Waiver Wire Week 11: Underrated Options Who Will Shine for Your Team

It seems like the NFL and fantasy football trends are forever linked together. In other words, when chaos is happening on the field, odds are good that chaos is happening on your computer. But unlike the real games, where there are no quick fixes, fantasy allows you to rectify mistakes in a hurry. 

For instance, after scoring 124 points in their previous three games, does anyone know how to explain the Pittsburgh Steelers' loss against the New York Jets? "No" is the correct answer. 

For fantasy owners, if you were starting Carson Palmer at quarterback, do you have any idea what your quarterback situation will look like in Week 11? "Yes" is the correct answer. 

The waiver wire is taking on an increased importance as playoff races heat up. Injuries can change the course of your team in a hurry, or you may just want to add extra depth. Whatever the case may be, here are the key names worth a shot this week. 

Quarterback: Robert Griffin III, Washington

Yeah, we are going there. After doing virtually nothing all season thanks in large part to an injury that cost him six full games, Robert Griffin III showed some signs of life against Minnesota two weeks ago. He finished that game with 251 yards, one touchdown and one interception. 

It wasn't the most memorable effort, nor did it come against a notable defense, but all you need to look for are matchups. This week is an even better one for Griffin, who will get to attack a Tampa Bay defense that everyone has picked on. 

The Buccaneers' numbers this season are atrocious, whether it's fantasy or reality. For our purposes, Ben Standig of Comcast SportsNet Washington offers up numbers that owners should be salivating over by listing RG3 as the top waiver addition among quarterbacks.

"Tremendous Week 11 matchup versus a Tampa Bay defense that allows 2.11 touchdown passes per game and ranks 28th versus fantasy quarterbacks this season," Standig wrote. "Bigger concern with RG3 involves how much one trusts RG3."

Trust is irrelevant when you have a matchup this sweet. You don't need Griffin to dominate on a weekly basis, just this one time. Don't have any fear about putting Washington's quarterback on your roster as a QB1. He will make it worth your while. 

Running Back: Jonathan Stewart, Carolina Panthers

MIKE MCCARN/Associated Press

If you drafted Jonathan Stewart before the season, allow me to offer my sincerest apologies for wasting a pick. However, if there is a week for you to cash in on that—assuming you didn't release him—it will be Week 11. 

In the debacle that was Carolina's Monday night loss against Philadelphia, Stewart scored his first touchdown since Week 2. He also had double-digit carries for the third consecutive game and was averaging 5.2 yards per carry in the previous two games. 

While those numbers don't scream must-start, they are better than what Stewart was doing the previous two years, per Geoff Mosher of Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia:

Now let's talk about the defense Stewart will be playing against. The Atlanta Falcons rank 24th in run defense, 24th in points allowed per game and 31st in total defense and are tied for last in rushing touchdowns allowed. 

The Falcons have given up 13 touchdowns on the ground, or an average of 1.4 per game. Stewart isn't running like he used to, which is to be expected for an aging running back, but the Panthers have given him the ball more often in recent weeks. 

Sometimes all you need to produce in fantasy football are touches. Stewart will get a lot of those, if for no other reason than to keep Cam Newton from taking as many shots as he did against the Eagles. Keep the veteran running back on your roster as a flex player or No. 2 running back. 

Wide Receiver: Jordan Matthews, Philadelphia Eagles

Unlike the first two names, you might have to rush in an effort to find Jordan Matthews. He's coming off his best performance with 138 yards and two touchdowns on seven receptions against Carolina. Per Christopher Harris of ESPN.com, Philadelphia's rookie wideout is only owned in 24 percent of all leagues. 

This week figures to present a tougher test for Philadelphia with a date against Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. However, that doesn't mean it will be a difficult game for either offense. We've seen what these two teams are capable of doing, regardless of who the opponent is. 

Having Mark Sanchez as the Eagles' quarterback is actually the best thing that could have happened to Matthews. The Sanchize likes to throw the ball inside the hash marks. That leaves Matthews, who is Philadelphia's primary slot receiver, and tight end Brent Celek as the two most likely candidates to put up numbers. 

Sure enough, both had over 100 yards against the Panthers. Around the NFL tweeted out another helpful stat that will ease your mind about adding Matthews:

While Sanchez isn't likely to throw for 300 yards every week, he will have plenty of opportunities to move the ball around. The Eagles will have to score a lot to keep up with the Packers. Matthews will be Sanchez's first option, so another week with a handful of catches, 80-plus yards and one touchdown seems perfectly reasonable. 

Stats are via ESPN.com 

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