Fantasy Football Week 11: Soft Defenses for Your Stars To Exploit
Fantasy football Week 11 kicked off last night, but in many leagues, that doesn't mean it's too late to make some roster adjustments. And in order to know who to play, you need to know who's got the cupcakes on their schedule.
For those who don't know cupcakes, they're the NFL's softest defenses. Some of them are weak against the pass, others against the run and still more are just plain weak. Regardless, the 10 players featured here have some of the best matchups of the week and are sure to get you the points you need.
Rushing Cupcake Eater 5: Mike Tolbert, RB, San Diego Chargers
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Why He’s a Cupcake Eater: Tolbert is the backup running back in San Diego, but he has managed to put up some solid numbers all season long. He's a punishing, powerful runner capable of blasting his way into the end zone and, with a favorable matchup, he could put up excellent yards even with a carry split.
Who’s The Cupcake: The Denver Broncos rank 30th in the NFL against the run and have given up 13 touchdowns to running backs in the last five games.
Cupcake Meter: 6.5/10. Tolbert loses points because he might be splitting carries with Ryan Mathews, but either way, the bruising back is the one you want this week.
Passing Cupcake Eater 5: Dwayne Bowe, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
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Why He’s a Cupcake Eater: If you've seen Bowe play any time over the last five weeks, you know he loves soft defenses and he is fully capable of going off against them.
Who’s The Cupcake: Arizona ranks 23rd in the NFL against wide receivers this season and has probably played worse than that ranking shows.
Cupcake Meter: 6.5/10. Bowe should be able to pick apart the Cardinals defense with ease and continue his torrid play of late.
Rushing Cupcake Eater 4: Ahmad Bradshaw, RB, New York Giants
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Why He’s a Cupcake Eater: Bradshaw has quietly been one of the NFL's best runners in 2010 and his versatility and speed make him a prime cupcake-munching candidate this week. He's gashed soft defenses before this season, most notably his 16-carry, 133-yard explosion against Detroit.
Who’s The Cupcake: Philadelphia has struggled against the run this season, ranking 24th against opposing running backs. They allowed the Redskins' backs to rack up 40 points against them, gave up 42 to Detroit, and 20-or-more points on two other occasions.
Cupcake Meter: 7/10. The Eagles have been one of the NFL's softer run defenses this season, and Bradshaw's been one of the league's best backs. That means a potentially huge day is in store for his owners.
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Passing Cupcake Eater 4: Marques Colston, WR, New Orleans Saints
4 of 10
Why He’s a Cupcake Eater: Colston's a big, speedy wideout with the hands to be an excellent deep threat receiver. He's tough for good defenses to contain and he's been on a real roll in recent weeks.
Who’s The Cupcake: Seattle's defense ranks 27th in the NFL against opposing wideouts and lacks the skills to keep Marques in check.
Cupcake Meter: 7.5/10. Colston's a much better second-half player, so don't be scared off by his slow start to the season, particularly in a matchup like this. You can roll him with confidence in this one, as Seattle will be powerless to stop the Saints' aerial attack.
Rushing Cupcake Eater 3: Peyton Hillis, RB, Cleveland Browns
5 of 10
Why He’s a Cupcake Eater: Hillis' bruising style of running has turned him into a fantasy stud in 2010. For proof that he enjoys cupcakes, one need look no further than Week 9 against New England, when Hillis gashed the Pats' soft defense for 184 yards and two touchdowns.
Who’s The Cupcake: Jacksonville ranks 22nd in the NFL against opposing running backs and is incapable of containing the passing game, an area where Hillis excels.
Cupcake Meter: 8/10. Peyton's been blowing up opponents all season long and Jacksonville's defense is one of the league's most vulnerable units. He'll get his yards and scores one way or another.
Passing Cupcake Eater 3: Randy Moss, WR, Tennessee Titans
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Why He’s a Cupcake Eater: Moss really hasn't feasted on many cupcakes in 2010 as his numbers are down across the board. However, he's still got the size to make plays and it looks like he hasn't lost much speed, so he's fully capable of devouring a soft, sweet secondary.
Who’s The Cupcake: Washington ranks second-to-last against opposing wideouts in 2010. The Redskins could be without safety LaRon Landry and corner Carlos Rogers, making them even more vulnerable than usual.
Cupcake Meter: 8/10. This would be a 10 out of 10 if Moss was still the surefire top talent he was as recently as last year. But, if he's ever going to break out, this'll be the game he'll do it in.
Rushing Cupcake Eater 2: Jamaal Charles, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
7 of 10
Why He’s a Cupcake Eater: Charles is an explosive runner, who piled up 177 yards on 22 carries against the Bills, cementing his cupcake-loving status. He's a versatile back who gives teams fits in the flat, as well.
Who’s The Cupcake: The Arizona Cardinals rank second-to-last in the NFL against opposing running backs in 2010. Combine that with a shaky pass defense and Charles' mouth has to be watering at the thought of slicing and dicing them
Cupcake Meter: 9/10. Charles loses a bit of value because Thomas Jones is the goal-line back, and the starter. However, he'll have himself a great game regardless.
Passing Cupcake Eater 2: Reggie Wayne, WR, Indianapolis Colts
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Why He’s a Cupcake Eater: Wayne's the most-reliable healthy wideout Peyton Manning has to throw to in Indy right now, and he's got the skills to take full advantage. For proof of his affection for cupcakes, one need look no further than Week 4's 11-catch, 196-yard decimation of Jacksonville.
Who’s The Cupcake: New England ranks 25th in the NFL against opposing wide receivers and lacks the size and skill to cover Wayne in the secondary.
Cupcake Meter: 9/10. Wayne's production has tailed off in recent weeks, but with a cupcake on his plate, expect Reggie's numbers to jump again this week.
Rushing Cupcake Eater 1: Frank Gore, RB, San Francisco 49ers
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Why He’s a Cupcake Eater: Gore's power, speed and versatility make him a nightmare for strong defenses to defend. When he's up against a softy (like, say, Denver in Week 8, Carolina in Week 7 or Oakland in Week 6), Frank's downright untouchable.
Who’s The Cupcake: Tampa Bay ranks 29th in the NFL against opposing running backs, has given up five touchdowns in the last three games and has allowed fewer than 100 rushing yards just twice on the year.
Cupcake Meter: 10/10. Gore should have a huge day against a Buccaneer defense that can't seem to stop anyone.
Passing Cupcake Eater 1: Calvin Johnson, WR, Detroit Lions
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Why He’s a Cupcake Eater: Megatron's been sublime in 2010 and he's done his best work against the league's worst defenses: 101 yards and three touchdowns against Washington and 128 yards and a touchdown against Buffalo. Can any cupcake hope to contain him?
Who’s The Cupcake: Dallas ranks 30th in the NFL against opposing wideouts and the Cowboys have been getting worse as the season has progressed, it seems. They've allowed fewer than 20 points to opposing wideouts just once this season, and have played some mediocre passing teams (Tennessee).
Cupcake Meter: 10/10. Johnson has been unstoppable recently and the Cowboys have been like tissue paper against the pass. Guess who's poised for an epic performance?
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