Over half of the regular season in the books! As we move onto week 11, let us take a minute and reflect - we have now had as many weeks as Jared Goff had in the first 35 minutes of football. The race for the #1 pick is heating up! On the flip side, it seems like nobody wants to be the best team in football at the moment, which is making games much more fun and ruining my parlays.
#32: Houston Texans
Even when they don't play, they lose. The Lions somehow snatched a tie from the jaws of defeat (or victory?) in one of the ugliest regular season games in recent memory. Thus, the Texans are a half game out of the first overall pick. Up next? The suddenly world-killer Titans. Yikes.
Week 11 Fantasy Prediction: Brandin Cooks is a WR1 this week. Tyrod Taylor's had 2 weeks to rest his hamstring and hopefully his brain after an abysmal week 9 performance, and he faces a Titans secondary that's given up the most PPR points to WRs this season. With the game surely over by the third quarter, expect Cooks to get his.
#31: Detroit Lions
Be honest, none of us thought that kick was going in, right? It was only fitting that those two teams ended in a tie Sunday afternoon. Jared Goff is a shell of his very average formal self and some guy named Trinity Benson was 3rd in receiving yards.
Week 11 Fantasy Prediction: TJ Hockenson gets shut down again. Not that it was really needed, but teams have figured out how to slow down the Lions offense even further. Hock has been facing lots of double teams this season, and I expect that to continue until there is a reliable 2nd option. Which there won't be. Because they are the Lions.
#30: New York Jets
Rest In Peace: The Mike "#1 over Baker Mayfield" White Hype Train 2021-2021. Robert Saleh also said he wants to fight Rex Ryan, which was funny and would probably be the highlight of the season if it happened.
Week 11 Fantasy Prediction: Michael Carter has his "breakout" game. It feels a bit like cheating calling it a breakout, but Carter explodes here and has a top 5 RB week in a decent game script. He has established himself as a lead back with more and more checkdowns each week, he's on his way to must start territory.
#29: Jacksonville Jaguars
Trevor Lawrence should have broken out by now, right? 16/35 for 162 in week 10 has to be concerning, and while there is a fair argument given the lack of talent around him, he hasn't been making some of the plays you'd expect.
Week 11 Fantasy Prediction: Jamal Agnew goes for 5/50 and 1 TD. While he failed to record a catch Sunday, he was targeted 5 times and even broke off a long rushing touchdown. His role is growing on a weekly basis, and you should look to pick him up in deeper leagues before it's too late.
#28: Miami Dolphins
Is the Dolphins defense...back? It might be too little too late, but beating up on the Texans and Ravens in back to back weeks has this group playing with a little bit of momentum heading into week 11. This ranking feels a little too low, but once they go into MetLife and handle business vs the Jets I'd feel much confident ranking them higher.
Week 11 Fantasy Prediction: Waddle, Gaskin have big days. Jaylen Waddle has been getting peppered with targets over the last few weeks, and against a defense that is trending downwards he is in line for a comfortable matchup. As for Gaskin? It's an odd numbered week.
#27: Atlanta Falcons
Matt Ryan had less fantasy points than Joe Flacco, Cordarrelle Patterson got hurt, and now you have a quick turnaround vs a red hot Patriots team on Thursday. Nothing is going right here, and you have to wonder if the front office is regretting not taking a QB in last years draft still.
Week 11 Fantasy Prediction: Neither ATL running back finds the endzone. I know you want to play Mike Davis. I'm there too. Please don't play Mike Davis. Its bad for your health. His ceiling isn't worth the risk of a complete dud and having to start at 7.3 PPR points from Thursday through Sunday. Wayne Gallman also isn't worth a start either, for basically the same reasons.
#26: Chicago Bears
Justin Fields looks like the most improved QB from the draft not named Mac Jones, and slowly but surely the offense is expanding. But still, fire Mike Nagy. Please.
Week 11 Fantasy Prediction: Darrell Mooney goes off. Having David Montgomery back is going to be great for Justin Fields and hopefully the Bears playcalling as well. At this point in the season, you need to start taking more risks, and Mooney has been Fields' #1 option thus far. In a game vs an angry Ravens team, expect the game script to help here too.
#25: New York Giants
The Giants were on bye as well for week 10, and every week I still get more confused by Daniel Jones. You can ask 100 different people if Jones is good or not and get 100 different answers. None of this matters anyways, because the Giants play Tom Brady on Monday night, and they always beat him, right?
Week 11 Fantasy Prediction: No Giants recievers go over 50 yards. Everyone is healthy again! Which is bad news for fantasy managers of any Giants. With Golladay, Shepherd, Toney and Slayton all back, as well as Saquon Barkley and Evan Engram in the mix, there's simply too many mouths to feed in this very average offense.
#24: Seattle Seahawks
I'm still not sure this game was real. Why did DK Metcalf punch somebody? And why did he think he could sneak into the huddle after getting ejected? Does he not know how big he is? But also seriously, how do you rehab for 19 hours a DAY?
Week 11 Fantasy Prediction: Tyler Lockett boom day! I have no idea why this would happen, but then again, Lockett always seems to blow up when you least expect it. Honestly, I'm just predicting this because it would be funny. Plus the NFL is more fun when the Seahawks are competent.
#23: Denver Broncos
Teddy Bridgewater made a good business decision. Did you see what happened to Baker when he tried to make a tackle? Not good. It's not Teddy's fault it happened to look horrible on film. Okay, maybe it is.
#22: Washington Football Team
What the hell was that. Taylor "Tom Brady Hater" Heinecke had his career game, the defense was finally as advertised, and the Football Team rattled off one of the best upsets of the year. 7th seed anyone?
Week 11 Fantasy Prediction: Antonio Gibson finds his groove. That shin looked pretty healed to me. Gibson found the endzone twice against a stingy run defense, and gets a matchup here with the reeling Panthers. Its not gonna be easy, but the talent is there to get some momentum.
#21: Philadelphia Eagles
Run ball is good. You run ball to win football. Pass ball less, run ball more. The Eagles could actually make the playoffs now, which is funny to think about but we all know what happens when they get there.
Week 11 Fantasy Prediction: Miles Sanders comes back, everyone's value tanks. jordan Howard and co. have been holding the fort amicably in Sanders' absence, and this seems like one of those situations where Howard looks "too good" to take off the field. Either that or Sanders goes back to getting 4 rushes a game. Who knows.
#20: Carolina Panthers
Last Sunday, Cam Newton led Carolina to a win over Colt McCoy and Arizona in a matchup of two playoff hopefuls. The year is 2021. This team does look much more exciting with Newton back on the field, and whoever gave Sam Darnold $16 million needs to be fired.
Week 11 Fantasy Prediction: Moore of the Same from DJ. No matter who is throwing the ball in Carolina, DJ Moore has not had a fun time. With McCaffrey back in the fold, less and less targets are going to go to DJ.
#19: Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals won the bye week, with the rest of the division going 0-2-1. I feel like it should be a rule that you can't "win the bye week" if you lose to the Jets. Then again, the Steelers did tie with the Lions, so nothing makes sense anymore anyways.
Week 11 Fantasy Prediction: Joe Mixon has a field day. Vegas just got gashed in back to back weeks by Devontae Booker and Darrell Williams. Anything less than 5 catches, 80 rushing yards and 1 touchdown seems like a disappointment from Mixon here.
#18: Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings won a close game! Despite trying their hardest to lose, Justin Jefferson nearly single handedly saved Minnesota's season, and they have a chance at the playoffs again. Which means they will lose to a walk off field goal vs the Lions in Week 13.
Week 11 Fantasy Prediction: Vikings offense gets shut down. The Packers D is playing superb at the moment, and Minnesota has struggled to put together consecutive good offensive showings since the early season. Jefferson and Cook might be able to salvage respectable fantasy lines, but I'd temper expectations.
#17: Las Vegas Raiders
Well, you went and did it Vegas. You gave the Chiefs confidence. Way to go. While they are still in contention, its been quite an exhausting season for the Raiders, and you just gotta wonder how long they can hold on.
Week 11 Fantasy Prediction: Josh Jacobs rebounds. The game script did Jacobs absolutely no favors, and he never had a chance to get into any rhythm. This weeks matchup with the Bengals gives him an opportunity to return to RB2 numbers.
#16: San Francisco 49ers
Easily the most confusing team in football. Colt McCoy and Christian Kirk did more damage to them than Matt Stafford and Cooper Kupp so clearly, McCoy is the better QB here. Also, Deebo Samuel is adding "top 5 WR" right next to his "top 5 name" part on his resume.
Week 11 Fantasy Prediction: 49ers run for over 150 yards. Between Elijah Mitchell, Jeff Wilson Jr and Deebo, I don't see anyway Jacksonville will stop them. But then again, this is the 49ers we're taking about. Hammering Jacksonville moneyline.
#15: Pittsburgh Steelers
That was the worst overtime I think I have ever seen, and for that reason it is my favorite game of 2021 so far. It would be a miracle if this team holds on for a playoff push, and I am eagerly awaiting how badly this tie sets them back in the playoff race.
Week 11 Fantasy Prediction: Najee Harris is RB1. The quarterback will either be Mason Rudolph or a recently-recovered-from-Covid Ben Roethlisberger. The defense will be without Joey Bosa. With Joey Bosa, the Chargers are still the worst run defense. Sometimes it's too obvious.
#14: Cleveland Browns
Nothing to see here, just the monthly "Browns give up 40" game. See you guys in September. In all seriousness, there were A LOT of oversights by everyone who was ready to call them a Super Bowl contender like, 5 weeks ago.
Week 11 Fantasy Prediction: Nick Chubb is the only startable player. This also applies to every other week, but I seriously had no other options. Jarvis Landry has a ceiling of 4/40, and Case Keenum won't help matters. Even against the Lions, I am staying clear here.
#13: New Orleans Saints
With good quarterback play, this might be the #1 team in the NFC. That being said, their quarterback is Trevor Siemian. No amount of great coaching, stellar defense or Alvin Kamara will be able to salvage a deep playoff run this year.
Week 11 Fantasy Prediction: Kamara returns, but splits carries with Ingram. This is probably the worst possible scenario for all parties, but the most likely. If Kamara is out, Ingram becomes a top 15 running back against a paltry Eagles run D.
#12: Los Angeles Chargers
Justin Herbert MVP train is all but dead at this point. Call it a sophmore slump, but Herbert hasn't been able to put together consistent performances all season long. They are still in the playoff hunt, and the schedule gives him many chances to get his footing.
Week 11 Fantasy Prediction: Ekeler goes for 100 yards and 2 scores. As little as a trust the Chargers right now, I trust Mason Rudolph less. The Chargers haven't had a good game script in weeks, so this seems like as good of a "get right" game as they're gonna get.
#11: Indianapolis Colts
Well, they took care of business. You can honestly consider both the Jets and Jags games as warmups for the Bills/Bucs stretch they're about to go on, but all things considered they're 5-5. Stealing one vs Buffalo or Tampa might just keep them in the playoff race.
Week 11 Fantasy Prediction: Jonathan Taylor comes back to earth. Taylor had his way these past two weeks, but now comes upon arguably the best defense in football. With no more positive game script, I don't see the same volume he's gotten over the past month happening.
#10: Baltimore Ravens
The classic Thursday Night Football trap! My favorite. The Ravens did not look ready for a football game and got ran out of Miami in embarrassing fashion. The pieces are all there for a Super Bowl run, it's just a matter of actually showing up.
Week 11 Fantasy Prediction: Rashod Bateman breaks out. The targets, catches and yards are going up consistently. He is clearly establishing himself above Sammy Watkins and should be the #3 option in the passing game going forward.
#9: New England Patriots
The Patriots are the worst. Their idea of a "rebuilding down year" is to sign Cam Newton, go 8-9, and get the 15th overall pick. And it worked! I hate the Patriots. Not actually - they are arguably the best in football at sticking to their gameplan.
Week 11 Fantasy Prediction: Patriots D/ST is #1 at the end of Week 11. A terrible Falcons offense on 3 days rest missing their best player? Yes please.
#8:Kansas City Chiefs
They're back!!!! I don't want to overreact and put them in the top 5 or anyhing, but I have a feeling they'll be back there soon enough. Mahomes was dealing, Darrell Williams had a night, and more importantly the defense looks... competent? Although quite frankly, Derek Carr did throw a few passes that looked like you were throwing pop fly's to your kids Little League team.
Week 11 Fantasy Prediction: Clyde Edwards Helaire is a nonfactor. Despite the fact he should be healthy, this offense looks much more dynamic with Williams in the backfield at the moment. Especially against the Cowboys defense, look for Kansas City to turn it back to 2019 and try to light them up through the air
#7: Tampa Bay Buccanneers
Tampa kind of looks...bored out there? That was a very uninspired performance vs the Football Team, and with their only competition coming from Trevor Seimien, I'm wondering if they took their foot off the gas a bit. Which Bruce Arians won't let slide
Week 11 Fantasy Prediction: Tampa bounces back, everyone has big days. A copout of sorts, I know. But Tom Brady is painfully good at spreading the wealth, so everyone from Godwin to Lenny should get in on the action.
#6: Los Angeles Rams
The Rams are officially the first superteam in sports history to lose to Jimmy Garoppolo. Congrats! Not exactly sure what has happened to Matt Stafford, but it's clear losing Robert Woods hurts. A lot.
#5: Dallas Cowboys
Somewhere out there are hundreds of fans who had a last second decision between choosing tickets vs the Broncos or the Falcons. And many of them chose the Broncos because it would be the easier win. To those fans: I feel you, I hear you and I understand you. At least Dak is back.
Week 11 Fantasy Prediction: CeeDee and Cooper have monster games. Even though the Chiefs defense does look better, it has come against Jordan Love and Derek Carr with hair. Dallas is a whole other beast, and on paper this is the shootout of the week.
#4: Arizona Cardinals
I'm having trouble moving them down so far without Kyler and Nuk. Especially when the backup is Colt McCoy. You still cannot convince me that Colt McCoy is a real person and not a Friday Night Lights character. Come back soon Kyler.
Week 11 Fantasy Prediction: Kyler returns and is a QB1. If healthy, the Seahawks present a great matchup, both in the air and on the ground for Murray. With 3 weeks of rest for his ankle I think he should be able to get his mobility back and run circles around that defense.
#3: Buffalo Bills
Now that's how you rebound from losing to the Jags. Although, now that I type it out, that doesn't seem like a thing you should really ever have to come back from. Point aside, Buffalo humiliated the Jets, Stefon Diggs returned to normal, and all is right in the world.
Week 11 Fantasy Prediction: Diggs stays hot, is a top 5 WR. The matchup vs the Colts isn't the best, but Diggs just had his best game of the season, and with his red zone targets increasing it appears his best days of the season are in front of him.
#2: Green Bay Packers
Enough about Karen Rodgers, how about this defense! It's truly come back to life, which will be sorely needed if this is to be a championship team. The #1 seed is there for the taking
Week 11 Fantasy Prediction: AJ Dillon is a RB1. Already a safe Flex play before Aaron Jones injury, Dillon now moves into must start territory in a decent matchup vs the Vikings. Expect him to get upwards of 80% of rushing attempts this game.
#1: Tennessee Titans
As a Texans fan, this hurts. It hurts so much. But Mike Vrabel has really willed this team, despite all odds, to a magnificent first half. Whether they can hang on without Derrick Henry or Julio Jones remains to be seen, but for now you just have to enjoy the moment, Titans fans.
Week 11 Fantasy Prediction: AJ Brown returns to normal. A surprising down week for Brown left many managers frustrated, but as the clear #1 option on this offense better days are coming. A matchup with the Texans only enhances that.
Comments