Fantasy Football Versus: Week 11 Decision-Maker

In last week's Coin Flip piece, I went the wrong way between Tony Romo and Brett Favre, but made the right call with picks in favor of Ray Rice and Calvin Johnson. With the thought that "two out of three ain't bad", let's move forward to our goal of getting 3/3 in our match-up calls this week .

Take a look at the six players facing off, and who should be in your starting line-up:


Jay Cutler, QB, CHI (vs. PHI) vs. Matt Ryan, QB, ATL (at NYG)

Both quarterbacks have been in dramatic slides in recent weeks, as Cutler has tossed 10 interceptions in his last four games, while Ryan has thrown eight.

Cutler did have a solid 300-plus yard and three touchdown effort two weeks ago in a crushing loss to the Arizona Cardinals, but has otherwise been a turnover machine with no reliable weapons outside of Devin Hester, and no rushing offense to speak of. His match-ups haven't been desirable, but for the money he's making and the hype he gets, Cutler should be giving more back to you for the draft pick you invested in him.

Ryan, on the other hand, has dipped considerably since leading an early-season charge for the Falcons, and has been playing very mediocre football during a relatively tough schedule.

The interesting thing about the match-up between these two passers is the defense they're facing, and the last quarterback that torched both defenses: Phillip Rivers.

Rivers had solid outings against both the Eagles and Giants, two teams that originally appeared to be among the elite , but have since struggled stopping offenses through the air.

With Michael Turner expected to miss Week 11's action, Ryan is now likely in the same boat as Cutler, with no reliable running game, and with just one "elite" receiver to rely on, as well as a tight end as his weapon.

Verdict: You'd love to vote for Cutler and to see him bounce-back, but in the name of Rex Grossman, you simply cannot trust him. He threw five interceptions in his last game (and no touchdowns), which gave him two four-plus pick games, and 17 turnovers through the air on the season. Ryan hasn't been leaps and bounds better, but he offers a little more stability and restraint. And we'd take Roddy White over Devin Hester, any day. Go with Matty Ice.


Marion Barber, RB, DAL (vs. WAS) vs. LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, SD (at DEN)

In year's past, LT was the easy pick here, but even with his recent success in two of his last three games, a difficult match-up and a leveled playing field could make this a difficult choice for some owners.

Barber is still in an offense that could re-dedicate itself to the run, and when it wants to, can be dominant in that department. However, Barber ran just five times last week, and hasn't registered a 100-yard game since Week Two. In fact, he's topped 60 yards rushing just one other time in 2009.

While Barber does have four touchdowns, LT can match him in that department, as he's found the end-zone four time in the last three weeks, and also has become a huge part of the San Diego offense again. Ad the best part, is he's actually been very successful.

LT doesn't even have 400 yards rushing on the season and hasn't had a 100-yard effort in 2009, but in the Chargers last four games (all wins), his role has been large and consistent. He's also toted the ball at least 18 times in four-of-five contests, making him reliable again in the "touch" category.

Verdict: LT isn't the same back he used to be, but his role with the Chargers is still one of a feature back, and as long as he's getting these types of carries, and Barber is not, he will always win this match-up. Barber used to be good for scores at the bare minimum, but even that is missing from his resume in 2009. It's LT this week, hands down.


Jeremy Maclin, WR, PHI (at CHI) vs. Michael Crabtree, WR, SF (at GB)

Why is this a match-up? This pits two rookies against each other who both will likely be passing more than they run, and both contests for each player is on the road. This is as even a match as it gets, folks.

Maclin has developed into a consistent receiver since his huge break-out game six weeks ago, as he's now caught at least three catches in four straight games, while topping topping 44 yards in each of those contests, as well as adding two scores.

He's not dropping 140+ and two scores like he did in his break-out game, but for a rookie, he's rounding out to be a quality WR3. His match with a fairly weak Chicago secondary bodes well for him, especially with the Bears' top corner focused on DeSean Jackson.

Crabtree, on the other hand, will likely be more involved than he has been in week's past due to Green Bay's at times suffocating run defense. The Packers have also been solid against opposing tight ends, which should allow Crabtree to get more targets with star Vernon Davis getting a lot of attention.

Verdict: As you may have guess, we're going with the guy who is consistent and has a fairly reliable quarterback. The Eagles may be losing games, but Donovan McNabb just topped 450 yards passing last week, and clearly likes Maclin as a top-three option in his attack. It's a relatively lose call, but Maclin is still currently a grade above Crabtree.