Fantasy NFL: Who to play in Week 11
Posted November 19, 2011 6:01 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
BY ROB SHAW
sportsnet.ca
Here’s a look at who to start, who to bench, and everything in between for Week 11 in fantasy football.
The Sleepers of the Week
QB: Carson Palmer, Raiders
It took a few weeks to shed the rust, but Palmer has now averaged 316 passing yards over the last two games while scoring five touchdowns. He has young receivers to target and an offensive line offering some protection. It doesn’t hurt that the Vikings rank amongst the three worst passing defences in the NFL this season.
RB: Brandon Jacobs, Giants
The burly Giants running back could only muster 55 rushing yards last week against a top-notch Niners defence, but this weekend he should find some holes against an Eagles squad that surrenders 120 rushing yards per game. Additionally, with Michael Vick and Jeremy Maclin sidelined with injuries, the Giants defence should be able to control the tempo, which will likely lead to a rush-dominated offensive attack for the G-men.
WR: Harry Douglas, Falcons
Fresh off a breakthrough performance with eight grabs for 133 yards, I expect more of the same from Harry Douglas this weekend. The brother of Knicks point guard Toney Douglas, Harry is a speed-demon who can make things happen when the ball is in his hands. With Julio Jones again limited by a hamstring injury, Matt Ryan should rely on Douglas again this weekend.
TE: Fred Davis, Redskins
Fred Davis has effectively played the role of the injured Chris Cooley this season for the Redskins. Though he has been quiet in recent weeks, the fact that the ‘Skins have again turned to Rex Grossman as their quarterback benefits the veteran tight end. The opposing Cowboys secondary has been known to take some gambles on the field, which should open the door to a few big plays for Davis.
The Safe Bets of the Week
QB: Eli Manning, Giants
In the midst of his finest statistical season, Eli Manning is a safe bet for fantasy managers. He is not only averaging nearly 300 passing yards per game, but Manning has also more than double his touchdowns compared to interceptions this season. It doesn’t hurt that the opposing Eagles defence has been heavy on star power but short on results this season.
RB: Fred Jackson, Bills
When the Bills were winning, Fred Jackson looked like an MVP candidate averaging more than 100 rushing yards per game. With the team struggling, Jackson has come down with a case of fumblitis, but fantasy managers should not be at all threatened. After all, Jackson has remained effective at running the ball, even averaging 98 rushing yards over the last two weeks. Jackson’s fantasy value remains steady even against an underrated Dolphins rush defense on Sunday.
WR: Brandon Marshall, Dolphins
One thing that both Dolphins wins had in common was a heavy dose of passes to the top playmaker Brandon Marshall. Quarterback Matt Moore has finally realized that putting the ball in the hands of Marshall is the best way to earn a victory. Over the last two weekends Marshall has hauled in 15 receptions for 204 yards with a touchdown. He should find some success against a Bills defence that surrenders 271 receiving yards per game.
TE: Ed Dickson, Ravens
A week after tallying just eight yards, Ed Dickson broke out with 10 receptions for 79 yards with two scores. This is exactly what the Ravens had in mind when they let Todd Heap leave for the desert. In a hotly contested division rivalry game against the Bengals this weekend expect Joe Flacco to again turn to his team’s safety valve, the 6-foot-4 tight end that the Ravens drafted in the third round in the 2010 draft.
The risky plays of the week
QB: Sam Bradford, Rams
The top pick of the 2010 draft, Sam Bradford has just one touchdown compared to three picks over his last three starts. With the team ailing on the offensive line and the play calling for more and more rushes, even the acquisition of wide-out Brandon Lloyd has not been able to save Bradford lately. Furthermore, the Seahawks don’t surrender many passing touchdowns. This is looking like a sophomore slump of a season for Bradford.
RB: Jackie Battle, Chiefs
Filling in for the injured Jamaal Charles, Jackie Battle has been a pleasant surprise. He is averaging 4.6 yards per carry and surpassed 60 rushing yards in four of his last five games. The problem is that the Chiefs do not put the ball in his hands often. Battle is not trusted in the passing game, and the Chiefs have been struggling early, leading to a game of catch-up that limits the team’s rushing plays. In no fault of his own, Battle has become a very risky fantasy option.
WR: Steve Breaston, Chiefs
On paper this looks like an excellent matchup for Steve Breaston and the Chiefs passing game. After all, the Patriots surrender 25 more passing yards than any other team in the NFL. The problem for Breaston this weekend is that his starting quarterback Matt Cassel is out due to injury, and the less proven Tyler Palko gets the start. Palko has just 82 passing yards in four career games in the NFL.
TE: Zach Miller, Seahawks
A fantasy stalwart during his time with the Raiders, Zach Miller has failed to fit in with the Seahawks. Sure, injuries have limited Miller at times this season, but his season total of 123 yards was matched in last season’s week four alone. Even if your starting tight end is off on a bye, Miller should be avoided in all fantasy leagues.
The Busts of the Week
QB: Philip Rivers, Chargers
The Bears are one of the hottest defences in the NFL right now, and Philip Rivers has yet to break out of his season-long funk. Rivers has 13 touchdowns compared to 15 interceptions and once again he will play without a key piece to his offence (wide receiver Malcom Floyd is out due to injury).
RB: Cedric Benson, Bengals
Cedric Benson has yet to score a touchdown or average as many as four yards per carry since his NFL-imposed suspension a few weeks ago. You should not expect things to change this weekend as he faces a Ravens defence that ranks third in the NFL with just 90 rushing yards surrendered per game.
WR: Mike Thomas, Jaguars
There were high expectations entering the season for wide-out Mike Thomas after hauling in 66 receptions for 820 yards last season. However, it does not help that a rookie is now under center for the Jaguars. Thomas hit a new low last week with just one grab for one yard. The Jaguars passing game must be avoided at all costs these days.
TE: Kevin Boss, Raiders
While injuries played a role, the greater issue for Kevin Boss right now is that his quarterback Carson Palmer has never been known to target tight ends. Palmer can throw the deep ball, and he likes to get the ball into the hands of his playmakers. That’s why rookie Denarius Moore and sophomore Jacoby Ford have formed fine rapports with Palmer, while Boss has just three receptions over the last month.
