10 Things You Need to Know for Week 11 (#FantasyFootball)

Week 11 is here and it’s do or die time. There are some teams who have phenomenal playoff schedules you need to keep an eye on, and some unlikely names who are good starts this week. Lets take a look at 10 things you need to know for Week 11. 

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1. Taysom Hill takes over as Saints starter.

Everybody (including myself) assumed that with Drew Brees out multiple weeks Jameis Winston would be under center for the Saints. That changed quickly, as Taysom Hill was announced as the starter on Friday, November 20th, sending shockwaves through the fantasy football community. Taysom Hill’s career passing stats are as follows: 10 completions, 18 attempts, 205 yards, and 1 interception. That doesn’t quite seem to scream “future franchise Quarterback” to me, but Sean Payton seems to think otherwise.

With that being said, downgrade all the Saints pass catchers with Alvin Kamara‘s value likely staying the same. I could see this being a boost to Latavius Murray if the Saints decide to hide Hill by running the ball more. Hill is a complete wildcard and we honestly have no idea what this offense is going to look like. Hill does qualify at TE in ESPN leagues, and he’s an automatic start at TE if you’re able to do so. I wouldn’t be surprised to still see Winston under center sooner or later, but with Sean Payton‘s obsession with Hill, anything is possible. 

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2. Andy Dalton‘s return a boost for CeeDee Lamb.

The Cowboys offense is a mess right now, having to start Ben DiNucci and Garrett Gilbert the past two games. It’s been especially tough for CeeDee Lamb, who hasn’t gone over 100 yards since Week 5 versus the Giants and only caught one touchdown in that timeframe. As bad as Andy Dalton looked, the only full game that he played with Lamb he was targeted early and often. In Week 6 against the Cardinals, Dalton targeted Lamb 10 times, which amounted to 7 catches for 64 yards and 13.4 fantasy points. Lamb averaged 17 points with Dak Prescott under center, so although it was only one game, his production didn’t take a huge hit with Dalton under center.

3. Brady may struggle this week, but Tampa’s playoff schedule is absurd.

Tom Brady bounced back in a big way after a rough game against the Saints, throwing for 341 yards and three touchdowns in Week 10 against the Panthers. Week 11 will be a different story, however, as Brady and the Bucs face the Los Angels Rams, who are one of the best defenses in the NFL and have given up the fewest fantasy points to Quarterbacks this season. If you’re able to somehow turn this week’s tough matchup and his Week 13 bye into an opportunity to buy Brady, do it as fast as you can. Tampa Bay has about as good of a fantasy playoff schedule as you could ask for. The Bucs face Minnesota, Atlanta, and Detroit three of the worst defenses in the NFL, giving up the 4th(DET), 8th(ATL), and 10th(MIN) most points per game in the league. All the Buccaneers are set up for fantasy playoff success, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see them on plenty of championship teams.

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4. Start Jakobi Meyers.

I mentioned Jakobi Meyers in this week’s waiver column, and he’s someone you can plug in your lineup with a great Week 11 matchup against the Texans. Although Cam Newton isn’t throwing many passing touchdowns (he has four on the season), he’s targeting Meyers a ton. Meyers has 37 targets over the past four games and has scored over 10 fantasy points in each of those games as well. Houston gives up the 10th most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers and has allowed 18 touchdowns through the air (tied for 5th most in the NFL). It will be ugly, New England’s offense is anything but high flying. But in fantasy football volume is king, and Meyers is getting tons of it. Fire him up with confidence anywhere you have him.

5. He may be out this week, but D’Andre Swift is a league winner.

I was extremely high on D’Andre Swift this week, but unfortunately, he’s going to miss this week’s mouth-watering matchup with Carolina due to a concussion. As long as this doesn’t turn into a long term issue, D’Andre Swift is a potential league winner.  I’ve said multiple times throughout the year that Swift will wind up having an end of season stretch like Miles Sanders did last year. Even splitting time with Adrian Peterson for most of the season, Swift has scored double digits fantasy points in seven of nine games. He had a season-high 16 carries last week which led to 81 yards rushing, five catches for 68 yards, and a touchdown. It was the second time this season he’s scored over 20 fantasy points, and outside of a tough championship week matchup against the stout Buc’s run defense, Swift has a great schedule down the stretch.   

6. The Jalen Reagor takeover has begun.

Jalen Reagor is in a prime position to have a big game this week versus the Browns, and I expect him to take over as the true WR1 for the Eagles before seasons end. The Browns give up the 6th most fantasy points to opposing WRs and have given up 18 touchdowns through the air (tied for 5th most in the NFL). Since returning from injury in Week 8, Reagor leads the team in targets, is tied with Travis Fulgham for most receptions, and has scored the most fantasy points of any Eagles pass catchers. He’s looked explosive and he’s someone I’m looking to acquire everywhere I can. Philadelphia has a great rest of season schedules starting this week, followed by Seattle next week, and a great playoff schedule. The Eagles play the Saints Week 14, the Cardinals Week 15, and Dallas for championship week. He’s a WR3 with upside this week, get Reagor before its too late.  

7. Jordan Howard is not a threat to Miles Sanders.

The Eagles have reunited with Jordan Howard, signing him to the practice squad this week after he was released by the Dolphins. The same people who doubted Miles Sanders all offseason with the “Eagles will sign a veteran” and “It’s going to be a running-back-by-committee” takes are back at it again, saying this is the death of Sanders fantasy value. Yes, Doug Pederson said this week they would consider using more of a “committee approach”, but coaches say a lot of things. Sanders has the second-best yards per carry for running backs in the league (6.0), has rushed for at least 80 yards in four of his five games, and has simply looked phenomenal on the field. Sanders may have some touchdowns vultured here and there like this past week, but he’s still the best back on this team. I have zero concern about his workload, he’s locked in as an RB1 with a great schedule down the stretch.

8. Michael Pittman joins the rookie WR breakouts.

Rookie wide receivers have taken the NFL by storm this season, and you can add one more to the list. Michael Pittman had his first career 100 yard game in Week 10 against the Titans. Pittman had 7 catches for 101 yards and even chipped in a 21-yard rush. Pittman has 15 targets over the past two weeks and has emerged as the top wide receiver for a team desperately searching for one. Pittman has a difficult matchup this week against the Packers but has a phenomenal schedule down the stretch. If he’s available, grab him where you can. Pittman is a great flex option with blowup potential for the end of season stretch.

9. Yes, you can start Kalen Ballage.

I got a little nauseous just typing that sentence, but if 2020 couldn’t get any weirder, Kalen Ballage is a good start this week. The Chargers face a Jets defense that gives up the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing running backs and allowed 18 rushing touchdowns on the season. As I said earlier talking about Jakobi Meyers, the volume is king in fantasy football, and Ballage is getting it. Week 10 Ballage got 18 carries for 68 yards and caught 5 passes for 34 yards. Ballage has scored over 15 fantasy points for two weeks in a row and is getting workhorse back treatment while Justin Jackson and Austin Ekeler are out. As much as it hurts me to type these words, Ballage is a fine start this week. 

10. Make sure you have your handcuffs.

I’m not one who tends to handcuff my running backs outside of the deepest leagues. I feel like benches should be used for upside and bye week fill-ins, and when you hang on to your handcuff, you’re locking yourself into just one backfield. But this is the time of the year it’s a smart thing to do. Byes are all but over and the playoffs are just around the corner. You don’t want to mean in the middle of a playoff run and have your running back go down, just to see your opponent have more faab than you and can snatch your backup. As I said in previous weeks, it’s time to look ahead to the playoffs, and one of the best ways you can prepare yourself is to get your handcuffs.

Be sure to follow me on Twitter @GMenJay, and feel free to tweet or DM me any questions you may have. Good luck in Week 11!

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