Facts vs. Feelings: Seven starts, streams and stashes for Week 10 and beyond

• Liz LozaNov 11, 2026, 08:17 AM ET

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  Liz Loza is a writer for fantasy football and betting at ESPN and host of the "Facts vs. Feelings" podcast. Liz also appears on "Fantasy Football Now" and contributes to the "Fantasy Focus Football" podcast.

"We're on the other side of it now."

It was a passing comment delivered by one of my favorite editors. (Hi, Keith.) We were wrapping up a weekly content meeting and he was referencing the nearly barren trees, almost apologizing on behalf of the leaves. How dare they not cling to their branches until after I've left the state? I appreciated his thoughtfulness, a gentle nod to L.A.'s endless summer and my own quiet craving for autumn's golden kitsch.

A small gesture that made a surprisingly big impact. It's been rolling around my brain all afternoon. Because he's right. The temps are dropping. The sun is setting at a disrespectful hour. And the year is in its final act. Now begins the long goodbye.

It's not all maudlin, of course. There's plenty to look forward to: family gatherings, pie, twinkle lights and more pie. Despite the veneer of cheer, however, the closing of any chapter forces reflection ... whether we're ready for it or not.

The reckoning isn't here yet. But we can hear the whisper. That's the tough part. Because while there still exists time for change, we're also aware of the shrinking opportunity share. Do we throw in the towel and look to next year? Or double down to salvage the back half? Maybe we surprise everyone and pivot, just for the sake of the plot. Regardless of the avenue chosen, a choice must be made.

The Cardinals -- with their magic evaporating -- appear to have chosen Option A. The Texans -- resolute to shake off a disastrous 0-4 start -- appear to have opted for Option B. The Browns -- a squad that hasn't managed five wins over nine games since 2023 -- regularly seem in play for Option C. What Big Brass decides is, ultimately, out of our control. How we let those determinations affect our virtually crafted franchises is, however, wholly up to us.

I encourage you to stay in the game. Not out of spite, but for the satisfaction. There are glimmers in every challenge. Whether you landed on Tyler Shough late or eschewed the Chargers' preseason hype, wins are always available. Revel in what you got right. Learn from what you got wrong. Just don't go cold. Hang on to the warmth while you can.

Starts, streams and stashes

Aaron Rodgers, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers

On the topic of hanging on, Rodgers continues to find his way into the streaming conversation. Despite averaging an abysmal 6.5 yards per attempt (QB23) and hitting 20 or more fantasy points in just two contests, a prime(time) Week 9 matchup at Cincinnati keeps him viable.

The Bengals' defense allows 17.3 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks -- 16.4 is league average -- and has surrendered at least 290 passing yards to half of the QBs it has faced. This includes a Week 3 encounter in which Rodgers torched Cincinnati for 292 passing yards and three touchdowns, resulting in a season-high 22.7 fantasy points.

Furthermore, the Steelers' offense leans heavily on the pass inside the scoring zone, ranking third in red zone pass rate (65%) and first inside the 10-yard line (70%). This aligns well with Cincinnati's defensive weakness against tight ends, where they allow the third-most receptions and second-most receiving yards per game to the position. Look for Rodgers to attack this vulnerability, as he already feeds his tight ends more than eight times per game (8th-most of any QB).

Adding to the drama of this matchup, both teams enter the week tied atop the AFC North at 6-2. Looking further ahead, Rodgers' streaming window remains open, as the vet draws another solid matchup in Week 11 against the Eagles, a defense allowing the seventh-most fantasy points to QBs

Chuba Hubbard, RB, Carolina Panthers

How about a round of applause for one of virtual game's most underappreciated backs? Hubbard has morphed into a bona fide primary ball carrier, logging 20 or more touches in five of his past six games. Moreover, since Jonathon Brooks was placed on IR in Week 3, Hubbard has averaged 22.2 touches per game (behind only Jahmyr Gibbs and James Cook III). In that same span, Hubbard has been equal parts efficient and versatile, ranking seventh in rushing yards per game (86.2) and ninth in receptions per game (3.5). For context, the only other player to rank in the top 10 in both categories during this time frame has been Gibbs.

Hubbard has also proved useful regardless of game script. In victories, he's dominated on the ground to the tune of 19.1 fantasy points per game, powered by 98 rushing yards per contest and four total touchdowns across three wins. When trailing, he maintains a high floor by averaging 17.4 fantasy points per game, using 22 receptions over five losses to offset any dip in rushing production. Hubbard's stock should remain sturdy against a Saints defense that allows the most fantasy points per game to running backs (27.9).

Seth McGowan, RB, Indianapolis Colts

The NFL trade deadline has come and gone, and Jonathan Taylor remains a Colt. McGowan, however, continues to offer upside. The rookie's growing role is evident after logging a snap rate of 20% or higher in six straight games, matching a season-high 31% last week. McGowan maximized his opportunities versus Dallas, converting his first carry inside the 5-yard line for a touchdown. His season rate of 4.8 yards per rush is 10th among running backs with at least 40 attempts.

With the Colts trading Josh Downs and Keenan Allen, Indianapolis figures to lean even more heavily on its ground game. Taylor has cleared 300 carries in back-to-back seasons (303 in 2024 and 323 in 2025), creating a lingering injury risk that could open the door for the backup. Even if Taylor stays healthy, McGowan could see enough volume to deliver flex value in a favorable Week 10 matchup. The Dolphins' defense has allowed the seventh-most fantasy points per game to running backs (25.4), with nine different RBs scoring 10 or more fantasy points against them in just eight games. Finally, with "Bye-mageddon" hitting in Week 11, McGowan offers further value as an upside stash.

Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings

It's been a grueling go for Jefferson and his hopeful investors. The star wideout is currently on pace for his first season falling short of 1,000 receiving yards, a cringe-inducing dip for one of the NFL's premier talents. To add insult to injury, Jefferson has finished with fewer than 10 fantasy points in four of seven games this season. To put that into perspective, Jefferson hit that low mark only three times in 2024, twice in 2023, four times in 2022, and just a single time back in 2021. This struggle to produce has been largely fueled by a 61% catch rate this season, which mirrors his 60% rate from last year but represents a noticeable drop-off from the 64% catch rate he maintained in every season prior.

So, yeah, turns out that neither Kyler Murray nor Carson Wentz has proved to be the savior we were promised. Maybe, however, Kirk Cousins -- in his prodigal return -- can resurrect Jefferson's stock. History suggests that a reunion is exactly what the receiver needs, as Jefferson has averaged an elite 19.8 FPPG across 54 starts with Cousins. Their chemistry underpins an efficient connection, yielding 15.1 yards per reception, 10.3 yards per target, and a massive 2.8 yards per route run. Most importantly for Jefferson's sagging production, Cousins consistently unlocks his explosive playmaking ability, with 26% of their total receptions going for 20 or more yards. Fire up JJettas as a hopeful top-10 wide receiver at Green Bay in Week 10.

Zay Flowers, WR, Baltimore Ravens

Forgive the flowers pun, but Zay deserves all the blooms. He's putting together a career campaign despite recording just six total receiving yards (on 11 targets) over his past two outings. His seasonlong metrics remain impressive across the board, highlighted by 15.9 fantasy points per game and an efficient 3.13 yards per route run, both of which represent new personal bests. Flowers has firmly established himself as the focal point of Baltimore's passing attack by commanding a peak 31% target share, while testing defenses primarily from the inside to rack up 88.5 fantasy points from the slot, already matching his previous top mark in that category.

The constant churn at QB has been less than ideal, though Jacoby Brissett figures to work as a sufficient bridge. His tendency to force-feed his primary playmakers should keep the opportunities flowing in Flowers' direction. Borrowing from Brissett's time in Arizona, Trey McBride and Michael Wilson rank third and sixth in targets this season, and they remarkably stand first and fourth, respectively, since Week 10 of 2025. This assumed volume and competency figures to salvage Flowers' fantasy in Week 10, especially given a matchup against a Chargers defense that allows the fourth-most fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers (36.6).

Jordyn Tyson, WR, New Orleans Saints

Tyson might not be the current moment, but his time is coming. The rookie has been on the field for "only" 18 snaps in his professional debut, but his limited utilization remains eye-opening. The eighth overall pick maximized his 16 routes by drawing five targets, resulting in a 31% target-per-route rate. For context, this hyperefficiency would rank eighth among all wideouts, placing him ahead of Matthew Golden and Malik Nabers.

Furthermore, Tyson's usage highlights exceptional versatility, as he logged a perfect 50-50 split across nine outside and nine inside (slot/TE) snaps, suggesting that he can exploit mismatches across the formation. His deployment also underscores rapidly growing coaching trust, with his playing time shifting heavily into crunch time as he accelerated from just two first-half snaps to 13 combined in the fourth quarter and overtime.

Tyson may project as only a fringe WR4 option for his Week 10 matchup against a middle-of-the-pack Carolina Panthers defense allowing 31.2 fantasy points per game to wide receivers (16th). Given, however, his promising debut and the draft capital invested by New Orleans, forward-thinking managers must prioritize the Arizona State standout as a high-upside stash down the stretch.

Travis Kelce, TE, Kansas City Chiefs

The community keeps trying to fade Kelce, but No. 87 has refused to go quietly into the night. Currently averaging 12.4 fantasy points per game -- his highest mark since 2023 -- Kelce is additionally churning out 2.3 yards/route run, which is his most efficient mark since 2022 and the fifth-highest mark of his 14-year career. In a volatile tight end landscape, his consistency stands out. Kelce has logged six games with 50 or more receiving yards, trailing only Brock Bowers and Trey McBride. Furthermore, he's posted five games with 10 or more fantasy points, a mark bested by only Bowers, McBride and Harold Fannin Jr. With Tyquan Thornton out for the year, Xavier Worthy recovering from a hamstring injury, and newly acquired Josh Downs acclimating to the offense, Kelce remains a stalwart top-10 fantasy option at the position.