Who should you start and who should you sit at each position in fantasy football Week 11 in the 2016 NFL season?
For a majority of the fantasy football leagues out there, the regular season only has three weeks remaining. Some teams have already clinched a playoff spot while others will have to take solace in playing spoiler for the next few games.
This week and every week from here on out, I’ll be reminding owners to make sure they have their handcuffs locked up on their bench. Do you own Ezekiel Elliott? If you do, you lucky rascal, you better make sure Alfred Morris is on your bench. Same goes for Andre Ellington to all of you David Johnson owners out there.
It might seem obvious to handcuff key running backs this time of the year, but there were plenty of owners out there that didn’t handcuff Mark Ingram, Chris Johnson and/or Jonathan Stewart in 2015. Then between, Weeks 12-15, all three of them went down for the season. It’s one thing to have one of your running backs to go down for the season. It’s another thing to see your opponent in the playoffs starting that players handcuff against you.
If you read this article weekly, first off—thank you. Second, you see me saying this just about every week. But as always, I do my best to avoid easy picks. You’re starting players like Tom Brady and Antonio Brown if you got them and no you’re not starting Jared Goff.
This is Fantasy Football: Start/Sit, Week 11 Edition.
Teams on bye: Atlanta Falcons, Denver Broncos, New York Jets and San Diego Chargers
Nov 7, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) avoids the tackle by Seattle Seahawks strong safety Kelcie McCray (33) during the second half of a NFL football game at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Quarterbacks
Start
Tyrod Taylor, Buffalo Bills vs. Cincinnati Bengals – Taylor was quietly a backend QB1 for much of the season. However, his big time performance on primetime in Week 9 spoiled that secret. Taylor has a rushing touchdown in three-straight games and has four on the season. He’s also averaging 40 rushing yards per game and has more rushing yards on the season than Bengals running back Giovani Bernard.
Blake Bortles, Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Detroit Lions – Over the last three games, Blake “Garbage Man” Bortles has been pretty solid. Maybe not from a real life perspective, but in fantasy he has been. He has three-straight games with multiple touchdown passes and is averaging 285 yards per game during that span. The Lions secondary has been below average for a majority of the season and is giving up 272 passing yards per game.
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Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks vs. Philadelphia Eagles – Many owners lost faith in Wilson and rightfully so. With that said, I strongly believe owners need to put their trust back in him. In the first seven games of the season he only has five total touchdowns. Over his last two, he has six total touchdowns. He looks better. He looks healthy. He looks like the Russell Wilson of old.
Sit
Carson Palmer, Arizona Cardinals vs. Minnesota Vikings – Well, that does it. Palmer is officially dead to me. There’s no turning back. After a terrific matchup last week against the 49ers at home, Palmer came up short just like he has for majority of the season. The Vikings defense isn’t as scary as they were in the beginning of the season, but I have no faith in Palmer.
Derek Carr, Oakland Raiders vs. Houston Texans – I know people are in love with Carr after his 500-yard and four-touchdown performance back in Week 8. Yet, he has only thrown multiple touchdowns just once in the last four games. The Texans on the other hand have only given up multiple touchdown passes to an opposing quarterback in only two games this season.
Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals vs. Buffalo Bills – As much grief I give Bills head coach Rex Ryan, the fact is he’s still a great defensive mind. Coming out of a bye week I expect him to keep Dalton bottled up for most of the game. Considering Dalton has only thrown multiple touchdowns in a game just twice this season, it shouldn’t be that difficult.
Oct 30, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Isaiah Crowell (34) runs the ball as New York Jets strong safety Calvin Pryor (25) goes for the tackle during the second quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Running Backs
Start
Isaiah Crowell, Cleveland Browns vs. Pittsburgh Steelers – Crowell has certainly cooled down from his hot start in the beginning of the season. What he has going for him this week is the Steelers run defense is just awful. They have given up multiple rushing touchdowns to opposing runnings backs in three out of their last four games. They also recently lost arguably their best defensive player, Cameron Heyward, for the rest of the season.
Jonathan Stewart, Carolina Panthers vs. New Orleans Saints – Owners might be a little hesitant about starting Stewart going into Week 11. Over his last two games, he only has 81 total yards, no touchdowns and no receptions. However, his matchup against the Saints defense is too appealing to pass up on. The Saints don’t have a good defense and the last time Stewart played them (Week 6), he scored two touchdowns.
Latavius Murray, Oakland Raiders vs. Houston Texans – It looks like the Raiders have finally settled on the idea of giving Murray 15+ touches per game. Playing behind one of the best offensive lines in the NFL, I think he finds the end zone in this one.
Sit
Rashad Jennings, New York Giants vs. Chicago Bears – Last week Jennings set a season high with 87 rushing yards. The Bears entire team is perceived as a complete dumpster fire but their front-seven is actually pretty stout. Over their last six games they have only given up two total rushing touchdowns to opposing running backs.
Mark Ingram, New Orleans Saints vs. Carolina Panthers – As bad as the Panthers have been this season, their run defense has been tough on opposing running backs. They haven’t given up a rushing touchdown to an opposing running back in five straight games and Ingram will more than likely be splitting touches with Tim Hightower. Ingram has less than 65 rushing yards in seven out of 10 games this season and I just don’t see him saving owners with a touchdown.
Terrance West, Baltimore Ravens vs. Dallas Cowboys – West has averaged 19 touches over the last two weeks, which owners like. What they can’t like is he’s only averaging 52 total yards per game in those two weeks. With Kenneth Dixon looking like the more explosive runner, it wouldn’t be a surprise if he turns this backfield into a true 50/50 timeshare as soon as this week.
November 6, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas (13) catches a touchdown against San Francisco 49ers cornerback Jimmie Ward (25) during the first quarter at Levi
Wide Receivers
Start
Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints vs. Carolina Panthers – The rookie had a rough day against the Broncos last week, but that defense makes some of the best look bad at times. This week he gets a lot easier matchup against the Panthers, who have given up nine touchdowns to opposing wide receivers over the last six games.
Allen Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Detroit Lions – Robinson was a obvious must start in the start of the season. Then he went from benchable, to tradable to even droppable in some leagues. Now, he’s back to must start in my opinion. His per game average with the Jaguars new offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett is eight receptions, 92 yards and one touchdown. Against the Lions secondary he should make it three strong games in a row.
Eli Rogers, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cleveland Browns – Believe it or not, I think Rogers gets some FLEX appeal this week. Darrius Heyward-Bey has already been ruled out. Markus Wheaton looks unlikely to play. If Sammie Coates does play, he’ll be well under 100 percent with this busted hand. Over the last two games Rogers has averaged 7.5 targets, five receptions, 73yards and 0.5 touchdowns. The Browns have given up eight touchdowns to opposing wide receivers over the last five games.
Sit
Jordan Matthews, Philadelphia Eagles vs. Seattle Seahawks – The No. 1 wide receiver has been solid for the Eagles in three straight games, but I’m not betting he makes it four-straight. The Seahawks secondary and entire defense got a boost with the return of Kam Chancellor last week. I’m seeing a long day for the Eagles offense playing on the road against the Seahawks and the 12th Man.
Marvin Jones, Detroit Lions vs. Jacksonville Jaguars – I just can’t trust Jones at this point and you shouldn’t either. He’s only averaging 2.5 receptions and 36 receiving yards over his last four games. Golden Tate has taken back No. 1 WR duties from Jones and I’m not sure he’s going to give it back.
Ty Montgomery, Green Bay Packers vs. Washington Redskins – It was fun while it lasted but Montgomery’s fantasy days appear to be over for the moment. In James Starks first week back he out-touched Montgomery and played more snaps. A contributing factor for that appears to be Montgomery isn’t over his illness that caused him to miss a game a few weeks ago.
Oct 30, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz (87) celebrates after making a touchdown reception during the second quarter against the Detroit Lions at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Tight Ends
Start
C.J. Fiedorowicz, Houston Texans vs. Oakland Raiders – Since Week 4, Fiedo has never gone back-to-back weeks without a receiving touchdown. This week he gets the Raiders who have given up four receiving touchdowns to opposing tight ends over the last five game. I like the odds of the Texans tight end of finding the endzone this week after not finding it last week.
Zach Miller, Chicago Bears vs. New York Giants – Last week, I told owners to start Miller and it didn’t work out. Well, let’s go double or nothing. With Alshon Jeffery out for the next four games, Miller very well could lead this team in targets.
Sit
Kyle Rudolph, Minnesota Vikings vs. Arizona Cardinals – For the most part, tight ends in fantasy this season are TD-or-bust. The Cardinals have yet to allow a receiving touchdown to an opposing tight ends this season, so there’s a good chance he falls short this week.
Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys vs. Baltimore Ravens – Witten has been coming on strong as of late, but it’s hard to recommend him this week. The Ravens gave up their first receiving touchdown to a tight end of the season last week. However, it was to the Cleveland Browns backup tight end who only had one reception on the season going into the game.
Nov 13, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; Miami Dolphins cornerback Tony Lippett (36) is congratulated by teammates after intercepting a pass in the endzone against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
D/ST
Start
Miami Dolphins vs. Los Angeles Rams – The Dolphins have looked like an entirely different team over their last four games and that includes their defense. The Rams are trotting out Jared Goff for his first ever career start. This is a guy who wasn’t good enough to beat out Case Keenum for the starting job until now and the truth is, he still might not be better than Keenum.
Oakland Raiders vs. Houston Texans – The overall stats might tell you this defense isn’t good, but they have been improving. They have a few playmakers on that defense and that includes one of the best in the business Khalil Mack. Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler has only eclipsed 190 passing yards once out of the teams last five games so what is there to be afraid of?
Sit
Baltimore Ravens vs. Dallas Cowboys – I loved the Ravens matchup last week and they’ve been more than productive for three straight games. This week, not so much. No D/ST has scored double-digit points against the Cowboys and almost half of them ended up with negative points.
Los Angeles Rams vs. Miami Dolphins – The Rams defense is the strength of their team and they could have a bad fantasy day without it being their fault. That’s because I strongly believe Jared Goff and that offense are going to put them in some terrible spots on Sunday.
Nov 13, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett reacts on the sidelines against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter at Heinz Field. Dallas won 35-30. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Last Week and Season-Long Record of Start/Sit
This week and every week I’ll be keeping track of my recommendations from the week before and total for the entire season. Keep in mind, I’m not going to recommend ridiculously obvious players to sit or start just to pad my stats.
Week 10 QB Starts: Marcus Mariota, Carson Palmer and Jameis Winston – The 49ers gave up multiple touchdown passes to opposing quarterbacks in seven-straight games. Carson Palmer couldn’t make it eight-straight. C’mon man! Result 2/3
Week 10 QB Sits: Kirk Cousins and Blake Bortles – Both Cousins and Bortles exceeded fantasy expectations. At least, my fantasy expectations. Result 0/2
Week 10 RB Starts: Jordan Howard, Devontae Booker and Giovani Bernard – Both Howard and Booker tied for the 17th best running back performances in Week 10. Neither were pretty but if you started them, you did better than most. Result 2/3
Week 10 RB Sits: Jerick McKinnon, Christine Michael and 49ers running backs – Not one of these running backs finished with more than two standard league points. Result 3/3
Week 10 WR Starts: Jordan Matthews, Tyrell Williams and J.J Nelson – Williams had a really good game while Nelson did not. Matthews had 73 receiving yards and I’m on the fence about it. Maybe on a week where wide receivers didn’t do so well I would give myself the nod, but not this week. Result 1/3
Week 10 WR Sits: Willie Snead, Cameron Meredith and Doug Baldwin – Every guy found the end zone. I’m a tad embarrassed. Result 0/3
Week 10 TE Starts: Zach Miller and Zach Ertz – Neither found the end zone. Result 0/2
Week 10 TE Sits: Gary Barnidge and Coby Fleener – Neither found the end zone. Result 2/2
Week 10 D/ST Starts: Baltimore Ravens and New York Jets – Both finished inside the top-n10 Result 2/2
Week 10 D/ST Sits: Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots – Neither team finished inside the top-14. Result 2/2
Week 10 Results: 14/25 = 56 percent
Season Long Results: 141.5/250 = 56 percent
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