Fantasy Football Week 10 Quarterback Start Decision: Joe Burrow, Brock Purdy, Jared Goff, Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield, Matthew Stafford and More

With the Thursday night game closing in, it’s time for another quarterback start decision story. 

Usually I include both Thursday night quarterbacks, but Lamar Jackson is a must-start this week, and so I’m keeping him out of this article. We’ll include Joe Burrow though, comparing him alongside Brock Purdy, Jared Goff, Sam Darnold, Justin Herbert, Matthew Stafford, Tua Tagovailoa, Aaron Rodgers, C.J. Stroud, Russell Wilson, Kirk Cousins, Kyler Murray and Baker Mayfield 

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Season Stats

Burrow has 2,244 passing yards, 20 touchdowns and four interceptions for the season. He’s completing 70.2% of his passes and added 117 rushing yards and a score. Burrow has scored in double digits for fantasy points in all but the opener, and has 15 or more points in all but one of those contests.

Purdy has 2,101 passing yards, 10 touchdowns, seven interceptions and a 64.5 completion percentage. He’s also got 210 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Purdy has scored in double digits for fantasy points in every game, with at least 17 points in three straight.

Goff is up to 1,840 passing yards, 14 touchdowns and four interceptions. He’s completed 74.9% of his passes and added just 16 rushing yards. Goff has only failed to reach double figures once, but barely reached that mark last week.

Darnold now has 1,900 passing yards, 17 scores and seven picks, while completing 69.5% of his passes. He’s also got 120 rushing yards. He’s scored between 16-19 fantasy points in three straight.

Herbert is up to 1,725 passing yards and 85 rushing yards. He’s thrown for 10 touchdowns and one interception, while completing 65% of his passes. Herbert has scored in double figures in all but one game, and has 14 or more fantasy points in four straight.

Stafford has nine touchdowns, six interceptions, 1,969 passing yards and a 65.9 completion mark. He’s not added anything as a runner. Since Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua returned to the field, Stafford has scored 25 and 18 fantasy points.

Tagovailoa is up to 948 passing yards, five touchdowns, three touchdowns and a 72.7 completion percentage this season. He’s also got 44 rushing yards. Since returning from the injured reserve list, Tagovailoa has scored 33 fantasy points over two games.

Rodgers has 2,107 passing yards, 15 touchdowns and seven picks on the season. He has completed 62.3% of his passes and added 43 rushing yards. Rodgers has scored in double figures in every game since the opener, and has 37 points over the past two games combined.

Stroud has 2,139 passing yards, 11 touchdowns and four picks on the season. He’s completed 63.5% of his passes and rushed for 143 yards. Stroud has been a below-average fantasy performer the past three games, and might not have Nico Collins again this week.

Wilson has 542 passing yards, three touchdowns, no picks and a 63.2 completion mark through two starts. He’s added 10 rushing yards and another score. Wilson scored 25 fantasy points in his first start and then had 14 in his next contest.

Cousins has 2,328 passing yards, 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions for the season. He’s completing 69.2% of his passes and added nothing as a runner. Cousins has scored in double figures in four of the past five games, with three of those being over 15 points.

Murray has 1,792 passing yards, 11 touchdowns, three interceptions and a 67.1 completion percentage. He’s rushed for 350 yards and two scores. Murray failed to reach double-digit fantasy points for the first time last week.

Mayfield has 2,389 passing yards, 23 touchdowns and nine interceptions while completing 71.4% of his passes this season. He’s added 189 yards and two scores on the ground. Mayfield has only failed to reach double figures once, and has 18 or more points in every other contest.

Week 10 Matchups

In week 10, Burrow takes on the Ravens, which is a super favorable matchup. The Ravens allow 21 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks.

Purdy and Mayfield play in the same game. It’s a great matchup for Purdy, as Tampa Bay allows 23 fantasy points per game. It’s a tougher test for Mayfield, with San Fran giving up just 15 points a week.

Goff and Stroud clash in another game. It’s a more favorable matchup for Goff, with Houston giving up 17 points per week. Detroit allows just 15 points per contest.

Stafford and Tagovailoa will meet on Monday night. It’s a better matchup for Tagovailoa, as Los Angeles gives up 16 points per week. Miami surrenders just 12 points a week.

Rodgers and Murray are also part of the same game. It’s a pretty average clash for Rodgers, with Arizona allowing 17 points a week. The test for Murray is tougher, as New York only gives up 13 points per week. 

Darnold takes on the Jaguars, which is the most favorable matchup on paper. Jacksonville allows 23 fantasy points per game. Herbert’s test against the Titans is average, with Tennessee giving up 16 points per week.

Wilson also has an average matchup against the Commanders, with Washington giving up 16 points a week. Cousins takes on the Saints. It’s a slightly below-average matchup, as New Orleans allows 14 fantasy points per contest so far.

Week 10 Projections and Starting Recommendations

Tagovailoa and Purdy are the top-projected QBs in this discussion, sitting at 19 points each. Burrow and Darnold are both at 18 points. 

Murray sits at 17 points, while Cousins, Goff, Mayfield, Stafford, Rodgers and Herbert are all projected for 16. Stroud and Wilson are both at 15 fantasy points.

I like Burrow the best of the bunch for week 10. The matchup is favorable, and Burrow has already delivered a monster showing against the Ravens - he scored 34 fantasy points against them back in week 5.

Give me Purdy after that. Maybe getting Christian McCaffrey back should open things up for the Niners, and after a bye week, I expect the San Fran offense to rip through the Bucs’ defense. 

After those three, things are very muddled in my eyes. There’s really not a ton separating these quarterbacks.

Because of the tightness of things, I’d take the best remaining matchup next, which is Darnold against the Jaguars. As long as this doesn’t become a blowout early, Darnold should put up big fantasy numbers.

This might surprise some of you, but I like Rodgers next. He’s looked good over the past couple games, and the matchup is right to deliver another big fantasy score.

I’d take Tagovailoa next. I’m not nearly as high on him as the projections are, but I’d still expect at least an average fantasy outing from him. 

I’d take Goff next. He’s back in a dome, and the Lions’ offense has been rolling, so I expect a healthy amount of fantasy points, even if the offense doesn’t erupt for 50 points.

I’d take Murray here. His matchup is tough, but his running ability gives him a higher fantasy ceiling. I think Murray gets back on track this week.

I’d then roll with Herbert. He’s been trending up, and the matchup is solid enough to expect another positive showing. 

Give me Mayfield next. I really want to take him higher, but a rested Niners’ defense is going to be a tough challenge for Mayfield. 

I’d take Stafford here. The matchup looks rough on paper, but I trust Stafford to deliver every week that he has Kupp and Nacua out there. 

I like Wilson here. He’s looked solid through two starts and might need to pass a decent amount to keep up with Washington’s offense.

I’d take Cousins after that. He struggled in this matchup last time, scoring just eight fantasy points. I’d prefer to stay away from Cousins this week. 

That leaves Stroud for the final spot. He’s struggled of late, and the matchup against the Lions isn’t even average. With Collins probably out again, I’d do what I could to avoid playing Stroud.