Weekly Fantasy Roundup: Bench/Start Week 10

BENCH

WR Hines Ward/Santonio Holmes (Steelers) - Pittsburgh's talented WR combo has had its ups and downs through eight games this season, but with Big Ben Roethlisberger's status up in the air after getting knocked out of the Steelers' Week 10 game, I want no part of either Ward or Holmes come Sunday. Neither of these WR has yet to record 100 receiving yards in any game so far in 2008, and that trend is sure to continue in Week 10. Indianapolis has allowed a league low two (yes, TWO!) passing touchdowns all season, and their secondary is pretty much back at full strength now that 2007 defensive player of the year Bob Sanders has returned to action. I suggest leaving these underachieving WRs on your bench in Week 10.



RB Matt Forte (Bears) - With QB sensation Kyle Orton expected to miss Sunday's game, Rex Grossman takes over behind center - and that means trouble for the entire Bears offense. Look for the Titans to stack the box against Forte, and make Grossman beat them through the air - a task that we all know is almost impossible. Running backs have had their fair share of success against Jeff Fisher's defense, but with Grossman at the helm, things don't look promising for Forte. The rookie RB is coming off his best game of the season, but should struggle to find room against Albert Haynesworth and the rest of the Tennessee defensive line. If you have other options, you may want to think about giving Forte the week off.



RB Joseph Addai (Colts) - In his first game back since injuring his hamstring back in Week 6, Addai put on a pretty lackluster performance Sunday night against a very mediocre New England rush D. He ran for 32 yards on 17 carries, and looked like he should have waited at least another week to make his return. Things aren't going to get any easier for the former LSU standout in Week 10, as the Colts head to Heinz Field to take on a Steelers D allowing 70.1 rush yards per game. Pittsburgh has only allowed 3 rushing TDs all season, and when you combine that with the fact that Addai might not be 100% come Sunday, it might be a good idea to leave him on your bench until he shows that he's back to playing at a Pro Bowl level.

START

QB Matt Ryan (Falcons) - The #3 overall pick in the 2008 draft got off to somewhat of a shaky start, but has held his own in recent weeks and is starting to look more and more like he is going to be a star in the NFL for years to come. Ryan has averaged 266 passing yards per game the last three weeks to go along with five TDs and only 2 INTs. Look for the strong play to continue in Week 10, as The Ice Man gets to face off against the Saints in what should be his easiest match up of the season. New Orleans has one of the worst pass defenses in the league - they're allowing over 230 passing yards per game and have given up 12 passing TDs. If you were ever planning on giving Ryan a start, this is the week to do so.



RB Ryan Torain (Broncos) - Denver has been hyping up this rookie RB since the preseason, but due to a broken elbow, Torain hasn't been able to get on to the field. He made his largely anticipated return last week against the Dolphins, but was held to three yards on one carry. A lot has changed in the short week though, as Bronco RBs Michael Pittman and Andre Hall are both out for the year with injuries. That leaves Torain and Selvin Young as the only RBs in Mike Shanahan's backfield, and considering that Young is not 100% healthy, Torain could be in line for a big day. The Broncos head to Cleveland to take on the Browns and their atrocious rush D, which is allowing nearly 150 yards and a over a TD per game on the ground. He makes for a great play this week, and although unproven, don't hesitate to throw Torain into your lineup.



RB Tim Hightower (Cardinals) - Frankly, this is a no brainer - #34 is the real deal. Even before he was given the starting gig, he was fantasy relevant, but now that he'll be getting 15-20 carries per game - watch out. He is part of one of the NFL's most potent offenses, and can simply do it all - he has tremendous speed and is an absolute beast at the goal line. He faces a 49ers D that has trouble stopping the run, and should be in line for a monster game on MNF. There are only a handful of RBs I would rather have than Hightower the rest of the way, so if for some reason he's still a free agent in your league (he's only owned in 77% of Yahoo! leagues) stop reading this and go grab him immediately!