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Welcome to our Week 11 matchup analysis and start/sit column for fantasy football. We'll be covering every single contest from the Sunday slate in one convenient location, helping you make the best decisions for your fantasy lineups. Be sure to check back regularly because this article will be updated as news comes in regarding injuries and other important information.
Chris O'Reilly will start off by covering the first set of games that begin at 1:00 PM ET on Sunday, and Spencer Aguiar will take you home with his analysis of the late afternoon and evening games.
If you have any additional lineup questions, follow us on Twitter @Teeoffsports and @cjoreillyCLE and feel free to ask away! Without further ado, let's get started.
Matchups Analysis - 1:00 PM ET Games
New York Jets at Washington Redskins
Matchups We Love:
Jamison Crowder (WR, NYJ)
Fun fact: Jamison Crowder leads the Jets in red zone targets with eight. Since Sam Darnold returned in Week 6, Crowder has 26 receptions on 34 targets for an average of 62.4 yards per game. He's also scored a touchdown in his last two games. With the Redskins tied for the third-lowest average depth of target against, I like Crowder to see a ton of short-range PPR opportunities on Sunday.
Le'Veon Bell (RB, NYJ)
Le'Veon Bell's status as a "love" for this week hinges on whether he makes a full recovery from the illness that held him out of practice on Wednesday. Assuming he does, there aren't many better matchups for a volume-based RB than the Redskins. Washington is giving up over six receptions per game to opposing backs, along with the sixth-most total rushing yards. Bell has been used frequently enough in the Jets' passing game to warrant the expectation of a solid PPR floor. His stranglehold on their rushing workload should help offset the fact that the Jets continue to be one of the worst teams in the NFL in terms of run blocking. No team is permitting its opponents to run more offensive plays per possession than Washington, so Bell could be used to wear their defense down. Bell isn't the RB1 you hoped you were getting when you drafted him, but he should be in line to produce at least high-end RB2 numbers against the Redskins.
UPDATE: Le'Veon Bell carries a questionable tag into the weekend, though it appears as if he'll play Sunday.
Matchups We Hate:
Adrian Peterson / Derrius Guice (RB, WSH)
The first thing to consider regarding Adrian Peterson's outlook for Week 11 is that he's dealing yet again with an injury that has slowed him in practice. It almost seems as though Peterson appears on Washington's injury report as an observance of some sort of weekly tradition, however, because he is usually given the go-ahead on game days regardless of what ails him. Combine his banged-up body with the return of a fresh young running back in Derrius Guice, add the Jets run defense on top of it all, and what do you get? Not a great matchup for Peterson. The same goes for Guice, especially since you have to figure the Redskins are going to tread very carefully with their 2018 draft pick considering he has played in an actual NFL game just once in a season and a half. I'm expecting an even enough split that neither comes into play as a volume workhorse, and with the Jets just barely giving up three yards per carry to RBs, I'm very much hoping for a touchdown from whichever Washington back I have in my lineup. If teammate Chris Thompson is yet again inactive, perhaps Guice gains some PPR flex appeal.
UPDATE: Adrian Peterson has cleared Washington's injury report as of Friday afternoon.
Robby Anderson (WR, NYJ)
In Sam Darnold's first game back from an illness that kept him out for the first quarter of the season, Robby Anderson went off for 125 yards and a touchdown on five catches. The Jets' downfield threat looked poised to surge in the second half of the season, but so far that hasn't happened. He hasn't scored a touchdown, gone over 43 receiving yards, or caught more than four passes since. His target share also takes a back seat to that of Crowder, and even that of Le'Veon Bell to some extent. The Redskins are permitting just 5.44 air yards per completion, and 4.38 yards after the catch. Anderson needs big plays and touchdowns to return fantasy value, and it's tough to see him getting many chances at either for Week 11.
Other Matchups:
Ryan Griffin (TE, NYJ)
With Chris Herndon now officially out of the picture, Ryan Griffin is the guy at tight end for the Jets. While the Redskins have been a middle-of-the-pack matchup for tight ends, their tendency to force opponents into settling for the short-range passing game could bode well for Griffin from a volume standpoint. At the very least, he should be in line to rebound from a one-catch performance in Week 10.
Demaryius Thomas (WR, NYJ)
Demaryius Thomas is once again visible on New York's injury report, so pay attention to his status heading into the weekend. If he's active, he'll depend on volume for fantasy production. Lately, he's been seeing more opportunities than big-play threat Robby Anderson, though even if this game turns into check-down central for the Jets, Thomas still has to contend with Jamison Crowder, Le'Veon Bell, and Ryan Griffin. It's tough to bank on him as anything more than a low-end PPR flex.
UPDATE: Demaryius Thomas remains questionable heading into the weekend, but the fact that he was at least able to log limited practice sessions lends promise to his Sunday status. Keep up with news on Thomas until an official verdict is rendered.
Sam Darnold (QB, NYJ)
Sam Darnold has taken strides toward cutting down on turnovers in his last two games after throwing seven combined picks in Weeks 7 and 8, but interceptions are always going to be in the back of your mind when considering him for fantasy purposes. For what it's worth, the Redskins Defense owns the fifth-highest interception rate in the league. It's also worth pointing out that the Redskins are allowing the highest completion percentage in the NFL, but Darnold hasn't been efficient enough to believe he's a shoe-in to capitalize on that.
Dwayne Haskins (QB, WSH)
The starting QB job in Washington officially belongs to Dwayne Haskins. Though he's looked wildly unprepared in his minimal time on the field this season, Haskins could be looking at something of a confidence boost in a matchup with the Jets. The Jets have allowed three straight quarterbacks--Gardner Minshew, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Daniel Jones--to throw for at least 275 yards and three touchdowns. New York is also statistically the second-worst red zone defense in the league, setting Haskins up for some potential scores if he can manage the offense well enough to sustain drives and get in close. You're still not well-served to trot him out there in any fantasy format, but it will be interesting to see if he's able to use this matchup as a building block for the home stretch.
Terry McLaurin / Paul Richardson / Trey Quinn (WR, WSH)
Terry McLaurin used to get his own write-up, but that was when Case Keenum was his primary quarterback. McLaurin's fantasy production has taken a serious hit with anyone else throwing him the ball this season, and he's dropped off the map somewhat over his last three games anyway. After recording at least 51 receiving yards and/or a touchdown in his first five games, McLaurin has caught just nine total passes on 14 total targets for 89 yards in his last three--and no touchdowns. It would be wise to anticipate more growing pains for this already bad offense with the rookie Haskins now assuming the starting job. There's promise in the matchup; the Jets are tied for the most touchdowns allowed to wide receivers, and are permitting more than 14 receptions per game to the position. I can justify starting McLaurin if I'm extremely thin at WR or flex. I would have to feel like the luckiest fantasy owner in the world to take a chance on Trey Quinn or Paul Richardson.
UPDATE: Paul Richardson has officially been ruled out for Sunday.
Chris Thompson (RB, WSH)
Chris Thompson still isn't practicing due to turf toe. Monitor his status going into the weekend, not necessarily because you want him in fantasy lineups, but because of what it might mean for his positional teammates. Peterson is scarcely involved in the Redskins passing game, so with Guice coming back, the PPR opportunities could go to the latter if Thompson doesn't play.
UPDATE: As was expected, Chris Thompson will not play on Sunday. With both Thompson and Richardson inactive, Terry McLaurin could see even more chances than usual with such a dearth of dependability among other Redskins pass-catchers.
Jeremy Sprinkle (TE, WSH)
Vernon Davis remains in concussion protocol as of Wednesday afternoon, which casts doubt on his ability to make a late-week turnaround. Jeremy Sprinkle looks poised once again to assume primary tight end duties for the Redskins, but he's held the role for most of the season without any boost in fantasy production. Why would Week 11 be any different?
UPDATE: Vernon Davis is once again inactive for Sunday, but as is discussed above, this scenario has not had any positive impact on Jeremy Sprinkle all year.
Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins
Matchups We Love:
Devin Singletary / Frank Gore (RB, BUF)
Buffalo couldn't get anything going on the ground against the Browns in Week 10, but it's worth noting Devin Singletary out-touched Frank Gore for the second consecutive week. Expect the same this Sunday with a much more favorable matchup in the Dolphins. Even if the split doesn't tilt lopsidedly in his favor, Singletary has largely been efficient enough to capitalize on a touch count in the 12-15 range. He's also seeing enough work in the passing game to give him a potentially high floor. Gore is one of seven players with at least 10 carries inside the five this season, so you might have to hope for a touchdown in order for him to maximize his fantasy value. Still, there should be enough opportunity for both to succeed in this matchup.
Matchups We Hate:
Ryan Fitzpatrick (QB, MIA)
Despite showing some cracks in their armor in recent weeks, the Bills Defense still isn't what you would call a favorable opponent for a fantasy quarterback. Baker Mayfield was the first quarterback all season to throw for at least 200 yards and multiple touchdowns against them. Miami's spirited efforts over the last two weeks aren't worth getting too excited over, and Ryan Fitzpatrick can continue to be treated as an afterthought.
Kalen Ballage (RB, MIA)
If there's anything to like about Kalen Ballage, it's that even though he is clearly not up to the challenge of leading a backfield, he's going to do so anyway. Despite averaging 2.2 yards per carry in his first game as the starter last week, he still got 20 carries in a low-scoring duel with the Colts. Buffalo's recent susceptibility to opposing ground games should not be looked upon as a reason to take an ill-fated gamble on Ballage this week.
Other Matchups:
Devante Parker (WR, MIA)
DeVante Parker remains in the picture as a legitimate PPR threat after posting double-digit such outings in six straight games. That said, he has maintained a relatively low ceiling even despite having scored four touchdowns in this span. Buffalo's stinginess against the pass figures to further cap that ceiling, placing Parker in the volume-dependent, low-end flex range for Week 11.
Mike Gesicki (TE, MIA)
Mike Gesicki has seen exactly six targets in back-to-back games, casting optimism on the idea that he will inherit a more prominent second-half role in Miami's offense with Preston Williams out for the year. Even so, a matchup with a Bills defense permitting fewer than three receptions per game to tight ends does not feel like the appropriate time to put your eggs in this basket.
Josh Allen (QB, BUF)
With how dreadful the Dolphins are against the run, we can safely bank on the Bills turning to their defense and ground game to secure this road victory. We can use last week's game--a low-scoring loss in which Josh Allen attempted a season-high 41 passes and completed just 22 of them--to illustrate just how important it is for the Bills not to have to rely on their quarterback to air it out. The rushing ability always gives Allen a high floor, but I'm envisioning a much more balanced offensive showing out of Buffalo both in terms of game flow and game plan for Week 11.
John Brown / Cole Beasley (WR, BUF)
John Brown has posted double-digit PPR points in every game but one this season. His target share will keep him in line for such outings on a weekly basis even if the Bills are at their best when they don't have to throw a ton. Miami is allowing 14.73 yards per reception to WRs, putting Brown on the map as a big-play candidate, and the Dolphins have also allowed 13 touchdowns to the position. Cole Beasley is tougher to trust in terms of both production and volume, but he's still the definitive number-two receiving option behind Brown. Brown has to be considered a mid-range flex play at worst considering his output, while Beasley will need volume and/or a touchdown to bring back similar value.
Dawson Knox (TE, BUF)
The Dolphins are allowing just over five receptions for 61.4 yards per game to tight ends. It would be easier to place some faith in Dawson Knox as a streaming option if he hadn't disappeared from Buffalo's offense for a full month before catching four of six targets for 55 yards last week. I'd prefer a higher-floor option, though the matchup at least offers some upside for fantasy owners looking to replace Austin Hooper.
Dallas Cowboys at Detroit Lions
Matchups We Love:
Ezekiel Elliott (RB, DAL)
The Lions are allowing 4.44 yards per carry, more than five receptions per game, and 14 total touchdowns to running backs. They're also one of the league's worst red zone defenses, and Ezekiel Elliott leads the NFL in carries inside the 20. I'm just telling you what you already know: Elliott is a no-doubt RB1.
Dak Prescott (QB, DAL)
Only four teams are allowing more passing yards per game than the Lions. They're also are among the worst teams in the league at forcing turnovers and they don't pressure the quarterback particularly well. I like the Cowboys to have enough success on the ground to open up the passing game for Dak Prescott, who should return his usual start-worthy fantasy value at QB.
Matchups We Hate:
Jeff Driskel (QB, DET)
We'll discuss Matthew Stafford among the other matchups on the off chance he plays, but the guy has broken bones in his back, so I'm going to operate under the assumption that he's a long shot to be out there on Sunday. The Cowboys' pass rush is in the upper echelons of the league in terms of pressuring the quarterback. Their defense overall ranks 10th in turnover rate, is the third-best defense on third down, and is also the third-best red zone defense. Somehow none of this is enough to definitively predict that the maddeningly inconsistent Cowboys will win this game in real life, but Driskel will be in for a long fantasy day if he draws the start.
UPDATE: Matthew Stafford is officially out, leaving Jeff Driskel as the starter for Week 11. All Lions pass-catchers must be at least slightly downgraded as a result.
Kenny Golladay (WR, DET)
Let me be clear: you're starting Kenny Golladay just like you would any other week. But if Jeff Driskel is his quarterback again, his upside takes a huge dent in an already tough matchup. The Cowboys are barely giving up 10 catches a game to wide receivers, and have only allowed them to score four touchdowns. Golladay is as much of a target-share monster as anyone in the league, but he caught three of nine targets for 57 yards last week with Driskel throwing him the ball. Yes, he scored a touchdown to salvage the day, but you simply can't feel as optimistic about him with a backup QB at the helm. If Matthew Stafford returns, his outlook gets an obvious boost despite a difficult matchup.
Other Matchups:
Matthew Stafford (QB, DET)
As I alluded to above, I have a hard time envisioning Matthew Stafford suiting up on Sunday considering his injury. Stranger things have happened, I suppose, but if I roster him in fantasy I'm making other plans. If he's active, it's safe to assume he will be anything but 100%, and will inherit a tough matchup in the Cowboys. I'm starting him if he gets the go-ahead based on my lack of faith in Detroit's running game, as he could be asked for the millionth time in his career to go out and try to win a game by himself.
UPDATE: Matthew Stafford is inactive for Sunday.
T.J. Hockenson (TE, DET)
Dallas is tied for the fourth-most receptions and touchdowns allowed to tight ends, making T.J. Hockenson an interesting play for Week 11. That said, this wouldn't be the first time the rookie failed to exploit a favorable matchup. Hockenson has never quite made good on his incredible Week 1 debut, though it's worth considering he's seen 13 total targets in his last two games and posted his two highest totals in receiving yardage since that Week 1 eruption. If the recent increase in opportunity continues in Week 11, Hockenson is a low-end TE1 with the potential for big-time upside.
Ty Johnson / J.D. McKissic / Paul Perkins (RB, DET)
Ty Johnson is dealing with a concussion, and did not practice as of Wednesday. Detroit's backfield picture doesn't gain any clarity whether he gets the green light or not, as there isn't an overwhelming disparity between him and J.D. McKissic or Paul Perkins. McKissic at least offers some PPR upside, but the Cowboys don't present an inviting matchup for RBs in the first place. If you're backed into a corner due to injuries or byes, McKissic's PPR potential could fit into your lineup as a low-end flex.
UPDATE: Ty Johnson's concussion injury lingers into the weekend, and he is questionable for Sunday. It is worth noting he logged a full practice on Friday, which would indicate he has a good chance of being cleared for game action. J.D. McKissic should retain his PPR potential either way, but Paul Perkins would likely be the odd man out if Johnson is out there.
Marvin Jones / Danny Amendola (WR, DET)
Continuing our theme of lacking faith in Detroit's offense without Stafford, Marvin Jones and Danny Amendola naturally take a hit in terms of fantasy value. On the promising side of things, Jones and Amendola were targeted six and eight times, respectively, last week, indicating that they aren't in line to lose out on opportunity with Driskel throwing them the ball. The Cowboys' secondary will likely devote most of their attention to Kenny Golladay, which could open things up for Detroit's complementary pass-catchers. Jones comes in as a PPR flex option with risk (based on his QB situation), while Amendola is a dicier prospect in the same role.
Jason Witten / Blake Jarwin (TE, DAL)
Jason Witten's production has dipped and dived all season long, and he hasn't caught a touchdown since Week 2. The Lions don't present the most inviting matchup for tight ends, and they're exploitable enough in other ways that this game doesn't have the makings of a big Witten day. Blake Jarwin is even less trustworthy, as he wouldn't even be mentioned here if not for the fact that he scored touchdowns in back-to-back games before last week.
Amari Cooper / Michael Gallup (WR, DAL)
Wouldn't you know it, Amari Cooper is on the Cowboys' injury report for Week 11. I am Jack's complete lack of surprise. Keep an eye on him as we approach the weekend, and also factor in that Cooper could be seeing a ton of Darius Slay on Sunday if the latter clears Detroit's injury report by kickoff. Assuming Cooper is active, you're obviously trusting his season-long track record of opportunity and production to give you a chance at WR1 numbers. The matchup with Slay could prevent him from going off the same way he has of late, however. Michael Gallup could be the beneficiary of a slow day out of Cooper, though his production has fluctuated enough to give him a relatively wide spectrum of outcomes. Count on him as a volume-based PPR option at the flex.
UPDATE: Amari Cooper no longer carries a questionable tag as we head into the weekend. Proceed as planned with the Cowboys star receiver.
Houston Texans at Baltimore Ravens
Matchups We Love:
Lamar Jackson (QB, BAL)
At this time, I would like to declare it a travesty that this game hasn't been flexed into the Sunday night slot instead of Bears/Rams. With two of the league's most electrifying quarterbacks on display, this contest doesn't belong buried in an eight-game, early-afternoon slate. Anyway, what more do you need to see from Lamar Jackson if you're not already convinced he's one of the top fantasy QBs in the league? Consider this: Jackson has failed to throw a touchdown in three different games this season, but scored 20-plus fantasy points in all three thanks to his rushing ability. He's also committed zero turnovers in seven of Baltimore's nine games. Houston's pass defense doesn't offer much resistance, keeping Jackson firmly entrenched as a high-end QB1 for Week 11.
Marquise Brown (WR, BAL)
Marquise Brown is nursing an ankle injury, so keep an eye on him as we near the end of the week. The Texans are among the most favorable matchups in the league for WRs. A regrettable lack of consistent opportunity has capped Brown's ceiling this year, but he's clearly the wideout of choice for Lamar Jackson. I like him to blow the top off a Texans secondary allowing nearly 14 yards per catch and 13 total touchdowns to WRs.
UPDATE: Marquise Brown remains questionable after logging a limited practice session on Friday. Keep an eye on him leading up to Sunday's kickoff.
Deshaun Watson (QB, HOU)
Deshaun Watson is completing 72.15% of his passes against the blitz. On the rare occasion he scrambles out of the pocket on such plays, the dedication of defenders around the line of scrimmage allows him to spring for chunk yardage with his legs (11.6 yards per carry on five attempts). Baltimore is the blitz-heaviest team in the league. Watson is individually averaging over 300 yards of total offense and more than two touchdowns per game. He's obviously your boy against the Ravens this week.
DeAndre Hopkins (WR, HOU)
The 30.3% target share of DeAndre Hopkins is such that there is no matchup in which I'd be certifiably worried about his fantasy outlook. To wide receivers, the Ravens are allowing just south of 14 receptions per game to go with 183.8 yards. Hopkins has seen double-digit targets in four straight games, making him a candidate to come close to accounting for 14 catches and 183 yards all on his own.
Matchups We Hate:
Mark Ingram (RB, BAL)
Outside of being PPR-friendly, the Texans are an awful fantasy matchup for opposing running backs. Mark Ingram doesn't have any PPR value, meaning he'll have to try to rack up points on the ground against a Houston front holding RBs to four yards per carry and two total rushing touchdowns. If I own him, I'm downgrading my expectations on a guy who's normally a good bet to give me RB2 numbers.
Darren Fells (TE, HOU)
It's not often you'll find a fringe tight end starter among the hates, but the Ravens offer a tough enough matchup for Darren Fells that I'm looking elsewhere if I can help it. Baltimore is allowing fewer than four catches per game to the position, and is the seventh-most difficult team to score on in the red zone. Fells is tied for the league lead in touchdowns inside the 20 with six, but he hasn't scored from anywhere else on the field. His volume is too unpredictable on a weekly basis to bank on him for anything other than the touchdowns.
Other Matchups:
Willie Snead (WR, BAL)
Willie Snead is mostly an afterthought in Baltimore's offense, but there's room for upside against a Houston secondary that has routinely been decimated by wideouts in a game that should be as high-scoring as any on the slate. Even so, I'd have to be past the point of desperation to bank on a guy who's seen six total targets in his last three games.
Mark Andrews (TE, BAL)
I'm not listing Mark Andrews among the "others" as an indication that I'd be hesitant to start him; he's a surefire starter at a position largely devoid of such players. I am bracing myself, however, for the possibility of a pedestrian performance against a Texans Defense that hasn't exactly been lit up by tight ends. Andrews' target share alone (he leads all Ravens pass-catchers with 66) is enough to keep him in the top-shelf TE conversation. It hasn't been enough to prevent him from occasionally posting duds.
Carlos Hyde / Duke Johnson (RB, HOU)
The Ravens aren't much more polite to opposing RBs than the Texans. Baltimore is holding backs to 4.17 yards per carry and is one of the league's toughest matchups for PPR production. Carlos Hyde's volume keeps him in the RB2 conversation, and if you need something to hang your hat on, the Ravens have allowed eight rushing touchdowns. Duke Johnson's recent uptick in passing game usage is a good sign for the rest of the season, but tread with caution against a Ravens Defense holding his position to four receptions per game.
Will Fuller / Kenny Stills (WR, HOU)
Kenny Stills hasn't quite been able to capitalize on Will Fuller's absence, and now the latter could be in line to return for Week 11. Taking into account the shootout potential in this contest, there is upside for just about any pass-catcher on either side, but a Fuller return definitely lowers Stills' floor. I'd trust a fully healthy Fuller as a flex despite Baltimore's improved and deep secondary, but I would be inclined to defer to DeAndre Hopkins as the main event in this pass offense on Sunday if Fuller sits. Stills is tough to trust as anything higher than a big-play gamble no matter what.
UPDATE: It appears as though Will Fuller will be a game-time decision this week. Make sure to get confirmation on his status before setting him in Sunday lineups.
Denver Broncos at Minnesota Vikings
Matchups We Love:
Courtland Sutton (WR, DEN)
As you'll soon discover in the hates, I'm obviously out on Brandon Allen this week. And pretty much any week. But that doesn't mean we can suddenly ignore Courtland Sutton. Sutton has gone for at least 60 receiving yards in all but two games this year, and has four touchdowns to his credit. Even with the drawback of having a previously anonymous backup quarterback throwing him the ball, we have to trust his track record of opportunity until we see evidence to the contrary. The Vikings have allowed the most receptions and fourth-most total yards to WRs, and are in a three-way tie for the most touchdowns surrendered to the position--all of which sets up Sutton for another solid PPR outing.
Dalvin Cook (RB, MIN)
I don't "love" the matchup here, but I also don't see what choice the Vikings have in this contest except to give Dalvin Cook somewhere in the neighborhood of 30 touches as they have been for the last several weeks. I envision a low-scoring affair in this one, with Minnesota turning early and often to its best player to move the ball. Trust the truckload of opportunity to offset a difficult matchup en route to what should be a high-end RB2 outing at worst for Cook.
Matchups We Hate:
Brandon Allen (QB, DEN)
Outside of two-quarterback leagues, I'm not sure there's a set of circumstances under which you'd need me or anyone else to talk you out of starting Brandon Allen in fantasy this week. The Vikings aren't the most feared defense in all the land, but they're good enough to beat Allen and the Broncos at home.
Phillip Lindsay / Royce Freeman (RB, DEN)
There continues to be a relatively even split in Denver's backfield despite Phillip Lindsay having established himself as the more efficient option. While both he and Royce Freeman have enjoyed varying levels of success at different points of the season, the timeshare is enough to limit the upside for each member of the Broncos' two-pronged rushing attack. Lindsay has been able to offset it by scoring five touchdowns, but Minnesota has surrendered just two of those to opposing backs on rushing attempts and isn't particularly exploitable in the ground game at large. Despite his standing as a high-end RB2 or low-end RB1 (depending on your scoring settings), I'd be setting my sights on flex production from Lindsay. I'd bank on less from Freeman, and I wouldn't argue with you if you decided to bench him.
Alexander Mattison (RB, MIN)
Denver is one of the NFL's tougher all-around defenses. As such, I don't see this game getting out of hand unless the Broncos offense commits a bunch of turnovers (which is certainly a possibility). Alexander Mattison's usage rates indicate that the Vikings prefer to turn to him when they have games in hand, and he has no involvement in the passing game to account for his low number of opportunities on the ground. Mattison's efficiency keeps him among the most valuable bench stashes in the league, but as long as Dalvin Cook is going to see 25-plus touches a game, there's not a whole lot left for the Vikings' second-stringer.
Kirk Cousins (QB, MIN)
With Adam Thielen's status looking more and more like another inactive for Week 11, it's tough to trust Kirk Cousins as a fantasy starter. Denver is holding opposing pass offenses to just barely over 200 yards per game, and has surrendered only seven passing touchdowns. I'm looking elsewhere for a streaming option if I can help it.
Stefon Diggs / Adam Thielen (WR, MIN)
Denver represents one of the worst matchups in the league for wide receivers. The Broncos are limiting opposing WRs to fewer than 10 receptions per game and have held the position to just five touchdowns on the season. Minnesota's opponents will continue to have an easier time keying on Stefon Diggs as long as Adam Thielen remains out, which looks like it is going to be the case this Sunday. You can't exactly bench Diggs, but I'm praying for a touchdown if he's in my lineup.
UPDATE: Adam Thielen has officially been ruled out for Sunday.
Other Matchups:
Noah Fant (TE, DEN)
Noah Fant appears to be the primary beneficiary of the Emmanuel Sanders trade, as he's been targeted 13 times combined in Denver's last two games. If that sample size was larger, I might be inclined to include Fant among the loves in this matchup against a Vikings team that has allowed the third-most receptions to tight ends. Instead I'll err on the side of caution: Fant has an unproven quarterback throwing him the ball, the Vikings haven't given up a touchdown all year to a tight end, and the Broncos rookie wouldn't be the first tight end to inexplicably disappear from his team's offense after two promising weeks. In any case, he's a fine add for any fantasy owner looking for Austin Hooper insurance.
Daesean Hamilton (WR, DEN)
If DaeSean Hamilton is ever going to benefit from the departure of Emmanuel Sanders, we sure haven't seen any evidence to support it. He's caught zero passes since Sanders left. Even a friendly WR matchup doesn't detract from the risk involved in trusting Hamilton as a fantasy starter.
Kyle Rudolph / Irv Smith Jr. (TE, MIN)
Kyle Rudolph's recent propensity for scoring touchdowns is inevitably going to come back to bite many a fantasy owner who banks on that trend to continue, but it's worth noting this surge has directly coincided with the absence of Adam Thielen. As long as Thielen remains sidelined, Rudolph can continue to factor in as a touchdown-dependent fantasy option. Irv Smith is interesting in his own right after seeing six targets in three of his last four games. Still, this remains a treacherous split, and the Broncos aren't an overly inviting TE matchup.
Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers
Matchups We Love:
D.J. Moore (WR, CAR)
Are we allowed to call D.J. Moore a WR1 yet? He's 12th in the league in targets, and 13th in receptions and yards per game. It's not his fault Christian McCaffrey scores seemingly every single Carolina touchdown. Anyway, Moore has a great matchup this week in Atlanta's 11-man disaster of a pass defense. Look for his recent surge in opportunity to once again translate into a high-end fantasy day.
Christian McCaffrey (RB, CAR)
I'm aware that the Falcons are holding opposing backs below four yards per carry, but I don't care. This is Christian McCaffrey we're talking about. You know, the guy averaging almost 26 touches per game who is a near automatic 20-point fantasy outing waiting to happen. Trust him just as you would on any other Sunday.
Kyle Allen (QB, CAR)
The Falcons aren't any good at pressuring the quarterback (last week's strange game in New Orleans notwithstanding), they force turnovers at the lowest clip in the league, and they are giving up the eighth-most passing yards per game. Kyle Allen isn't without his fair share of concerns as a fantasy option, but the chances should be there for him to excel in Week 11.
Julio Jones (WR, ATL)
Carolina is a better-than-average pass defense, but the Panthers do have a tendency to get beaten by wide receivers. Julio Jones isn't just any wide receiver. The Panthers have allowed the second-most receptions per game to the position, with the caveat that they make it tough for wideouts to score (five total touchdowns). Still, I'm fine with Jones as a WR1.
Matchups We Hate:
None
Other Matchups:
Curtis Samuel (WR, CAR)
I normally lump Curtis Samuel and D.J. Moore together, but Moore has begun to jump out slightly ahead of Samuel as the clear number-one wideout in Carolina's offense. Where Samuel has the leg up on his teammate is in the touchdown department; Samuel has four to Moore's one, and he's scored three of those in the Panthers' last four games. I like Samuel as a flex option against a Falcons secondary that is there for the taking, but his catch rate in the neighborhood of 50% has hung around long enough that it's starting to concern me in terms of his ceiling.
Greg Olsen (TE, CAR)
Somebody must've gotten the memo regarding Greg Olsen's painstaking slip into fantasy irrelevance. The Panthers tight end posted season highs in catches and targets in Week 10, with 98 receiving yards. There's nothing about the Falcons as a tight end matchup that jumps off the page at you one way or another, so you're just going to have to place your faith in the idea that they're still a bad all-around pass defense if Olsen is your starter.
Brian Hill (RB, ATL)
The Panthers are a dreadful run defense, which theoretically sets Brian Hill up for a nice fantasy day. The obvious issue is knowing what you're going to get out of him individually. With just 28 carries on the season, we don't have much to work with in terms of sample size. It's worth taking into account that Devonta Freeman had established a prominent role in Atlanta's passing game before his injury, a benefit that could reasonably be expected to carry over to Hill. If that's part of the Falcons' plan in Freeman's absence, it did not show up in Week 10 when Hill was targeted just twice. In any case, this is a tough week for running backs on bye. I'd start Brian Hill with some optimism in my flex spot if I had to.
Matt Ryan (QB, ATL)
With Mohamed Sanu gone and Austin Hooper and Devonta Freeman injured, Matt Ryan suddenly finds himself with a depleted arsenal of weapons. You're obviously not worried about Julio Jones (who should benefit from this, if anything), but Ryan likes to spread the ball around and he's going to be hard-pressed to do that this week. Factor in a Carolina pass defense that bends but doesn't break and is proficient in forcing turnovers, and I'm hoping this game turns into a shootout if Ryan is my starter for Week 11.
Calvin Ridley / Russell Gage (WR, ATL)
Naturally the absence of several weekly contributors from Atlanta's offense gives Calvin Ridley and Russell Gage a boost. Ridley's season-long profile is one of inconsistency, though he figures to be the primary beneficiary of Austin Hooper watching from the sidelines as Ryan's secondary option in the passing game. Russell Gage has caught 11 of 14 targets in his last two games, indicating he is steadily establishing a rapport with the Falcons quarterback as well. I can see Ridley bringing back low-end WR2 numbers this week, while Gage fits in nicely as a low-end PPR flex. Both will be dependent on volume, but the volume should be there.
Luke Stocker / Jaeden Graham (TE, ATL)
It's highly unlikely that the chemistry between Ryan and Hooper translates directly into dependable production from whoever steps in as the starter at tight end. Luke Stocker is working his way through an injury of his own, while Jaeden Graham would be in line for primary tight end work if the former were to miss Week 11. Regardless, I'm avoiding this situation.
UPDATE: Luke Stocker is considered healthy heading into the weekend.
New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Matchups We Love:
Drew Brees (QB, NO)
For reasons unbeknownst to any of us, Drew Brees could not get going in Week 10 against an Atlanta pass defense that had routinely been exposed for most of the season. Chalk it up as a bad day and move on. In Week 11, Brees gets a Buccaneers pass defense so porous that it almost completely nullifies how effective they are against the run. Tampa Bay is giving up just a shade under 300 passing yards per game and the third-most total passing touchdowns. If Brees is your guy, now is not the time to give up on him.
Michael Thomas (WR, NO)
Michael Thomas is the wide receiver version of Christian McCaffrey. Which is to say, if they ever make an NFL spin-off of Space Jam, I want Marvin the Martian chucking up deep balls to Thomas. He's averaging over 100 receiving yards per game, and the only other player who can say that will be suiting up for the other team this week. Only the Giants have given up more yardage to WRs than the Bucs, and no one has given up more touchdowns. As always, Thomas is your boy.
Jared Cook (TE, NO)
The Bucs are among the league's most favorable matchups for tight ends, so if Jared Cook sees the same level of opportunity as he did last week (10 targets, six catches, 74 yards), he can be expected to provide another solid and start-worthy fantasy outing. Only the Cardinals have been worse against his position than Tampa Bay.
Mike Evans (WR, TB)
I can't tell if I should be worried about the fact that the Saints held Mike Evans without a catch earlier this season. As I mentioned in the Brees segment above, sometimes you just have to shake it off and continue on. Evans is the other guy averaging 100 receiving yards per game, in case you weren't aware. Since that miserable Saints game in the first week of October, Evans is seeing a ludicrous 12.75 targets and putting up 138.25 yards per game. He has three touchdowns in this span as well. I'm willing to be dead wrong on Evans against his nemesis, because the larger body of evidence suggests he's a no-doubt WR1 for Week 11.
Chris Godwin (WR, TB)
Evans and Chris Godwin have traded places to an extent, with Evans boasting the better recent stretch after Godwin put the league on notice earlier in the season. What hasn't changed is that both continue to be involved at a high rate on a weekly basis. Godwin hasn't seen fewer than eight targets in a game since Week 3, and he lit this Saints team up for 125 yards and two touchdowns the first time they met. As Spencer has written in this column before, you don't have to shy away from the idea that a team can sustain two WR1's, which is exactly what the Bucs have done in 2019.
Matchups We Hate:
Ronald Jones II (RB, TB)
I'm not sure it's talked about enough how effective New Orleans is against the run. Only the Bucs and Eagles have given up fewer yards per carry to opposing backs, and the Saints have also limited the position to four total touchdowns on the season. There are rumblings that Ronald Jones will continue to be utilized in the passing game as he was last week, which would help offset this dicey matchup. Jones still hasn't entirely run away with this backfield, as Peyton Barber keeps sneaking onto the field enough to cut into his ceiling. Consider Jones a flex option dependent on PPR upside for this game.
Other Matchups:
Alvin Kamara (RB, NO)
Between his injury, a severe touchdown regression, and a relative lack of efficiency on the ground, you could be forgiven for lamenting that third overall pick on Alvin Kamara at your 2019 draft. Add in a matchup against a tough Tampa Bay run defense, and the immediate future isn't much brighter for the Saints running back. Kamara's investors can hang their hats on the fact that he remains a fixture in the New Orleans passing attack, which provides him with a high weekly floor.
Tre'Quan Smith / Ted Ginn (WR, NO)
I'm begrudgingly acknowledging that the Saints do in fact have wide receivers on their roster not named Michael Thomas, but this offense hasn't provided much production among its secondary pass-catching options. Ted Ginn obviously gets a boost in value with Brees back in the fold, but that hasn't amounted to anything in the two games since he returned. Tre'Quan Smith finds himself even further from safe fantasy shores, recording just one catch on two targets in his return from a month-long injury absence last week. Brighter days are certainly ahead for both, but neither figures to provide a great deal of consistency. The matchup offers promise, but the track records of Ginn and Smith make them tough to trust as anything more than big-play or touchdown-dependent flex options with very low floors in fantasy lineups.
Latavius Murray (RB, NO)
Latavius Murray drifted predictably into the background upon Alvin Kamara's return last week. The matchup is already unfavorable, but a fade in volume makes Murray even more difficult to turn to in fantasy lineups.
Peyton Barber (RB, TB)
If I don't trust the guy seeing a majority of the touches in this backfield, I certainly don't trust the backup. Peyton Barber can be viewed as a complementary back to Ronald Jones, and one without much standalone fantasy value at that.
Jameis Winston (QB, TB)
Jameis Winston's upside will almost always be there; he's averaging over 47 pass attempts for nearly 350 yards in his last four games. Unfortunately for both his fantasy owners and his real-life teammates, mistakes appear as though they're also always going to be there. Winston has thrown 14 interceptions this year, and New Orleans with its fourth-best 27.4% pressure rate figures to be in his face often enough to induce a few more this week. Winston is a weird hybrid between a high floor and high ceiling, but the good news for his fantasy owners is that he should once again be called upon to air it out this week and achieve both.
O.J. Howard / Cameron Brate (TE, TB)
You wouldn't classify Week 10 as O.J. Howard's breakout, but the fact that he finally scored a touchdown is a step in the right direction. Furthermore, Cameron Brate has now gone two consecutive games without a target. If the Buccaneers are going to continue to throw the ball nearly 50 times a game, at least some of those have to go to someone other than Evans and Godwin. The Saints present a tough obstacle for tight ends, so placing a full measure of faith in Howard after one solid week wouldn't be the wisest of decisions. There's potential for him to produce again if this game turns into a shootout, however.
Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts
Matchups We Love:
Leonard Fournette (RB, JAX)
Indy's effectiveness versus the run would normally be enough to make me second-guess my fantasy running back going up against them, but Leonard Fournette is such a workhorse that I'm willing to ignore it. His season-low in touches is 16, he's largely been efficient on the ground, and he is involved enough on pass plays that his floor never quite drops out. Slot him in as a mid-level RB1.
Marlon Mack (RB, IND)
As you'll see in the passages ahead, I'm anticipating a heavy dose of the rush from Indianapolis on Sunday. The Jags are allowing nearly five yards per carry to opposing backs, which is more than enough reason to ease Jacoby Brissett back into action in his return from a knee injury. Marlon Mack maintains a death-grip on the Colts' rushing workload, so look for that opportunity to result in a high-end RB2 day for the workhorse.
Matchups We Hate:
None
Other Matchups:
Nick Foles (QB, JAX)
The Gardner Minshew era is on a brief hiatus in Jacksonville, much to my own personal dismay. The Jags still have some playoff aspirations to aim for, so they're understandably turning the starting job back over to the guy who led one of the more improbable Super Bowl runs in recent memory, Nick Foles. How Foles fares after such a long absence is a large enough question mark to avoid starting him in fantasy lineups unless you have to, but his pass-catchers have certainly shined enough to lend promise to his Week 11 outlook. As for the matchup, the Colts didn't exactly give up the ship defensively despite ultimately losing to the Dolphins last week. They've been one of the league's stingier units against the pass all year long.
D.J. Chark / Chris Conley / Dede Westbrook (WR, JAX)
Time will tell how the Jags' receiving corps meshes with Foles, but for now we have to operate under the assumption that this is a pretty good trio. Indy's pass defense will offer some resistance, so follow the volume. D.J. Chark is the team leader in targets by a pretty wide margin, so he carries the safest outlook into this contest. Dede Westbrook is next in the pecking order, averaging just under seven targets a game. Chris Conley is the big-play guy with a wide array of potential outcomes, so keep in mind that he doesn't possess the safest PPR floor if you're trotting him out there for Week 11.
Josh Oliver / Seth DeValve (TE, JAX)
Injuries have ravaged Jacksonville's tight end depth chart, with Seth DeValve working his way through an ailment that evidently just surfaced on Thursday. Not that you'd be inclined to turn to anyone from this group, but if Josh Oliver is the last man standing, there's potential for an increased role on Sunday. Even so, what evidence do you have to suggest you can trust him?
UPDATE: Seth DeValve's status for Week 11 is listed as doubtful, as of Friday afternoon.
Jacoby Brissett (QB, IND)
Jacksonville has been there for the taking on the ground while limiting opposing pass offenses, so I'm not anticipating a huge Jacoby Brissett day. Among the Jags' more prominent numbers against the pass are a 26.9% pressure rate that ranks sixth in the NFL, and they've also given up a respectable 13 passing touchdowns in nine games. Brissett will also (likely) be without T.Y. Hilton again, which further detracts from his outlook.
Jack Doyle / Eric Ebron (TE, IND)
The Jaguars are in a three-way tie for the fourth-fewest receptions allowed to tight ends (33). A surprisingly high percentage of those receptions have been for touchdowns (five), but those are still dicey odds. Jack Doyle is questionable as of this writing, so Eric Ebron would receive a slight boost if he doesn't have to share the snaps on Sunday. Either way, this isn't a matchup you're dying to get in on.
UPDATE: Jack Doyle has cleared the Colts injury report. Indy will roll with its customary two-TE approach.
Zach Pascal / Chester Rogers / T.Y. Hilton (WR, IND)
T.Y. Hilton continues to be listed as doubtful each week despite an overwhelming consensus that his injury is of the multi-week variety. It's best to plan as though he will not play this week. As for his fill-ins, Zach Pascal and Chester Rogers predictably struggled last week with backup Brian Hoyer throwing them the ball. Both receive a boost with Brissett set to return in Week 11, but only Pascal's profile carries anything that could be considered "safe" based on his occasionally impressive (yet sporadic) production. He's been targeted at least six times in three of his last four games, and turned two of those outings into 106 yards and two touchdowns, and 76 yards and one touchdown, respectively. He's not the worst flex option for fantasy owners who find themselves thin at his position.
UPDATE: As expected, T.Y. Hilton will not play on Sunday.
Jordan Wilkins / Nyheim Hines (RB, IND)
Jordan Wilkins' status for Week 11 is in jeopardy after he missed practice on Thursday, potentially leaving the change-of-pace work in the Colts backfield solely to Nyheim Hines. Hines has virtually no role in the ground game, but a few more appearances on the field on passing downs could help boost his PPR potential.
Matchups Analysis - 4:00 PM ET Games
Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers
Matchups We Love:
Jimmy Garoppolo (QB, SF)
Jimmy Garoppolo's inconsistency will cause your fantasy team issues on a week-to-week basis, but a matchup against the Arizona Cardinals should be good enough to warrant QB1 potential. During Arizona's five road matchups, only one QB failed to exceed 18 fantasy points, which was Daniel Jones in Week 7 when he was only able to provide 10.4 points. In the other four clashes against Lamar Jackson, Andy Dalton, Drew Brees and Jameis Winston, the Cardinals have allowed an average of 27.05 points to the QB position. You can argue that Garoppolo isn't in the same class as practically anyone on that list, but you also have to take into account that he did just scorch the Cardinals for 28.9 points in Week 9.
George Kittle / Ross Dwelley (TE, SF)
You are going to have to keep an eye on George Kittle's injury this week, but it goes without saying that the All-Pro tight end is a must-start against the worst team in the NFL when it comes to defending the position. If he is unable to go, backup Ross Dwelley does become a very intriguing streaming option for TE desperate teams.
UPDATE: George Kittle has not been officially ruled out for the Week 11 contest yet, but is not expected to suit up.
Emmanuel Sanders / Kendrick Bourne / Deebo Samuel (WR, SF)
Kendrick Bourne is included on the "love" list if both Emmanuel Sanders and George Kittle end up being inactive. If either option plays - especially Sanders, he would be demoted to a shot in the dark flex play. Deebo Samuel would become a WR2 for me in the absence of Sanders and Kittle but could still approach that range if Sanders misses Sunday's game. If both play, consider the rookie a flex option. And then we have Emmanuel Sanders, who could be in line for a massive game if he is able to get healthy enough from his rib injury that he suffered on Monday night. Sanders is a WR2 if healthy and deserves to be in your lineup if they rule him active.
UPDATE: Emmanuel Sanders appears as though he'll be a game-time decision. Fantasy owners will need to keep a close eye on this situation, as the late-afternoon kickoff throws a wrench into things if official word on his status is revealed after the 1:00 games have already started.
Matchups We Hate:
Kyler Murray (QB, ARI)
A lot of pundits will point to Kyler Murray's game against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 9 as a reason why the rookie QB will be able to find success again, but I view the quick turnaround of facing each other repeatedly in a three-week span to be a huge negative. Murray was able to provide 23 points in standard ESPN leagues during their first meeting, throwing for 241 yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions and 34 yards with his legs, but when you really decipher his return from top to bottom, the numbers are not quite as good as they appear. Eighty-eight of Murray's 241 yards came on a fluky touchdown reception by Andy Isabella with less than five minutes to play, and a road test against a reeling 49ers Defense doesn't exactly exude confidence when it comes to starting Murray as a QB1. San Francisco has only allowed 32% of passes to grade out successfully this season, which is the best percentage in the NFL, and a lot of Arizona's recent success has come from volume over actual production. Sure, it is likely that Murray will see a plethora of attempts in a game where the Cardinals will most likely be trailing, but this feels like one of those spots where the rookie falls flat on his face and produces a handful of mistakes.
David Johnson (RB, ARI)
I'm not sure that "hate" is the right way to describe David Johnson this weekend, but I'm not sure how he is playable until he proves to be a serviceable fantasy commodity once again. Excluding the two weeks that he missed, Johnson has scored 0.2 points in PPR leagues over his past two active contests and remains a mystery as we head into Week 11. Head coach Kliff Kingsbury benched his star back in the fourth quarter in favor of Kenyan Drake in Week 10, and it seems as if Johnson's pass-catching upside is shaky at best with Drake's healthy role in the offense. If you own the former First-Team All-Pro, it is time to panic.
Dante Pettis (WR, SF)
With no George Kittle and Emmanuel Sanders getting hurt early, Dante Pettis still wasn't able to get anything going last Monday. Head coach Kyle Shanahan was blunt with his critique of Pettis after the game, saying " He's had his opportunities. The more he doesn't take advantage of his opportunities, the fewer opportunities he gets." That is beyond a motivational tactic at this point and makes Pettis droppable if you were still holding onto him.
Charles Clay (TE, ARI)
Charles Clay's breakout game two weeks ago against the New Orleans Saints should be viewed as nothing more than an outlier. The tight end position can be difficult to find talent, but there are better streaming options available.
Other Matchups:
Kenyan Drake (RB, ARI)
Kenyan Drake out-snapped David Johnson in Week 10 when the Arizona Cardinals took on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but neither player was able to do much against the Bucs' stout run defense. I wouldn't put too much emphasis on the performance for Drake, as Tampa Bay does rank first in the NFL against the run, but if you are looking for a bounce-back opportunity, a showdown against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 11 could provide just that. Drake made his Cardinals debut in Week 9 against the 49ers, scoring 28.2 PPR fantasy points and does possess some upside to perform once again. Drake seems to have carved out a substantial role in the offense, but it is still difficult to view him as anything more than an RB2 with the uncertainty going on around David Johnson.
Tevin Coleman (RB, SF)
For as poor as Arizona has been defensively in 2019, they are ranked towards the middle of the pack in terms of rushing success rate. That does hamper Tevin Coleman's upside slightly and could cut into his production even further if the 49ers decide to use a combination of Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr. in the red zone during Matt Breida's absence. None of that means Coleman can't still find the endzone, but head coach Kyle Shanahan does seem infatuated with the idea of using his other two backs when the team gets close to scoring. Still, though, Coleman is fully entrenched in the RB2 range on Sunday.
Raheem Mostert / Jeffery Wilson Jr. (RB, SF)
Matt Breida's health will impact what kind of a role Raheem Mostert has in Week 11, but it does seem likely that Breida is looking at a multi-week absence right now. There isn't a huge ceiling available given his low usage rate, but teams in deeper leagues that are desperate for RB production could do worse than playing Mostert as an RB3 or flex. On the other hand, Jeff Wilson Jr. does also provide some optimism, as he has been Kyle Shanahan's favorite piece to use in scoring position this season when either Breida or Tevin Coleman have been inactive. Wilson Jr. could see a little extra run because of Mostert's knee injury that he has been playing through, but it is difficult to trust him as anything more than a longshot option for RB needy teams.
UPDATE: Matt Breida is listed as doubtful for Sunday, while Raheem Mostert remains questionable. It's likely safe to assume Breida won't play, but those fantasy owners considering Mostert will want to maintain a close watch on his situation come Sunday morning.
Christian Kirk / Larry Fitzgerald (WR, ARI)
If you are expecting an encore showing from Christian Kirk in Week 11, you might want to temper your anticipation level. Tampa Bay was a bottom-10 unit against passing offenses coming into Week 10 and showed that by allowing Kirk to slice them up for six catches, 138 yards and three scores. Unfortunately, the Niners are a much stingier test - ranking number one in the NFL in success rate against the pass and should be able to keep Kirk and company in line. Consider Kirk a risky flex option, while Fitzgerald is more of a WR3/WR4 for the matchup.
Cincinnati Bengals at Oakland Raiders
Matchups We Love:
Derek Carr (QB, OAK)
Cincinnati has allowed at least 16.6 fantasy points to a QB in every game this season and has given up almost 30% more fantasy points to the position than league average. Derek Carr has been on a solid run over his past four games by scoring 17.9 points per contest and should continue to find success against the last winless team in the NFL.
Josh Jacobs (RB, OAK)
Josh Jacobs has transformed into a steady RB1 over the past handful of weeks and will look to keep his positive momentum rolling against the Cincinnati Bengals, who enter the week as the third-worst team in success rate against rushing plays. With the Raiders most likely leading throughout the game, Jacobs will have a chance to surpass 20 touches, which has recorded him at least 16.4 points in the four games he has done that this year.
Joe Mixon (RB, CIN)
Playing Joe Mixon this season isn't something that has worked out well for fantasy owners, but after his first 100-yard rushing game this year in Week 10, the third-year back is back on the radar as an RB2 against a porous Oakland run defense that has allowed 51% of rushing plays to grade successfully (fifth-worst in the NFL).
Tyler Boyd (WR, CIN)
I don't want to make it sound like the recent stretch has been good for Tyler Boyd, but it also hasn't been as bad as some fantasy owners want to make it seem Boyd has caught 17 passes in his past three games for 182 yards and no scores - good for about 11.1 fantasy points per game. With A.J. Green most likely still on the sidelines, Boyd is the teams' number one target, which is good enough to warrant WR2 production on a team that is always playing from behind.
Darren Waller (TE, OAK)
After providing at least 63 receiving yards in four of the first six games of the season, Darren Waller hasn't cleared three catches or 52 receiving yards in any of his past three contests. That might present a little worry to some owners, but don't overthink when it comes to one of the breakout performers at the position in 2019. Waller remains Derek Carr's favorite target and will have a good chance to find the endzone in Week 11.
Matchups We Hate:
Jalen Richard (RB, OAK)
Jalen Richard has received a serviceable amount of output in the passing game during the past two contests, but with a showdown against the struggling Bengals on tap, owners can leave the scatback on their bench and wait for a game that will provide more passing down work.
Giovani Bernard (RB, CIN)
Every game has looked as if Gio Bernard will have an opportunity to be a playmaker for the Bengals throughout their 0-9 start to the year, but the pass-catching back has failed to exceed 8.3 points in a contest this season. A matchup against the Oakland Raiders looks promising on paper, but Bernard has made it impossible to roll him out in lineups this season.
Other Matchups:
Ryan Finley (QB, CIN)
All in all, I thought Ryan Finley looked ok against a stingy Baltimore Ravens squad during the first start of his career in Week 10. Head coach Zac Taylor did keep things simple for him, but the rookie didn't combust against an NFL defense, which should allow more of a leash for him when the Bengals take on a Raiders secondary that ranks 29th in the NFL in QB rating allowed. Finley remains a low upside option given his usage, but Superflex teams or two-QB clubs could do worse.
Tyrell Williams / Hunter Renfrow (WR, OAK)
Tyrell Williams opened the season with five straight games of scoring a touchdown but has cooled off with just six receptions for 73 yards and no scores in his past two contests. Some of his loss of production has gone over to Hunter Renfrow, who has compiled 10 catches for 96 yards and a score during that same stretch. The Bengals are one of the better matchups in the league, but points might need to come early for both players since there is always a chance for a blowout when facing Cincinnati. You can view Williams as a WR2 and Renfrow as a streaming flex option, but don't be shocked if one of the two disappoints slightly if the game gets out of hand.
Alex Erickson / Auden Tate (WR, CIN)
If you are an owner of Alex Erickson or Auden Tate, you need to treat A.J. Green as if he is going to be out for the season. That means that both guys deserve a spot on rosters and will each enter the flex conversation against an Oakland defense that has struggled to defend wideouts in 2019. It is worth noting that WR John Ross III was activated from his IR status, but he won't be able to return until Week 14 against the Cleveland Browns
Tyler Eifert (TE, CIN)
It is a little troublesome that the Bengals failed to play Tyler Eifert much last weekend, but I've always been an advocate that quality TEs get a boost with an inexperienced QB at the helm. Look for Cincinnati to use Eifert more in their gameplan against an Oakland defense that ranks fourth-worst in the NFL in PPR points allowed to the position - making the 29-year-old a streamable back-end TE1 option.
New England Patriots at Philadelphia Eagles
Matchups We Love:
Julian Edelman (WR, NE)
You aren't going to find many people inside the industry who have been a bigger proponent than I have been for Julian Edelman this season. I had him projected for nearly 280 PPR fantasy points before the year began, which was good enough to place him as my WR8 in my rankings, and the target hog has come close to meeting those expectations I placed on him earlier in the year by ranking ninth in PPR leagues through 10 weeks. Edelman has accumulated double-digit targets in four straight games and appears to be somewhat matchup-proof with the workload he received from Tom Brady. If you own Edelman, don't overthink this. Keep playing him as a weekly fixture to your lineups.
Matchups We Hate:
Alshon Jeffery / Nelson Agholor / Jordan Matthews / Mack Hollins / J.J. Arcega-Whiteside (WR, PHI)
There is a lot going against Alshon Jeffery for his Week 11 showdown against the Patriots. He has been unable to practice this week with an ankle injury and would most likely draw CB Stephon Gilmore, who is the early favorite to be Defensive Player of the Year. It will be interesting to see if Jeffery is able to practice on Friday, but I would start looking for other alternatives if I owned him. If Jeffery isn't able to suit up, your initial inclination might be to try and get sneaky by playing Nelson Agholor, Jordan Matthews, Mack Hollins or J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, but I'd prefer to avoid all wideouts from Philadelphia if possible. I think the Eagles would combat Jeffery being out by running more two-tight end sets, which would leave everyone else slightly on the backburner. Taking on the Patriots Defense just isn't something that will end well during most weeks.
UPDATE: Alshon Jeffery has officially been declared inactive for Sunday.
Other Matchups:
Carson Wentz (QB, PHI)
While the Philadelphia Eagles have had a week to prepare for this contest after coming off of a bye, the unfortunate news is that so has Bill Belichick and the Patriots. If you exclude the Patriots' meltdown against MVP candidate Lamar Jackson in Week 9, no Qb has exceeded 11.8 points in a standard scoring league this year. My money is on Carson Wentz being able to do a little better than that, but I wouldn't place the over/under at much higher than 14.5 points. Downgrade Wentz into the QB2 range for one week.
Tom Brady (QB, NE)
I want to be careful with taking too many shots at this Philadelphia Eagles secondary because they have struggled to get CBs Ronald Darby, Avonte Maddox and Jalin Mills on the field at the time because of injuries Yes, the Eagles have been pitiful for the better part of the past year and a half, but there are reasons to be optimistic now that all three have returned to being healthy. Tomy Brady does carry some upside, but I just have him as a back-end QB1 for the meeting.
Sony Michel (RB, NE)
One of the strengths of the Philadelphia Eagles has been their stout run defense, which always adds extra concerns to Sony Michel if the game script doesn't point in his favor. The Eagles and Patriots will most likely be more of a defensive battle than some fans might anticipate and will leave Michel in a position where he might be touchdown dependent if he wants to provide a useful outing.
Jordan Howard / Miles Sanders (RB, PHI)
Jordan Howard has been a limited participant in practice this week, but all signs have been pointing towards him being healthy enough to play on Sunday. Assuming he does suit up against the Patriots, it is not a great matchup for either Miles Sanders in Week 11. If you are looking for the option with the higher floor, it is probably Sanders due to the fact that he has caught at least three passes in five straight games, but I wouldn't exactly say he is matchup proof at this point with the limited amount of touches that do go his way. I believe the Eagles will attempt to use Howard to appear like they are building some semblance of game management, but it is still difficult to trust him as anything more than an RB3/RB4 for the week. If I was shooting for upside, I'd prefer Sanders as a shot in the dark RB3/flex.
UPDATE: Jordan Howard is still questionable as we head into the weekend. He didn't log a full-contact practice session Friday, which would indicate a game-time decision scenario. Prepare accordingly.
Phillip Dorsett / Mohamed Sanu (WR, NE)
It is a little frustrating that neither Phillip Dorsett nor Mohamed Sanu has been used vertically in the passing games this year because if you are looking to torch the Eagles secondary, it usually comes from deep passes. I wouldn't expect that to change for Sanu, who has only averaged 11.3 yards per catch during his eight-year career, but Dorsett does have a chance to inherit more of the Josh Gordon role now that he has had a few weeks to get acclimated to it. All of that makes Dorsett an intriguing flex option, while Sanu could be the odd man out on Sunday.
Zach Ertz / Dallas Goedert (TE, PHI)
While the Patriots have been brilliant against tight ends in 2019, they haven't exactly faced a murders' row of pass-catchers at the position. Mark Andrews was the first premium opponent that they faced in Week 9, and the Pats failed by giving up six catches for 53 yards and two scores. If Alshon Jeffery is forced to miss the game on Sunday, look for the Eagles to run their offense through Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert - providing both players (especially Ertz) with a higher ceiling than it may appear on paper.
Matchups Analysis - Sunday Night Football, 8:20 PM ET
Chicago Bears at Los Angeles Rams
Matchups We Love:
None
Matchups We Hate:
Mitch Trubisky (QB, CHI)
Playing Mitchell Trubisky is like competing in a poker game where you can't win. You might think you have the best hand, but the dealer will change the flop, turn or river to have you drawing dead to your opponent when it is all said and done. There are a lot of jokes that you can be made at the expense of Trubisky, and I do want to give him some credit for scoring 19.7 standard points against the Detroit Lions last weekend, but this is nothing more than fool's gold. Trubisky is going to break your heart if you fall for the trap, so please leave him on your bench.
Trey Burton (TE, CHI)
Trey Burton has only had one target in his previous two games and has failed to eclipse 4.6 PPR points this season. A calf injury could keep him sidelined, but all the Bears TEs are better left on the waiver wire.
Other Matchups:
Jared Goff (QB, LAR)
The Chicago Bears have been disappointing on the defensive end so far this season, but I am not jumping for joy to play Jared Goff against a defense that has their backs against the wall and desperately need a victory. Goff has not completed more than 60% of his passes in any game since Week 4 and has also failed to eclipse 10 fantasy points on three separate occasions this year. The former Cal product isn't necessarily unplayable, but he is nothing more than a QB2 for me on Sunday night.
David Montgomery (RB, CHI)
David Montgomery rolled his ankle during practice on Wednesday and was held out of training on Thursday. It will be important to keep an eye on his status Friday, but the rookie is looking to be truly questionable going into the weekend. If we see him get in any sort of work today, I think he will play. But if he misses practice again, you might want to start looking for other options.
UPDATE: David Montgomery is expected to be a game-time decision, which naturally puts his fantasy owners in a serious bind considering the nighttime kickoff. It would be wise to move him from RB to flex if you are counting on him, as then if he is declared out, you'll have more positions to choose from for a replacement.
Tarik Cohen (RB, CHI)
If you own Tarik Cohen and it is not in a PPR league, I believe he is droppable in those settings. However, PPR participants do have a few positive things to hang their hats on, as the scatback has caught 24 passes in his past five games. I know David Montgomery and Cohen don't possess the same role, but I'd be interested to see if the rookie plays on Sunday. If he doesn't suit up, the Bears might decide to try and utilize Cohen in space, increasing his upside on the day.
Todd Gurley (RB, LAR)
Todd Gurley continued to confuse fantasy owners in Week 10, rushing for 73 yards on 12 carries to go along with no catches. Gurley owners definitely were aware of this nightmare playing out when they drafted him before the season started, but it doesn't make it any easier to stomach. The 25-year-old has yet to see 20 touches in a game this season, and that may not change until more meaningful plays take place. Continue to treat Gurley as an RB2, but you always have to watch his snaps with one eye closed.
Robert Woods / Cooper Kupp (WR, LAR)
I've written about this narrative for a few weeks, and it continues to remain true. The Bears Defense enters the week ranked fifth in PPR points given up to wideouts on the year but just 18th in success rate against the pass. The reason for this is that they have been willing to allow WRs to catch short throws and have been expecting their linebackers, corners and safeties to quickly tackle the ball handlers. That sort of defending should suit Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods well since both are premier short-to-mid yard route runners, and I have no issues slotting Kupp in as a WR2 and Woods as a WR3/flex. It wouldn't shock me to see either player exceed those projections, but I'd rather be safe than sorry in my forecasts.
Allen Robinson (WR, CHI)
Blake Bortles and Mitchell Trubisky as his QBs...What has Allen Robinson done to anger the football gods? Robinson is receiving enough targets to produce WR2 production this season and could see a slight usage boost if RB David Montgomery is held out, but you always have to worry about what his return will be with Trubisky as his quarterback.
Gerald Everett (TE, LAR)
The Bears' propensity to allow short-to-intermediate routes to grade out successfully is a massive plus for Gerald Everett, who continued his breakout campaign in Week 10 with eight catches for 68 yards. If you are worried about taking on the Chicago defense, don't be. Everett is more than capable of producing TE1 numbers on the day against a squad that will allow short passes.
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