By Cody Smith
With bye-pocalypse behind us, it’s time to look forward to the fantasy football stretch run.
From Week 11 on, teams are making a final push for the playoffs with only - depending on league settings - about three weeks remaining in the regular season.
This week also marks the trade deadline in many leagues, so make sure to get your deals done and rosters set for the homestretch.
If you need help filling out the back end of your bench with some fantasy relevant players, don’t forget to check out the We Know Fantasy Waiver Wire Wishlist Podcast that comes out on Monday evenings.
As far as last week goes, plenty of top-notch players had sub-par games, while sub-par players posted studly fantasy numbers.
Daniel Jones, Mitch Trubisky, Ryan Tannehill and - believe it or not - Jeff Driskel all posted top-12 performances at QB.
Players at other skill positions had a rough go of things. Cooper Kupp had no catches and was targeted only four times against the Steelers, David Johnson looked like a shell of himself against Tampa Bay and Saquon Barkley failed to gain more yards than he had attempts.
Here is to hoping this week is a little more predictable. Good luck to all the teams out there still in contention. Hopefully the rankings below can help guide you to a victory.
Injury Notes
Matthew Stafford’s injury that sidelined him Sunday seemingly came out of nowhere. If I had to guess, Stafford could miss a few more games, and has been ruled out for this week’s game against the Cowboys. Broken bones in the back do not sound like something with a short recovery time, but we’ll see how involved Stafford is in practice this week. Jeff Driskol starts in Stafford’s place which has a negative impact on the Detroit passing weapons.
Jacoby Brissett’s MCL sprain sidelined him last week, but he could return this week. Brissett is in the same boat as Stafford in the fact that if he doesn’t play, the Colts pass catchers certainly decline in value. Brian Hoyer did not attempt to stretch the field Sunday which resulted in a loss to the Dolphins. Keep an eye on if Brissett practices this week.
Le’Veon Bell finds himself on the injury report more times than not. This week it is sore ribs causing an injury designation. I would expect Bell to take it easy in practice this week and be a full go against Washington, Sunday.
Devonta Freeman left Sunday’s game with a sprained foot and is already expected to miss approximately two weeks. With Ito Smith recently placed on the IR, the backfield is all Brian Hill’s. I’d spend up on FAAB to acquire him this week if you need a win.
Matt Breida left Monday night’s game with an ankle injury and Tevin Coleman was also a bit banged up following the division rivalry against the Seahawks. Could this be a big week for Raheem Mostert? Chase Edmonds has not returned to practice yet, but will there even be a role for him when he is healthy? Same goes to Chris Thompson, how much run will he have with Derrius Guice returning?
Emmanuel Sanders left Monday night’s game early with a rib injury and is currently day-to-day. Keep an eye on the injury report, as Sanders would be a great play this week against Arizona.
Adam Thielen could find his way back in the lineup this week after missing yet another game with a sore hamstring. Even if he does play he should be downgraded in a match-up with Denver.
It still seems as though T.Y. Hilton will remain out with a calf injury. Remember Brissett may still miss time with his MCL injury which would likely lessen Hilton’s fantasy impact.
Will Filler V is on pace to return to action for the first time since a Week 7 hamstring injury. His impact could be huge in a match-up with Baltimore this weekend where Deshaun Watson will need all the help he can get in a tough match-up.
Others too keep an eye on: Giovani Bernard (knee), Ty Johnson (concussion), Jordan Wilkins (ankle), Benny Snell Jr. (knee), Alshon Jeffery (ankle), Dede Westbrook (neck/shoulder), Brandin Cooks (concussion), Alex Erickson (undisclosed), Sterling Shepard (concussion).
Teams on a bye this week include the Packers, Giants, Seahawks and Titans.
Enjoy!
Quarterbacks I like
Jimmy Garoppolo had some moments Monday night where he may have been “seeing ghosts” as another NFL quarterback may say, but Garoppolo gets a crack at Arizona who he just shredded two short weeks ago. In a Week 9 meeting, Jimmy G threw for 317 yards and four touchdowns. Expect similar numbers again on Sunday.
My Rank: QB10
ESPN Rank: QB13
Kirk Cousins has a chance to be getting Adam Thielen back this week. The current QB8 has also thrown for multiple touchdown passes in five of his last six games, but faces a Denver secondary that has been tough on opposing quarterbacks. I find this stat to be skewed, as the Broncos has faced the following quarterbacks this season; Derek Carr, Mitch Trubisky, Aaron Rodgers, Gardner Minshew II, Philip Rivers, Ryan Tannehill, Matt Moore, Jacoby Brissett and Baker Mayfield. With the exception of Rodgers and maybe Rivers, this isn’t the scariest lineup of quarterbacks to have faced up to this point in the season.
My Rank: QB12
ESPN Rank: QB17
Quarterbacks to avoid
I want to like Derek Carr this week, but my gut is telling me a bad week is in store. Carr is yet to throw for 300 yards in a game this season, coming off of a recent performance of just 218 yards against the Chargers last weekend. Carr has also turned the ball over seven times this season, and though facing the Bengals, I expect a run-first approach from Oakland this week.
My Rank: QB14
ESPN Rank: QB10
Kyle Allen also makes my avoid list despite a plus match-up. Allen gets the Falcons this weekend, who despite having just two wins on the season were able to hold Drew Brees touchdown-less last week. It was the first such game this season from the Atlanta defense who may be turning the corner.
My Rank: QB19
ESPN Rank: QB12
Jacoby Brissett returns from an MCL injury to face a mid-tier Jaguars' defense. The Jags are coming off of a bye week to prepare for the division rivals. The Jags haven’t allowed a 300-yard passer since Week 4. Brissett will also be missing a few clutch pass catchers in T.Y. Hilton and Parris Campbell this week.
My Rank: QB20
ESPN Rank: QB14
Week 11 Quarterback Rankings
1. Lamar Jackson vs. Hou
2. Dak Prescott @Det
3. Patrick Mahomes @LAC
4. Deshaun Watson @Bal
5. Drew Brees @TB
6. Josh Allen @Mia
7. Jameis Winston vs. NO
8. Tom Brady @Phi
9. Matt Ryan @Car
10. Jimmy Garoppolo vs. Ari
11. Matthew Stafford vs. Dal
12. Kirk Cousins vs. Den
13. Philip Rivers vs. KC
14. Derek Carr vs. Cin
15. Kyler Murray @SF
16. Carson Wentz vs. NE
17. Sam Darnold @Wsh
18. Baker Mayfield vs. Pit
19. Kyle Allen vs. Atl
20. Jacoby Brissett vs. Jax
21. Jared Goff vs. Chi
22. Mason Rudolph @Cle
23. Mitchell Trubisky @LAR
24. Ryan Finley @Oak
25. Dwayne Haskins vs. NYJ
26. Nick Foles @Ind
27. Ryan Fitzpatrick vs. Buf
28. Brandon Allen @Min
Running Backs I Like
Joe Mixon had a nearly unseen 30 carries last week in a game where the Bengals never really had a chance. This proves to me that the Bengals are willing to stick to the run no matter what. In a plus match-up versus Oakland, look for Mixon to be used early and often.
My Rank: RB11
ESPN Rank: RB17
Carlos Hyde is perhaps most worth starting in standard leagues, as he has caught just six passes in nine games this season. On the plus side, Hyde has carried the ball 20+ times on three occasions and exactly 19 times in each of the last two games.
My Rank: RB21
ESPN Rank: RB27
Running Backs to Avoid
Mark Ingram II faces the No. 11 run defense (Houston) and is coming off of a tough outing last week. In a no-doubt win from start to finish against the Bengals, Ingram touched the ball just nine times and was saved by a short touchdown run. Ingram has ceded more and more carries to quarterback Lamar Jackson lately. This isn’t a great match-up for the struggling veteran.
My Rank: RB17
ESPN Rank: RB10
Austin Ekeler’s hot start still has him poised as the RB4 in PPR leagues. He’s posted double-digit PPR points in each of the last four weeks, mostly thanks to his nose for the endzone, where he has scored three receiving touchdowns over the last four weeks. Melvin Gordon has taken over the lion's share of the carries since Ken Wisenhunt’s firing. Ekeler’s touches have also been waning since with just eight touches last week. Ekeler can only post satisfactory fantasy numbers for so long with such low usage.
My Rank: RB14
ESPN Rank: RB24
Ronald Jones II is coming off the best performance of his career thanks to a career high eight receptions. This week RoJo has the No. three ranked New Orleans run defense. Though Jones seems to be the lead back in Tampa Bay, this match-up may be too much for the young back to handle.
My Rank: RB26
ESPN Rank: RB21
Week 11 Running Back Rankings
1. Christian McCaffrey vs. Atl
2. Ezekiel Elliott @Det
3. Dalvin Cook vs. Den
4. Josh Jacobs vs. Cin
5. Le’Veon Bell @Wsh
6. Leonard Fournette @Ind
7. Alvin Kamara @TB
8. Melvin Gordon vs. KC
9. James Connor @Cle
10. Nick Chubb vs. Pit
11. Joe Mixon @Oak
12. Damien Williams @LAC
13. Tevin Coleman vs. Ari
14. Todd Gurley II vs. Chi
15. Marlon Mack vs. Jax
16. Devin Singletary @Mia
17. Mark Ingram II vs. Hou
18. David Montgomery @LAR
19. Brian Hill @Car
20. James White @Phi
21. Carlos Hyde @Bal
22. Philip Lindsay @Min
23. David Johnson @SF
24. Sony Michel @Phi
25. Austin Ekeler vs. KC
26. Ronald Jones II vs. NO
27. Kareem Hunt vs. Pit
28. Jordan Howard vs. NE
29. Kenyan Drake @SF
30. Kalen Ballage vs. Buf
31. Royce Freeman @Min
32. Miles Sanders vs. NE
33. J.D. McKissic vs. Dal
34. Duke Johnson @Bal
35. Jaylen Samuels @Cle
36. Nyheim Hines vs. Jax
37. Raheem Mostert vs. Ari
38. Tarik Cohen @LAR
39. Latavius Murray @TB
40. Adrian Peterson vs. NYJ
41. Derrius Guice vs. NYJ
42. Kenjon Barner @Car
43. Chris Thompson vs. NYJ
44. Frank Gore @Mia
45. Peyton Barber vs. NO
46. LeSean McCoy @LAC
47. Ty Johnson vs. Dal
48. Jeff Wilson Jr. vs. Ari
49. Rex Burkhead @Phi
50. Wendell Smallwood vs. NYJ
Wide Receivers I Like
Courtland Sutton is a WR1 for me this week. He is the No. one pass catcher in the Denver offense and faces the 29th ranked defense of Minnesota this week. Sutton has gotten plenty of volume recently, seeing exactly eight targets in three of the last four games. He also scored in the Broncos' last action against the Browns in Week 9.
My Rank: WR9
ESPN Rank: WR15
Calvin Ridley could be a sneaky good play this week against Carolina. The Panthers are 24th against the pass and Ridley’s usage looks to go up with the absence of Austin Hooper.
My Rank: WR22
ESPN Rank: WR25
Emmanuel Sanders may not play with a rib injury, but if he does, the match-up is a solid one. Sanders - the No. one receiver in San Francisco - faces the 22nd ranked Cardinals' pass defense. Two weeks ago, Sanders went 7-112-1 against the Cardinals. I’m expecting similar numbers if the 49ers fire him up Sunday.
My Rank: WR15
ESPN Rank: WR29
Wide Receivers to Avoid
We’ll see how the Baltimore secondary can handle DeAndre Hopkins this week. Marcus Peters is hit or miss on defense, as he’s been shredded by elite receivers in the past. Hopkins has seen double-digit targets in four straight games, but the Baltimore pass rush could pose a problem for Hopkins, Watson and company.
My Rank: WR8
ESPN Rank: WR3
Kenny Golladay/Marvin Jones Jr. face the Cowboys this week who are No. two in the league against wide receivers. The Cowboys have allowed only four touchdowns to wide receivers this season, mix in the Lions using Jeff Driskel at quarterback and this could be a recipe for disaster for Detroit wide receivers this week.
My Rank: WR20/35
ESPN Rank: WR11/21
I am a Dede Westbrook believer, therefore I think D.J. Chark may take a hit due to Nick Foles’ return. Chark also has not had over 100 yards in any of the last four weeks with only one touchdown over that span.
My Rank: WR32
ESPN Rank: WR20
Wide Receivers
1. Michael Thomas @TB
2. Mike Evans vs. NO
3. Julio Jones @Car
4. Tyreek Hill @LAC
5. Julian Edelman @Phi
6. Chris Godwin vs. NO
7. Amari Cooper @Det
8. DeAndre Hopkins @Bal
9. Courtland Sutton @Min
10. Cooper Kupp vs. Chi
11. Keenan Allen vs. KC
12. John Brown @Mia
13. DJ Moore vs. Atl
14. Tyler Boyd @Oak
15. Emmanuel Sanders vs. Ari
16. Allen Robinson II @LAR
17. Mohamed Sanu @Phi
18. Jarvis Landry vs. Pit
19. D.J. Chark @Ind
20. Kenny Golladay vs. Dal
21. Curtis Samuel vs. Atl
22. Calvin Ridley @Car
23. Michael Gallup @Det
24. Jamison Crowder @Wsh
25. Juju Smith-Schuster @Cle
26. Robert Woods vs. Chi
27. Stefon Diggs vs. Den
28. Odell Beckham Jr. vs. Pit
29. Terry McLaurin vs. NYJ
30. Tyrell Williams vs. Cin
31. Zach Pascal vs. Jax
32. Sammy Watkins @LAC
33. Christian Kirk @SF
34. Randall Cobb @Det
35. Marvin Jones Jr. vs. Dal
36. Dede Westbrook @Ind
37. Marquise Brown vs. Hou
38. Deebo Samuel vs. Ari
39. Mike Williams vs. KC
40. DeVante Parker vs. Buf
41. Auden Tate @Oak
42. Larry Fitzgerald @SF
43. Cole Beasley @Mia
44. Dionte Johnson @Cle
45. Chris Conley @Ind
46. Danny Amendola vs. Dal
47. Phillip Dorsett II @Phi
48. Nelson Agholor vs. NE
49. Taylor Gabriel @LAR
50. Mecole Hardman @LAC
Tight Ends I Like
Jared Cook is a solid TE1 this week against the No. 31 defense against the tight end (Tampa Bay.) Cook saw double-digit targets last week, catching six passes for 74 yards. He has also scored double-digit PPR points in three straight games. Cook is a solid play this week.
My Rank: TE5
ESPN Rank: TE7
Tight Ends To Avoid
O.J. Howard found the endzone for the first time last week, but I don't expect it to carry over. Howard faced the worst defense against tight ends last week and now faces New Orleans this week who is ranked 11th best against tight ends.
My Rank: TE22
ESPN Rank: TE13
Week 11 Tight End Rankings
1. Travis Kelce @LAC
2. Hunter Henry vs. KC
3. Darren Waller vs. Cin
4. Mark Andrews vs. Hou
5. Jared Cook @TB
6. Zach Ertz vs. NE
7. Gerald Everett vs. Chi
8. Jason Witten @Det
9. Greg Olsen vs. Atl
10. T.J. Hockenson vs. Dal
11. Darren Fells @Bal
12. Kyle Rudolph vs. Den
13. Jack Doyle vs. Jax
14. Eric Ebron vs. Jax
15. Dallas Goedert vs. NE
16. Vance McDonald @Cle
17. Irv Smith Jr. vs. Den
18. Tyler Eifert @Oak
19. Noah Fant @Min
20. Jordan Akins @Bal
21. Mike Gesicki vs. Buf
22. O.J. Howard vs. NO
23. Jeremy Sprinkle vs. NYJ
24. Dawson Knox @Mia
25. Nick Boyle vs. Hou
Week 8 likes/dislikes
Quarterback likes
Russell Wilson: My Rank - QB3; ESPN Rank - QB8; Actual finish - QB13
Kyler Murray: My Rank - QB5; ESPN Rank - QB7; Actual finish - QB4
Ryan Tannehill: My Rank - QB16; ESPN Rank - QB18; Actual finish - QB11
Quarterback dislikes
Patrick Mahomes: My Rank - QB22; ESPN Rank - QB17; Actual finish - QB3
Matt Ryan: My Rank - QB16; ESPN Rank - QB11; Actual finish - QB15
Daniel Jones: My Rank - QB18; ESPN Rank - QB13; Actual finish - QB2
Running Back likes
Le'Veon Bell: My Rank - RB8; ESPN Rank - RB11; Actual finish - RB10
Marlon Mack: My Rank - RB18; ESPN Rank - RB22; Actual finish - RB23
Derrick Henry: My Rank - RB27; ESPN Rank - RB32; Actual finish - RB1
Running Back dislikes
Alvin Kamara: My Rank - RB8; ESPN Rank - RB2; Actual finish - RB11
Aaron Jones: My Rank - RB21; ESPN Rank - RB6; Actual finish - RB3
Nick Chubb: My Rank - RB13; ESPN Rank - RB8; Actual finish - RB13
Wide Receiver likes
Diontae Johnson: My Rank - WR41; ESPN Rank - WR46; Actual finish - WR37
Robert Woods: My Rank - WR21; ESPN Rank - WR26; Actual finish - WR17
John Brown: My Rank - WR14; ESPN Rank - WR25; Actual finish - WR27
Wide Receiver dislikes
Christian Kirk: My Rank - WR23; ESPN Rank - WR13; Actual finish - WR1
D.J. Moore: My Rank - WR20; ESPN Rank - WR14; Actual finish - WR9
Sammy Watkins: My Rank - WR32; ESPN Rank - WR20; Actual finish - WR38
Tight End likes
Jason Witten: My Rank - TE9; ESPN Rank - TE13; Actual finish - TE32
Tight End dislikes
Jared Cook: My Rank - TE13; ESPN Rank - TE8; Actual finish - TE8
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