Sit/Start Week 10: Reviewing All the Fantasy Relevant Players In Every Single Game

Dolphins @ Colts

 

Game Info

Kickoff: Sunday, November 10th at 4:05 pm EST

Location: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, ID

Betting Odds: IND -10.5, 44 Total via Oddsshark

Network: CBS

Sleeper Spotlight: Zach Pascal

 

Miami Dolphins

 

Quarterback:

• Ryan Fitzpatrick (Sit)

 

Since being named the starter in Miami in Week 6 QB Ryan Fitzpatrick has flashed some of the Fitzmagic that fantasy owners have become used to. Fitz has scored 20 or more fantasy points in two of his previous four games and has become a streaming option for desperate owners. However, this week owners will want to sit Fitzpatrick, even with six teams on bye. Fitz will be on the road this week and has lost a key contributor in the backfield. Add to that his up and down nature and this looks like a trap game against a tough Colts defense.    

 

Running Backs:

• Kalen Ballage (Sit)
• Mark Walton (Suspended) 

 

The news hit this week that Mark Walton has been suspended for four games for violating the leagues’ conduct and substances of abuse policy. Walton was arrested three times in the off-season, so the decision is not surprising. Over the previous three weeks, however, Walton had emerged as a back that the Dolphins wanted to give extended playing time. Kalen Ballage will now have an opportunity to step into the lead role for the Dolphins. Fantasy owners should not get excited though, Ballage has yet to rush for more than 20 yards in a single game and has just four receptions on the season. Indy has been solid defending the position, and Ballage won’t do anything to change that. Owners need to look elsewhere. 

 

Wide Receivers/ Tight Ends:

• DeVante Parker (Start/WR3)
• Preston Williams (Out)
• Allen Hurns (Sit)
• Mike Gesicki (Sit)

 

The Dolphins’ passing attack has been anything but spectacular but steady as they come. Preston Williams and DeVante Parker are 45 and 46 in points per game in PPR leagues, each on pace for about 800 yards and six touchdowns. That pace is good enough for WR3 and even low-end flex value in a pinch. Since Fitzpatrick’s return, both players have been solid contributors. However, Williams exited last week’s game with a knee injury and the team is reporting that it is season-ending. Parker has been on a WR3 hot streak lately, with four straight games of 10 points or more including a couple of 15+ point performances. With Williams out, the bulk of the weight should fall on Parker’s shoulders to carry the passing attack. That increased volume should be good enough to give owners a player they can start this week.  

 

None of the remaining Dolphins pass catchers are playing with any consistency and cannot help owners this week. The Colts are allowing just eight fantasy points per game to the tight end position and Mike Gesicki won’t change that without a touchdown, which is never guaranteed. Likewise for Allen Hurns, who only has value if he happens to catch a touchdown, and that’s happened just once this season. Hurns will see extended playing time with Williams out but we will need to wait and see before considering starting him. 

 

Indianapolis Colts

 

Quarterback:

• Jacoby Brissett (Start/QB1, check injury reports)
• Brian Hoyer (Start/QB2)

 

Owners need to keep an eye on the Colts injury report and the practice participation of Jacoby Brissett. Brissett exited the game last week after his lineman was pushed back into his knee. Thankfully he escaped with an MCL strain and not a tear and reports are he could play this weekend. If he does, owners can start Brissett against a Dolphins team that is allowing nearly 2.5 passing touchdowns a game. Brissett had nice games as a fantasy player in Weeks 3 and 4, against similarly bad passing defenses. If Brissett is out, veteran Brian Hoyer will steer the team for a week. Hoyer entered last week’s game in the second quarter and tossed three touchdowns, something the hasn’t done since 2015. Hoyer can be started in two QBs leagues but don’t fall for the reemergence, Hoyer is who we thought he was. Even with a great matchup, the Colts will likely rely on the run game should Brissett miss this matchup.   

 

Running Backs:

• Marlon Mack (Start/RB1)
• Nyheim Hines (Sit)
• Jordan Wilkins (Sit)

 

Owners will want to load up their Marlon Mack shares this weekend against a Dolphins fantasy defense that is third-worst defending the running back.  Mack has been a consistent RB2 for owners, receiving plenty of opportunities but not always delivering the production. However, that should change this week against the Dolphins team that’s allowed five different backs to reach the century mark rushing. 

 

While I love Nyheim Hines the player, he is only seeing the field about 20% of the time and has been given a limited opportunity. Hines has only scored 10+ fantasy points once this season, a disappointing number for owners who drafted him in a zero RB strategy. Sit him this week but watch and see if his snap share increases. 

 

Rookie Jordan Wilkins has seen the field each week since early in the year but has received limited opportunities. However, he is a player that owners preparing for the playoffs should stash if they have room on the bench. He is a league winning talent should he be thrust into the starter role.

 

Wide Receivers/ Tight Ends:

• T.Y. Hilton (Out)
• Zach Pascal (Start/WR3)
• Chester Rogers (Sit) 
• Eric Ebron (Sit)
• Jack Doyle (Sit)

 

The Colts injury report at wide receiver reads like an episode of your favorite hospital drama. T.Y. Hilton and Parris Campbell are expected to miss multiple weeks with injuries. That opens the door for Zach Pascal to take advantage of increased playing time. Pascal has flashed this year, including a big game in Week 7 with 106 yards and two touchdowns. Pascal leads the team in yards per reception with 16.9 and is second in touchdowns. Against a weak Dolphins secondary, owners are feeling good about giving Pascal a start this week. 

 

With so many injuries fantasy owners will get a chance to see increased playing time for Chester Rogers and Deon Cain. While neither can be started with confidence, any time we get a chance to see young players should be exciting. Cain, in particular, is an intriguing prospect, with size and speed to flash. 

 

The Colts tight end position has suffered more than any with the retirement announcement of Andrew Luck. Luck frequently targeted his tight end and elevated the play of anyone the Colts lined up at the spot. This season though, with a low volume passing attack and multiple options at the position. Brissett just hasn’t been able to get Eric Ebron or Jack Doyle involved consistently. The Dolphins have also been surprisingly good defending the position, so this week owners cannot look for streaming help.   

-Marc Salazar (@dingwog)