Week 11 already. Fantasy playoffs on the horizon. Where did the
season go? Hopefully it has gone well for you and you are making your
preparations to dominate your playoffs. I'm here to try to help you to a
win this week with some start/sit advice.
Start
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| Image source: savannahnow.com |
Kelvin
Benjamin (CAR) has been about the only weapon through the air that the
Panthers have been able to consistently count on. Lining up opposite the
now worst ranked pass defense in the league in the Atlanta Falcons this
week, Benjamin is set up to have a monster game. Atlanta is allowing
280.8 yards per game through the air and doesn't have anyone that can
really match up against the size and speed of Benjamin. Look for him to
have a big game this week.
Golden
Tate (DET) is a player that loyal Fantasy Squads readers may recall I
wrote about previously. Tate is a fantastically talented receiver, and
the return of Calvin Johnson to the field did not slow him down. In week
10 Tate had 11 catches for 109 yards against a top tier defense of the
Miami Dolphins. In week 11 the Lions face off against the 30th ranked
passing defense of the Arizona Cardinals. The Cards have allowed 274.2
yards per game to opponents through the air. There should likely not be a
week you take Tate out of your lineup the rest of the season, and
certainly not this week.
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| Image source: post-gazette.com |
Martavis
Bryant (PIT) has exploded on the scene in Pittsburgh. Scoring 6
touchdowns in his first 4 games, Bryant has shown a wide range of
skills. From deep ball threat, to solid red zone target, what can't
Bryant do? With a weakened and old defense in for the Steelers, most of
their games are likely to feature lots of passing down the stretch. This
week the Steelers take on the Titans in Tennessee. The Titans have the
11th ranked pass defense in the NFL going into this week, but this stat
may be a function of their terrible run defense. If you don't have to
pass against them, why do it? Well I think the Steelers will have to
pass against them at least a bit, and Bryant is a versatile player that
is in a good offense opposite Antonio Brown taking most of the extra
attention. Get Bryant in your lineup this week.
DeSean
Jackson (WAS) laces them up against the 31st ranked pass defense of the
Tampa Bay Buccaneers in week 11. Tampa bay has given up 277.1 yards per
game on the season, and allowed 19 receiving touchdowns to only 6
interceptions. Jackson has proven to still be a big deep pass threat
this season, and I would look for him to get loose for at least one big
play this week.
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| Image source: startribune.com |
Cordarelle
Patterson (MIN) has been a big disappointment this season. Being ranked
in the top 24 of wide receivers in the preseason by many fantasy
analysts, Patterson has not performed. In the Vikings last game, there
were some signs of life, including added usage, and him breaking free on
a busted coverage only to be overthrown by Teddy Bridgewater. Look for
the Vikings to have used the bye week to work on some timing and
chemistry to fully take advantage of their match up against the 28th
ranked pass defense of the Chicago Bears. The Bears were just torched on
Sunday Night Football for 6 first half touchdowns by the Packers. Yes,
Teddy is not Aaron Rodgers, but the Bears passing defense is terrible,
allowing the second most (23) receiving touchdowns on the season. Take a
chance on Patterson this week, I think you might be rewarded.
Sit
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| Image source: usatoday.com |
Sammy
Watkins (BUF) tweaked his groin in practice last week, and was largely
ineffective in week 10. The news doesn't get much better in week 11 when
the Bills will face off against the number 2 pass defense of the Miami
Dolphins on Thursday Night football. The Dolphins are only allowing
210.8 yards per game to opposing teams via the pass, and have allowed 14
touchdowns through the air on the season. I say this speaking as a guy
who just traded for Watkins last week, I'm likely sitting him this week
in favor of another wide receiver or flex option.
Lamar
Miller (MIA) continues our Thursday night flare on the sit column.
Miller has a sprained AC joint in his shoulder, and was only able to
manage 5 touches in week 10 against the Lions. This week the Dolphins
face the 8th ranked run defense of the Bills on a short week. The short
turn around for the Dolphins, coupled with the lack of touches in last
weeks game don't bode well for Miller and his chances this week. If I
were a miller owner, I would be looking for another option for this
week.
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| Image source: iplsports.com |
Bobby
Rainey (TB) has been a sometimes bright spot this season for the Bucs.
This has been due to the fact that there are not really any bright spots
at all for them. Rainey will have his workload cut into by the recently
activated Charles Sims, and didn't do much with his 6 carries last
week, only gaining 14 yards. Rainey did slightly better in the passing
game, 4 catches for 42 yards, but facing the 14th Washington run defense
who has been somewhat stingy with the rushing touchdowns, and only
allowing 110 yards per game on the ground, I am not a fan of starting
Rainey this week.
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| Image source: detroitnews.com |
The
next section will be dedicated to the three headed not so scary monster
that is the Detroit Lions backfield. The first key issue is that they
can't stay healthy.
Reggie Bush has had a very hard time staying on the
field, and it seems as if he is alternating missing time with
Joique
Bell this season. The guy who has been putting up the best fantasy
numbers has been
Theo Riddick, and he only played 7 snaps last week, he
just happened to be the one to catch a touchdown pass on one of them.
This week against the 3rd ranked pass defense of the Arizona Cardinals,
who only allow 78.6 yards per game on the ground, I can see the reason
to start any of the Lions running backs. I am not even sure at this
point I would want to be taking up a roster spot with any of them.
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| Image source: zimbio.com |
Tre
Mason (STL) is the man out front, sometimes, for the Rams running game.
The indecision by Jeff Fisher as to what he is doing with his running
backs, along with the lack of overall production team up to make Mason a
sit this week in my book. Facing the top ranked run defense of the
Denver Broncos, who allow 67 yards per game on the ground, does not make
me change that opinion in any way. It will likely be a long week for
the Rams if, more like when, Denver gets out to a big lead on them. If
the rams are getting blown out, the game will turn to more passing for
the Rams, and Mason is not a good pass blocker as of yet, so may not
even be on the field much. Sit Mason this week.
That
is the finale of our look at starts and sits this week. I hope to have
given you some helpful information to make good decisions for your
fantasy rosters this week. Good luck!
