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Welcome to week 11 of the NFL season.
Before we take a look at who to start/sit this weekend let’s take a look back at one of our better weeks in week 10. I hope you trailed as we nailed starting Brock Purdy, Tyrone Tracy Jr., Jauan Jennings (a great gamble), and the Eagles defense. We also were spot on in sitting Caleb Williams, David Montgomery, and the Broncos defense.
So where did we whiff? Thanks for asking because there were a few. My biggest glaring error was yet again Calvin Ridley. I’m stunned he put up 25 fantasy points with Will Levis at QB. I was also wrong on Dalton Kincaid. He left with a knee injury and only got you 5.4 points. I’m guessing you’ll probably want to sit him again this week.
But let’s move on to another week where we see the Bucs, Giants, Panthers, and Cardinals all on their bye. Keep scrolling and, as always, let me know where I’m right and wrong…
***Disclaimer*** I give this statement every week but it’s important to remember there are players you’re basically starting or sitting each week. I tend to try and pick some of the more 50/50 players and write about them. You’ll see that trend as you go.
Quarterbacks
Start ’em – Jared Goff
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Jared Goff – Before the last two weeks Goff was a solid fantasy option averaging over 17 points per week. Unfortunately, the last two weeks did happen, and he totaled just 9.6 and 7.8 in back-to-back games. But if you’re in need Goff is rostered in just 56% of ESPN leagues and has a favorable matchup against Jacksonville. I’m expecting him to have an efficient game of around 250 yards and 2-3 TD.
Sit ’em – Kirk Cousins
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Kirk Cousins – It seems to be boom or bust for Cousins this season. He’s had two super weeks, four duds, and four average performances. So, what about this week? Unfortunately for Cousins I hate the matchup facing the Broncos in Denver. Sean Payton’s crew is allowing under 15 fantasy points per week to QBs, and according to SI.com, no QB has scored more than 13.7 points in Mile High. Time to fade the Falcons and Cousins.
Running Backs
Start’ em – David Montgomery
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David Montgomery – Last week I decided to sit Montgomery, and it was the right thing to do. He scored just 12.6 points and totaled just 34 yards on 13 touches. But I’m back on board this week. As we mentioned earlier with Goff, I think the Lions run all over the Jags and I’m betting Montgomery will be a big part of that. Not to mention the last three weeks the Jags have been gashed by the run allowing the Packers to run for 170 yards, the Eagles for 237, and 169 to the Vikings last week.
Sit ’em – Javonte Williams
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Javonte Williams – Not only is it time to bench Williams for this week but it might be time to drop him from your roster altogether. Why? Well, we’re already in week 11 and Williams’ touches dropped to just three last weekend in Kansas City. Plus, it’s looking like Denver could be turning to rookie Austin Estime who led the team in touches last week.
Wide Receiver
Start ’em – Cedric Tillman
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Cedric Tillman – What a meteoric rise by Tillman over the last three weeks…21 catches, 255 yards, and 3 TD. I’m not sure if I’m more surprised about his fantasy numbers or the fact he’s rostered in only 62% of ESPN leagues. Either way, I’m planning on riding the hot hand again this week. The Saints are a fading team who just traded their best defender in CB Marshon Lattimore.
Sit ’em – Brian Thomas Jr.
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Brian Thomas Jr. – It’s been a great rookie campaign for Thomas but it’s hard to see his numbers being consistent the rest of the way. He’s totaled just 9.4 points the last two weeks and his QB going forward just might be Mac Jones. I expect Jacksonville to get pummeled by Detroit and for the Jags offense to only have a few legitimate scoring opportunities. There are plenty of options this week.
Tight End
Start ’em – Jonnu Smith
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Jonnu Smith – Cincinnati’s Mike Gesicki caught 5 passes for 100 yards and 2 TD last week and two weeks ago Travis Kelce caught 10 balls for 90 yards and a TD. Basically, back-to-back weeks we’ve seen the Raiders defense get gashed by the TE position. Can that happen again this week? I’m guessing Miami’s passing attack will be licking their chops to play against Vegas. Smith has averaged 6 targets over the last five weeks and isn’t a bad gamble. I think he gets in the endzone on Sunday.
Sit ’em – Evan Engram (and Jake Ferguson)
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Evan Engram – Engram and Ferguson are both in the same boat…terrible QB situations on bad teams. Personally, I’m going to sit them both this weekend despite loving both players. As for Engram, the Lions have allowed just one TE to score in double digits this season and Mac Jones is his QB. Things are no better for Ferguson. His QB is Cooper Rush and the Texans defense hasn’t allowed a TE to hit 15 points this season.
Defense
Start ’em – Miami Dolphins
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Dolphins – Miami gets Vegas this week and the Raiders are near the bottom in most offensive stats…29th in yards per game, dead last in rushing yards per game, and 25th in points per game to name a few. Plus, the last two weeks the Dolphins defense woken up a bit creating 3 turnovers and 5 sacks over that time.
Sit ’em – Buffalo Bills
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Bills – I’ll admit, this is a tad of a gamble. The Bills defense has been solid the last month, averaging a little more than 10 points per week. So why sit them this week? It’s more of a gut feeling as Kansas City rolls into town and I expect a healthy number of points in Buffalo on Sunday.