The Fanatics Start/Sit Advice for Week 11
We’re into the stretch run of the fantasy football regular season and its make or break time. Some of you have clinched a playoff birth, but many are still fighting to make it to the show, and hopefully, I can help with some start and sit decisions that push you to victory this week. You’re not going to bench Christian McCaffrey or Patrick Mahomes no matter what the match-up is, so I’ve ignored the every-week starters and highlighted players who are more along the second tier and below who are set up to significantly over or under-perform their usual weekly ranks.
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Quarterback
The Fanatics QB Start of the Week
Derek Carr (OAK) vs CIN
Although Carr has had an inconsistent season in which he’s yet to throw for 300 yards in a single game, this week he could break that streak. The Bengals just gave up 49 points to the Ravens, including 288 combined yards and 4 touchdowns in MVP Candidate Lamar Jackson in three quarters. Cincinnati has given up over 300 combined yards to each of the previous four opposing QBs and gives up the fourth-most points per game at 28.8. Before struggling against a tough Chargers secondary, Carr had been on a three-game streak of at least 285 passing yards and two or more touchdowns. Both defenses are bottom 10 in points allowed per game, so a game that has sneaky shootout potential gives Carr a great opportunity for a big game.
Other Starts
- Kyle Allen (CAR) vs ATL
- Josh Allen (BUF) @ Mia
The Fanatics QB Sit of the Week
Carson Wentz (PHI) vs NE
(note: This is for 1QB leagues. With byes it’s hard to sit any QB in Superflex/2QB)Â
Even after giving up 37 points and 372 yards of total offense to the Ravens in Week 9, the Patriots defense is still #1 in points per game (10.9), yards per game (249.3), and passing touchdowns allowed (3). The Eagles lost DeSean Jackson for the season and Alshon Jeffrey is questionable for Week 11 with an ankle injury, so the pass-catching options for Wentz are thinning out rather quickly. Wentz hasn’t thrown for multiple touchdowns since Week 6 and has thrown for less than 200 yards two of the past three games. The Eagles schedule lightens up considerably for the stretch run, but leave Wentz on the bench for one more week.
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Other Sits
- Baker Mayfield (CLE) vs PIT
- Jared Goff (LAR) vs CHI
Running Back
The Fanatics RB Start of the Week
Devin Singletary (BUF) @ MIA
Although the production wasn’t there in Week 10 for Singletary as many had expected after a breakout Week 9, the news was still positive. He led the backfield with 66 percent of the offensive snaps as well as out-carrying and out-targeting Frank Gore. Buffalo heads to Miami to face a Dolphins defense that gives up the third-most rushing yards per game (146.1) and allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing running backs this year. Singletary also contributes through the air, averaging almost 6 targets a game since coming back from injury in Week 8. Singletary should have a big game when he returns to the state he played high school and college football in.
Other Starts
- J.D. McKissic (DET) vs DAL
- Brian Hill (ATL) @ CAR
The Fanatics RB Sit of the Week
David Johnson (ARZ) @ SF
When the Cardinals acquired Kenyan Drake from the Dolphins, most people assumed it was simply because both David Johnson was injured and Chase Edmonds got banged up the game before a Thursday night match-up with the 49ers. It’s now looking more and more likely that Arizona knew that David Johnson was more injured then they were letting on, as he’s had a combined 6 carries for 4 yards in his last two “starts”. Although Kenyan Drake had a good game against San Francisco in that TNF game, they have only given up four touchdowns on the ground and given up the third-fewest fantasy points to running backs this season. Until further notice, you simply can’t start David Johnson.
Other Sits
- Mark Ingram (BAL) vs HOU
- Sony Michel (NE) @ PHI
Wide Receiver
The Fanatics WR Start of the Week
D.J. Moore (CAR) vs ATL
Even with Cam Newton out for the year, DJ Moore is having the breakout year many expected. Moore has become Kyle Allen’s go-to receiver, leading the team with 79 targets and 684 receiving yards. Carolina faces a Falcons defense that gives up the fifth-most passing yards per game (260.8) and has allowed at opposing receivers to score at least 15 PPR points in all but three games this season. That includes six receivers over twenty points and a monster game over 50 points for Will Fuller in Week 5. The Falcons rank as the sixth-best match-up for opposing wide-receivers and Moore is coming off two straight games of double-digit targets and over 100 receiving yards. Expect those trends to continue and Moore to have a big game against the dirty birds.
Other Starts
- Mohamed Sanu (NE) @ PHI
- Jamison Crowder (NYJ) @ WAS
The Fanatics WR Sit of the Week
Christian Kirk (ARZ) @ SF
Coming off of a career game in which he had six catches for 138 yards and 3 touchdowns, it’s going to be hard for anyone who had Christian Kirk in their lineups to bench him this week. Unfortunately, it’s the right call to make, as he’s got an extremely tough match-up against one of the best defenses in the league. The 49ers give up the least amount of passing yards per game (143.8) and have only given up eight passing touchdowns all year. Kirk had his worst game of the season against San Francisco in Week 9, being held to two catches for eight yards and an eight-yard rush. Don’t be surprised if Kirk struggles again this week in San Fran.
Other Sits
- Stefon Diggs (MIN) vs DEN
- Robby Anderson (NYJ) @ WAS
Tight End
The Fanatics TE Start of the Week
Jared Cook (NO) @ TB
Historically Jared Cook has been a player who seems to disappoint in fantasy match-ups that look good and blow up in difficult ones. But the Buccaneers have given up the second-most fantasy points to TEs this season, and Cook had his best game of the season against them in Week 5 (14.1 points). This start suggestion is more about the match-up then the player, as Tampa Bay has allowed double-digit points to opposing TEs in seven out of nine games this season. Unless you have an elite TE, double digits are pretty much what you’re looking for these days. If he catches a touchdown or two, he could have a big day.
Other Starts
- Gerald Everett (LAR) vs CHI
- T.J. Hockenson vs DAL
The Fanatics TE Sit of the Week
Kyle Rudolph (MIN) vs DEN
With the state of the tight end position what it is in fantasy, I find it hard to suggest benching anyone. Especially with byes, you may not have someone better to play. These three are simply players I don’t see performing this week. Yes, Kyle Rudolph had two touchdowns last week, but both were only one-yard catches that could easily go to Dalvin Cook, Alexander Mattison, or a sneak from Kirk Cousins. He’s only scored double-digit points in three games, not surprisingly the only games he’s caught touchdowns in. This is a run-first team, and he’s a last resort option in the passing game. As with many TEs in fantasy, Rudolph is touchdown or bust and is facing a Denver defense that has only allowed double-digit points to three TEs all year. Avoid Rudolph if at all possible.
Other Sits
- Mike Gesicki (MIA) vs BUF
- Noah Fant (DEN) @ MIN
Defense
The Fanatics Defense Start of the Week
Minnesota vs DEN
In what has been a step back from the dominant force they were last year, the Vikings have been a better real defense then fantasy defense. After leading the league in defensive touchdowns last year, they’ve yet to score one this year. They are still rank towards the top of the league in yards allowed per game (13th – 333.1), interceptions (5th – 9), fumbles recovered (12th – 6), and points allowed per game (5th – 18.2). The welcome the 27th ranked Denver offense lead by practice squad player turned started Brandon Allen. Allen was able to have a solid start against a bad Cleveland defense thanks to help from the run game. But the Vikings have a great rush defense that will force Allen to throw the ball. That leads to a great opportunity for the Vikings defense for turnovers and hopefully their first defensive TD of the year.
Other Starts
- Oakland vs CIN
- Carolina vs ATL
The Fanatics Defense Sit of the Week
Baltimore vs HOU
The Ravens defense is one of the hottest in the league, scoring a touchdown in each of the last three games, and multiple touchdowns in two of those three games. Baltimore’s defense has been bolstered acquiring Marcus Peters from the Rams and getting Jimmy Smith and Patrick Onwuasor back from injury. This week, however, I’d look to stream someone with a better match-up. Baltimore takes on Houston in what many expect to be a shootout, as both teams boast the top five offenses. With a projected total over 50, the Ravens defense is one I’m looking to avoid.
Other Sits
- LA Chargers vs KC
- Atlanta @ CAR
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