Let’s dive into some news and notes around the league, my top fantasy plays and favorite picks for Week 11.
Notes:
• A trio of highly-drafted backs ran wild this week, headlined by Jonathan Taylor’s 48.1 half-PPR points in Sunday morning’s international game. It was the fourth time this season that Taylor finished as the RB1 for the week. De’Von Achane was RB2 in Week 10. (His worst finish on the season is RB16.) Jahmyr Gibbs’ 36.7 points marked his best output of the year. If you invested in one of these premier backs this summer, you have been more than happy with the return.
• Drake Maye continues to make his case for MVP, leading all quarterbacks in fantasy scoring after 10 weeks. He has thrown 12 touchdowns in his last five games and continues to be a factor in the run game as well. The success should continue with the Jets, Bengals and Giants up next on the schedule.
• Brock Bowers managers continue to be frustrated by his performance. After posting 37.3 points in his return to action in Week 9, he caught just one pass for 31 yards in a dreadful Thursday night game. The Raiders play a vulnerable Cowboys defense this week, but the schedule the rest of the way features some of the game’s elite defenses. The Raiders play the Browns, Chargers, Broncos, Eagles and Texans from Weeks 12-16. Bowers is Vegas’ best receiving option, but it’s unrealistic to expect big games against those teams.
• As we inch closer to the fantasy playoffs, rostering handcuff running backs is more valuable than a fifth receiver or second tight end. Tyler Allgeier, Brian Robinson Jr. and Blake Corum are all one hit away from being workhorses for their respective teams. They can be a league winner in the event they become a starter. You are not getting that type of value from Jerry Jeudy, Keon Coleman or Zach Ertz.
• With the NFL trade deadline now behind us, fantasy leagues are not far behind with the end of the trade window. Check your league settings for the deadline date. Also, some leagues end the regular season after Week 13. Some wait until Week 15. Check those settings and plan accordingly.
• Remember to check the weather heading into Sunday for your kicker selection. Target kickers playing in domes and in fair weather conditions.
Thursday Night Game: Jets vs. Patriots
Sunday Morning Game: Commanders vs. Dolphins
Sunday Night Game: Lions vs. Eagles
Monday Night Game: Cowboys vs. Raiders
Start ‘Em:
Quarterback: Marcus Mariota
Running Back: Woody Marks
Wide Receiver: Deebo Samuel Jr.
Tight End: Mark Andrews
Defense: Chiefs
Sit ‘Em:
Quarterback: Trevor Lawrence
Running Back: Tyrone Tracy Jr.
Wide Receiver: Wan’Dale Robinson
Tight End: Luke Musgrave
Defense: Seahawks
Sleepers:
Quarterback: Jacoby Brissett
Running Back: Sean Tucker
Wide Receiver: Luther Burden III
Tight End: Noah Fant
Defense: Giants
NFL Picks for Week 11
All odds are from FanDuel Sportsbook at time of writing
Weekly Pick ‘Em (Season Record: 97-50-1)
Patriots (vs. Jets)
Dolphins (vs. Commanders)
Packers (at Giants)
Bills (vs. Buccaneers)
Steelers (vs. Bengals)
Texans (at Titans)
Bears (at Vikings)
Falcons (vs. Panthers)
Chargers (at Jaguars)
Rams (vs. Seahawks)
49ers (at Cardinals)
Ravens (at Browns)
Broncos (vs. Chiefs)
Eagles (vs. Lions)
Cowboys (at Raiders)
Five Picks Against the Spread (Season Record: 24-25-1)
Patriots -11.5 vs. Jets
Bengals +5.5 at Steelers
Bears +3 at Vikings
Rams -2.5 vs. Seahawks
Broncos +3.5 vs. Chiefs
Five Over-Under Totals (Season Record: 23-27)
Commanders-Dolphins Under 47.5
Texans-Titans Under 39.5
Ravens-Browns Under 41.5
Lions-Eagles Over 48.5
Cowboys-Raiders Over 50.5
One Bold Prediction for the Week
Week 1: Trevor Lawrence finishes as a top-10 QB against the Panthers (miss)
Week 2: Zay Flowers remains the overall WR1 after torching the Browns (miss)
Week 3: Daniel Jones makes it three straight weeks finishing as a top-five fantasy quarterback (miss)
Week 4: Josh Allen accounts for five total touchdowns against the Saints (miss)
Week 5: A tight end leads all FLEX-worthy players in scoring (miss)
Week 6: Matthew Stafford finishes as a QB1 against the Ravens (miss)
Week 7: Quinshon Judkins is a top-10 RB against the Dolphins (finally got one!)
Week 8: Joe Flacco throws for more than 300 yards against the Jets (miss)
Week 9: Marvin Harrison Jr. records more than 150 receiving yards against the Cowboys (miss)
Week 10: Jalen Hurts throws for more than 300 yards against the Packers on “Monday Night Football” (miss)
Week 11: C.J. Stroud finishes as a QB1 against the Titans
Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers