Week 11 is underway and we must place as many heavy hitters in our lineup as we possibly can. Earning those wins will be massive as we are a mere three weeks away from the fantasy postseason. Last week had its ups and downs based on matchups, but the fabric of the NFL is beginning to unfold with a greater view of who are still contenders verse the opposite. Follow us as we look at the best to play and sit this week.
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Ben Roethlisberger (PIT)
Its no secret that the Steelers rest of schedule is extremely favorable, and this should again promote him to high earning levels this week. Facing the Jaguars who did play Aaron Rodgers very well – there is no question the horses the Steelers possess to lift Big-Ben’s stat line to high levels will occur. Very safe floor here.
Minnesota has properly moved toward feeding Dalvin Cook to be the primary source of offense these past several weeks, and this has lifted Kirk Cousins also. Cousins is much better when the play action pass is established and this week the matchup verse the Cowboys is mouth watering. He will continue his solid play this week.
Mike Davis (CAR)
Granted, the Panthers Mike Davis hasn’t done well over the past four weeks, but this contest should provide a great level of volume with Teddy Bridgewater possibly out or at minimum playing hurt. The Panthers will have to manufacture offense somehow verse the Lions shotty defense – this should be a safer floor for running backs this week.
Not near enough discussion has been had for Washington’s Antonio Gibson and what he’s been able to accomplish this season. The last three weeks have seen a healthy amount of volume even with J.D McKissic taking majority of the PPR work. Gibson is becoming a very safe play each week with heavy upside in matchup play.
Going all the way back to the NFL Combine, we took notice of Salvon Ahmed and are excited for the opportunity he has this week. Confirming our thoughts of what he’s capable of in week 10, this matchup verse the Broncos warranted a waiver claim and fill-in start with a good floor. Don’t be shocked to see this rookie find the endzone again this week.
Jamison Crowder (NYJ)
Talent has never been the concern with Jamison Crowder, but health this season has been the reason for lower production. When Crowder is on the field of play, he is peppered with targets on the regular and should see a heaping load this week verse the Chargers. Joe Flacco will be the quarterback in this match and we should again witness at least 10 targets come his way. We love this play this week.
The fantasy revelation this season that is Travis Fulgham, witnessed a sidestep last week and could be a vision of things to come. More talent on the field could be a warning sign of limited targets to come his way, but we are holding out hope that it was the anomaly last week not the certainty. Fulgham has been far to productive to just be an afterthought and we should see a much better showing on the horizon.
Finding very safe starts at this point of the season is a primary goal, and the Patriots Jakobi Meyers is looking to be as safe as they come. Seeing a whopping 37 targets over the last four contests, the lack of weapons has forced Cam Newton to feed this receiver. With no one likely to take his shares away, Meyers will have another great showing verse the Texans.
Logan Thomas (WAS)
For what we know of Logan Thomas, his athletic ability has carried him throughout his short NFL career. Finally looking the part of being a reliable tight end in this Washington offense – he is becoming a weekly safe play. With Alex Smith known to be captain check down – Thomas will see at minimum four targets to a ceiling of 10 this week. Don’t be surprised to see a touchdown come his way.
Matthew Stafford (DET)
The issue this week for Matthew Stafford is that he is planning to play with an injured thumb on his throwing hand. This draws massive concern in our eyes as accuracy will be an issue which will limit the overall prospects of having a sound game. Based on circumstance – bench Stafford this week.
We remember a time where the Rams Jared Goff was a splendid play and a near must start on a weekly basis. Now that isn’t the case and facing a strong defense has us running for the hills. Goff came off a great matchup verse a weaker defense and put up a dud last week – so we have zero confidence he’ll turn things around against the Bucs. Keep him on the bench.
Leonard Fournette (TB)
The time has come for us to no longer throw support to Leonard Fournette, as its clear he has been overtaken by teammate Ronald Jones. Fournette will have a role in certain contests, but his usage will be determined on in game script and alterations. There are far too many mouths to feed in this offense and the days of him being a bellcow are gone. Looks elsewhere this week.
At this point, Mark Ingram can no longer be trusted to do anything tangible for the fantasy community. Being rostered in just over 50% of leagues, the faith isn’t there. However, some may be inclined to place him in their starting lineup this week, to which we caution against that. Ingram needs to be on the bench until the Ravens prove he will receive volume.
At this point, how can the Broncos Melvin Gordon be trusted to provide for your fantasy club? Seeing a massive nosedive in terms of production the past several weeks, this magnifies that much more with Drew Lock likely out. Perhaps the reliance on the ground game will be seen without Lock, lifting Gordon’s value – but we aren’t willing to take that chance. Sit him down.
DJ Moore (CAR)
This is a cautionary sit based on the status of Teddy Bridgewater. If it’s deemed that he will not play this week, we recommend sitting DJ Moore for this contest. However, if he plays, this will provide flex appeal for Moore verse a leaky Lions secondary. We cautioned Moore for most of the season, and here we are once again. Watch the injury report before plugging him into your lineup.
A more awful campaign we haven’t witnessed for what was once a stud PPR player. The Browns and Baker Mayfield have struggled for the most part to find offense in the pass game and that will continue this week against the Eagles. If a safe floor was the thought process here – there is nothing safe about Jarvis Landry at this point. Securing only two contests over 10-points half PPR this season, anything of success at this point is a fluke for this receiver. Sit him down.
Even as the Jaguars DJ Chark has been very sound in many games this season, we can’t trust any situation to play him in week 11. Facing the Steelers who have been known to give up plays in the pass game – Chark should draw Joe Haden which will provide a limited outlook in this matchup. There is always touchdown upside for this player, but we’ll play it safe this week.
Dallas Goedert (PHI)
While we like the skillset of Dallas Goedert and what he could eventually become, the Eagles have zero identity to provide faith he will be involved this week. Even though the matchup is favorable verse the Browns, we will error on the side of caution until greater achievement is had. Even if this tight end has a day, we are more than comfortable to look elsewhere.
Matt Ryan (ATL)
The Falcons are coming off the bye and will have had enough preparation to game plan properly verse the Saints. With Drew Brees out for this contest and Taysom Hill the announced starter – the Falcons should get the ball back a number of times. Matt Ryan and the Falcons have improved and this could be a very strong showing for this passer. Even though the matchup isn’t ideal to promote a big day, don’t be shocked at a very strong showing.
Last week, we witnessed this super rookie throw for the slimmer amount of yards (187 yards) since taking over as the starting quarterback for the Chargers. Having a glorious matchup against the Jets, we fully expect Herbert to bounce back in a very big way. The Chargers are still playoff viable and will need to run the table for the rest of the season. Herbert will get back over 300 yards and find the endzone with frequency.
Damien Harris (NE)
The Patriots reinvigorated their offense last week with heavy dedication to the run game. Damien Harris is now a must start in matchup play and is likely to hold a healthy share of volume. Touchdown upside is limited with Cam Newton inside the five-yard line – but seeing 16-20 carries is becoming the standard. He could have a very strong performance this week.
Never in our wildest dreams would we have predicted Kalen Ballage being a fantasy top commodity. However, that is the case this week, as the Chargers look to pound on the lowly Jets in a must win game for the Bolts. With Joshua Kelley not playing up to par, Ballage has come in and been a breath of fresh air. He is safe and could see an explosion this week.
Being a steady performer for most of the season has been nice, but we are looking for this back to go from nice to fantastic this week. Coming off the bye and looking to make a statement to the Raiders who beat them back in week five, Clyde Edwards-Helaire is ripe to have a massive breakout. Get ready for a big day.
Wide Receivers:
Terry McLaurin (WAS)
So far this season we have witnessed the greater emergence of Terry McLaurin, but we haven’t received the top-end breakout day that would make everyone take notice. With Alex Smith looking more comfortable with each passing week – this is the contest McLaurin should go off and provide. Facing the Bengals and their weak pass defense, we fully expect 20-points to be his floor. This could be a career day.
CeeDee Lamb (DAL)
The Cowboys rookie CeeDee Lamb has been a fantastic player for most of the season, but quarterback issues have derailed his overall outlook the past few weeks. With Andy Dalton back behind center, the value markers improve against the Vikings secondary. Dalton isn’t great, but is an upgrade to the patch made solutions Dallas has used in that span. Lamb is a risk this week, but should find ways to be the leading receiver for this team.
Henry Ruggs (LVR)
History typically repeats itself, especially in the NFL. The Raiders Henry Ruggs has been used sparingly this season, and most of that downfall should rest on the scheme and quarterback for not getting him the ball. Ruggs had himself a day the last time they faced the Chiefs and we fully expect them to attempt deep shots again as it was a seen mismatch. There is a massive risk of seeing limited points on the stat sheet – but could be worth the reward.
Terry McLaurin (WAS)
So far this season we have witnessed the greater emergence of Terry McLaurin, but we haven’t received the top-end breakout day that would make everyone take notice. With Alex Smith looking more comfortable with each passing week – this is the contest McLaurin should go off and provide. Facing the Bengals and their weak pass defense, we fully expect 20-points to be his floor. This could be a career day.
The Cowboys rookie CeeDee Lamb has been a fantastic player for most of the season, but quarterback issues have derailed his overall outlook the past few weeks. With Andy Dalton back behind center, the value markers improve against the Vikings secondary. Dalton isn’t great, but is an upgrade to the patch made solutions Dallas has used in that span. Lamb is a risk this week, but should find ways to be the leading receiver for this team.
History typically repeats itself, especially in the NFL. The Raiders Henry Ruggs has been used sparingly this season, and most of that downfall should rest on the scheme and quarterback for not getting him the ball. Ruggs had himself a day the last time they faced the Chiefs and we fully expect them to attempt deep shots again as it was a seen mismatch. There is a massive risk of seeing limited points on the stat sheet – but could be worth the reward.
Irv Smith (MIN)
Since week five, the Vikings have installed a greater plan for Irv Smith to be used and this is another week we could witness the targets be plentiful in the redzone. Smith is athletically talented and should be utilized much more than he is. Facing the Cowboys who will have an issue stopping Dalvin Cook and the run game – don’t be shocked to see multiple play action passes to Smith, to be a sneaky sound play.
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