Fantasy Football Week 11: Start ’em, Sit ’em

Week 10 was one of, if not the, craziest week of football thus far. The Vikings were able to escape Buffalo in what won ‘Game of the Year,’ Aaron Rodgers and the Packers finally showed life after what was a statement comeback win against the Cowboys, and there is no longer an undefeated team after the Commanders shocked the Eagles on MNF.

Week 11 leaves fantasy managers quite shorthanded, as they’ll be without several starting wide receivers (Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, D.K. Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, Christian Kirk), quarterbacks (Tua Tagovailoa, Tom Brady, Geno Smith),  and running backs (Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson, Leonard Fournette, Travis Etienne) with byes. With a clearly short-handed fantasy list, let’s see who should be starting and sitting this week.

Ian’s Record: 53-27

Start ’em

Justin Fields (QB, Bears) vs. Falcons

This past week, Justin Fields became the first quarterback in NFL history to record a 60+ yard touchdown run in consecutive games. His combined 325 yards on the ground is the most by a quarterback in a two-game span, and he became the fourth quarterback in NFL history to record a 50+ yard TD run and a 50+ yard TD pass. Regardless if you like him or not for running so much, his fantasy value has been outstanding recently.

Expect that to continue against the Falcons this week, who have been allowing plenty of points to QBs this season. While they’ve been able to keep QBs from running through them, Fields is simply too hot for them to contain compared to who they’ve played already.

Miles Sanders (RB, Eagles) vs. Colts

While Miles Sanders has been a little shaky all season, he’s been able to find the endzone six times, riding a three-game streak before the Commanders.

The Colts are surrendering 21 points per game to running backs. Pair that with Shaquille Leonard being done for the season, and I can see Sanders finding the endzone again this week.

Kadarius Toney (WR, Chiefs) vs. Chargers

In Toney’s second game playing for the Chiefs, he had more touchdowns than his entire tenure on the Giants. He had one touchdown last week.

With five targets for 57 yards and a score, Toney is very quickly being placed in an impact role for the Chiefs as they push for the number one seed in the AFC.

I don’t want to jinx it, but he is set up for a monster outing against the Chargers with JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mecole Hardman hurting. Look for him to hop into the endzone another couple times this week.

Cole Kmet (TE, Bears) vs. Falcons

Back like he never left. Cole Kmet is on fire.

Watch his health as the week goes on, but he is expected to play against the Falcons. With how suddenly the Bears’ offense has turned around, he should be in a starting spot until something goes wrong.

Sit ’em

Derek Carr (QB, Raiders) vs. Broncos

Here’s a quick timeline of events for the Raiders:

October 30th – ESPN Analyst Jeff Saturday tweets “Raiders look horrible”

November 8th – Colts hire Jeff Saturday to be head coach after firing Frank Reich

November 13th – Colts beat Raiders 25-20

The Raiders have been arguably the biggest disappointment of the season so far. At 2-7, no one would have predicted such an ugly season from Derek Carr and Davante Adams being coached by legendary Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, but here we are.

Don’t expect anything to change against the Broncos defense. I’m expecting a gross, low-scoring game between two teams equally in shambles after such high expectations.

D’Andre Swift (RB, Lions) vs. Giants

After an outstanding performance in week one, Swift has been nowhere to be found in the running game. Maybe it’s because he missed three weeks, but he isn’t getting nearly enough reps to be considered a fantasy starter.

While the Giants are one of the handful of teams averaging over 100 rushing yards allowed, they’ve been able to limit the amount of receiving production to running backs well. Swift doesn’t get the ball enough in general to be considered this week.

Brandin Cooks (WR, Texans) vs. Commanders

What a weird year it’s been for Brandin Cooks.

After voicing his frustration when he wasn’t moved before the trade deadline, Cooks was stripped of his team captaincy prior to playing the Giants last week. Cooks also posted this cryptic tweet after a reported trade with the Cowboys fell through:

With all this happening and Cooks believing he deserves better (which he probably does), it’s hard to see him wanting to stay involved with the Texans. Hopefully I’m wrong, but let’s prepare for the worst here.

Kyle Pitts (TE, Falcons) vs. Bears

If you were to tell me before the season started that I shouldn’t start Kyle Pitts against the Bears, I would’ve laughed in your face. For that I apologize.

The fourth overall pick from 2021 hasn’t caught more than five passes in a game this season and only has two touchdowns, and in the past two weeks has four catches on 15 targets.

Maybe it’s the situation the Falcons are currently in, but regardless the ideal game plan against the Bears doesn’t match up for Pitts at all. The Bears have allowed the fifth fewest fantasy points to tight ends this year, but have surrendered the fifth highest fantasy points to running backs. Look for Pitts to watch Cordarelle Patterson running down field for most of the game.

BYES: MIAMI DOLPHINS, TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS, SEATTLE SEAHAWKS, JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS