Fantasy Football Week 11: Sunday Morning Game-Day Preview

Another Sunday full of NFL action is upon us. This, of course, also means another full day of fantasy football. In this piece, we focus on preparing you for the busy day of gridiron entertainment ahead.

The Indianapolis Colts host the Tennessee Titans in a marquee fantasy matchup of strong NFL offenses. Andrew Luck hasn't lost to the Titans in eight career starts. The Titans offense, led by Marcus Mariota, who is pacing the league in touchdowns since the start of Week 5, seeks to change this trend. This is just one of the many compelling matchups we discuss. 

Join us in canvassing the league with specific matchup metrics for each game on the Sunday slate. Feel free to share your lineup questions and predictions in the comments below.

Fantasy Football Week 11: Arizona Cardinals at Minnesota Vikings

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Game Preview

The Vikings have lost four straight immediately following a 5-0 start. Minnesota has endured this losing stretch in part due to an inability to move the ball on the ground, as it is averaging a league-worst 2.7 yards per carry this season—which would rate as the lowest figure in the league since the 1972 merger.

Both teams are stout defensively—the Arizona Cardinals have allowed the fewest points per drive (1.34) and the Vikings the third-fewest (1.44). Thus, it’s fitting to find this game opened as a pick'em with one of the lowest point totals of the slate (around 40 points), per Odds Shark.

Injury Updates

There are no offensive injuries of note for fantasy purposes.

Fantasy Fixtures

Cardinals

All-purpose superstar tailback David Johnson has 1,213 yards from scrimmage on the season, second only to Ezekiel Elliott’s 1,255. Johnson has struggled in regard to per-play efficiency, averaging just 3.1 yards per carry and 64 rushing yards over the past three games. Still, his opportunity rate is elite, and he’s produced at least 100 yards from scrimmage in every game this season.

Wideout Larry Fitzgerald is eight receptions from tying Tim Brown for fifth in NFL history, while his heavy target share of late has led to 22 catches over the past two games. Fitz is the only receiver on the Arizona offense we can trust as a bankable starter.

The Cardinals defense has been stout this season and is facing a Vikings defense that can’t run the ball or effectively push it vertically in the passing phase, which supports its status as a strong starting option.  

Vikings

Stefon Diggs became the first player in NFL history to produce 13 receptions in consecutive games, per Elias Sports, via ESPN Stats & Info. The Maryland product is tied for fourth in the NFL in receptions, but with shadow coverage from elite cover corner Patrick Peterson, expectations are tempered.

Sleepers and Streamers

Michael Floyd broke out with a big game last time out (five catches, 101 yards), but with a reception on just 7.5 percent of his routes on the season, he’s merely a boom-or-bust option.  

It hasn’t been pretty, but bruising back Matt Asiata has scored at least seven fantasy points in ESPN standard leagues in five of the past six games. Minnesota tight end Kyle Rudolph is essentially a touchdown-or-bust asset at this point.

Fantasy Football Week 11: Buffalo Bills at Cincinnati Bengals

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Game Preview

The Bills have lost three straight games since starting 4-2. Buffalo has scored precisely 25 points in all three recent losses. The Bills rank in the top two in rushing yards per game, yards per rush and rushing touchdowns.

The Bengals, meanwhile, have been middle-of-the-road on both sides of ball but have at least show signs of increased offensive efficiency with tight end Tyler Eifert back in the mix. FiveThirtyEight can’t call this one, as the Bengals earn just a 56 percent win probability rate as hosts in this conference matchup.

Injury Updates

Buffalo’s Robert Woods was limited in practice this week but is expected to play his full allotment of snaps.

Fantasy Fixtures

Bills

LeSean McCoy is one of just seven backs who are averaging at least 101 yards from scrimmage thanks in part to an awesome workload of 19-plis touches per game. The Bengals have yielded the ninth-most rushing yards per game to opponents this season, so Shady is a solid RB1 to trust this week.

Bengals

The Bills defense has ceded a league-worst 33.3 points per game over the past three contests, so shares of both A.J. Green, who leads the NFL with 513 receiving yards on passes thrown at least 15 yards downfield, and Jeremy Hill appear inviting based on scoring potential alone.

Green needs just 36 receiving yards to join Randy Moss as the only players in NFL history with at least 1,000 receiving yards in each of their first six campaigns. Hill has scored a rushing touchdown in three straight as he seeks to become the first Bengals back since Cedric Benson in 2009 to score in four straight. Given Eifert’s valuable skills as a big-play and red-zone threat, he’s a solid TE1 in Week 11.

Sleepers and Streamers

The Bills’ Tyrod Taylor leads all NFL quarterbacks in total rushing yardage and has scored in three straight games on the ground, which supports his viable starting status for those who are seeking a high-floor streamer. Buffalo’s Woods has enjoyed a 24 percent share of the team’s targets since Week 3. He has now posted at least 50 yards or a touchdown in five of his last six games, with just over eight targets per game in that span.

While he lacks Hill’s scoring prowess and opportunity rate at the goal line, Gio Bernard offers a flex-worthy usage pattern, especially in points-per-reception leagues.

Fantasy Football Week 11: Chicago Bears at New York Giants

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Game Preview

The Chicago Bears are the only team to score 24 or fewer points in every game this season. With Jay Cutler last in the league in QBR (29.9) this season—less than half of the rate Brian Hoyer produced (61.6)—it’s fitting to find the New York Football Giants earn a 75 percent win probability rate at FiveThirtyEight. The Giants started slow defensively but have averaged 2.5 sacks per game in the past four, all wins, with seven forced turnovers.

Injury Updates

Chicago’s Eddie Royal was limited in practice this week with a toe ailment but participated throughout and is expected to start.

Fantasy Fixtures

Bears

Chicago’s Jordan Howard has averaged 5.31 yards per rush, second only to the Miami Dolphins’ Jay Ajayi (5.7). While the fluctuations in touches and trust from the staff can prove frustrating, Howard is the team’s best offensive weapon and the only fantasy player worthy of starting in standard leagues.

Giants

The Giants’ Odell Beckham Jr. has at least eight targets every game and has six touchdowns in his past five outings. With one of the highest ceilings in fantasy football, Beckham is a foundation piece.

Sleepers and Streamers

Eli Manning has been pressured on a league-low 14 percent of his dropbacks during the Giants’ four-game winning streak, helping justify his status as a streaming option. The Giants defense makes for a nice streaming option against such a subpar offense.

The New York backfield has been relatively awful lately, but it’s worth noting Rashad Jennings has 15, 14 and 18 touches over his past three outings, respectively. Rookie wideout Sterling Shepard, meanwhile, has at least 50 yards or five catches in three straight games.

Royal, Cameron Meredith and tight end Zach Miller earn streaming interest while Alshon Jeffery serves his four-game suspension. It’s hard to imagine all of these options producing rewarding results, so Miller might have the highest floor given his high-percentage route tree.

Fantasy Football Week 11: Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns

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Game Preview

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ Ben Roethlisberger is 19-2 against the Browns in his career, the best mark of any quarterback against a single opponent since the merger. The Browns have started 0-10 for the first time in franchise history. As eight-point favorites, per Odds Shark, FiveThirtyEight gives the Steelers a 74 percent win probability.

The weather in this game is worth monitoring, as winds are expected to top 30 mph, per Weather.com.  

Injury Updates

Pittsburgh’s Ladarius Green and Sammie Coates returned to full practice this week, according to Dale Lolley of the Observer-Reporter.

Fantasy Fixtures

Steelers

Le’Veon Bell’s 132.2 yards from scrimmage per game rank third in the NFL behind Ezekiel Elliott and David Johnson, while he’s had the same amount of targets (46) as Antonio Brown since rejoining the team in Week 4. Brown brings a high floor to the field, while his ceiling is only compromised by potential weather issues. Roethlisberger is a fine starter, as Cleveland allows the most points per drive in the league and has given up a touchdown on 32 percent of opposing drives.

Browns

Wideout Terrelle Pryor has enjoyed a 25.6 percent target share of the Browns offense. Such steady usage drives a reliable production pattern, particularly since the Browns could be forced to pass while trailing a superior team.

Sleepers and Streamers

The Steelers’ Eli Rogers has netted 17 percent of the team’s targets over the past two weeks, while the Browns struggle to defend the slot. Cleveland’s Corey Coleman is an intriguing flier in daily fantasy and deeper leagues based on the Browns’ potential to prove pass-happy in game script as sizable home dogs.

Fantasy Football Week 11: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Kansas City Chiefs

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Game Preview

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are 3-1 on the road this season and just 1-4 at home. Tampa has won four straight against the Chiefs dating back to 1999. The Kansas City Chiefs seek to end this streak, however, as they are 17-2 in their last 19 games.

The Chiefs have forced multiple turnovers in each of their last five games, while the Bucs have turned the ball over on 13.5 percent of their drives, eighth-most in the league. With a surging defense and the advantage of Arrowhead, Chiefs have an 84 percent win probability rate on FiveThirtyEight’s predictive model this week.

Injury Updates

The Chiefs’ Jeremy Maclin has been ruled out for Week 11 with his lingering groin injury, per B.J. Kissel of the team’s website.

Fantasy Fixtures

Bucs

Tampa’s Mike Evans could enjoy a nice setup since both of Kansas City’s corners, Marcus Peters and Phillip Gaines, are banged up. If Peters is ruled out, Evans is a fine building block in daily fantasy play. Doug Martin merits interest for workload alone, as he netted 17 touches in his return to action last week and doesn’t have competition for meaningful short-yardage situations.

Chiefs

Spencer Ware is a true RB1 asset. We can assume a high yardage floor, as the Buccaneers have allowed 100 rushing yards and 50.6 receiving yards per game to opposing backs.

The Chiefs’ D/ST has produced double-digit fantasy points in three of their past six games and at least six fantasy points the past five outings. There are few better options than his ball-hawking group. With Maclin sidelined, Travis Kelce should enjoy an uptick in targets, especially since the Bucs safeties are exploitable in coverage.

Sleepers and Streamers

Jameis Winston has multiple touchdown passes in four straight games and is one game away from tying for the second-longest streak in franchise history. Tight end Cameron Brate has enjoyed solid production over the past month, scoring in three straight games. The Chiefs have been tough on tight ends, so Brate is merely a streaming option.

Quarterback Alex Smith makes for a fine sleeper as a home favorite against a soft defense. The Bucs have allowed 18 fantasy points per game to enemy arms in ESPN leagues, seventh-most in the league. Tyreek Hill is available in nearly 80 percent of ESPN leagues and has enjoyed a sizable surge in targets. He offers rare big-play potential as a rare speedster who reportedly clocked a 4.24 40-yard dash in draft prep, per Adam Teicher of ESPN.com.

Fantasy Football Week 11: Baltimore Ravens at Dallas Cowboys

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Game Preview

The Dallas Cowboys enter Week 11 on an eight-game winning streak as they host the Baltimore Ravens. A win would give the Cowboys their longest winning streak in franchise history within a single season. Rookie quarterbacks, meanwhile, have lost five straight against the Ravens. The Ravens offense has averaged just 1.47 points per drive, 29th in the league. The Cowboys lead the league with 2.80 points per drive, so Baltimore is tasked with exceeding its average output in order to contend on the road as sizable dogs.

Injury Updates

Even as Dallas added Dez Bryant to the injury report with a balky back, ESPN.com’s Todd Archer notes there is “little doubt he will play.”

Fantasy Fixtures

Ravens

Legendary trash-talker and likely Canton-bound receiver Steve Smith Sr. is just three receptions away from becoming the 14th player in league history with 1,000 career receptions. As the high-volume target for Joe Flacco, Smith is the lone trustworthy option on this offense.

Cowboys

Ezekiel Elliott leads the NFL in rushing this season and needs only three more yards to set the team’s single-season rookie rushing record. Bryant, for his part, faces a Baltimore secondary that has ceded the eighth-most fantasy points per game to receivers in ESPN leagues.

Sleepers and Streamers

The Ravens’ Mike Wallace a big-play threat who ranks 21st in fantasy points per game among receivers since Week 5 in ESPN leagues. We trust Kenneth Dixon more than Terrance West for total yardage in a game that should trend pass-happy for Baltimore.

The Cowboys’ Prescott has produced at least 17 fantasy points in every game since Week 2 and is a high-end streaming option against a solid Baltimore defense that allows the second-fewest points per drive. Cole Beasley has at least 53 yards in all but one game this season, supporting a low-ceiling but still worthy flex value in deep PPR formats.

Fantasy Football Week 11: Jacksonville Jaguars at Detroit Lions

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Game Preview

The Jacksonville Jaguars are often in a bad spot by the half, owning the league’s worst first-half differential at minus-78, 36 points worse than any other team. The Jaguars have forced a league-low five turnovers, while the Detroit Lions are next to last with 7. Per FiveThirtyEight, the Lions and their superior offense have an 83 percent win probability rate for this home matchup.

Injury Updates

In a bit of good news, there are no fantasy-relevant injuries of note for this matchup.

Fantasy Fixtures

Jaguars

Allen Robinson is the sole skill player on the team we trust as a surefire starting asset now that he’s revived his production pattern under new offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett.

Lions

Matthew Stafford is a volume-driven quarterback with at least 13 fantasy points in all but one game this season, so we like his high floor at home in a game with a healthy point total. Theo Riddick has at least 15 touches in his past six appearances and is on pace for 62 catches despite missing two games to injury; therefore, we dig his solid floor on a thin tailback market.

Marvin Jones has come back to earth, but both he and Golden Tate have stable enough usage patterns to support WR3 status. We trust Tate’s high-percentage role more, especially in PPR formats.

Sleepers and Streamers

Quarterback Blake Bortles faces a Lions team that ranks 31st in defensive efficiency. Opponents are completing 74.1 percent of passes against the Lions, which is on pace to be the highest completion percentage allowed in league history.

Eric Ebron is a stellar streaming tight end and arguably a TE1 asset given his strong usage rate over the past several weeks.

Fantasy Football Week 11: Tennessee Titans at Indianapolis Colts

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Game Preview

The Titans have won four of their last six games since starting 1-3 thanks in large part to the fact Marcus Mariota has thrown for at least two touchdowns in six consecutive outings. Tennessee leads the NFL with 33.7 points per game since Week 5 after being tied for last in points per game over the first month.

The Colts are seeking consecutive wins for the first time this season, while Andrew Luck is seeking wins in back-to-back starts for the first time since 2014. In a bit of good news for him, Luck has won each of his first eight career starts against the Titans.

Injury Updates

There are no significant injuries to consider for this matchup.

Fantasy Fixtures

Titans

Mariota has thrown for 30 red-zone touchdowns in his career without an interception. DeMarco Murray needs just 70 rushing yards and two rushing scores to become the fifth player in franchise history with 1,000 rushing yards and 10 rushing scores in a single season. Both are elite starting options this week.

Delanie Walker has averaged 82 yards and 7.6 receptions against the Colts in three games since the start of last season. Walker is a must-start TE1 given the matchup history and his rapport with such a hot signal-caller.

Colts

Luck produced a stellar game in Week 7 against the Titans, completing nearly 70 percent of his passes for three scores in an efficient outing. With the Titans secondary ranked 26th in pass coverage on Pro Football Focus, Luck and both of his star wideouts—T.Y. Hilton and Donte Moncrief—are solid starting options. Frank Gore, meanwhile, is a stable RB2 option with a low ceiling but stable floor.

Sleepers and Streamers

Tennessee’s Rishard Matthews is tied with the New York Giants’ Odell Beckham Jr. with six touchdowns since the start of Week 5, earning strong flex interest.

Fantasy Football Week 11: Miami Dolphins at Los Angeles Rams

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Game Preview

No. 1 pick Jared Goff is expected to make his NFL debut for the Los Angeles Rams, replacing starter Case Keenum, who ranks last in the NFL in QBR (43.1). The key for the Rams is stopping Miami’s ground game, as the Dolphins are 5-0 when they produce at least 100 rushing yards and winless in four games when they fail to reach that threshold.

The Rams have failed to score a touchdown in a league-high three games this season, so it’s understandable that Miami is a slight road favorite, per Odds Shark.

Injury Updates

Jarvis Landry is questionable to play with a shoulder ailment but is fully expected to start and consume his normal allotment of touches and snaps, per Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald.

Fantasy Fixtures

Dolphins

Jay Ajayi leads the NFL in rushing yardage, yards after first contact and runs of at least 10 yards since Week 6. Landry has a relatively high floor in PPR formats, but his ceiling is compromised with the team proving to be run-heavy of late, lowering the volume for him and his passing peers. The Dolphins D/ST is a solid start against a raw rookie quarterback. 

Rams

Todd Gurley averaged 6.1 yards per rush with four 100-yard games in his first five career games, yet he’s netted just 3.5 yards per carry with only one 100-yard rushing game in the 17 games since. A heavy workload keeps Gurley in the RB2 discussion, but the sample size suggests some real efficiency issues are present.

Sleepers and Streamers

DeVante Parker enjoyed a breakout outing (five catches, 103 yards) in Week 10, but his variant scoring pattern means he’s a risky flex option. As for the Rams, Kenny Britt is on pace for more than 1,200 yards and could be a heavy target of Goff’s.

Fantasy Football Week 11: New England Patriots at San Francisco 49ers

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Game Preview

The New England Patriots enter San Francisco to face a feeble 49ers team. The Pats have an 82 percent win probability factor on FiveThirtyEight and are positioned as massive road favorites of nearly two touchdowns, per Odds Shark.

Injury Updates

The Patriots have ruled out wideout Chris Hogan (back) and tight end Rob Gronkowski (chest), according to ESPN.com’s Mike Reiss.

Fantasy Fixtures

Patriots

Tom Brady has never faced the 49ers in San Francisco in his career; it's the lone road trip he hasn’t made. With the 49ers allowing the most points per drive since the start of Week 2, Brady is in a great spot to produce strong numbers.

The Patriots’ LeGarrette Blount leads the league in rushing touchdowns (12) and faces a San Francisco front that has ceded the most yards and touchdowns to backs this season. Both Julian Edelman and Martellus Bennett should enjoy an uptick in targets with Hogan and Gronkowski ruled out. Edelman leads the team in targets since Brady returned to the field, and Bennett is in an awesome spot, with 47 percent of Brady’s fantasy points stemming from targeting tight ends.

49ers

Carlos Hyde qualifies as a low-end flex on an uptempo offense that feeds the backfield with a heavy workload.

Sleepers and Streamers

Colin Kaepernick is an interesting streaming option deeper leagues since the Patriots have allowed 17.2 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks in ESPN leagues, 10th-most in the league.

Fantasy Football Week 11: Philadelphia Eagles at Seattle Seahawks

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Game Preview

In the Russell Wilson era—since the start of the 2012 season—the Seattle Seahawks own the NFL's best record in November and on at 30-6. Seattle is 10-0 at home against non-divisional foes over that span.

Carson Wentz owns the worst QBR in the NFL (38.6) since Week 5, while the Philadelphia Eagles will need a significant improvement to pull off the road upset. In a key conference showdown, FiveThirtyEight lists the Seahawks with a 73 percent win probability rate.

Injury Updates

Despite dealing with a hamstring injury, Eagles tight end Zach Ertz is expected to start after resuming full practice to finish the week, per the team’s Twitter feed. Tailback Thomas Rawls of Seattle is due to return to action this week.  

Fantasy Fixtures

Eagles

Jordan Matthews does the majority of his damage from the slot, helping him to avoid Seattle’s elite outside coverage. Given the Seahawks’ stout allowance metrics, he’s the lone skill player worth starting in standard leagues.

Seahawks

Wilson’s recent surge in production validates his status as a starting fantasy option. Doug Baldwin is in a strong spot as well, as the Eagles claim just one cornerback in the top 102 at the position on Pro Football Focus, with Leodis McKelvin coming in at No. 62 at the position.

Sleepers and Streamers

We consider C.J. Prosise the back to start for Seattle, as his receiving skill set vaults him ahead of Rawls in regard to bankability. We can’t trust the Philly backfield, as the inscrutable breakdown of late proves difficult to decipher. The smart angle might be Darren Sproles as a flex given his ability to build yards via the short pass, a staple of the Seattle system. Ryan Mathews is essentially a touchdown-or-bust back in this matchup.

Fantasy Football Week 11: Green Bay Packers at Washington Redskins

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Game Preview

Aaron Rodgers is 4-5 for the first time since his first season as a starter in 2008. His completion percentage of 63.1 percent and his 6.5 yards per attempt are the worst in his first nine games of his career.

The Washington Redskins’ Kirk Cousins has a 69.8 QBR in his last seven games, eighth-best in the league over this span. The Packers have allowed 3.06 points per drive over the past three games, 31st in the league. These trends support a lofty point total around 50 points with Washington as the slight favorite, per Odds Shark.

Injury Updates

Washington’s DeSean Jackson is listed as questionable and expected to play, however limited, according to the Washington Post’s Mike Jones.

Fantasy Fixtures

Packers

Rodgers has multiple touchdowns in four straight, and the point total suggests a shootout could develop, which justifies QB1 status for the Packers signal-caller. Jordy Nelson’s floor is a bit compromised by cover corner Josh Norman, but his red-zone role elevates his ceiling. Davante Adams and Randall Cobb are both solid WR3 options thanks to Rodgers’ volume-driven passing attack. Adams could truly thrive given snaps against Bashaud Breeland, Washington’s soft spot in the secondary.

Redskins

Cousins is a fine starting option based on the Packers’ defensive struggles and depleted secondary, as Green Bay ranks 31st in pass coverage on Pro Football Focus. Elite tight end Jordan Reed is also viable as a starter in all formats. Running back Robert Kelley is a low-end RB2 since he’s due around 20 touches and has sole claim to goal-line work.

Sleepers and Streamers

James Starks makes for an interesting flex, as he should lead the Packers’ backfield in snaps and touches. For the Redskins, Jamison Crowder is a strong flex since he’s tallied a touchdown or 100-plus yards in four straight. Jackson is a boom-or-bust flex, but it’s tough to trust him as a starter in standard leagues.

Target share, defensive allowance and blitz/pressure percentages sourced from an ESPN database.