Week 11 Start 'Em Sit 'Em: Dwayne Bowe and WRs You Must Bench

As the NFL season progresses, each week gets more and more important from a fantasy perspective. With that in mind, it is vital to make intelligent and often difficult decisions when deciding which players to put in your lineup.

Sometimes that means taking a risk by benching one of your regular starters. There are several wide receivers who have been considered to be fantasy mainstays that are struggling as of late. Here are three receivers you would be better off leaving on your bench in Week 11.

Stevie Johnson—Buffalo Bills

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stevie Johnson broke out in a big way last season when Ryan Fitzpatrick took over as the starting quarterback. Johnson racked up more than 1,000 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns, and he seemed to be developing into a premier pass catcher.

Johnson's success carried over into the 2011 season as he had at least one score in each of his first three games. Things haven't gone quite as well for Johnson or the Bills as a whole in recent weeks, however. Not only has Johnson failed to register a 100-yard receiving performance all year, but he has just one touchdown catch over the past six weeks.

The Bills have what should be considered a solid matchup for Johnson this week in the Miami Dolphins. Miami ranks 25th in the league against the pass, but Johnson is dealing with a shoulder injury that could limit him. When you add an ailment to Johnson's recent level of play, it would probably be best to sit him on Sunday.

DeSean Jackson—Philadelphia Eagles

With the exception of three games, Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson has generally been very ineffective this season. Rather than being ineffective, Jackson was inactive in Week 10. Jackson was late for a meeting during the week, and head coach Andy Reid sent a message by sitting him out against the Arizona Cardinals.

One might think that Jackson would be motivated to come up big on Sunday night against the New York Giants, but there are far too many factors working against him. For one, the Eagles are an uninspired team that looks poised to continue its downward spiral after losing to Arizona last week.

Also, quarterback Michael Vick is out, meaning Vince Young will get the start, Vick has certainly struggled this season, but he is miles better as a quarterback on his worst day than Young is on his best. Jackson's game is beating defensive backs deep down the field, and I don't think Young has the ability to get the ball in Jackson's hands.

Dwayne Bowe—Kansas City Chiefs

It may be a controversial decision, but I think Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Dwayne Bowe needs to be benched in fantasy this week. His matchup with the New England Patriots' 32nd-ranked pass defense on Monday night certainly looks enticing, but with Matt Cassel out, Tyler Palko will be the one in charge of getting him the ball.

Call me crazy, but I'm simply not confident in Palko's ability to beat any NFL defense at this point. Even with Cassel under center, Bowe has been going through a rough patch lately. In fact, he hasn't gone over 100 yards or scored a touchdown in over a month.

Bowe is a superior talent and I would normally have him ranked high this week despite his struggles, but Palko is an anchor that is holding his value down. Perhaps Palko is a diamond in the rough, but until he proves that he can perform at the NFL level, I would stay away from the Chiefs' situation.