Hot Fire Fantasy Football Questions: Week 11
Our “Hot Fire Fantasy Questions” series takes a look at Week 11 following up recent news, fantasy performances, and implications for owners. We ask some of our Fantasy Footballers writing staff members a few hard-hitting and valuable fantasy questions to help out owners making a push towards the playoffs. Follow this week’s contributors on Twitter: Keaton Denlay (@KeatonDenlay), Ryan Weisse (@TheFantasyFive), and Kyle Borgognoni (@kyle_borg).
Check out today’s podcast as Andy, Mike, and Jason discuss all the fantasy news from Week 11.
1. Explain Keenan Allen’s monster performance. What is he ROS?
If I was a betting man, I’d say that Keenan Allen had a quick talk with Philip Rivers before the game and reminded him not to forget his old friends. And clearly Rivers obliged. In all honesty, he was due. He had seen double digit targets 4 other times this season but couldn’t do much with them. Frustration and a Buffalo team in turmoil apparently make for an amazing fantasy performance. He will be a solid WR2 with WR1 upside the rest of the season. -Ryan Weisse
I’m not sure that there’s much explaining that needs to be done. Allen has shown that he can be a PPR monster. He has had 9 or more targets in 7 of his 10 games this season. He just made the most of them on Sunday. He’s a high-end WR2 ROS. –Keaton Denlay
The touchdowns are what is most shocking considering he hasn’t scored since Week 1. The concerns surrounding Mike Williams‘ return should be silenced as Allen is the main target hog in this offense. Simply put, the Chargers’ schedule opens up a bit with favorable matchups. In standard leagues, he’s a low-end WR2 but has a shot at being a top 10 WR rest of the way in PPR leagues if he continues to see 9+ targets a game. –Kyle Borgognoni
2. Which player do Fantasy owners need to bench for the foreseeable future?
Jordy Nelson
This one is going to hurt because he’s a big name with a long track record of being a stud WR. However, loyalty gets you nowhere in fantasy football except into the consolation (loser’s) bracket. Luckily, WRs are largely replaceable in fantasy football if you’ve been active on the waiver wire and play the match ups right. –Keaton Denlay
Dak Prescott
Dak Prescott has a lot to prove to earn some trust back. The Cowboys offense has been horrendous with Ezekiel Elliott and Tyron Smith and, after starting the year as a top 5 QB, Prescott has been bad the last two weeks. Bad barely even describes his 4 turnover Week 11 performance. With a short turnaround in Week 12, there is no way I’m starting Dak on Thanksgiving. –Ryan Weisse
Tom Pennington/Getty Images
Doug Martin
Guys, it’s just not happening this year. Martin is the ultimate tantalizing fantasy specimen as his annual splits are honestly mystifying. He’s been getting the touches you’re looking for in a fantasy back but honestly he has done little. Against Miami, he had the dream game script to churn out yards and yet he finished with 19 carries for 38 yards aka poo poo. He did have a giant 40 yard screen play called back which must have disgruntled owners (like me). This Tampa Bay offensive line also is average at best so there aren’t gaping holes. We’re at the point of the fantasy season where you need guaranteed points and Martin is not an option I’d feel comfortable with as a RB2 especially in PPR leagues. –Kyle Borgognoni
3. Which RB’s Week 11 performance solidified their place as a dependable asset?
Jay Ajayi
After his 7 for 91 yard performance, and with only 15 carries as a Philadelphia Eagle, Jay Ajayi has 168 yards and a TD. Clearly, the change of scenery helped. As the weather turns in Philadelphia, we should see his volume increase and I think Ajayi will be a top 10 RB for the rest of the season. –Ryan Weisse
Samaje Perine
I wish I could say Kenyan Drake, he had a real shot to put himself in the “league winner” category. Instead, I will go with Samaje Perine. He showed that he can handle a full workload and he’s currently the last man standing in Washington. I’m excited to see what he can do with the starting gig. -Keaton Denlay
Sean Gardner/Getty Images
Perine shocked me on the road against a once formidable New Orleans defense. 23 rushes for 117 yards and a TD was a breakout performance. With Chris Thompson going down, his workload going forward is exactly what fantasy owners were looking for when he was a top waiver wire add this past week. In college, he showed he was capable of catching the football as well so don’t be surprised if he presents a solid weekly floor. His Thanksgiving Day matchup against the Giants is awesome. -Kyle Borgognoni
4. Give us one under-the-radar stat line owners need to pay attention to.
Corey Coleman
In his first game off of the IR, Corey Coleman turned 11 targets into 6 catches for 80 yards. Not the greatest day, but when you consider that no WR not named Antonio Brown has put up that many yards against Jacksonville this season, it’s worth noting. The Browns should have to throw the ball a ton to end this year and Coleman looks like he’ll be the man for the immediate future. They will get Josh Gordon back in early December but my guess is that Coleman will remain the ball hog and he is still available in more than 60% of leagues. –Ryan Weisse
Dak Prescott
Dak Prescott’s passer rating of 30.4 and his 4.7 yards per attempt. He struggled for the second week in a row in Elliott’s absence. Facing honest defenses who aren’t going to be easily fooled by play-action passes is going to be a challenge for Prescott. He even threw his first ever interception of of play action in his career against the Eagles. I would be very hesitant to trust this passing attack on a short week against the Chargers, who are a top 10 passing defense. –Keaton Denlay