The Biggest Start/Sit Decisions for Week 11 (Fantasy Football)
Before diving into this week’s start/sit decisions, I just want to take a moment to express how grateful I am to the FootClan community. Getting to help you with your lineup decisions each week is an absolute honor, and it’s something I never take for granted. I absolutely love the process of sitting down and digging deep into the details. Whether it’s evaluating matchups, analyzing trends, identifying red zone opportunities, or poring over snap counts, trying to uncover any possible edge is always my goal. With that said, let’s get into the heart of this week’s start/sit decisions. Here are the players generating the most discussion among the FootClan for Week 11:
Bo Nix or Russell Wilson?
Ok, top 10 QB on the season Bo Nix. We see you. Nix has thrown for 10 touchdowns and rushed for another four. According to PlayerProfiler, he’s number one in the league for deep ball attempts, second in air yards, and 10th in red zone attempts. This week, the Broncos travel to Atlanta to take on the Falcons in a game I’m actually pretty excited to watch. The over/under is set to 44 with a Broncos implied team point total of 23. Kurt Mullen has it as a Week 11 Matchup To Consider:
“The Falcons are allowing a league-high 70.4% of passes to be completed against them while allowing 17 passing TDs on the year. For fantasy, it’s been hit or miss at the QB position against this unit, only allowing five top-12 QB finishes on the season. Interestingly enough, in those five top-12 finishes, the QBs are averaging 34 rushing yards against the Falcons, which could be where Nix is able to provide a safe floor for fantasy managers needing a streaming candidate this week.”
Speaking of matchups, Russell Wilson faces a divisional rival, the Baltimore Ravens, this week in a game that will decide who takes the lead in the AFC North. According to the Footballer’s Strength of Schedule Tool, the Ravens allow the most fantasy points to the quarterback position and are pretty stout against the run. I’m not saying Russ is Burrow, but the Ravens just let Joe drop 428 yards and four touchdowns on them. Now with Mike Williams in the mix, Russ has a shiny new weapon to launch those classic moon balls to. If you’ve been hesitant to start him, this matchup should make it an easy call.
Verdict: I love BOTH quarterbacks this week. Bo Nix brings that sweet rushing upside Russ doesn’t offer, but come on—Russell’s matchup is chef’s kiss level juicy. It’s tough not to lean toward Mr. Unlimited in this one. I’m going Russell Wilson in a showdown matchup with everything on the line. The Ballers all picked Russ as their Fantasy Faceoff quarterback; what could go wrong?
Josh Downs or Ricky Pearsall?
- Anthony Richardson‘s passing yard line is 177 yards.
- Michael Pittman is off the injury report.
- Rookie Adonai Mitchell just had his best game of the season.
All of these are reasons I’d try to look elsewhere this week if I have Josh Downs. The matchup doesn’t do Downs any justice either. The Jets allow the third-lowest points per game to wide receivers.
Anthony Richardson is back as the Colts starting QB this week, per @AdamSchefter
This is not good for Josh Downs and every other WR you might roster on the team.
— Joe Beldner (@JoeBeldner) November 13, 2024
Looming just behind the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC West, the San Francisco 49ers have a lot riding on this week as they keep chasing another Super Bowl run. Meanwhile, Ricky Pearsall is coming off a breakout game where he logged more snaps, more targets, more yards, and his first career NFL touchdown. This week, Pearsall takes on the Seahawks, a defense that ranks as the seventh-easiest matchup for wide receivers, according to the Strength of Schedule Tool. The last time these teams met, they lit up the scoreboard, with the 49ers taking it 36-24. Vegas thinks we’re in for another shootout, setting the over/under at 48 points. Kittle is on the injury report with a hamstring injury, so monitor that as well. I feel comfortable starting Pearsall with Kittle, but without… he could lead the team in targets. Deebo Samuel and Jauan Jennings both are dealing with lingering injuries of their own.
Verdict: I’m going against the Footballers’ rankings this week and rolling with Ricky Pearsall. Since returning from injury—and especially after the bye—we’ve seen nothing but increased utilization for the first-round rookie. This game feels primed for plenty of scoring opportunities, and after getting his first taste of the end zone last week, I think we get another one from the rookie this week.
Calvin Ridley or Jayden Reed?
Last week, Calvin Ridley gave fantasy owners his best week of the season. WR3 on the week finding the end zone twice on five receptions for 84 yards. With Dhop shipped out to Kansas City, Ridley is first in the league for air yards. Yes, first. He is getting the targets, but the Titans have struggled to find the red zone. With Will Levis back under center, they connected for two touchdowns.
Week 10 (pre-MNF) Usage
Weighted Opportunity Rating (WOPR):Calvin Ridley led all receivers by a significant margin
Jalen Coker ranks among the top five in WOPR 👀
Kayshon Boutte with career-highs in target share (26%) and air yards share (59%) pic.twitter.com/tsOhoifRAK
— Marvin Elequin (@FF_MarvinE) November 12, 2024
Is this a sign of hope for Andy’s My Guy? Let’s look at his matchup this week. The Falcons take on the Vikings at home, in a game with a low implied total of 39.5. The good thing? The Vikings allow the second most points allowed to wide receivers. With Ridley dominating the target share, even if the Falcons’ overall scoring is limited. Opportunity remains king.
Jayden Reed has been a difficult receiver to roster most weeks. His inconsistency makes pinpointing the games he puts up fantasy points difficult. From three points to 33, when he gets the opportunity, Reed is impressively efficient, but that’s the catch: the opportunities just aren’t there consistently. Some of this has been due to injuries both to himself and his QB Jordan Love. Some of it is opportunity share. With Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Josh Jacobs, and Tucker Kraft vying for touches, it’s hard for Reed to carve out a steady role. There are just too many mouths to be fed in Green Bay. This week’s matchup doesn’t make things any easier. The Packers face the Chicago Bears, a defense giving up the seventh-fewest passing yards per game. That’s bad news for Love and the Green Bay passing attack. Unless you’re feeling lucky that Reed breaks off a long TD, he’s probably staying on your bench in Week 11.
Verdict: Sorry, Ballers, I once again am going against you with this start/sit, and I’ll be swinging for the fences with Calvin Ridley. It’s hard not to bet on the guy getting the most air yards in the league. We saw the touchdown connection last week with Will Levis, here’s to hoping with wasn’t a fluke.
Taysom Hill or Dawson Knox?
So it looks like the FootClan really needs to know if they should start Taysom Hill or not this week. Y’all must be rostering Sam LaPorta, George Kittle, Trey McBride, or Cade Otton or something. Bye weeks and injuries are the worst am I right? On the flipside, injuries to the Saints’ receiving core leave Taysom Hill as one of the last options available for Derek Carr. Last week Taysom saw season-high route participation. He also had a huge 85-yard TD called back on a holding penalty. It’s hard to predict the matchup for Taysom because, unlike typical tight ends, he serves as a running back and quarterback as well as a receiver. The Saints face the Browns this week in a matchup with a 44-point over/under—right in that middle ground. Not the worst, not the best.
Speaking of injuries, the Buffalo Bills will be without Dalton Kincaid this week after he suffered a knee injury in Week 10. Stepping into his role is Dawson Knox, who has plenty of experience as the team’s starting tight end. Knox has proven to be one of the more reliable backup options in the league. Rookie wide receiver Keon Coleman will also miss with a wrist injury, which frees up additional targets. The matchup is the best you could ask for. The Chiefs are giving up the second most points to the tight end position.
Verdict: Give me Dawson Knox. Yes, another one against the Ballers. Hear me out—he’s got Josh Allen throwing him the ball. The Bills will have to compete with an undefeated Chiefs team that gives up the second most points to the tight end position. The Bills are without Kincaid and Coleman. That’s a trifecta of upside for Knox. Oh, it’s his birthday this week too? Yep, two touchdown game incoming (not actual betting advice).
If you have any more crucial decisions heading into Week 11, check out the Fantasy Footballers Start/Sit Tool and Mike’s Sunday Morning Livestream on the YouTube page. And remember, please feel free to hit me up on X if you have any other start/sit questions or want to talk ball. Alright, Footclan, let’s get those wins!
Comments
Literally every one of these was the wrong pick.
Love reading this and seeing my thoughts chosen by you! Love the analysis.
Britt what a great article !!
Noggin thinks this is some great work!
Love the courage of going against the ballers and planting your Fox Flag!