Arguably, the most frustrating thing in fantasy football is seeing someone in your starting lineup struggle that week. Therefore, the logic behind this article is simple – identify fantasy football lineup landmines.

These are players you’re leaning towards starting this week but could end up being a landmine that blows up and destroys your starting lineup, potentially costing you your matchup.

Brace yourself and take cover. These six players could blow up in your face in Week 10.

• Waiver Wire Advice
• Weekly Fantasy Football Expert Rankings
• Fantasy Football Start/Sit Advice
• Fantasy Football Trade Tools

Fantasy Football Lineup Landmines: Week 10

Baker Mayfield (QB – TB) vs. San Francisco 49ers

Mayfield is the QB2 for the year, averaging 22.5 fantasy points per game. However, fantasy players should avoid starting him this week. The veteran had 18 fantasy points on Monday against the Kansas City Chiefs, his first performance totaling under 22 fantasy points since Week 3. The Buccaneers’ wide receiver core has been gotten with injuries. Last week, the team’s wide receivers combined for 91 receiving yards, with Sterling Shepard leading the way with 48 on four receptions. More importantly, Mayfield has an awful matchup against a talented 49ers defense.

San Francisco has held quarterbacks to 14.6 fantasy points per game, the 10th-fewest in the NFL. They have surrendered 13.6 or fewer fantasy points to quarterbacks in 75% of their games, including five of their past six matchups. Furthermore, quarterbacks have averaged 1.3 passing touchdowns per game against the 49ers, totaling one or fewer in 62.5% of the contests, including five consecutive matchups before their last game in Week 8. Expect San Francisco to continue their trend of limiting tight ends, taking away Mayfield’s best weapon in the passing game.

Tony Pollard (RB – TEN) vs. Los Angeles Chargers

The veteran running back didn’t practice all week because of a foot injury but managed to play in Week 9. Pollard had 28 rushing attempts for 128 yards and three receptions for 26 receiving yards against the New England Patriots, totaling 16.9 half-point PPR fantasy points. He has scored 13.2 or more fantasy points in four of the past five games, totaling at least 18 touches in every contest. However, the Titans could get Tyjae Spears back from a hamstring injury this week, cutting into Pollard’s workload.

More importantly, the former Memphis star has an awful matchup against the Chargers. Los Angeles held Nick Chubb to only 2.6 yards per rushing attempt and four fantasy points in Week 9. Running backs have averaged only 14.3 fantasy points per game against the Charges, the second-fewest in the NFL this season. Los Angeles has given up only one rushing touchdown to running backs, the fewest in the league. Furthermore, the Chargers have held running backs to under 53 rushing yards in half of the game since their bye week.

Travis Etienne Jr. (RB – JAC) vs. Minnesota Vikings

Last week, Etienne returned to the lineup after missing two games with a hamstring injury. However, the former Clemson star only played 31% of the snaps, his lowest mark in a game he didn’t leave early this season. Furthermore, he played only four more snaps than D’Ernest Johnson (17 vs. 13), while Tank Bigsby nearly doubled him in snaps (28). Etienne had only five touches for 30 scrimmage yards in Week 9, totaling four half-point PPR fantasy points. He has had fewer than 9.1 fantasy points in four consecutive contests.

Unfortunately, fantasy players have more to worry about with Etienne than his slip in production. He faces a Vikings defense that has shut down opposing running backs, surrendering the fifth-fewest fantasy points per game this year (16.8). Last week, Minnesota held Jonathan Taylor to 3.7 yards per rushing attempt and 7.4 fantasy points. Furthermore, they limited Taylor and Breece Hall to 71 rushing yards and 12.6 fantasy points over the past five weeks. No Jaguars running back should be ranked inside the top 30 in Week 10.

Michael Pittman Jr. (WR – IND) vs. Buffalo Bills

Pittman is the WR53 for the season, averaging 7.1 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. He has averaged fewer fantasy points per game than Darius Slayton (7.8). The former USC star has averaged 1.7 receptions on five targets for 31 receiving yards and 3.9 fantasy points per game over the past three weeks, totaling 2.1 or fewer in back-to-back contests. Many thought Pittman’s fantasy value would improve with Joe Flacco taking over as the starter. Unfortunately, he had his worst performance this year in Week 9 with Flacco under center.

The former USC star had one reception on four targets for 14 receiving yards and 1.9 fantasy points, all season lows. More importantly, Pittman has an awful matchup in Week 10. The Bills have held wide receivers to 21.6 fantasy points per game, the fifth-fewest in the NFL. Last week, Tyreek Hill had four receptions on five targets for 80 receiving yards and 10 fantasy points against Buffalo. Furthermore, the Bills have surrendered the third-fewest receiving yards (560) to outside wide receivers this year (per Fantasy Points Data).

Jake Ferguson (TE – DAL) vs. Philadelphia Eagles

While Dallas’ season isn’t mathematically over, it’s practically over. Dak Prescott suffered a significant hamstring injury on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons, likely forcing him to land on injured reserve. While Cooper Rush is a solid backup, Ferguson’s fantasy production will take a hit without the franchise quarterback. The veteran is the TE17 for the year, averaging 7.5 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Unfortunately, he has struggled lately, averaging 6.2 fantasy points per game over the past four weeks, totaling 5.3 or less in all but one contest.

Meanwhile, Ferguson has to face an elite Eagles defense in Week 10. Philadelphia has held tight ends to 5.9 fantasy points per game, the fourth-fewest in the NFL. Tight ends have scored fewer than 5.7 fantasy points against the Eagles in 62.5% of their matchups. Furthermore, Philadelphia has allowed tight ends to total more than three receptions and 31 receiving yards against them in only half of the games this season. More importantly, the Eagles are one of three teams not to surrender a touchdown to tight ends in 2024.

Cade Otton (TE – TB) vs. San Francisco 49ers

Otton has been a fantasy star this season. The third-year pro is the TE3 for the year, averaging 9.5 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. After a slow start, he has been outstanding with Mike Evans (hamstring) and Chris Godwin (ankle) out of the lineup. Otton has averaged 10.3 targets and 18.8 fantasy points per game over the past three weeks, totaling three receiving touchdowns in the past two contests. Furthermore, the former Washington star has had at least eight receptions for 77 receiving yards in three consecutive games.

However, Otton put up those numbers against three teams that struggle to defend tight ends. Unfortunately, he won’t have a fantasy-friendly matchup before the Buccaneers’ bye week. The 49ers have held tight ends to 7.8 fantasy points per game, the 10th-fewest in the NFL. They have surrendered fewer than 5.4 fantasy points to tight ends in half of their matchups. Furthermore, San Francisco has given up only two receiving touchdowns to tight ends, including none since Week 5. Don’t be surprised if the 49ers consistently double-team Otton.

Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.