Week 11 Start 'Em Sit 'Em: Philip Rivers and QBs You Must Sit

With Week 11 approaching, fantasy owners should be aware of quarterbacks with unfavorable matchups.

Guys like Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady are must starts every week but there are a few quarterbacks who may dupe you. Michael Vick being the prime example. Luckily, fantasy owners can disregard Michael Vick for at least one week with the recent news about his availability against the New York Giants. 

How about Joe Flacco and his inconsistent performances? Will Josh Freeman end his slump? Will Philip Rivers awake from his nightmare? Is John Skelton the fantasy answer in Arizona? 

In due time, I will answer these questions. You should sit these signal callers come Sunday. 

Joe Flacco

Joe Flacco faces a stifling Bengals defense that held Ben Roethlisberger to only one touchdown last week. 

The red hot Roethlisberger came into the Bengals matchup with three consecutive 300-yard passing games but was held to less than 250-yards passing. 

Against the Seahawks, Joe Flacco attempted 52 throws and completed an embarrassing 55 percent of his passes. Flacco has completed 60 percent of his passes in only two games this season and I do not expect a turnaround against a stingy Bengals defense ranked in the top 10 against the pass. 

Phillip Rivers

Philip Rivers faces a vulnerable Chicago Bears passing defense but the eight-year veteran has struggled with turnovers this season. Rivers leads the league in interceptions thrown with 15.

In his last two games, Rivers has completed less than 60 percent of his throws. In addition, Philip Rivers has thrown for four picks in that same span. 

The Chicago Bears defense are coming off a fantastic performance against the Detroit Lions. They intercepted Matthew Stafford four times and finished the game with six turnovers. With the Bears at home, expect the same outcome against Philip Rivers and the San Diego Chargers. 

Cam Newton

Cam Newton is playing beyond phenomenal in his rookie season, but I hate the matchup against the Detroit Lions. 

The Detroit Lions are ranked fourth in both takeaways and pass defense. Cam Newton is coming off a below average performance against the Tennessee Titans and should struggle against a ferocious Lions front seven led by Ndamukong Suh. 

I actually expect the Carolina Panthers to run the ball with Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams against a below average Lions run defense. Look for Cam Newton to be the secondary playmaker against the Detroit Lions this Sunday. 

John Skeleton

John Skelton faces a suffocating 49ers front seven and an opportunistic secondary. The 49ers are ranked first in both scoring defense and take-aways. 

Skelton has led the Arizona Cardinals to consecutive victories but faces a different animal this week. His performance last week was somewhat impressive against a below average Eagles defense but that will not hold up against a more stingier 49ers defense. 

The front seven of the 49ers should have field day against the Cardinals paltry offensive line. Expect turnovers from the Sophomore, as Skelton will be harassed all day by that excellent 49ers defensive line. 

Josh Freeman

Josh Freeman has thrown seven interceptions in his last three games. The Houston Texans defense held Freeman to 45 percent passing and forced the third-year veteran to throw three interceptions. 

It seems Freeman has digressed from his outstanding 2010 campaign and I expect the young quarterback to struggle against a very opportunistic Packers secondary. The receiver corps in Tampa Bay is non-existent at this point. Charles Woodson and co should be licking their chops in film study. 

The Green Bay Packers are ranked second in take-aways and are coming off a strong performance against the Minnesota Vikings. They should easily shut out a struggling Buccaneers offense that has not scored more than 18 points in the last three games.