Week 10 Winners, Losers, and Takeaways

By Corbin Young | November 15, 2021

Fantasy Football Recap: Week 10

Injuries hit hard, and the COVID-19 situation loomed in the NFL with Nick Chubb, Demetric Felton, and Ben Roethlisberger. Several fantasy-relevant players missed Week 10 in Chase Claypool, Chase Edmonds, Damien Harris, and Alvin Kamara. Many other players entered Week 10 with a questionable tag, like Rhamondre Stevenson and Chris Godwin. Thankfully, Stevenson and Godwin played. Unfortunately, we lost a consistent receiver in Robert Woods to an ACL tear on Saturday, and either Odell Beckham Jr. or Van Jefferson will step up in the Rams WR2 role. We’ll note the injuries to monitor, then discuss the Week 10 highlights, wonders, and disappointments.

Injuries to Monitor

  • Chase Young (knee) suffered a knee injury during a play. Although it’s not fantasy-related on offense, he’s an elite defender and pass-rusher, which will impact the Washington Football Team defense. It sounds like Young suffered a torn ACL, which will end his 2021 season. 
  • A.J. Brown got banged up against the Saints but stayed in the game. Brown struggled against the Saints as he likely faced Marshon Lattimore – one of the tougher corners in the league with a +19.2 (No. 29) Coverage Rating. 
  • Jermar Jefferson (ankle) scored a rushing touchdown against the Steelers with Jamaal Williams out. Then reports came out that Jefferson suffered an ankle injury. 
  • Ricky Seals-Jones (hip) left Sunday’s game with a hip issue. Seals-Jones hauled in three of four targets for 30 receiving yards. 
  • Terry McLaurin (collarbone) left Sunday’s game then returned against Tampa Bay. McLaurin stayed in the game and led the team in targets (8) and receiving yards with six receptions and 59 yards. He made a critical catch in traffic for a first down too. 
  • Baker Mayfield suffered an injury that required him to leave the game. The Browns struggled on offense against the Patriots, but hopefully, Mayfield didn’t reaggravate the shoulder injury from earlier in the season. Jake Trotter of ESPN reports that Mayfield injured his knee, but there’s no structural damage. 
  • Dallas Goedert (head) left their game early with a head injury. The Eagles ruled out Goedert and finished with two receptions for 28 receiving yards. 
  • Cardinals backup quarterback Colt McCoy (chest) needed to leave with a chest injury. McCoy played well in Week 9 but struggled before leaving with 107 passing yards on 20 attempts with one interception in Week 10. Downgrade the Cardinals offense if Kyler Murray doesn’t return in Week 11.
  • The Panthers eventually pulled Christian McCaffrey (hamstring) after tweaking his hamstring injury. It’s like a precaution since McCaffrey played well on Sunday. 
  • Aaron Jones (knee) suffered a knee injury and didn’t return to the game against the Seahawks. A.J. Dillon played well in his absence when he took a short pass for a long gain and broke several tackles. If Jones misses time, Dillon should skyrocket up the rankings in the neighborhood of D’Ernest Johnson and Mark Ingram, but even higher due to the talent.  

Week 10 Highlights

Rhamondre Stevenson Breakout Game

With Damien Harris sidelined, the Patriots leaned on Rhamondre Stevenson, and he broke out against the Browns. Stevenson eclipsed 100 rushing yards on 20 attempts with two rushing touchdowns. He also hauled in four of five targets for 14 receiving yards. If Harris remains sidelined, value Stevenson as we would Harris as a top-15 running back. 

Is D’Ernest Johnson the Next Cordarrelle Patterson?

We’re partly joking here with the Cordarrelle Patterson comparison, but with no Nick Chubb and Odell Beckham Jr. gone, D’Ernest Johnson led the Browns in rushing and receiving. Johnson rushed for 99 yards on 19 attempts and added seven receptions on eight targets for 58 receiving yards. Johnson’s 24.2% target share led the Browns in market share and raw target totals. Hopefully, Chubb returns from the COVID-19 list, but Johnson serves as a must-start and high-end backup if Chubb misses another week. 

Jakobi Meyers Scored a Touchdown

Finally, Jakobi Meyers scored a touchdown as he hauled in all four targets for 49 receiving yards. With the game out of hand, Meyers caught an 11-yard touchdown pass from backup Brian Hoyer. The 18th-best target share at 24.4% plus a 28.9% (No. 35) Air Yards Share led to 46 (No. 13) and 435 (No. 37) receiving yards heading into Week 10. Although Meyers struggled with efficiency and touchdowns, he remained a consistent buy low based on the opportunity. 

The Panthers Reunion With Cam Newton & CMC Crushes

Since the Panthers placed Sam Darnold on injured reserve, they signed Cam Newton last week. Although P.J. Walker started and played primarily as their quarterback, Newton played on limited snaps and scored touchdowns. In the first quarter, Newton ran and threw for the Panthers’ first two touchdowns. Newton totaled eight passing yards on four attempts with three carries for 14 rushing yards. Although Newton won’t score two touchdowns on every seven opportunities, he should warrant interest as a streamer in 1-QB leagues if he takes over the starting spot. 

The Panthers crushed the Cardinals with Colt McCoy at quarterback. Christian McCaffrey reached 95 rushing yards on 13 attempts. Then McCaffrey hauled in all ten targets for 66 receiving yards. That’s prime McCaffrey type production and usage, which is a positive sign assuming he’s healthy. 

Week 10 Wonders

Antonio Gibson Scored Twice Against the Buccaneers

Not only did Antonio Gibson score two rushing touchdowns against the Buccaneers, who allowed two rushing scores combined over the past eight games, but Gibson reached a season-high rushing total of 24 carries. Gibson finished with 20 carries twice in Week 1 and 5. Then with the Washington Football Team leading, Gibson totaled 64 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. He also caught both targets for 14 receiving yards. It’s positive to see the usage for Gibson since he’s dealing with a shin issue that won’t go away. 

D’Andre Swift With 36 Touches

In a game with no Jamaal Williams that went into overtime, D’Andre Swift reached 33 carries for 130 rushing yards. Interestingly, Godwin Igwebuike and Jermar Jefferson scored a touchdown, but Swift did not. Regardless, it’s pretty wild to think Swift totaled 38 touches in Week 7 and 8, then almost reached that point in one game. It’s probably the right time to scoop up Jefferson as Swift’s backup if Williams continues to miss time. However, Jefferson left Sunday’s game with an ankle injury too. 

Mark Ingram Quietly Surpassed 100 Total Yards

With Alvin Kamara injured, Mark Ingram quietly surpassed 100 total yards with 47 rushing and 61 receiving yards. Ingram scored a rushing touchdown and tied for the team lead in targets (7) and receptions (4). Although it’s not the same level of explosiveness, the Saints used Ingram in a Kamara-like role with rushing and receiving opportunities. If Kamara misses another week, keep valuing Ingram as an RB2 based on usage. 

Kenneth Doesn’t Gain Well

Remember back in Week 8 when we thought Kenneth Gainwell would smash? Well, instead, Jordan Howard and Boston Scott took the majority of rushing opportunities. The Eagles seemed to adjust their identity, or it’s the matchups, but they’re establishing the run game. Against the Broncos, Howard and Scott totaled 164 rushing yards out of the 214 total. Howard went 12-for-83, and Scott went 11-for-81. The Eagles led the entire game, so they leaned on the run game. 

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Unfortunately, Gainwell seems irrelevant with two carries for five rushing yards plus one catch for nine receiving yards. We’ll see what happens when Miles Sanders returns, but Gainwell looks borderline droppable based on the limited usage. It’s understandable to keep stashing in deeper leagues, but it’s already messy with Scott and Howard taking most of the rushing opportunities with minimal receiving work for the backs. 

Week 10 Disappointments

Don’t Panic On Marquise Brown

In an unexpected 22-10 loss to the Dolphins, Marquise Brown led the Ravens with 13 targets (30.2% target share). However, Brown only reeled in six receptions for 37 receiving yards. Brown matched Mark Andrews and Rashod Bateman in catches, but Andrews finished with 63 and Bateman with 80 receiving yards. 

In Week 7 and 9, Brown averaged 13 targets with two top-10 performances. Brown entered Week 10 with the 11th-best Weighted Opportunity Rating (WOPR) at 0.633 between D.K. Metcalf and Justin Jefferson. With three straight games with 13 targets, Brown garners WR1 type opportunity. 

Fade the Bills Running Backs

With Zack Moss active after going through the concussion protocol, Matt Breida scores two touchdowns for the Bills on limited touches. That’s quite frustrating for fantasy managers with Moss and Devin Singletary since the latter two typically share most of the running back touches. Unfortunately, the Bills continue to pass at a high rate and spread out the rushing opportunities. 

Let’s look at the frustrating Bills backfield. Matt Brieda finished with three attempts for 28 rushing yards and one touchdown. However, Devin Singletary led the Bills with 43 rushing yards on seven carries and one touchdown. Even Zack Moss scored a rushing touchdown on seven carries for 27 rushing yards. We can handle a committee of two backs, but three makes it too messy. It’s hard to start either Moss or Singletary with any confidence. 

Should We Panic With the Seahawks Offense?

In Russell Wilson’s first game back from the finger injury, they scored zero points and mustered 208 total yards on offense. That’s the first time the Seahawks didn’t score in ten years. The offense remained inconsistent with their passing game since Tyler Lockett hauled in two for 23 receiving yards and D.K. Metcalf caught three receptions for 26 receiving yards. Lockett and Metcalf both garnered eight targets (20%), but it’s understandable to expect inefficiencies in Wilson’s first game back. 

Recovering from a finger injury would likely impact Wilson’s ability to pass accurately – one of his strengths. The time of possession of just under 21 minutes indicates they couldn’t muster any momentum on offense. Attempt to buy low on Lockett and Metcalf with the high opportunities and upcoming schedule. Entering Week 10, Lockett ranked 8th with a 28.2% target share and 13th with 38.6% Air Yards Share. Meanwhile, Metcalf ranked No. 12 in target share (27.2%) and Air Yards Share (38.9%). Their upcoming schedule includes the Cardinals, Washington Football Team, the 49ers, and the Texans. The WFT and Texans rank in the bottom seven in receiving yards allowed to the position. 

Corbin Young
Corbin is passionate about fantasy baseball and football. He loves diving into and learning about advanced metrics. Corbin is a Mariners and Seahawks fan living in the Pacific Northwest. Corbin's other hobbies are lifting weights, cooking, and listening to fantasy sports podcasts.
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