Here we are! Week 11 of the NFL season! It’s been a weird but fun ride. Hopefully, your fantasy team is looking to get a good seed as the playoffs approach. Here’s some one-stop advice to make sure that your lineup is good to go heading into Sunday’s matchups!
Fantasy Football Start Em Sit Em Week 11
Start ‘Em
Blake Bortles, QB
Bortles was pretty good for two weeks then he almost threw away the game last week. But this week’s matchup against the Cleveland Browns could not be any better. The running game should be set up and allow Bortles to have an easy time passing the ball. Don’t expect crazy numbers from Bortles but he should be a safe start this week.
Derek Carr, QB
The name Derek Carr sounds like a name that should be a no-brainer to start every week. However, Carr has struggled this year, to say the lease, and has been very frustrating for fantasy owners. He currently sits at 21 among quarterbacks, averaging 13.1 points per game. However, Carr has boasted over 300 yards over his last three games and found the end zone five times. I expect him to find paydirt 2-3 times against the New England Patriots this week.
NFL.com Start of the Week: Alex Smith
Dion Lewis, RB
Lewis has looked great the last few weeks. He’s changed from an elusive back to now a runner between the tackles. With Mike Gillislee MIA, Lewis still has to split time with Rex Burkhead and James White but this matchup should be a favorable one for the Patriots backfield as he has had over 10 targets each game the last four weeks.
Austin Ekeler, RB
This start is for those in 12 team leagues or 10 team leagues with heavy byes. Ekeler exploded last game and has solidified his spot behind Melvin Gordon on the depth chart. Going against a Buffalo defense that just got destroyed by the Saints ground game looks to be favorable for Ekeler and the 10-15 targets he’ll be looking to get.
NFL.com Start of the Week: Chris Thompson
Jarvis Landry, WR
The Dolphins have just been an ugly team to watch over the past 3 weeks. What’s even worse is we have had to witness it during primetime games. But this team could get a win over the struggling Buccaneers this week. Landry has been great in PPR the last two weeks and solid in standard as he has had a touchdown each week. The Buccaneers have struggled against wide receivers and should allow Landry to have another good week.
Amari Cooper, WR
Here is another name that was probably a late first or second round pick, so it is strange that he would not be an automatic start every week. However, Cooper has struggled mightily this year, especially with catching the ball (something that is pretty important for a receiver in the NFL). Aside from a week 7 explosion, Cooper has only achieved double-digit points twice, however, he faces a New England secondary that saw Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders each go over 15 points last week. Cooper, along with his counterpart Michael Crabtree, should have solid games facing a defense that gives up the most points to receivers this season.
NFL.com Start of the Week: Jarvis Landry
Broncos D/ST
The Bengals have been able to score on offense but this could get ugly for the Cincinnati offense in week 11. This could be one of Von Miller’s best games of the year as he gets to go against one of the worst offensive lines in the league. The Broncos should dominate up front leaving it up to a struggling Andy Dalton to try to go against one of most talented secondaries in the league. This defense could be a sleeper for best of the week.
NFL.com Start of the Week: Los Angeles Chargers
Sit ‘Em
Dak Prescott, QB
Coming off of his worst game of this season, Prescott will have a tough time bouncing back against the Eagles defense. Especially if left tackle Tyron Smith is inactive. Ronald Darby, the Eagles number one corner, is set to return this week and has been practicing in full. Like stated above, this game could turn into a bad day for the Cowboys.
Jared Goff, QB
Jared Goff has been a pleasant surprise this season after an abysmal rookie year. Goff ranks 9th this season after back to back 25+ point performances. This week, however, Goff and the Rams travel to Minnesota to face the third-ranked passing defense. This should be a great matchup and possibly a playoff preview, but Goff will struggle to put up points. Keep Goff on your bench this week, and stream another option.
NFL.com Sit of the Week: Matt Ryan
Alfred Morris, RB
The Cowboys showed what it’s like to lose three of their star players last week. Losing the two on offense, Tyron Smith and Ezekiel Elliott, had the Cowboys bewildered about how to gain yards on offense. No, they were not shut out but definitely not the offense we’ve seen this year. This week’s matchup against the Eagles might be a little more of a blowout than people think. The least the Eagles should be able to do is shut down Morris.
Duke Johnson Jr. / Isaiah Crowell, RB
Johnson Jr. and Crowell have been a bright spot on the Browns porous offense ranking 14th and 24th respectively. This week, however, you should stay away from any and every Browns offensive player as they face off against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Surprisingly, the Jags have given up the 11th most fantasy points to tailbacks this season, but that trend will change in week 11 as Cleveland will be playing from behind from the get-go.
NFL.com Sit of the Week: Joe Mixon
Jordy Nelson, WR
Nelson only has eight targets for 68 yards since Aaron Rodgers went down. What’s worse is that he has no touchdowns during that time either. Those stats alone keep Nelson on the bench but a matchup against the Raven’s defense makes it even worse for Nelson. Until Brett Hundley gets a connection with Nelson he can stay on the bench.
Sammy Watkins, WR
Watkins has been able to score the last two weeks but who hasn’t on the Rams? Three games with over 30+ points are making some people think this offense can reach the greatest show on turf levels. Throughout those weeks, however, he only has five receptions. So Watkins is a big play threat but that does not translate well into fantasy. Especially going against a top defense like the Vikings and their loaded secondary.
NFL.com Sit of the Week: Jordy Nelson
Bills D/ST
After a crushing defeat at home last week, the Bills have another test against the Chargers. While the Chargers have not been much of an offensive threat, the Bills defense looked so bad last week they need a week or two to prove themselves viable in fantasy. The news that the new starting QB is Nathan Peterman also could hurt this defense if the offense is unable to move. Find better matchups this week and let the Bills prove themselves.
NFL.com Sit of the Week: Buffalo Bills