Week 10 brings a wave of quarterback changes across the NFL, with Kirk Cousins (Minnesota), Fernando Mendoza (Las Vegas), Carson Beck (Arizona), Jacoby Brissett (Baltimore), and Kyle McCord (Miami) all making their first starts of the season for their new teams. Four teams are on bye, removing Caleb Williams, Bo Nix, Baker Mayfield, and Joe Milton III from fantasy lineups. Patrick Mahomes (elbow) is expected to play against Atlanta and remains a viable No. 1 fantasy option, especially after Kansas City acquired Josh Downs from Indianapolis. The Falcons traded safety Jessie Bates III to Jacksonville, and Joe Burrow just scored 35.5 fantasy points against Atlanta in Week 9. Mahomes has five passing touchdowns in his past two games and could be a top-10 fantasy quarterback this week if his elbow holds up.
Quarterbacks to Start
Jared Goff (DET) vs. NE – Projected 21.1 points, QB rank 7th. Goff has cooled off with 11.1 and 5.3 points in his last two games, but the Patriots have allowed two of the past three opposing quarterbacks to score at least 26.1 points, and three straight quarterbacks (Caleb Williams, Malik Willis, Jordan Love) have thrown multiple touchdowns. Goff has top-five upside in this matchup in Germany.
C.J. Stroud (HOU) @ CLE – Projected 19.7 points, QB rank 6th. Stroud exploded for 384 passing yards, five touchdowns, one interception, and 20 rushing yards (45.4 fantasy points) in Week 9. He has scored at least 20.5 points in six of eight games, including five straight, and has hit that mark in every game with Nico Collins active. Houston's receiving corps is clicking, and Cleveland just allowed 21.7 fantasy points to Tyler Shough. Stroud has top-10 upside.
Jordan Love (GB) vs. MIN – Projected 17.6 points, QB rank 8th. Love is the only quarterback to score 20+ fantasy points against Minnesota this season (23.5 in Week 1). He has scored at least 20.9 points in five consecutive games, including a season-high 42.2 at New England. Love has topped 20 points in 23 of 34 career games with 30+ pass attempts, and he is expected to exceed 30 attempts again. Top-10 upside.
Dak Prescott (DAL) vs. SF – Projected 23.4 points, QB rank 9th. Prescott has scored at least 21.8 points in three straight games. This game projects as a shootout (O/U 55.5), and Dallas will likely chase points. Only three quarterbacks have scored 20+ against San Francisco this year, but two of those came in the last three weeks (Jayden Daniels, Michael Penix Jr.). Prescott has passed for 234+ yards and two touchdowns in three of four career meetings with the 49ers. Top-10 option.
Bryce Young (CAR) @ NO – Projected 21.4 points, QB rank 11th. Young broke a slump with 26.3 points against Denver and has scored at least 23.8 points in five of his first six games. The Saints have allowed three of the last four opposing quarterbacks to score 20.3+ points (Kyler Murray, J.J. McCarthy, Shedeur Sanders). Young is a borderline top-10 play on the road.
Sleepers
Tyler Shough (NO) vs. CAR – Shough posted 21.7 points against Cleveland in Week 9 (265 passing yards, one touchdown, 51 rushing yards). He has rushed for 32+ yards in two of his last three games. Carolina has allowed four quarterbacks in the past six games to score 19.7+ points, including Jordan Love and Bo Nix consecutively. Shough scored 20.1+ in both meetings with Carolina in 2025. Potential top-10 option.
Geno Smith (NYJ) vs. BUF – Smith is a low-end starter in all leagues. Buffalo's defense has dominated recent backups, but Smith represents a step up. He has scored 22+ points in two of his last three games. Garrett Wilson (concussion) may return. Smith is a great streaming option.
Aaron Rodgers (PIT) vs. CIN – Rodgers' best game this season came against Cincinnati in Week 3 (28.7 points: 292 yards, three touchdowns, one interception, 10 rushing yards). He has cooled off (15.1 points or less in last two games), but the Bengals have allowed two quarterbacks in their last four games to score 20.9+ points. A shootout with Joe Burrow is possible. Low-end starter.
Quarterbacks to Sit
Matthew Stafford (LAR) @ ARI – Projected 21.4 points, QB rank 19th. Without Puka Nacua (knee) and Davante Adams (hamstring), the Rams are likely to lean on Kyren Williams and Blake Corum. Stafford has scored 13.2 points or less in his last two games. Only start in Superflex/two-QB leagues.
J.J. McCarthy (NYG) vs. WAS – Projected 17.9 points, QB rank 21st. McCarthy will play despite a hip injury, but he has yet to score 20 points or throw multiple touchdowns in three appearances. Washington has limited Brock Purdy, Tanner McKee, and Stafford to 19.4 points or less in three straight games. Only for Superflex/two-QB leagues.
Michael Penix Jr. (ATL) vs. KC – Projected 13.9 points, QB rank 20th. Penix has combined for 13.6 points in his last two games. Kansas City ranks fourth in fewest fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks. Only Bo Nix and Kirk Cousins have scored 20+ against the Chiefs this season. Only for Superflex/two-QB leagues.
Bust Alert
Kirk Cousins (MIN) @ GB – Projected 13.5 points, QB rank 16th. Cousins returns to Minnesota after a trade from Las Vegas, but Green Bay has been tough on quarterbacks: only Carson Wentz (Week 1), Jared Goff (Week 7), and Drake Maye (Week 9) have scored 20+ points against them. Micah Parsons (knee) may also play. Cousins averaged 24.4+ points in five of eight games with the Raiders, but this matchup is unfavorable. Only start in Superflex/two-QB leagues.
