The fantasy season is coming down to just a few more weeks. Getting wins in these few crucial weeks can make all the difference between nabbing a playoff spot and being the last one to miss out. No extra nonsense here, these are your best options to start and sit this week.
Fantasy Football Week 11 Starts, Sits, And Sleepers
Quarterbacks
Start – Josh Allen vs. Miami Dolphins
Since the Bills had their bye in week six, Allen has scored multiple touchdowns in the four games since. Allen is able to get into the endzone not just through the air, but he is scoring on the ground as well. This is allowing him to get a good amount of points every week because of his rushing ability. Last time Allen faced off against the Dolphins, he put together a stat line of 202 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, and no interceptions.
While he didn’t find the endzone on the ground, Allen should be able to put up a similar stat line in their second game with Miami. Allen was the sixth-highest scoring quarterback in standard ESPN leagues and don’t be surprised if he jumps into the top-five after this week.
Sit – Carson Wentz vs. New England Patriots
The last time that the Eagles faced off against the Patriots, we were treated to one of the most memorable games in NFL history. Philadelphia was able to knock off New England to capture their first-ever Super Bowl title and both offenses were on fire all game long.
Flash forward to this week 11 game and the Patriots host one of the top defenses in the league and this could spell trouble for Wentz and the passing offense. Now so far, the Eagles have been knocking off these tough opponents, including wins against the Bills and Bears before having their bye week last week. This game should be tougher for Wentz to get things going as he has only thrown for 300 yards twice this entire year and has only put up 20+ fantasy points in three games out of nine.
Both teams are coming off a bye, so they will both be well-rested. In this case, this means that the Patriots should get the edge, as they will look to avenge their loss to the Ravens in week nine. Sit Wentz this week if you can and try and find a good streaming option.
*Sleeper Start* – Dwayne Haskins vs. New York Jets
Speaking of streaming options, Haskins might be just the guy for this week. Haskins has been named the starter for the rest of the season, as the Redskins want to see what they have in the former Ohio State product. Coming off the bye week, Haskins had extra time to prepare and learn the playbook better.
Also, the return of Derrius Guice to this offense will force the Jets to prepare for a stiffer rushing attack. With two players that you don’t have a lot of tape on, you need to prepare the best that you can. While Haskins may not shock the world and light up the New York defense, he should be able to provide a good amount of points to put you in a position to win this week. If you are in a bind for starting quarterbacks, look no further than Haskins as he could be the difference for you.
Running Backs
Start – Brian Hill vs. Carolina Panthers
In a divisional game against the Panthers, the Falcons will be relying on all facets of their offense to take them down. Not helping this feat is the fact that starting running backs Devonta Freeman and Ito Smith are not going to be playing. Insert Hill as he becomes a great start this week because of the pure volume play. Hill found the endzone once last week and that was through the air. This means that he should see a good amount of touches as he will be used in the ground game and through the air.
The Panthers have a good defense, but their run defense has been inferior in the last few weeks. This is something that the Falcons can take advantage of and possibly rack up a second straight win. Hill should be at the forefront of Atlanta’s gameplan.
Sit – Sony Michel vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Remember back in week seven when Michel racked up three rushing touchdowns against the Jets? We all thought that the usage for Michel will finally start to rise and he would become a second-half dynamo. Yeah, those hopes kind of went out the window when Michel followed that performance up with two straight games scoring only single-digit fantasy points.
Let’s also bring up the fact that the Eagles possess the fourth-best rushing defense in the league. They are fourth in rushing yards allowed as well as rushing yards per game allowed. This is a situation where you want to keep Michel on the bench if you can afford to.
*Sleeper Start* – Raheem Mostert vs. Arizona Cardinals
Matt Breida is doubtful for their home game against Arizona. While Tevin Coleman will take more of the carries, Mostert should see some more action with Breida either being limited or not playing. Let’s also look into last week’s game against the Seahawks. In overtime, Mostert received all the carries, while a healthy Coleman was on the sidelines. Breida suffered an injury and did not play the second half of the game, but it was interesting that Kyle Shanahan was going with Mostert when the Niners needed to move down the field to potentially win the game. This means that Mostert should see a good amount of touches, even with Coleman being healthy and playing this weekend. Pick him up this week and he could reward you with a good game, fantasy-wise.
Wide Receivers
Start – Michael Gallup vs. Detroit Lions
Gallup is really blossoming into a great supplemental receiver to Amari Cooper, in the Cowboys offense. He has scored touchdowns in back-to-back weeks and is seeing a lot of balls being thrown his way. Over the past two weeks, Gallup has a total of 16 targets, which is only five behind Cooper who has 21 in that same span. Dak Prescott is really relying on his arm to keep Dallas in each contest and it has been paying off for Gallup and his fantasy owners.
In this upcoming game against Detroit, expect the Dallas offense to be able to do anything they want. Cooper and Gallup should have field days and all fantasy owners will rejoice when they see their fantasy production on their rosters.
Sit – Allen Robinson vs. Los Angeles Rams
Jalen Ramsey is getting more comfortable in this defense and he should be able to lock down Robinson this week. While Robinson is the main target for Mitchell Trubisky, the Rams will do everything in their power to stop him from going off. While the secondary will do their job to prevent Robinson from doing anything, the defensive front seven will get pressure on Trubisky regularly which will limit his ability to push the ball downfield. I expect a defensive slugfest on Sunday Night and am not a fan of any Chicago offensive starters.
*Sleeper Start* – Hunter Renfrow vs. Cincinnati Bengals
As the weeks go along in the NFL season, Renfrow is seeing his role grow more and more in the Raiders offense. Over the last three weeks, he actually has one more target compared to the number one receiver, Tyrell Williams. Now it is only one target, but you can look at that as a sign that the Raiders are willing to incorporate both guys in their passing offense. This passing attack has three legitimate weapons in Renfrow, Williams, and Darren Waller. Derek Carr can now look all over the field and spread the ball around. In this game against the Bengals, expect the passing offense to go off and Renfrow could find the endzone once, possibly twice. Pick him up this week and he could end up being a crucial addition right before the playoffs begin.
Tight Ends
Start – Kyle Rudolph vs. Denver Broncos
While Adam Thielen keeps watching the game from the sidelines, Rudolph is flourishing with the increase in targets. He has found the endzone four times in the past four weeks and seen a total of 19 targets as well. In a wasteland of poor tight end play, Rudolph is becoming a great start every week. With Thielen sitting out another week against the Broncos, Rudolph should see a healthy amount of targets again. Rudolph will also continue to see a good amount of passes thrown his way in the red zone. He’s a big target and is showing why he was worth a high draft pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. While he is not racking up the yards, he is getting touchdowns which still gives him good value in both PPR and non-PPR formats. Pick up Rudolph this week and he should reward you for one more week until Thielen suits back up for Minnesota.
Sit – O.J. Howard vs. New Orleans Saints
This is an interesting case. On one hand, Howard is starting to break out again and be a dynamic threat in the passing offense. On the other hand, they face a Saints defense that was taken to school by the lowly Atlanta Falcons last week. Howard finally found the endzone and he also racked up a total of seven targets. The offense is finally looking in his direction, but this might be a week to keep him off your starting lineup.
The New Orleans Saints will look to rebound and stay in the hunt for a first-round bye in the playoffs. Expect them to be prepared and stop the Tampa Bay offense from moving the ball down the field. There may be a situation where Jameis Winston will be forced to throw the ball to come from behind, but that will mean production for Mike Evans and Chris Godwin instead of Howard. Hang onto Howard for sure, but put him back on your bench for this divisional match-up.
*Sleeper Start* – Dallas Goedert vs. New England Patriots
Alshon Jeffrey will not be playing this week against the Patriots. This means that Wentz will need to rely on Zach Ertz in the passing game, as well as Goedert. Now even though the Patriots defend the pass well, expect that they will focus on shutting down Ertz and this could leave Goedert open more often. After losing to the Ravens two weeks ago, New England is going to bring their A+ game after the bye week, against the Eagles. This should be a tough game for Philadelphia to establish a rhythm, but Goedert will be on the receiving end of lots of passes if the Eagles need to come from behind.
Defense/Special Teams
Start – Oakland Raiders vs. Cincinnati Bengals
The Raiders are coming off their best defensive performance all season. They hope to continue that effort against the winless Bengals. Not just the veterans, but rookies Maxx Crosby and Clelin Ferrell were making their names known against the Chargers, on Thursday night. Jon Gruden has this team believing they can make the playoffs this year and stomping Cincinnati can go a long way in making sure that happens. This should be a pretty simple win for the Raiders and the defense should gain some more confidence playing against a rookie quarterback. Good streaming option this week for sure.
Sit – San Francisco vs. Arizona Cardinals
From one Bay Area team to the other. While the 49ers boast one of the best defenses in the league, this week may not be a good week to start them. Last time they tangled with the Cardinals, this defense was taken to task and ended up scoring only a couple of fantasy points.
Now coming off their first loss of the season, the 49ers may come with something extra against Arizona. What most likely will happen, is that Kyler Murray and the offense will find their way to get the ball into the endzone multiple times. This is not a sign of the outcome of the game, but it will be a back and forth, tight game, that could have both offenses having really good days. Keep the San Francisco defense on the bench if you can this week and you should be better off.
*Sleeper Start* – Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Indianapolis Colts
Jacoby Brissett is starting again for the Colts this week. While this may be a good sign for the Colts offense, the Jaguars defense should also have a good week. They have their own quarterback returning under center, as Nick Foles makes his return to the starting lineup since week one. This game should be closer than people think and the Jacksonville defense should rally around their franchise quarterback. In their first match-up of the year, expect both teams to feel each other out and have a lower total score. Brissett may need to shake off some rust, and the Jags D will gladly pounce while he attempts to do so.
