Ten Things We Learned in Week 11 (Fantasy Football)
It’s quite astonishing that all the way in Week 11, there is still so much new information pouring out on Sundays, most of which seemingly comes out of nowhere. Take, for example, the way RBs were utilized this week and how “backups” got more crucial work than the starters. Or how about coming off his best game since Week 1, Keon Coleman was a healthy scratch on Sunday, in a high-scoring game that saw Tyrell Shavers, Ty Johnson, and James Cook score receiving TDs. And who could have predicted Bryce Young would throw for a career-high 448 yards (more than 100-plus yards than his previous career high) and three TDs.
This deep in the season, just when you thought you knew almost everything about your team and had the road ahead paved in your mind, the fantasy coaster takes you for a loop.
Here is what we learned in Week 11 of the 2025 NFL season:
Sean Tucker Explodes
Once Sean Tucker took it to the house for a 43-yard TD in the second quarter on Sunday, it was over for Rachaad White. Tucker went on to score two more TDs in Tampa Bay’s 44-32 defeat against Buffalo, putting up 130 total scrimmage yards. White saw just two touches to Tucker’s 12 in the second half. Tucker was already seeing his snaps and rushing opportunities go up over the last few weeks, and this game probably cemented his status as the Tampa Bay RB you want to start in fantasy until Bucky Irving returns.
Tracy & Singletary Split
The last three full games since Cam Skattebo has been out, Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Devin Singletary have pretty much split the RB snaps. It’s made it frustrating for fantasy managers who paid up to grab Tracy, as Devin Singletary has been seeing nearly the same amount of playing time. Plus, Singletary has gotten all the goal-line work. Tracy looked good on Sunday, rushing for 88 yards and catching four passes for 51 yards. But while Tracy handled most of the work in between the 20s, Singletary got all the red zone work and scored twice. In fact, Tracy hasn’t had a carry inside the 5-yard line all year. Both RBs finished in the top 15 at the position in Week 11. I can promise you it won’t happen again.
Harvey Underwhelms in Starting Debut
The RB situation in Denver matters for fantasy, big time. In the first game since news broke that J.K. Dobbins would be placed on IR, hopes were high for rookie RJ Harvey. He played the majority of the RB snaps on Sunday, but again, it was the backup RB, Jaleel McLaughlin, who scored the rushing TD. In this case, I think McLaughlin did to Harvey what he had been doing to Dobbins of late. Harvey was clearly the workhorse; McLaughlin played just eight snaps, and he just so happened to get the carry inside the 10-yard line at the time. I wouldn’t panic about Harvey moving forward, as he should continue to get the majority of the work.
Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Wilson Subs For Injured Jacobs
When Josh Jacobs left Sunday’s game against the Giants in the first half, Emanuel Wilson received every opportunity out of the backfield. He had 11 carries for 40 yards and a TD, plus a catch for nine yards. The latest on Jacobs is that he shouldn’t miss a large chunk of time, if any, but the Packers could play it safe and keep Jacobs on the sideline this week. And maybe even the following week, given the Packers play on Thursday night. In any case, Wilson is the clear RB to roster, and he should be picked up as an insurance back even if word comes that Jacobs can play in Week 12.
Ken Bone Getting Busy
Like his name, Mike has been hitting on a lot of RBs lately, and I have an inkling he is going to hit on another one of his favorite RBs here soon. Kenneth Walker had his best game of the season on Sunday, rushing for 67 yards and a TD on 16 carries, and scored double-digit fantasy points for the first time since Week 4. While the split with Zach Charbonnet is still a head-scratcher, Walker is slowly starting to take the snap lead. He has out-snapped Charbonnet over the last three games and, more importantly, is finally getting the goal-line work. He’s had four of the five carries inside the 5-yard line over the last three games and got the goal-line work on Sunday. While the split could remain intact, if Walker finally gets more opportunities in the red zone, he could return consistent RB2 value for the first time this season.
Injuries in Atlanta Cause Disarray
The Falcons left Sunday’s contest against the Panthers broken and bruised, not only losing the game 30-27 in overtime, but losing two of their most vital players on offense – Drake London and Michael Penix Jr. The star WR has already been ruled out for next week and could miss more time as he has been labeled week-to-week, and Penix was placed on IR with the expectation that he will miss the rest of the season. After Penix got hurt, Kirk Cousins came in and completed six of 14 pass attempts for 48 yards. It’s not going to be pretty on the field or for fantasy. Everyone in Atlanta gets downgraded for fantasy, even Bijan Robinson, because the Falcons won’t be able to put up nearly as many points. Keep an eye on Darnell Mooney, however. Mooney has been completely irrelevant for fantasy this year, not even logging a double-digit point game. But just to remind you, he was the WR31 last year, but was actually the WR13 through Week 14 while Cousins was starting. Cousins and Mooney have a proven connection, and with London out, he veteran WR should be relied upon.
Burden Emerging
Luther Burden III logged 33 snaps on Sunday, his second straight game of 33 snaps played. That mark is a season-high, and he also saw a season-high in target share this past week, receiving five targets. Olamide Zaccheaus, who had been one of Caleb Williams‘ favorite targets through the first half of the year, played a season-low 10 snaps on Sunday and wasn’t targeted for the first time all season. With DJ Moore struggling, and a healthy Cole Kmet back splitting TE opportunities with Colston Loveland, Burden can emerge as the second go-to option for Williams after Rome Odunze. The talent is there, the draft capital is there, and the playing time is finally catching up for Burden.
More to Come for McMillan
I think it’s fair to say that Tetairoa McMillan has been pretty consistent all season. He has just one game under six fantasy points, and his highest total was 16.4 points in Week 6. He’s been hovering in the comfortable WR2 range, but hadn’t really had his breakout game until now. McMillan had eight catches on 12 targets for 130 yards and two TDs, nearly doubling his previous best fantasy points total. It’s no coincidence that McMillan’s breakout coincided with Bryce Young‘s best game as the young duo continues to improve. Dynasty managers were already pleased with McMillan, but redraft managers were probably left wanting more. Well, that more has arrived and can stick the rest of the way.
Mark Konezny-Imagn Images
Hang Tight with Baker
It’s been tough sledding of late for Baker Mayfield, who has been playing without many of his offensive weapons for most of the year. Mayfield, the QB11 on the season, has been able to maintain fantasy relevance thanks in large part to his rushing ability. But in two out of his last three games, he has thrown for less than 200 yards. However, the Buccaneers’ schedule down the stretch is juicy for QBs, with games against the Saints, Panthers, and Dolphins. The fantasy championship schedule for Mayfield is terrific, and with the Panthers just a half-game back in the NFC South, Tampa Bay still has to play for it as the season winds down. Bucky Irving could be back in Week 12, and Chris Godwin may also make his return. Don’t abandon Mayfield just yet.
The Dilemma with Jefferson
Here are just a few of the WRs who have more fantasy points this season than Justin Jefferson (WR20): Michael Pittman Jr., Courtland Sutton, Deebo Samuel Sr., Chris Olave, Jameson Williams. This isn’t a knock on those players; they are talented WRs, but rather it’s a look at where we realistically have to slot Jefferson in our minds moving forward. He is not the bona fide WR1 we had hoped for when he was selected in the first round of fantasy drafts. Of course, he is a stud and one of the best WRs in the league, but he is putting up WR2 fantasy numbers. J.J. McCarthy hasn’t played well since returning from injury, and Jefferson is paying the brunt of it. Jefferson is averaging just 12.3 PPR points per game in McCarthy’s starts. He was averaging four more fantasy points with Carson Wentz. I think what we can learn here is that while you shouldn’t bench Jefferson, you have to lower expectations and consider him a WR2 moving forward.