Week 10 QB Rankings

Thanks to Alex Sonty for filling in for me last week.

I could see myself using any quarterback other than Alex Smith in fantasy football this week. Of the 27 starters not facing the Broncos, I could be talked into Tyrod Taylor against the Jets, Landry Jones against the Browns, and even Nick Foles against the Bears. There is a clear top tier of clear-cut plays this week, and in my ranks that ends with Kirk Cousins at #9. After that, I'm somewhat indifferent.

I'm not cutting Carson Palmer for Josh McCown just because I value them similarly for this week, and you know that. I'm just trying to say that I don't feel strongly after Cousins about particular plays, and I'm trying to avoid making a lot of recommendations on plays I don't necessarily believe in. With that said, here are my top five streamers for Week 10.

Blake Bortles vs. Baltimore Ravens

While Blake Bortles has slightly higher ownership than the quarterbacks I tend to include in this space, he has a prime matchup with the Ravens' secondary. Bortles has only two down games, against the Panthers and Bills, which are both strong pass defenses, and gets a Ravens defense that all opponents save Peyton Manning and Ben Roethlisberger (in a strange Week 4 game) have dominated. Bortles is an easy call and is the top streamer if available.

Joe Flacco vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

I know you're probably sick of me recommending Joe Flacco every week, but this is the Jaguars we're talking about. Flacco has had usable performances in all matchups except the Broncos and Steelers, so he is one of the - dare I say - predictable streaming quarterbacks. The Jaguars have a better run defense than they did last year and are actually staying in a lot of games, so Flacco should be able to get the necessary volume. Here's hoping he can manage without Steve Smith.

Kirk Cousins vs. New Orleans Saints

Owen Daniels ended the narrative that all tight ends have big games against the Raiders. It might be Kirk Cousins that ends the new narrative that any quarterback can run roughshod through the Saints' secondary. Cousins is inconsistent, but he showed against the Bucs that he can accumulate a ton of numbers in just one half. He is available in the majority of formats and has a great shot at finishing among the weekly leaders.

Josh McCown vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

While health remains an issue, as Josh McCown is not sure to suit up against the Steelers, he has elite upside this weekend. In games he has completed, he has only lacked strong fantasy days against the stingy defenses of the Broncos and Rams. Meanwhile, the only passers who have failed to have decent games agains the Steelers were Nick Foles, Joe Flacco, Alex Smith, and Andy Dalton. The Steelers have shut down some decent players, as you can see, but have been torched (sometimes in garbage time) by Tom Brady, Colin Kaepernick, Philip Rivers, and Derek Carr.

Jameis Winston/Matt Cassel vs. Dallas Cowboys/Tampa Bay Buccaneers

I'm open to using either offense in this game, partially because I don't know what will happen. After taking a second look at the game, I'd probably prefer Matt Cassel to Jameis Winston, which is scary for me. Cassel is coming off his first decent fantasy start, throwing for 299 yards, 3 touchdowns, and an interception against the Eagles and has the easier matchup against a Bucs defense that has allowed two or more passing touchdowns in each of its last five games. The Cowboys have allowed just one 300-yard game all season, but part of that can be attributed to schedule. They have allowed at least 275 yards and two touchdowns to Matt Ryan, Drew Brees, and Tom Brady, the best passers they have faced.