Setting your fantasy football lineups each week can be hard, even with just two teams on bye.
Make sure to swap out any Broncos or Rams players before lineups lock, replace players such as Aaron Jones, and monitor the active/inactive statuses of key players such as Cordarrelle Patterson (ankle), Damien Harris (concussion), Nick Chubb (COVID-19), Kyler Murray (ankle), DeAndre Hopkins (ankle), James Robinson (knee), Ben Roethlisberger (COVID-19), Baker Mayfield (knee), Chris Carson (neck), Antonio Brown (ankle), Chase Claypool (toe), Rob Gronkowski (ribs), Jared Goff (oblique), Ricky Seals-Jones (hip), Logan Thomas (hamstring) and Clyde Edwards-Helaire (knee), who may miss the Week 11 action.
Below are some players at each position you should start for Week 11 of the NFL season, as well as some players you should consider sitting based on matchups, injuries and trends.
Week 11 Start 'Em
Quarterbacks to Start
Cam Newton, Panthers vs. Washington
Newton was surprisingly active this week and made his season debut for the Panthers. Although P.J. Walker got the start against the Cardinals — a determination made before Newton was signed to the team — the 2015 NFL MVP made the most of his usage and scored twice on his first two snaps. He completed three of four attempts for eight yards and a touchdown and saw three carries for 14 yards and a touchdown. Newton averaged 16.5 fantasy points per game as a member of the Patriots last season surrounded by less impressive weapons.
Given the salary he was paid, it’s unlikely he rides the bench for even one more week. The Panthers face the Football Team in Week 11, whose defense has allowed the most fantasy points to quarterbacks this year and the third-most passing yards per game. Newton has QB1 upside in this plush matchup.
Justin Fields, Bears vs. Ravens
Fields looked strong heading into the Bears' Week 10 bye. He tossed multiple touchdowns in Week 8 against the 49ers for the first time this year and broke 100 rushing yards. In Week 9, he posted a career-high 291 passing yards against the Steelers. I never lost hope that Fields would break out this season, and hopefully Weeks 8 and 9 were signs of more to come. He will be well-rested to face the Ravens in Week 11; Baltimore's defense has allowed an NFL-high 283.3 passing yards per game. Fields should offer streaming value as a high-end QB2 with low-end QB1 upside.
Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins at Jets
Tagovailoa missed Week 9 in a surprising game-time scratch due to a finger injury. He was apparently healthy enough to dress and step in when Jacoby Brissett went down in Week 10 and completed eight of 13 attempts for 158 yards, one touchdown and zero interceptions. He was swiftly named the Week 11 starter against the Jets, who have allowed the second-most passing yards per game this year. Prior to his injury, Tagovailoa finished as QB10 (at Jacksonville), QB1 (vs. the Falcons) and QB14 (at Buffalo). He should have QB1 potential this week against Gang Green.
Wide Receivers to Start
Hunter Renfrow, Raiders vs. Bengals
Renfrow posted nearly identical stat lines in Weeks 9 and 10. Last week against the Chiefs, he caught seven of nine targets for 46 yards and a touchdown — his third consecutive week with exactly seven catches. His hefty target share should continue with Henry Ruggs III cut from the team. He has a slightly positive matchup this week against the Bengals, whose defense gave up 41 points to the Browns and 34 points to the Jets before the bye. Consider Renfrow a safe, low-end WR2 with upside this week.
Elijah Moore, Jets vs. Dolphins
I was concerned that Moore would struggle in a difficult matchup with the Bills' shutdown pass defense last week. He reeled in three of six targets for 44 yards and a touchdown — his fourth in the last four games. He has at least six targets in all but two games this year, which is impressive consistency, especially for a rookie. Even in this anemic Jets offense, he offers a safe floor and significant upside as a WR3/flex this week against the Dolphins, who have allowed the third-most fantasy points to receivers this year.
Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins at Jets
Waddle was a bit of a letdown against the Ravens last week. He hauled in four of six targets for 61 yards — his first game since Week 5 with fewer than eight targets. I suspect his targets should increase with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa back under center and against this unimpressive Jets secondary. Waddle is once again a WR2 with a high floor heading into Week 11.
Brandin Cooks, Texans at Titans
Cooks tied a season-high 14 targets in Week 9 against the Dolphins and hauled in six catches for 56 yards. He will be well-rested coming off of the Texans' Week 10 bye to face the Titans, who have given up the most fantasy points to wide receivers this year. Cooks is a high-end WR3 with WR2 upside in this dream matchup that should favor passing given the Texans are 10.5-point underdogs.
Kadarius Toney, Giants at Buccaneers
Toney hasn't done much for fantasy since his monster Week 5 performance. The rookie has been battling injuries and in the four games prior to the Giants' bye, he finished as WR88, WR58 and WR60 in half PPR with one absence in Week 7. He recorded a season-low one catch for nine yards against the Raiders, but has an excellent bounce-back opportunity in Week 11 on the road against the Buccaneers. Tampa's defense has looked better of late, but this game script should be pass-heavy; the Giants enter this Monday night showdown as 11.5-point underdogs. Toney may be one of the lone healthy receivers for the G-Men with Sterling Shepard banged up once again, which would boost his target share significantly.
Running Backs to Start
AJ Dillon, Packers at Vikings
Dillon exploded in Week 10 after Aaron Jones went down with a knee injury. He recorded 21 carries for 66 yards and a pair of touchdown and tacked on two catches for 62 yards. He finished as the top running back for the week and is a must-start RB1 this week Jones nursing a sprained MCL.
Michael Carter, Jets vs. Dolphins
Carter did well in a brutal Week 10 matchup against the Bills. He saw a season-high 16 carries for 39 yards and a touchdown and caught four of six targets for 43 yards. The rookie has found the end zone four times in the last six games and should keep things rolling as a solid RB2 against the Dolphins this week.
Mark Ingram II, Saints at Eagles
Ingram is coming off of his his best fantasy performance of the year. With star running back Alvin Kamara sidelined, Ingram saw 14 carries for 47 yards and a touchdown and reeled in four of seven targets for 61 yards. Kamara's Week 11 status is up-in-the-air and even if he plays, there's a good chance Ingram remains moderately involved — especially given the shaky quarterback situation. The Eagles rank eighth-worst against fantasy running backs, making this a very attractive matchup. Consider Ingram a RB3/flex if Kamara starts and a RB2 with RB1 upside if Kamara is out.
Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots at Falcons
The Rhamondre Stevenson breakout game finallycame to fruition in Week 10. He saw 20 carries for 100 yards and two touchdowns and caught four passes for 14 yards. It did take an absence from Damien Harris and a blowout win over the Browns to happen, but this is Stevenson's second game in a row with over 100 scrimmage yards. Harris participated in a walk-through during Tuesday's practice and remains in the protocol. Stevenson would be a high-end RB2 if Harris were to miss the game. If Harris plays, Stevenson would still have high-end flex appeal against Atlanta's leaky defense; the Falcons have allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to the position this year.
D'Onta Foreman, Titans vs. Texans
Foreman led the Tennessee backfield in Week 10 for the second week in a row. He saw 11 carries for 30 yards and reeled in two of two targets for 48 yards, tallying nearly three times the scrimmage yards of Adrian Peterson and Jeremy McNichols combined. Foreman is the lone fantasy asset worth rostering from this depth chart. I like his upside in this revenge game against the Texans, who rank 10th-worst against fantasy running backs.
Tight Ends to Start
Mike Gesicki, Dolphins at Jets
Gesicki bageled in Week 10 and caught zero of his seven targets against the Ravens. The good news? He has at least six targets in all but two games this year — that alone makes him a reliable tight end for fantasy. He should bounce back against the Jets' sad secondary.
Dan Arnold, Jaguars vs. 49ers
The tight end position is notoriously unpredictable and touchdown-dependent, but Arnold is breaking those stereotypes. In spite of recording zero touchdowns all year, he has been extremely solid for fantasy and has at least seven targets and at least 60 yards in each of the last three weeks. His volume/usage make him an attractive streamer this week, even in a less-than-ideal matchup against the 49ers.
Dawson Knox, Bills vs. Colts
Knox had a four-game stretch in which he looked like he could be a league-winner. Unfortunately, injuries and two down games have thrust him well outside that tier. Last week, he recorded just one catch for 17 yards in a great matchup against the Jets. He has a nice bounce-back opportunity this week against the Colts, who rank sixth-worst against fantasy tight ends this year.
Defenses to Start
Tennessee Titans Defense vs. Texans
Texans signal-caller Tyrod Taylor struggled in his first game back from injury and tossed three interceptions and zero touchdowns in Week 9 against the Dolphins. I expect him to struggle once again against a Titans defense that has turned things around. Since Week 5, the D/ST has only fallen outside of the top 12 mark once (against the Bills). Tennessee is a top play this week against the NFL's worst offense.
Cleveland Browns Defense vs. Lions
The Browns were molly-whopped in Week 10 and gave up 45 points to Mac Jones and the Patriots. This was the second time this season in which the defense gave up at least 45 points. I expect them to have a stronger showing this week against the Lions, who have scored the third-fewest points this year behind only Jacksonville and Houston.
Week 11 Sit 'Em
Quarterbacks to Sit
Kirk Cousins, Vikings vs. Packers
Cousins fell short of 20 fantasy points for the fourth time in six games last week against the Chargers. He has been a serviceable streamer in the right matchups, which may not come this week against the Packers. Green Bay's defense is allowing the eighth-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks and third-fewest passing yards this year behind the Panthers and Bills. Cousins is outside of my top 12 this week in a game with frigid temperatures forecasted.
Carson Wentz, Colts at Bills
Wentz should have been a good streamer last week against the Jaguars, but he disappointed and posted just 180 yards and zero touchdowns. I have no reason to trust him against the Bills, who have been the stingiest against fantasy quarterbacks and have allowed the second-fewest passing yards in the NFL this year. Wentz is a low-end QB2 in this brutal matchup.
Taylor Heinicke, Washington at Panthers
Heinicke mustered a top-12 finish in Washington's surprise upset of the Buccaneers. He completed 26 of 32 attempts for 256 yards, one touchdown and zero interceptions against Tampa's struggling pass defense. He gets a matchup on the polar opposite end of the spectrum against the Panthers, whose defense has allowed an NFL-low 173.7 passing yards per game and have allowed the third fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks this year. I expect Heinicke to struggle as a low-end QB2 with downside.
Wide Receivers to Sit
Mike Williams, Chargers vs. Steelers
Williams was the WR1 through the first five weeks of the season, but has plummeted in the second half of the year. Since Week 6, he is WR80, averaging just 4.7 points per game in half PPR, and his targets have dropped significantly. Williams should be considered a WR3 in this less-than-ideal matchup against the Steelers, whose defense has been above average against the pass.
Jarvis Landry, Browns vs. Lions
Landry has done little this season — with or without Odell Beckham Jr. Historically regarded as a PPR monster, he has just one game all year with over 10 points in that format, which came in Week 1. Last week, he caught four of five targets for 26 yards against the Patriots. The matchup may be enticing against the lowly Lions this week, but I would seriously temper expectations, especially with Baker Mayfield's health waning. Landry is a low-upside flex play this week and beyond.
Marvin Jones Jr., Jaguars vs. 49ers
Jones has struggled since the Jaguars' Week 7 bye and has failed to find the end zone or tally more than 35 receiving yards in a game. He hauled in just two of six targets for exactly 35 yards in a positive Week 10 matchup against the Colts' secondary. Jones is a risky flex play this week against the 49ers, who have allowed the eighth-fewest fantasy points to receivers and sixth-fewest passing yards per game.
Bryan Edwards, Raiders vs. Bengals
Edwards has a somewhat culty following on fantasy Twitter, which likely rejoiced after his Week 10 breakout against the Chiefs. I am not convinced this is a sign of production to come, however, with Hunter Renfrow as the alpha in this offense. Renfrow has seen at least eight targets in five of the last six games and has exactly seven catches in each of the last three while Edwards laid a goose egg in Week 9. The matchup is decent, but he is too unpredictable to be a week-to-week starter and should be considered a high-risk flex.
Robby Anderson, Panthers vs. Washington
I have said it in the past and I will say it again: I refuse to fall for the Robby Anderson honey pot. He found the end zone in Week 10 courtesy of the Panthers’ lone receiving touchdown of the day via Cam Newton, who should be an upgrade for this offense. That said, Anderson is simply too inconsistent, even in this plush matchup against Washington. The Football Team's secondary has been carved up for the second-most fantasy points to wide receivers, which makes me feel moderately confident about starting D.J. Moore. Anderson, however, deserves to stay on your waiver wire as nothing more than a desperation dart throw.
Running Backs to Sit
Zack Moss, Bills vs. Colts
Moss found the end zone in Week 10 in the Bills' blowout, 45-17 victory over the Jets. Even in that positive game script, however, Moss saw a paltry seven carries — the same as Devin Singletary. Matt Breida, who was active for the first time since Week 2, also found the end zone and had three attempts for 28 yards. His usage and Moss' shrinking workload scares me, especially against Indy's run defense. The Colts are allowing the second-fewest fantasy points behind only the Bills themselves. Moss is a low-upside RB3 in this matchup.
Jordan Howard, Eagles vs. Saints
Howard had another strong game against the Broncos last week and tallied 12 carries for 83 yards, though he did not find the end zone. His workload with Miles Sanders has been impressive, though Sanders was designated for return from injured reserve and could play as early as this week against the Saints. Regardless of Sanders' status, the Saints are allowing an NFL-low 72.9 rushing yards per game the third-fewest fantasy points to running backs. This is a terrible matchup for a one-dimensional back like Howard, who has yet to see one target all year. The mismatch knocks him outside of the starting conversation, except as a deeper-league desperation play.
Chris Carson, Seahawks vs. Cardinals
Carson has not played since Week 4 while dealing with a neck injury and could be trending toward missing another week. He did not practice on Wednesday, though even if he sits, I'm not particularly confident in starting any Seattle running back, especially against the Cardinals defense. Arizona is allowing the ninth-fewest fantasy points to the position all year, rendering Carson or Collins nothing more than unexciting RB3/flex plays.
J.D. McKissic, Washington at Panthers
McKissic had a strong game in Week 8 against Denver mainly through the air. His performance in Week 10 off the Football Team's bye was less impressive as he tallied two carries for four yards and caught all four targets for 35 yards versus Tampa's tough run defense. McKissic may find himself stumped this week against the Panthers, who are dominant against the run and against the pass. He may also see a smaller workload with Antonio Gibson seemingly healthy now. Consider him a low-end RB3/flex in Week 11.
Wayne Gallman Jr., Falcons vs. Patriots
With Cordarrelle Patterson hurt last week, Gallman saw an impressive 15 carries for 55 yards and caught one of two targets for 21 yards; Mike Davis was a complete non-factor. It may be enticing to start Gallman if Patterson, who is dealing with an ankle injury, sits on the short week. With or without Patterson, I want nothing to do with Gallman or Davis, who are both well outside the start-worthy conversation for me.
Tight Ends to Sit
Dallas Goedert, Eagles vs. Saints
Goedert tied his second-worst week for fantasy last week in Denver and caught two of two targets for 28 yards. He has been disappointing since the departure of Zach Ertz, who many felt was holding Goedert back from his true potential. This could be a difficult matchup against the Saints, who rank eighth-best against the tight end position this year
Jared Cook, Chargers vs. Steelers
Cook is the epitome of touchdown-dependent tight ends. He has scored in two games so far — his only games with double-digit fantasy points. He was a total dud against the Vikings last week, recording just one catch for 10 yards. You cannot trust him as a top-12 tight end against Pittsburgh's above-average pass defense.
Dalton Schultz, Cowboys at Chiefs
Schultz has a very enticing matchup this week against the Chiefs, though he failed to capitalize on a positive contest against the Falcons last week. He hauled in one of two targets for 14 yards, finishing as TE39 in Week 10. There was brief stretch where Schultz looked like he could be a difference-maker for fantasy, but with the return of Michael Gallup, there are simply too many mouths to feed for Schultz to be a reliable week-to-week play. He is a risky, fringe TE1 for now.
Defenses to Sit
Indianapolis Colts Defense at Bills
The Colts have been a very solid D/ST for fantasy purposes. They rank sixth in average points per game and have finished as a top-13 defense in six of 10 games this year. That said, they are facing the Bills this week, whose high-powered offense has scored the second-most points behind only the Cowboys. Indianapolis falls well outside the top 12 heading into this brutal matchup.
Pittsburgh Steelers Defense at Chargers
The Steelers D/ST has been up and down this year and scored just seven points against the Bears and five points against the Lions. They're worth streaming in the right contests, which is not Week 11 against the Chargers. Toss Pittsburgh back on the waiver wire for the week.
