Fantasy Football Sunday Morning Start 'Em or Sit 'Em Decisions: Week 11

Just hours before the start of Week 11, I know many people have questions running through their heads.  Who should I start?  Who should I sit?

Let’s take a look at a few situations to try and settle things:

TE Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers

He certainly is putting fantasy owners in a bind this week, as the top tight end in football is listed as questionable for the Chargers' Monday night game against the Broncos.  Of course, that means we are going to have no clue if he’s going to play until Monday, so if you opt to roll the dice on him and he sits, your options will be extremely limited.

At the least, owners of Gates should be grabbing Randy McMichael as a handcuff option, so you will have someone who is going to play.  However, if there’s a better option on the waiver who is playing on Sunday, you are likely better off using him.

Considering that Gates was recently quoted in the San Diego Union-Tribune (click here for the article) as saying, “But still there is a criteria which you need to meet to get out there on the field—that’s being able to run, being able to do something off the foot where it doesn’t bother me. I’ve got a ways to go … At this point, I’m trying to give myself a chance to play."

“It’s a tear. It’s brutal. It’s pain … This is probably as frustrated as I’ve been in my career based on the recovery time.”

That’s certainly not what we want to hear.  As I’ve already said, I’d be looking at other options for this week.

WR Austin Collie, Indianapolis Colts

If he’s playing for the Colts, he has to be in your fantasy lineup this week.  With Pierre Garcon struggling with drops, there’s little question that Collie will slide right back into a fairly heavy workload.  With Peyton Manning throwing you the ball, that’s certainly a situation that you’ve got to be happy with.

Also helping things is the matchup with a weak New England Patriots secondary that is just a week removed from allowing 387 yards and three touchdowns to Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers.  You have to like those numbers.

Considering that he’s suffering from a concussion, the fact that reports are he made the trip with the team is a terrific sign that he’s going to play.  Assuming Collie is back, Garcon should find his way to your fantasy bench in most circumstances.  He still has potential, but he’s going to have a lot smaller focus in the offense.

WR Malcolm Floyd, San Diego Chargers

He’s expected to return to the lineup for the first time since Oct. 17, according to Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune (click here for the article).  The problem is, he could face the daunting task of being blanketed by Champ Bailey all day long.

Throw in the fact that it is unknown who is going to be the go to receiver in San Diego, with Patrick Crayton and Seyi Ajirotutu in the mix, and there are too many question marks to trust Floyd at this point.

WR Sidney Rice, Minnesota Vikings

He’s been activated from the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, though no one has any idea what to expect.  How much will he actually be on the field?  Will he be able to perform to the level he once did?  He could be a great fantasy option down the stretch, but until we get answers to those questions he should be planted on your bench.

WR Mike Williams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

There was a chance he would be benched due to his DUI on Friday morning, but that is not going to be the case according to Stephen Holder of the St. Petersburg Times (click here for the article). 

Holder cites coach Raheem Morris, saying that he “confirmed what we told you earlier, that Mike Williams will play despite his overnight arrest for allegedly driving under the influence, saying Williams will instead be disciplined by the club internally.”

Given how well Williams has played, coupled with a positive matchup, means he’s worth rolling the dice on depending on the other options you have.

What are your thoughts of these players?  Who would you start?  Who would you sit?

Make sure to check out Rotoprofessor’s Week 11 rankings:

• Top 25 Quarterbacks
• Top 25 Running Backs
• Top 60 Wide Receivers
• Top 20 Tight Ends
• Top 15 Kickers
• Top 15 Defenses
• Waiver Worthy
• Start ‘Em or Sit ‘Em
• Sunday Sleepers

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