Albeit being a writer, more times than there is page space to tell have there been moments in my life when I’m at a loss of words.
Instances, still so real-feeling, yet unreal-sounding at the same time, that I don’t know if and when I’ll ever be able to fully articulate them into columns. The kind of events that leave you tossing and turning late into the night, trying to figure out what it all means in the grand scheme of things.
I look at each of these moments – whether it be a tragic event, like the death of a friend, or a sobering one, such as a defining court case – as a battle.
Although we likely didn’t want nor anticipate the battle, it arrives, ready to be tackled head-on. What those of us who strive to be the best versions of ourselves must do is define the battle, rather than allowing it to define us. Come out of every heavy situation life throws at us, better on the other side.
I believe that it is the strongest people in life that are handed the toughest challenges. And when it’s all said and done, the most important thing is to know when to lay down our weapons and move on from these moments. Learn and grow from them as they help shape us into stronger molds of ourselves. But never let it dictate what we do with those newer versions of ourselves.
While the battle wages tomorrow, enjoy today. And live for tonight, whether it be with a drink or a smoke in your hand.
The same can be said for the fantasy football season.
Every week and every matchup can be a battle. Similar to our life, one wrong decision and we find ourselves talking to the ceiling asking “why?” until 3 a.m.
But we don’t let that stop us from enjoying ourselves and the ride. We continue to put our best foot forward week after week, despite knowing that a new obstacle – whether it be a significant injury or a tough start/sit decision – awaits in the shadows.
Now, let’s get to it.
The following start/sit selections are based on stats, trends and film research, reflecting value in Points Per Reception (PPR) Redraft League.
Quarterback I’d Start this Week:
Tom Brady (Tampa Bay): After an atrocious outing, scoring only 2.36 PPR points against the Saints last week, Tom Brady is a prime candidate for a bounce-back performance here in Week 10.
Historically, when Brady has scored single-digit fantasy points, he responds the following week by averaging more than 20 fantasy points. Yes, Carolina’s defense has been a nice surprise this season. But what’s nicer is not counting against the guy with six Super Bowl rings and Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Antonio Brown as his receivers.
Quarterback I’d Sit this Week:
Jared Goff (Los Angeles Rams): I’ll admit that last week, I whiffed when I went against many experts’ ranks and deemed Ben Roethlisberger a trap play against Dallas. This week, I’m continuing to go against the grain and say I’d sit Jared Goff.
Yes, he has a golden matchup against the Seahawks, who allow the second-most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks. But he’s also already had prime matchups against other bottom-half defenses like Dallas, Buffalo and San Francisco, yet has only finished as a QB1 twice and sits at QB18 on the season.
I have a hunch that head coach Sean McVay will feature the run game, attempting to manage the clock and keeping the ball away from Russell Wilson, possibly even giving more looks to rookie Cam Akers, coming off the bye.
Running Back I’d Start this Week:
Antonio Gibson & J.D. McKissic (Washington): With Alex Smith, formerly the holder of the “Captain Check Down” title, now back under center in Washington, I expect big weeks from both rookie Antonio Gibson and his backfield-mate J.D. McKissic.
Gibson has put together a solid rookie season, totaling 573 total yards and five rushing touchdowns and giving him the PPR RB15 standing thus far. McKissic has also become a serviceable option this season, already totaling 34 receptions (second-most on the team) and rushing for an additional 168 yards on the ground.
With this dynamic duo heading to Detroit in Week 10, I’m comfortable firing both up as the Lions are the worst team in the league against opposing running backs.
Running Back I’d Sit this Week:
Devin Singletary (Buffalo): What was a disappointing season for second-year back Devin Singletary has only gotten worse over the last five weeks as he has only reached double-digit PPR points once during that span.
Now that Zack Moss has returned and taken all the goal line and a bulk of the receiving work, I’m more out than usual on Singletary this week, especially facing a middle-of-the-road Arizona defense.
Wide Receiver I’d Start this Week:
Curtis Samuel (Carolina): Despite a talented collegiate career at Ohio State, Curtis Samuel has sort of been a mixed bag so far in his NFL career for fantasy owners. He’s finished as the PPR WR125, 49 and 36, respectively, in each of his first three seasons.
However, this season, due to the creative play-calling from first-year offensive coordinator Joe Brady, Samuel has had a borderline breakout season, already totaling 38 receptions for 367 passing yards and two touchdowns, while adding 104 yards and two scores on the ground.
With Christian McCaffrey expected to be sidelined yet again in Week 10, I think we see more of Samuel this week, both in the backfield and working out as a receiver, allowing him to be viable for fantasy once again.
Wide Receiver I’d Sit this Week:
D.J. Moore (Carolina): I think it’s time to officially say that D.J. Moore, Samuel’s teammate, has been one of the biggest busts in fantasy football this season.
D.J. Moore and Curtis Samuel are the PPR WR21 and 27, respectively.
Despite Moore going in the third or fourth rounds in most drafts, he’s failed to hit double-digit PPR points in more than half his matchups. And he just hasn’t looked like the same player who took 135 targets for 87 receptions and 1175 yards in his sophomore season.
This week, Moore, along with the other Carolina pass-catchers, faces a stiff Tampa Bay defense. But it’s Moore specifically who will probably draw the most coverage from standout cornerback Carlton Davis, making me hesitant to play him.
Right now, it seems that Robbie Anderson has the safe floor for this Carolina receiving trio, while Samuel’s versatility presents him with the highest ceiling.
That leaves Moore somewhere in-between and on my bench in Week 10.
If you have a feel-good story that you would like to share for an opportunity to be featured in an upcoming edition of “Start, Sit & Seth,” please reach out.
And for more fantasy football and uplifting content, you can find me on Twitter @Between_SethFF.