The Fantasy Footballers’ Starts of the Week for Week 11
The fantasy playoffs are inching closer and closer, and as they do, the desperate need for wins increases. If you are in the hunt but need to lock in some wins to get across the finish line, or if you are a team near the top and want to hang onto that bye week, the key to your success will be The Fantasy Footballers. They can help you navigate the end of the season in so many ways. Why? Because while you are busy at work, they are working on the data to provide the road map to success for fantasy managers. Andy, Mike, and Jason again brought their Starts of the Week to the listening audience on Thursday. To watch the whole episode on YouTube, see the link below:
If you still need wisdom, go to the App Store or Google Play Store on your phone and download The Fantasy Footballers app! It is now complete with all the content on the website and all the tools. The tools that help me the most this time of year are the Start/Sit tool and, of course, the Ultimate Dashboard. Both help me put together the best roster to help me chase championships.
Now it’s time to break down The Fantasy Footballers’ Starts of the Week for Week 11.
Andy’s Starts of the Week
QB – Justin Herbert vs. CIN
Herbert’s start of the season confirmed fears that the Chargers would limit the passing game, but they have slowly increased their pass rate. This week, they face a Cincinnati team desperate for a win, forcing L.A. to keep throwing the ball. This game has the second-highest total on the week at 48 points. While the offense of the Bengals is high-powered and keeps games competitive, their defense is 28th in schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed to QBs. They also rank bottom-10 in passing yards per game allowed and expected points added per pass attempt. Herbert will have the chance to show why he is one of the most talented QBs in football.
RB – Nick Chubb @ NO
In his three games back, Chubb has had 14, 18, and 16 opportunities, which is solid work for a player coming off the injury he sustained. Now the Browns are coming off their bye week, and that should mean Chubb is even healthier and ready to take on more of the workload. That times up perfectly with facing a Saints defense that allows the sixth most rushing yards per game and ranks 30th in schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed to RBs. It is time for Nick Chubb to make himself known as the star he is.
WR – George Pickens vs. BAL
Last week, Pickens had seven targets, catching five passes for 91 yards and a touchdown. He currently leads the NFL in 20+ air-yard receptions at 11, the same number he had all last year. Pickens is a big play waiting to happen, totaling 38 receptions of 20+ air yards since coming into the league, trailing only Tyreek Hill and Justin Jefferson in that time. The best news is that this week, Pickens faces a Baltimore defense that is dead last in schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed to WRs, passing yards per game allowed, and explosive pass permitted rate. Pickens has a solid schedule to finish the season, starting this week.
TE – Jonnu Smith vs. LV
Since Week 5, Smith has averaged six targets, five receptions, and 52 receiving yards per game. Over the last month, the only TEs with higher yards per route run than Smith have been Kittle and McBride. Jonnu has always been an excellent after-catching player, but the volume is finally starting to match the talent. Facing a Raiders defense ranked 29th in schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed to the TE is an excellent way to keep up the streak of fantasy-relevant performances.
Jason’s Starts of the Week
QB – C.J. Stroud @ DAL
It has been a long stretch since Stroud delivered for fantasy. Week 4 was his last QB1 performance. Stroud has also been without his WR1 Nico Collins for a large part of that time. It is clear that Collins makes a difference for Stroud; in the two years of his career, Stroud averages 21 fantasy points per game, 270 passing yards, eight yards per attempt, and 1.5 touchdowns when Collins plays. In the six games that Collins has missed, Stroud drops to 16 fantasy points per game, 224 yards, 6.8 yards per attempt, and 1.0 touchdowns. The excellent news is that Collins should be returning to action this week, and the Texans face a Dallas defense that has fallen apart since Week 6. Look for Stroud to get back to his QB1 ways this week.
RB – Josh Jacobs @ CHI
Jacobs has quietly put together one of his best efficiency seasons, averaging 20 opportunities a game and 85 rush yards, the fifth-highest in the NFL. That is 4.8 yards per carry, which is the second highest in the NFL. What Jacobs needs is more touchdowns. This week, he faces an excellent defense in Chicago, but it has been leaky against the run. Chicago ranks 22nd in schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed to RBs and 29th in yards per carry allowed. It should be a week for Jacobs to continue delivering for your roster.
WR – Calvin Ridley vs. MIN
Ridley has had a 34% target share and 44% of the team’s receiving yards, both first in the NFL since the DeAndre Hopkins trade. He is the engine that makes the passing game go. Minnesota sees the second-highest opponent pass rate in the NFL at 66%, due to the Vikings being elite as a run defense but ranking 28th in schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed to WRs. Ridley will see tons of volume and should be able to deliver the goods in this matchup.
TE – T.J. Hockenson @ TEN
Hockenson has come back to be an immediate difference-maker in fantasy. Last week, he had nine targets, catching eight for 72 yards, all on only 46% of the snaps, seeing targets on 32% of his routes! You are kidding yourself if you don’t think he is a sleeping giant that could awaken at any moment. Over the last three weeks, the Titans have allowed TEs to see at least 25% of their opponent’s targets. In that time, LaPorta had six catches, 48 yards, and a touchdown, Hunter Henry had seven catches for 56 yards, and Will Dissly caught five passes. Hockenson could have the breakout performance this week that reminds everyone just how good he is.
Mike’s Starts of the Week
QB – Russell Wilson vs. BAL
Wilson has been a top-10 quarterback in two of his three starts, averaging 8.7 yards per attempt. Baltimore’s pass funnel defense allows the highest opponent pass rate in the NFL. The Ravens rank 31st in schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed to QBs. Wilson seems to have returned to his dominant ways, and this week should be more of the same.
RB – Kareem Hunt @ BUF
There should be at least one more week without Pacheco, and if Hunt is the primary back, he could be a fantasy stud. Hunt ranks first in the NFL in touches per game at 24.6 since Week 5. While the Chiefs try to stay perfect during the season, they will copy everyone else and focus on running the ball against the Bills. Buffalo ranks 31st in schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed to RBs and explosive rush rate, and they rank 30th in adjusted yards before contact. If Hunt is the team’s primary ball carrier, expect a big week from him.
WR – Jauan Jennings vs. SEA
Mike is doubling down on Jennings after Tuesday when he made him his focus during the Difference Makers segment. Last week, Jennings saw 11 targets, which solidified that when he is on the field, he is a vital part of the offense this year. He is seeing 26% targets per route run, 2.84 yards per route run, and averaging 71 yards per game. Jennings has also become the go-to guy for the 49ers on third down. He is facing a Seattle defense that ranks 24th in schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed to WRs. Jennings will continue his impressive season this week.
TE – Tucker Kraft @ CHI
Kraft is coming off a bye, and everyone should finally be healthy in Green Bay, meaning Kraft needs to go right back into your starting lineup. Over his last six games, Kraft has been averaging 12 fantasy points per game, five targets, and almost a touchdown per game. He is very athletic after the catch and only trails Brock Bowers in terms of TE yards after the catch this season. Facing a Bears defense that ranks 23rd in schedule-adjusted fantasy points to TEs means Kraft has to be in your lineup.