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| Authored by Erick Arnold - 13th November, 2010 - 9:15 pm
 Now that we are in Week 10, the homestretch is to the fantasy playoffs is beginning.
In most formats, the playoffs begin Week 15 leaving fantasy owners with four games left to either clinch a postseason berth or improve their standings to snag a final playoff spot.
Thus, Week 10 could be the most critical week for those teams on the playoff bubble because teams that are loaded with fantasy talent are on a bye week. Therefore, instead of focusing on players to target for the future, we will explore hidden gems for Week 10.
- QB David Garrard
With Garrard and the Jaguars rested coming off of their bye week, their opponent is a spiraling Houston Texans team who owns the league?s WORST defense.
Let?s repeat that ? the league?s WORST defense.
Everything is supposed to be big in Texas and Houston?s defense has certainly proven they want to represent their state?s culture by giving up the highest amount of big plays ? one per game for 40+ yards and 27 plays for 20+ yards. Now that Garrard is finally clicking with WR Mike Sims-Walker and now that TE Marcedes Lewis is finally fulfilling his talents, this game looks to be a shootout leading to big fantasy production for Garrard. A minimum of 14 fantasy points is to be expected this week for Garrard but the ceiling could be 20+.
- QB Josh Freeman
Quietly, QB Josh Freeman has been a productive fantasy player, albeit on the waiver wire in almost all leagues. With Tampa?s inability to run the ball with any consistency, Freeman has been carving up defenses with the aid of his young, talented group of receivers in WR Mike Williams, WR Sammie Stroughter, and now WR Arrelious Benn. With Freeman facing a Panther defense that surrenders 20 points per game and 13 fantasy points per game to opposing QB?s, the table is set for him to have a good fantasy day for owners looking to temporarily replace their star quarterback whose on a bye week. Furthermore, with the Panthers offense struggling mightily, the Bucs should dominate in time of possession in this matchup. Obviously, the longer the Bucs have the ball the more opportunities the Bucs - and most importantly - Freeman have to score. In this matchup a 20 point production from Freeman is easily attainable. Even if multiple quarterback options are available in your league, if you own WR Mike Williams, Freeman is the quarterback to add and play this week. On the other hand, if you?ve got the room to add two players, adding Freeman and rookie WR Arrelious Benn would be a nice tandem to double up on fantasy points the two will score this Sunday.
- WR Nate Washington
The former Steeler has yet to find his stride in the Music City, but Washington will be strumming a new fantasy melody moving forward with the recent addition of future HOFer WR Randy Moss. As all football fans understand, Moss is a deep play receiver and that deep threat ability has historically set up other receivers on his team nicely ? especially when it comes to fantasy football. Take WR Wes Welker?s fantasy numbers since Moss left the Patriots: With Moss 2010 ? avg. 9.5 fantasy points, Without Moss ? avg. 3 fantasy points. Washington?s skill set as a speedy receiving option are very similar to that of Welker?s so if Washington puts up even half of what Welker did with Moss, Washington is a must add to every fantasy roster on any level. Furthermore, the Titans get Miami this week who, although have skilled corners, are still ranked 12th against the pass and 26 plays over 20+ yards to receivers. Thus, Washington could be a sneaky productive play for fantasy owners who have WR Greg Jennings, WR Steve Smith, or any Saints WR who are all out this week.
- WR Nate Burleson
A pre-draft sleeper for the past few seasons, Burleson may have finally found legitimate value this season playing ?Hobbes? to superstar WR Calvin Johnson. With last week?s breakout performance (all due to the Jets shutting down Johnson), Burleson may have staked his claim as fantasy worthy. This week, Burleson and the Lions face a dilapidated Buffalo defense that ranks next to last in the league. Most of this season, teams have run with great success against the Bills defense leading to low passing numbers. With a struggling team like Detroit however, look for the Lions to score by any means necessary especially given that the Bills secondary gives up big plays against the pass averaging 7.3 yards per pass play to opposing receivers. Burleson may not score 20 fantasy points this week but he should put up somewhere in the 8-14 range which is a decent fill-in this week.
- RB Mike Goodson
Anytime there are injuries to a team?s backfield, fantasy pickups are a given. This week RB Mike Goodson gets the nod as the starting tailback for the Panther?s rushing attack ? although ?attack? is probably too strong of a word for this offense. However, even if the Panthers struggle on offense Goodson is literally the only healthy back they have. Thus, by default, Goodson has moderate fantasy value given that he will be the sole ball carrier for the Panthers offense. Don?t expect a huge game from Goodson but anywhere between 8-12 points maximum should be considered a huge victory, fantasy football speaking.
- RB Tim Hightower
Hightower is like an annoying fly that won?t go away. The Cardinals spent a first round draft pick last year to acquire RB Beanie Wells to take over the running back duties but his health has consistently kept him off the field opening the door of opportunity for Hightower on numerous occasions the past two seasons. This week, the door of is open once again as Wells is battling a knee injury that leaves his role in doubt against the Seahawks. Thus, expect a heavier workload for Hightower against the league?s 19th ranked run defense which could net a fantasy owner in need of a back a decent point total. Given how bad the Seahawks offense is at the moment expect the Cardinals to get great field position throughout the game leading to some easy goal line touches for Hightower. A high expectation could easily see Hightower with two touchdowns in this game especially considering how badly QB Derek Anderson is struggling throwing the ball with any accuracy. If Hightower produces this week as he?s expected to, he could also have future value seeing as how Head Coach Ken Wisenhunt hasn?t shied away from using him over Wells in the past.
- RB Kevin Smith
Smith, once the sole back in the Lions backfield, has found himself on the far end of the bench this season with the emergence of lightning quick RB Jahvid Best. However, with Best suffering from a nagging turf toe, Smith has begun to steal carries away over the past two games. So much so in fact that it?s been a 50/50 split. With QB Matthew Stafford out with an injured shoulder yet again, look for the Lions to run the ball on a soft Bills run defense. Furthermore, the Bills are without their best defensive player in LB Paul Posluszny who is the only real quality run defender Buffalo has. If there was ever a week to ride Smith, this is the week.
- TE Anthony Fasano
With two top tight ends out for the season (Clark, Finley) and TE Antonio Gates on a bye, the majority of tight ends may already be taken. Thus, TE Anthony Fasano may be the best available tight end in your league. If that?s the case, Fasano could be a sneaky play this week against Tennessee. The pet project of former Dolphins Director Bill Parcells, Fasano has yet to put up consistent fantasy numbers in his career. Generally speaking, Fasano has been a player that, if played at the right opportunity and on the right matchup, can mirror statistics from any of the top fantasy tight ends if only for one week. Well fantasy owners, this week is the week. The Dolphins have made the switch to QB Chad Pennington who consistently favors the short to intermediate passes if only because his arm strength. Furthermore, Pennington flat out loves throwing to tight ends as he has done so his entire career ? especially Fasano. With Tennessee gearing up to shut down Miami?s rushing attack this week that should favor Fasano?s fantasy production netting him approximately 6-10 points.
- TE Joel Dreesen
TE Owen Daniels has become the new TE Todd Heap going from fantasy stud to fantasy dud. With Daniels out this week, TE Joel Dreesen gets the start for a very potent Texans passing attack. Like in TE Jacob Tamme?s case, does anything else need to be said?
- DEF Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay gets a rookie QB Jimmy Clausen-led, RB?s Deangelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart-less Carolina Panthers offense this week. Even with the two former 1,000 yard rushers the Panthers offense ranked dead last in scoring with 88 points this season. Furthermore, the Panthers turn the ball over twice per game on average ? and that?s not even including the fumbles they managed to recover which is an additional one per game. If the averages hold, fantasy owners who plug in DEF Tampa Bay this week can expect at least a 10 point performance from their starting defense which is all one can ask for.
- DEF Arizona
On a team that has taken a fall from grace, the Cardinals nose dive will end this week against a terrible Seahawks team that couldn?t block a Pee-Wee pass rush. Reeling off of a tough, last second loss to the Vikings last week; look for the Cardinals to come out angry against their division foe. LB Joey Porter had a great game last week blowing past Minnesota?s once vaunted offensive line. That being said, the Seahawks? offensive line is lost. An average defense can look Steeler-ish against Seattle. Seattle?s number one draft pick LT Russell Okung is out for this game leaving QB Matt Hasselbeck with a patchwork O-line incapable of protecting him. Sacks should be a plenty here and a pick-six to boot given that Arizona averages two sacks and two turnovers per game. Fantasy owners in need of some scoring due to star players on bye weeks, DEF Arizona is a must play this week. Furthermore, the Cardinals upcoming schedule is certainly appealing -especially come fantasy playoff time as they face their weak divisional foes in the 49ers and Rams but also get the Panthers and Cowboys in Weeks 15 and 16 (ie fantasy playoff and championship weeks) respectively. Grab the Cards D while you still can.
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