Week 11 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em, Play or Bench Advice on Top Fantasy Football NFL Stars

Week 11 will begin on Thursday night with an AFC East showdown between the New England Patriots and New York Jets. Another 14 games will follow, as only the Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints are on bye.

While this week's player pool is larger than it's been in previous weeks, managers are still likely to be short on matchup-proof options. Players like Ja'Marr Chase and Christian McCaffrey aren't coming out of lineups, of course, but tricky decisions await for those second-tier stars.

Here, you'll find a look at some of the best and worst matchups of Week 11 and start/sit advice based on point-per-reception (PPR) scoring.

Start: Quinshon Judkins, RB, Cleveland Browns

Photo by Jeff Haynes/AP Images for Panini

Quinshon Judkins has seen a declining fantasy stock ever since the Cleveland Browns switched to rookie Dillon Gabriel at quarterback. He's had one great game with Gabriel behind center but has failed to reach 11 fantasy points in three of his last four.

There's a good chance that Judkins will bounce back this week. Cleveland will host the rival Baltimore Ravens, and it should look to keep Lamar Jackson and Co. off the field by leaning on the run.

Now, Kevin Stefanski has gone unnecessarily pass-heavy in the pass, but he shouldn't have to against Baltimore. The Ravens rank 22nd in yards per carry allowed and have surrendered the seventh-most fantasy points to opposing RBs.

Other backs to target this week include:

Rico Dowdle, Carolina Panthers

Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers

TreVeyon Henderson, New England Patriots

Sit: Tony Pollard, RB, Tennessee Titans

AP Photo/George Walker IV

Things haven't gone well for the Tennessee Titans' offense this season, which has impacted running back Tony Pollard's fantasy stock tremendously. While he was a pretty reliable flex starter last year, he's been anything but with rookie Cam Ward behind center.

A stretch of double-digit fantasy points in Weeks 3, 4 and 5 has been the highlight of Pollard's season thus far. He's a matchup-based flex play at best moving forward, and this week's matchup isn't good.

The Titans will host the Houston Texans, who have surrendered the 11th-fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs. While Pollard did have 10.6 fantasy points in the first meeting, that's probably his absolute ceiling here. Managers should look elsewhere.

The list of other backs to avoid in Week 11 includes:

1. Kenneth Walker III, Seattle Seahawks
2. Isiah Pacheco, Kansas City Chiefs
3. Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers

Start: Jaylen Waddle, WR, Miami Dolphins

AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell

The Miami Dolphins haven't exactly climbed back into the playoff race. However, they have shown that they're not willing to quit on head coach Mike McDaniel. Miami has won two of its last three in convincing fashion and is set to face a wounded Washington Commanders team.

This game will be played in Madrid, Spain, which adds a layer of uncertainty. What's not unclear is the fact that wide receiver Jaylen Waddle has rediscovered his rhythm over the last three weeks.

With fantasy point totals of 14.2 or higher in each of the last three weeks, Waddle has become trustworthy once again. He's especially trustworthy this week against a Commanders defense that has surrendered the third-most fantasy points to opposing receivers.

Other WRs to back this week include:

George Pickens, Dallas Cowboys

Tyler Lockett, Las Vegas Raiders

DK Metcalf, Pittsburgh Steelers

Sit: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Carolina Panthers

AP Photo/Seth Wenig

Rookie receiver Tetairoa McMillan has been as advertised for the Carolina Panthers. He's served as a reliable No. 1 perimeter target for Bryce Young and has Carolina flirting with the playoff picture.

However, McMillan may not be a huge part of the game plan in this week's rematch with the Atlanta Falcons. Carolina leaned heavily on its running game during its 30-0 win in Week 3. McMillan, meanwhile, had a modest 7.8 fantasy points.

This game will be in Atlanta too, so the Panthers might not be as offensively efficient anyway. Even if Carolina rolls again and uses a more balanced offensive attack, the Falcons make for a tough matchup.

Atlanta has surrendered the seventh-fewest fantasy points to opposing WRs.

Other receivers to avoid this week include:

Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos

Jakobi Meyers, Jacksonville Jaguars

D.J. Moore, Chicago Bears