As we head into the crucial Week 11 of the fantasy football season, lineup decisions become more critical than ever. With injuries, bye weeks, and surprising performances shaking up the rankings, even the most seasoned fantasy managers face tough start/sit choices. Fear not, intrepid owner, because we’ve scoured the matchups, analyzed the trends, and consulted our panel of experts to bring you the most comprehensive Week 11 fantasy football advice. Get ready to optimize your roster and dominate your league!
Week 11 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em: Position-by-Position Breakdown
Our experts have pored over the data, weighing factors like matchups, usage trends, and defensive vulnerabilities to identify the players poised for Week 11 success. We’ve also flagged the riskier options that might be worth benching in favor of a steadier producer. Let’s dive in!
Quarterbacks
Start: Matt Bowen is high on Drake Maye, despite a subpar Week 10. “Maye is in a better spot this week against a Rams defense that has allowed 16 passing scores (sixth most) and 8.4 YPA (second highest),” notes Bowen. Fire up the rookie with confidence.
Sit: Tristan H. Cockcroft advises caution with Jordan Love. “Only two quarterbacks in nine games have scored 15 or more fantasy points against the Bears,” he warns. Look elsewhere for your QB1.
Running Backs
Start: According to Mike Clay, this could be a blowup spot for Colts RB Josh Jacobs against a porous Lions run defense. “The Lions have seen six running backs score 16-plus PPR fantasy points against them in the past five weeks,” Clay reports. Lock in Jacobs as an RB1.
Sit: Tristan H. Cockcroft urges managers to bench Bills RB James Cook, despite his lofty season-long ranking. “The Chiefs will be his toughest test all season. They haven’t had a single running back exceed 14 points against them all season,” cautions Cockcroft. Cook is an RB3/flex at best.
Wide Receivers
Start: Mike Clay loves the spot for Jaguars rookie WR Cedric Tillman. “Tillman has had 31 targets during the three games (with at least nine in all three) and no wide receiver has scored more fantasy points during the span,” gushes Clay. Consider Tillman a WR3 with WR2 upside.
Sit: Matt Bowen thinks managers should fade Jayden Reed against the Bears. “Reed aligns in the slot 71% of the time, and the Bears have surrendered the fewest points to slot receivers,” Bowen observes. Reed is a low-end flex in Week 11.
Tight Ends
Start: According to Tristan H. Cockcroft, Dolphins TE Jonnu Smith is a sneaky Week 11 play. “Smith has averaged 11.4 PPR fantasy points and 5.8 targets in four games since the Dolphins’ bye week. The Raiders have been one of the worst defenses against tight ends this season,” notes Cockcroft. Smith is on the TE1 radar.
Sit: Despite his theoretical upside, Cowboys TE Jake Ferguson remains TD-or-bust, argues Matt Bowen. “Ferguson has posted double-digit points in just one of his past four games and he’s yet to find the end zone this season,” Bowen points out. Look for a higher-floor TE option.
Waiver Wire Gems & One-Week Wonders
Need a bye week fill-in or a high-upside flier? Our gurus have some spicy Week 11 suggestions:
- Broncos RB Audric Estime: “Estime is quickly emerging as the lead runner in Denver. Yes, Estime might not give you much as a receiver, but he’s a powerful, downhill runner with the foot quickness to get out of trouble,” explains Matt Bowen.
- 49ers WR Ricky Pearsall: The rookie has a growing role in Kyle Shanahan’s offense. “Pearsall has now logged double-digit production in each of his past two games, with 15 targets over his past three. Play him as a deeper-league WR3 versus Seattle this week,” advises Bowen.
- Chargers WR Quentin Johnston: “You can stream in Quentin Johnston, who has found the end zone at least once in four of his past six,” suggests Bowen.
Injury & Outlook Updates for Week 11
Finally, a quick spin around the league’s most impactful injuries and confounding situations:
- Bengals WR Tee Higgins (Q): If Higgins sits, fire up Trenton Irwin as a volume-based WR3.
- Cowboys QB Dak Prescott (O): With Prescott out, Cooper Rush should only be started in superflex formats. Downgrade the Dallas pass-catchers accordingly.
- Bills TE Dalton Kincaid (O): “The door is open for Knox to take on a defined role in this week’s home matchup against the Chiefs,” declares Bowen. Consider the athletic Knox a TE2 with upside.
There you have it, fantasy managers. With these Week 11 tips in your arsenal, you’re ready to rock the virtual gridiron. May your sleepers pop, your studs stay healthy, and your scores be plentiful. Let’s get those W’s!
Fantasy football is an emotional rollercoaster, but it’s the challenges that make the victories so sweet. Believe in the process, trust your instincts, and don’t be afraid to get a little lucky.
– Fantasy Football Legend, name withheld
Dominate your league and make your playoff push with savvy start/sit decisions, shrewd free agent pickups, and perfectly-timed trades. Most of all, don’t forget to have fun. It’s called fantasy for a reason. See you in the winner’s circle!
