a result of being involved in the passing game.

Jeff Wilson Jr., Miami Dolphins: Wilson had an immediate role in his first game with the team last week and made a significant impact, averaging 5.7 yards per carry while demanding a 12% target share, which led to 21 receiving yards and a touchdown. The Dolphins are also expected to have a run game advantage in the trenches this week, per the PFF OL/DL matchup tool.

WIDE RECEIVER

Player 1	Player 2	Start?	Ranking diff.	Proj. points diff.
Josh Palmer	Rondale Moore	Josh Palmer	+9	-1.3
Gabriel Davis	Rondale Moore	Gabriel Davis	+6	+3.3
Amon-Ra St. Brown	Chris Olave	Amon-Ra St. Brown	+3	-0.3

Josh Palmer, Los Angeles Chargers: Palmer posted his first top-10 PPR finish of the season in Week 9 because Mike Williams and Keenan Allen were both inactive. Both players are in danger of missing Week 10, which bodes well for Palmer, who led the team with a 24% target share while running a route on 98% of his team's offensive plays in Week 9.

Gabriel Davis, Buffalo Bills: While Davis has just one top-12 PPR finish so far this season, his matchup this week is positive against the Minnesota Vikings, who rank 25th in PFF coverage grade and have averaged 37 PPR points per game to the wide receiver position. Minnesota has allowed 256.9 receiving yards per game this season, which is the sixth-most of any team.

TIGHT END

Player 1	Player 2	Start?	Ranking diff.	Proj. points diff.
Robert Tonyan	Dawson Knox	Robert Tonyan	+6	-0.9

Robert Tonyan, Green Bay Packers: Over the past four weeks, Tonyan has averaged a 15% target share, and while that did dip in Week 9, Aaron Rodgers‘ receiving options are quickly evaporating, as Romeo Doubs is set to miss time. Tonyan should bounce back in target share this week with Doubs out to help attack the middle of the field, where Tonyan holds one of the more favorable tight end matchups this week against the Dallas Cowboys’ Anthony Barr.