Fantasy Football Week 11: Flex Rankings and Top Sleepers

The 2014 NFL regular season has been one of the wildest in recent memory, but with the fantasy playoffs just a few weeks away, winning in Week 11 is more important than ever.

Injuries, suspensions and bye weeks have wreaked havoc on the fantasy landscape. Most leagues begin their playoffs in Week 14, leaving owners just three weeks to make a run toward the fantasy postseason.

Here are the top flex plays for Week 11 and the sleepers you must get into your lineup.

Rank	Player
1	Calvin Johnson, DET, WR
2	LeSean McCoy, PHI, RB
3	Jamaal Charles, KC, RB
4	Demaryius Thomas, DEN, WR
5	Antonio Brown, PIT, WR
6	Arian Foster, HOU, RB
7	Jordy Nelson, GB, WR
8	Rob Gronkowski, NE, TE
9	Jeremy Maclin, PHI, WR
10	Matt Forte, CHI, RB
11	Marshawn Lynch, SEA, RB
12	Jimmy Graham, NO, TE
13	Julio Jones, ATL, WR
14	Le'Veon Bell, PIT, RB
15	Brandon Marshall, CHI, WR
16	Randall Cobb, GB, WR
17	Alfred Morris, WSH, RB
18	Andre Ellington, ARI, RB
19	A.J. Green, CIN, WR
20	Julius Thomas, DEN, TE
21	Eddie Lacy, GB, RB
22	Kelvin Benjamin, CAR, WR
23	Ronnie Hillman, DEN, RB
24	Mike Evans, TB, WR
25	Ryan Mathews, SD, RB
27	Shane Vereen, NE, RB
28	Brandin Cooks, NO, WR
29	Odell Beckham, NYG, WR
30	Emmanuel Sanders, DEN, WR
31	Vincent Jackson, TB, WR
32	Keenan Allen, SD, WR
33	Ahmad Bradshaw, IND, RB
34	Mark Ingram, NO, RB
35	Lamar Miller, MIA, RB
36	Roddy White, ATL, WR
37	Antonio Gates, SD, TE
38	Brandon LaFell, NE, WR
39	T.Y. Hilton, IND, WR
40	Andre Johnson, HOU, WR
41	Terrance West, CLE, RB
42	Alshon Jeffery, CHI, WR
43	Ben Tate, CLE, RB
44	Frank Gore, SF, RB
45	Sammy Watkins, BUF, WR
46	DeAndre Hopkins, HOU, WR
47	Martellus Bennett, CHI, TE
48	Julian Edelman, NE, WR
49	Fred Jackson, BUF, RB
50	Trent Richardson, IND, RB

Mike Groll/Associated Press

Sleepers You Can’t Miss

There are four teams on bye in Week 11. With the top fantasy players on the Cowboys, Jaguars, Jets and Ravens off, owners will be looking to the bench for a starter at the flex position.

Those fantasy players looking for a running back should look no further than Trent Richardson of the Indianapolis Colts. Richardson is sharing the workload with Ahmad Bradshaw, but in the high-scoring Colts offense, there are plenty of points to go around.

Richardson dealt with a nagging hamstring injury in late October, but he returned in Week 9 and had Week 10 off with the bye. Indianapolis will be involved in a battle against the New England Patriots in Week 11, and Richardson should see plenty of work on the ground and through the air.

Colts quarterback Andrew Luck told Mark Inabinett of The Huntsville Times about how Richardson’s absence hurt the team:

"

We obviously missed him on the field. You want him on the field. He's a great player. ... Trent certainly does a great job of knowing his assignment and making sure he's got his guy or is helping out with an offensive lineman, then getting out in the route. We certainly missed him last week and looking forward to him being back.

"

After failing to get the touches needed to be an effective fantasy threat in his last outing (seven carries and two receptions), look for Luck and the Colts to keep both Bradshaw and Richardson fresh and active all night.

Fantasy owners who start Richardson should expect at least 13 carries for 50 yards and one touchdown in addition to three receptions for 25 yards.

For those owners looking for a wide receiver, one possible option not getting the fanfare he deserves is New England star Brandon LaFell. Consistency has been a major issue for LaFell, but a week off should have him ready for a big day against the Colts.

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has continued to build a rapport with LaFell since he was promoted to the starting lineup and has targeted him at 25 times over the last two weeks. With 17 receptions for 177 yards and two touchdowns over the same stretch, fantasy owners should expect another big game on Sunday.

The matchup between Indianapolis and New England is bound to be an offensive shootout, and Brady will be looking to LaFell early and often. The Colts allow an average of 263.6 yards per game to opposing passing attacks.

Start LaFell as your flex and expect eight receptions for 80 yards and one touchdown.

*Stats via NFL.com.

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