Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 11: Reviewing Fantasy Football's Top Fringe Starters

Fantasy football managers are faced with the difficult task of determining which players have the most favorable matchups each week.

It can be easy to make the wrong choice, though. An offensive player facing a weak defense can end up falling short of expectations, and a player who is benched because of a tough opponent can end up exceeding their projections.

So, we're here to help out. Here's some start/sit advice to hopefully help you take advantage of the best matchups in Week 11.

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Start 'Em: Cam Newton, QB, Carolina Panthers

AP Photo/Ralph Freso

As Cam Newton emphatically told us on Sunday, he's back. And that should be a welcome sight for fantasy owners, especially ones who need a late-season upgrade at quarterback.

After a two-touchdown performance in his first game this season, the 32-year-old should be a top waiver priority in all formats as he's a strong starting option for the Carolina Panthers against the Washington Football Team.

He is expected to start as he will reportedly be taking first-team reps in practice this week.

Newton and the Panthers will be up against the 27th-ranked defense in the NFL, so there will be ample opportunities for him to get going both through the air and on the ground. Washington has also lost defensive end Chase Young to a torn ACL.

With a full week of practice under his belt, Newton will be more comfortable in the Carolina offense and develop a better rapport with Christian McCaffrey, DJ Moore and Robby Anderson.

The stars are aligned for the veteran quarterback to come close to his old form as a fantasy stud on Sunday.

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Sit 'Em: Carson Wentz, QB and Michael Pittman Jr., WR, Indianapolis Colts

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The Colts are in for a tough time this week against the Buffalo Bills, which have the No. 1 defense in the NFL. So, it would be wise to avoid Indianapolis quarterback Carson Wentz.

The 28-year-old failed to take advantage of a weak Jacksonville Jaguars defense on Sunday, amassing just 180 yards with no touchdowns. And it's unlikely things will get better against a team allowing just 190.2 passing yards and 15.0 points per game.

With Wentz expected to struggle against Buffalo, it would be best to bench Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. for this week.

It might be a surprise that a wideout with 55 receptions for 729 yards and five touchdowns is a candidate to sit this week, but it might be a necessity.

Despite his status as the focal point of Indianapolis' passing attack, the 24-year-old has had five targets or less in three of his last five games. He will likely be lined up against the Bills' Pro Bowl cornerback, Tre'Davious White, for the majority of Sunday's game.

Owners who can afford to sit Pittman should do so and ride a receiver with a better matchup.

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Start 'Em: AJ Dillon, RB, Green Bay Packers

AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski

The Packers will be without its workhorse running back on Sunday as Aaron Jones is sidelined with a sprained MCL. While he is out, AJ Dillon will be called upon to fill his role.

After Jones was forced to exit last week's game against the Seattle Seahawks, Dillon stepped in and carried the ball 21 times for 66 yards and two touchdowns. He also added two catches for 62 yards.

Through 10 games, the 23-year-old has 421 rushing yards and two touchdowns as he's seen an increase in usage in his sophomore season. 

On Sunday, Dillon and the Packers will be facing the Minnesota Vikings, which rank 28th in the NFL in rushing defense after allowing an average of 130.6 yards on the ground. The running back will be in line for a ton of touches as the top option in Green Bay's backfield.

Rookie Patrick Taylor, who has spent time on the practice squad, was the only other RB besides Jones and Dillon to see any playing time last week.

Dillon will likely receive the bulk of the carries and is a must-start in Week 11.

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Sit 'Em: Adrian Peterson, RB, Tennessee Titans

AP Photo/Mark Zaleski

We all wanted to believe in Adrian Peterson after he scored a touchdown in his first game with the Titans two weeks ago. But the veteran running back is in a shared backfield situation and quickly fell back to earth last week.

The 36-year-old managed just 21 rushing yards on eight carries against the New Orleans Saints. He was outtouched 13 to nine by D'Onta Foreman, who totaled 78 scrimmage yards.

Peterson could see some action at the goal line, which might frustrate some owners because of his boom-or-bust potential. But it looks like Foreman is set to be the featured back in Tennessee's offense going forward.

The 25-year-old will also be playing a revenge game against the Houston Texans on Sunday, so it's likely he will see a hefty workload. Peterson can remain benched for the time being.