The temperature is dropping, Thanksgiving is only a week away and we’re nearly through with bye weeks. The NFL season is in heading down the home stretch and fantasy seasons are nearing the playoffs. With so many teams still in the mix for a playoff spot, almost every game has a purpose. The same can be said about fantasy as there are still a few weeks left before the playoffs.
Week 11 begins tonight with the Pittsburgh Steelers hosting the Tennessee Titans. Here’s a look at our favorite options for start ’em, sit ’em this week.
Start of the Week Quarterback – Alex Smith vs New York Giants
After their bye week, Alex Smith and the Kansas City Chiefs will face the New York Giants. The Giants allow the most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season. Smith has been consistent, if not spectacular this season, topping 15 fantasy points in all but one game this season. Travis Kelce, Smith’s favorite target, should help him slice and dice the Giants all afternoon.
Sit of the Week Quarterback – Dak Prescott vs Dallas Cowboys
After last week’s debacle, the Dallas Cowboys’ offense looks vulnerable. Prescott was sacked eight times last week and averaged just 5.87 yards per attempt. Without Ezekiel Elliott, teams can focus on stopping Prescott, and until Jason Garrett competently game plans to protect Prescott, the sophomore signal caller will likely continue to struggle.
Start of the Week Running Back – James White vs Oakland Raiders
With the Patriots offense looking in tip-top shape, finding ways to incorporate a Patriots players into your fantasy lineup is a smart play. This week against the Raiders, James White should be an important part of the Patriots offensive game plan. The Raiders are mediocre at limiting running backs in the passing game, allowing five different running backs to catch six passes or more. White is a pass-catching specialist and should be able to exploit mismatches, as the Raiders focus on stopping Gronkowski.
Sit of the Week Running Back – Tevin Coleman vs Seattle Seahawks
Coleman will likely move into the starting role this week with Devonta Freeman still battling a concussion. Although Coleman will likely see a more extensive workload on Monday, he may not see his point totals increase much against the Seahawks. The Seahawks rank fifth in fewest points allowed to running backs this season. The Seahawks have only allowed two running backs to drop 55 yards this season and have not allowed any back to catch over four passes. Do not expect a big, breakout game from Coleman this weekend.
Start of the Week Wide Receiver – Larry Fitzgerald vs Houston Texans
Fitzgerald showed last week he can still be productive without Carson Palmer, catching ten passes for 113. This week he faces the Texans, whose passing defense is amongst the worst in the NFL. The Texans have allowed four receivers to catch 105 yards or more in their last three games. Look for a big game from the veteran receiver in Week 11.
Sit of the Week Wide Receiver – Doug Baldwin vs Atlanta Falcons
Even though the Falcons have not been overly impressive this season, they have done a good job limiting opposing wide receivers. Baldwin faces a Falcons’ secondary that has only allowed one 100-yard receiver this season and just an average of 120.6 yards per game to all receivers. Baldwin is also notorious for being streaky, and after a few great fantasy days, he may be due for a down game.
Start of the Week Tight End – Travis Kelce vs New York Giants
The New York Giants are easily the worst team in the NFL this season at stopping the tight end position. They have allowed a touchdown to the position every single game this season, yet have faced some fairly pedestrian competition including Garrett Celek, Jeff Heuerman and Tyler Higbee. Just imagining the ceiling for Kelce in a game like this should have fantasy owners salivating.
Sit of the Week Tight End – Benjamin Watson vs Green Bay Packers
No team in the NFL is as good at stopping tight ends as the Green Bay Packers. The Packers have yet to allow a touchdown to opposing tight ends and have only allowed one opposing player (Jason Witten in Week 5) to top 50 yards receiving. Avoid Watson in Week 11.
Start of the Week Defense – Arizona Cardinals vs Houston Texans
It has been an underwhelming year for the Arizona Cardinals and their defense, which only ranks 25th in total fantasy points this season. However, against some weaker opponents, they have found some success (and the Texans without Watson are a weaker opponent). In the three games this season Watson did not start, the Texans have allowed fantasy defenses to get 28.00, 8.00 and 15.00 points. Look for the Cardinals to take advantage of the Texans struggling offense in Week 11.
Sit of the Week Defense – Los Angeles Rams vs Minnesota Vikings
The Rams are one of the best fantasy defenses this season. However, the Minnesota Vikings are one of the best offenses in the NFL, and, in a battle of top teams, the Vikings offense should win the battle (in fantasy at least). The Vikings allow the fourth fewest points to fantasy defenses this season, having allowed just one sack in the last games four games. The Rams offense could hinder their fantasty defense. If this game turns into a shootout, which signs are pointing toward, then both defenses will suffer.
Start of the Week Kicker – Will Lutz vs Washington Redskins
Will Lutz is one of the most consistent kickers in fantasy this season, scoring between 7.00 and 14.00 every game this season. A home game against the Redskins (who gave up 10.00 last week to the Vikings kicker) should give Lutz another chance at double-digit points.
Sit of the Week Kicker – Josh Lambo vs Cleveland Browns
Lambo has been successful since he joined the Jaguars in Week 7. He also has been fortunate, as he has kicked indoors or in nice weather in those games. With the weather getting worse, a game in Cleveland may not be what Lambo or the Jaguars need to keep their success going in the month of November.
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