Fantasy stars like Jonathan Taylor, Bijan Robinson, and Chris Olave are all on bye this week, leaving fantasy managers with some choices to make in their lineup. This weekly article is meant to make those lineup decisions a little bit easier. You can always listen to The Footballguys Fantasy Football Show, which releases episodes every weekday - also, check out the free Week 11 Player Rankings.
QUARTERBACKS
START: Justin Fields @ DET
- Avg Fantasy Points: 18.3
- Opponent vs QBs: 22nd
- Week 11 Rank: QB12
- Projected Points: 20.9
The Detroit Lions have allowed three quarterbacks to throw at least 3 touchdowns over the last four games. Just Fields is a guy that can give you a multi-touchdown performance through the air and on the ground. Expect the passing volume to be higher than normal for Fields due to the game script that this Lions offense will likely create. Over the last three games Detroit has been passing the ball 41 times per game, that should keep the Bears in catch-up mode all game long.
SIT: Trevor Lawrence vs TEN
- Avg Fantasy Points: 14.6
- Opponent vs QBs: 14th
- Week 11 Rank: QB15
- Projected Points: 17.3
This season, Trevor Lawrence has had more bad games than good ones - but how bad has it really been? He's been held to less than 2 touchdown passes in all but two games this season. Now he faces a Titans secondary that has only allowed 5 passing touchdowns over the last six weeks. I'd rather start: Kyler Murray, Russell Wilson, Brock Purdy, or Sam Howell over Lawrence in Week 11.
TIGHT ENDS
START: Tyler Conklin @ BUF
- Avg Fantasy Points: 8.9 (Since Week 7)
- Opponent vs TEs: 12th
- Week 11 Rank: TE13
- Projected Points: 9.1
Tyler Conklin has slowly, but surely become a favorite target for Zach Wilson. He's recorded at least 6 receptions in back to back games while scoring double-digit fantasy points in three of his last five games. The Bills recently gave up 32 combined ppr points to the Bengals trio of Tanner Hudson, Irv Smith, and Drew Sample. Conklin works as a bye week fill-in for the Kyle Pitts managers, and you can start him over guys like: David Njoku or Chig Okonkwo.
RUNNING BACKS
START: Ty Chandler @ DEN
- Avg Fantasy Points: 10.5 (Last Week)
- Opponent vs RBs: 32nd
- Week 11 Rank: RB22
- Projected Points: 12.1
The Broncos are mostly known for giving up 70 points to the Dolphins in Week 3, and while the defense has improved, they're still allowing opposing lead running backs to score at least 16.5 fantasy points per game. Ty Chandler looked very explosive in his (sorta) breakout game in Week 10. Chandler would have finished as the RB8 on the week had his 30-yard touchdown run not gotten called back by a silly holding penalty. There's a reason you picked Chandler up off of the waiver wire - you need a starting running back, plug him in!
SIT: Isiah Pacheco vs PHI
- Avg Fantasy Points: 12.9
- Opponent vs RBs: 1st
- Week 11 Rank: RB25
- Projected Points: 10.9
Isiah Pacheco has had fewer than 7 fantasy points in each of his last two games, which is not exactly inspiring. His previous matchups against Miami and Denver should have been juicy opportunities for him, but something just isn't clicking for Pacheco at the moment. He'll likely be able to turn things around at some point, but I wouldn't bet on that in Week 11 against the Eagles. Philadelphia is the top-ranked defense against fantasy running backs. No running back has run for more than 59 yards against the Eagles. On top of that, Philly has allowed only three running backs to score double-digit fantasy points this season. Pacheco might be able to break off a long run or fall in the endzone, but I'd rather not bank on that. I'd start Jerome Ford or Devin Singletary over Pacheco in Week 11.
SLEEPER: Darrell Henderson Jr. vs SEA
- Avg Fantasy Points: 10.2
- Opponent vs RBs: 27th
- Week 11 Rank: RB29
- Projected Points: 10.3
Darrell Henderson has been a solid streamer for fantasy managers needing running back help. Henderson has scored at least 11.5 fantasy points in two of his three starts this season - the third game was the start by Brett Rypien, where the team only scored 3 points. On the other side, the Seahawks have allowed seven different running backs to reach double-digit fantasy points - four instances occurred within the last two games.
WIDE RECEIVERS
START: Marquise Brown
- Avg Fantasy Points: 10.9
- Opponent vs WRs: 12th
- Week 11 Rank: WR22
- Projected Points: 13.6
The Cardinals-Texans matchup has the highest implied point total by the Las Vegas Sportsbooks at a whopping 48.5 points. Last week, Brown was one overthrown ball away from bringing in a 30-yard touchdown reception. I know it's tough to trust Brown after he's landed outside the Top-40 fantasy wide receivers in four of the last five weeks, but the Texans have allowed twelve receivers to score double-digit fantasy points over their nine games this season.
SIT: Amari Cooper vs PIT
- Avg Fantasy Points: 12.9
- Opponent vs WRs: 27th
- Week 11 Rank: WR30
- Projected Points: 11.9
The Browns-Steelers matchup has the lowest implied point total by the Las Vegas Sportsbooks at just 32.5 points. Deshaun Watson is out for the remainder of the season, and the Browns have announced that they will start Dorian Thompson-Robinson at quarterback in Week 11. In games with Deshaun Watson, Cooper is averaging 17.5 fantasy points per game - Without Watson, Cooper is averaging just 9 fantasy points per game. That's enough for me to avoid putting Cooper in my lineup this week if I can start a better option like Tyler Lockett, Marquise Brown, or Tank Dell.
SLEEPER: Jayden Reed vs LAC
- Avg Fantasy Points: 10.6
- Opponent vs WRs: 28th
- Week 11 Rank: RB29
- Projected Points: 10.3
Jayden Reed has scored double-digit fantasy points in four of the last five games since Christian Watson returned to the starting lineup. Reed is currently leading the Packers in yards per game, yards per route run, and yards per target - one might argue that he's been the most efficient receiver on the Packers offense. Opposing offenses have thrown the fourth-most pass attempts per game when facing the Chargers. Expect the Packers to be playing catchup if Keenan Allen and the Chargers are healthy in Week 11.