Week 11 NFL Matchup Preview Part Two
Be sure to check out Part One of our Week 11 NFL Matchup Previews.
-The Fantasy Footballers Week 11 Rankings
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2016
1:00 PM EST
Arizona Cardinals at Minnesota Vikings
-The Fantasy Footballers Matchup Preview on YouTube
CARDINALS
QB Carson Palmer: Carson Palmer hasn’t been a must-start this year and a matchup against the shut-down Vikings secondary means Palmer can be left on the bench or waiver wire.
RB David Johnson: David Johnson is matchup proof and a must-start every week.
WR Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Floyd, John Brown, J.J. Nelson: Heading into Week 10, Michael Floyd was in the doghouse, J.J. Nelson was the new starter and John Brown was stuck in the middle. Of course, that led to Michael Floyd going off while J.J. Nelson and John Brown disappeared. At this point, the only reliable starter is Larry Fitzgerald and in this tough matchup, none of the others are even reliable flex plays.
VIKINGS
QB Sam Bradford: Sam Bradford hasn’t been a viable starter in fantasy football this year. While he’s averaging almost 40 attempts per game over his last four starts, the yardage is low and he has just one TD in 5 of 8 starts this year. In a very tough matchup, he’s not a starting option.
RB Jerick McKinnon, Matt Asiata: The Vikings just can’t run the ball. While Jerick McKinnon has the perception of a PPR play, he has just 2 games with more than 1 reception and a game high of 3 receptions. He’s best left on the bench. Meanwhile, Matt Asiata has caught more passes and has more rushing attempts, topped off with the TD potential, but the volume is still low. He’s a TD-dependent flex play.
WR Stefon Diggs, Adam Thielen: Stefon Diggs has caught 13 passes in each of his past two games and should be in the WR1 discussion in most weeks. This week he’ll be shadowed by Patrick Peterson but may get enough targets to still be a WR2. Adam Thielen scored his second TD of the season last week and remains a low ceiling PPR flex option.
TE Kyle Rudolph: Kyle Rudolph continues to be a primary target for the Vikings, especially in the red zone, where he has 5 TDs. He’s a weekly TE1 starter.
Chicago Bears at New York Giants
-The Fantasy Footballers Matchup Preview on YouTube
BEARS
QB Jay Cutler: The Jay Cutler train is fully off the rails and facing a Giants defense allowing the 4th least points per game to opposing QBs makes him un-startable.
RB Jordan Howard, Jeremy Langford: Jordan Howard has been getting the volume making him an RB2 even in a bad matchup. Jeremy Langford is most likely nothing more than a breather for Jordan Howard and doesn’t project to get enough touches to be fantasy viable.
WR Eddie Royal, Cameron Meredith: With the suspension of Alshon Jeffery, Eddie Royal and Cameron Meredith project to see a bump in targets. Eddie Royal may be the bigger beneficiary based on his chemistry with Jay Cutler. Cameron Meredith has just three receptions over his past three games, but his athletic profile is enticing with the potential for more volume.
TE Zach Miller: The biggest beneficiary of all pass catchers in Chicago may be Zach Miller, who’s quietly a top 10 TE this year and should remain there with added volume.
GIANTS
QB Eli Manning: The Bears are mid-pack in points allowed to opposing QBs, but the Giants are hitting a groove on offense. Eli Manning should be a borderline QB1 in this matchup.
RB Rashad Jennings, Paul Perkins: Rashad Jennings iced the game last week and finished with a solid game, however, he was very pedestrian until that point and basically split carries with Paul Perkins. Neither Jennings or Paul Perkins are high upside plays this week against a Bears defense allowing the 3rd least points to opposing RBs this season.
WR Odell Beckham Jr., Sterling Shepard: Odell Beckham has 6 TDs in his last five games after starting the season slow without any TDs in the first four weeks. The receptions and yardage have been up-and-down, but he’s a must-start stud. Sterling Shepard has TDs in back-to-back games and should be a solid WR2 again this week, especially with Victor Cruz questionable for the game.
TE Will Tye: It appears that Tye has taken over the primary TE role for the Giants and has been a decent TE streamer the past two weeks in PPR leagues. He hasn’t found the end zone yet, but it could come at any moment. He’s a borderline starter if you need a spot start.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2016
4:05 PM EST
Miami Dolphins at Los Angeles Rams
-The Fantasy Footballers Matchup Preview on YouTube
DOLPHINS
QB Ryan Tannehill: The Rams have allowed the 6th least points to opposing QBs and the Dolphins are doing everything they can to focus on the run and control the clock. This game projects to be very low-volume and low-scoring, leaving Ryan Tannehill well outside the top 20.
RB Jay Ajayi: Even though it’s a tough matchup, Jay Ajayi is getting enough volume to at least be an RB2 this week.
WR Jarvis Landry: The problem with Jarvis Landry is that his fantasy value lies in his receptions, as he has just 1 TD this year. With the reduced passing volume in Miami and a very slow game flow and low score projected for this week, Landy is more of a WR3/flex.
RAMS
QB Jared Goff: The Dolphins are quietly allowing the 5th least points per game to opposing QBs. In his first start, Jared Goff is not a QB to even pick up off the waiver wire.
RB Todd Gurley: Poor Todd Gurley owners. You probably can’t bench him, but a matchup against the Dolphins defense allowing the 5th least points to opposing RBs is not inspiring confidence in using him as more than a high-floor, low-ceiling RB2.
WR Kenny Britt, Tavon Austin: The change at QB probably has minimal impact on the WRs, considering how poorly Case Keenum was playing. Kenny Britt should only be used a flex, while Tavon Austin is only to be used in absolute desperation mode.
TE Lance Kendricks: After logging 7 receptions in weeks 7 and 9, Lance Kendricks disappointed owners with a 1 reception, 0-yard game. The lack of TDs (1 this year) makes him nothing more than a low-floor PPR streamer.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2016
4:25 PM EST
New England Patriots at San Francisco 49ers
-The Fantasy Footballers Matchup Preview on YouTube
PATRIOTS
QB Tom Brady: Tom Brady could single-handedly win games for his owners this week.
RB LeGarrette Blount, Dion Lewis: The 49ers run defense has been gashed all season long and LeGarrette Blount is the next man to rack up a monster game. While it appears that Dion Lewis may be active for this game, he shouldn’t be considered a starting option until we see him log full practices and get a game under his belt.
WR Julian Edelman: Start ’em if ya got ’em.
TE Rob Gronkowski, Martellus Bennett: It’s highly unlikely that Rob Gronkowski will play this weekend, leaving Martellus Bennett as a must-start TE1 this week.
49ERS
QB Colin Kaepernick: Since taking over the starting job in Week 6, Colin Kaepernick is QB9 in average points per game. He’s a solid streaming option for this week in a game he may have to play catch-up.
RB Carlos Hyde, DuJuan Harris: Carlos Hyde returned to action and received 13 carries, but did nothing with them, amassing just 14 yards. The matchup is a little better this week, but the emergence of DuJuan Harris caps Hyde’s upside and a pass-heavy game script may limit Hyde’s usage. Hyde is an RB2, Harris is a desperation flex option.
WR Jeremy Kerley: Jeremy Kerley has been the only 49er WR to be remotely usable in fantasy football. He’s a very low-end flex option.
TE Vance McDonald: If you’re really desperate, Vance McDonald has acceptable usage over his past two games, with two of his three TDs this year being big plays. He should be a very low-floor, high-ceiling TE streamer.
Philadelphia Eagles at Seattle Seahawks
-The Fantasy Footballers Matchup Preview on YouTube
EAGLES
QB Carson Wentz: The shine has worn off the rookie and a trip to Seattle is never in the recipe for fantasy success.
RB Ryan Mathews, Darren Sproles: Flip a coin, because that seems to be how the Eagles are deciding how to use their RBs. Ryan Mathews has 4 rushing TDs in his last 3 games, and has 8 total TDs on the season, giving him RB2 value. Darren Sproles maintains RB2 upside in PPR leagues coming off an 8 reception game.
WR Jordan Matthews: While Jordan Matthews has been heavily targeted the past 3 weeks, he is now dealing with back spasms. A trip to Seattle limits his upside as well. The late afternoon start makes him a risky start if he’s not cleared after Friday’s practice session.
TE Zach Ertz: Zach Ertz is dealing with a hamstring injury and missed practice Thursday. His activity in the passing game the past two weeks is encouraging, but his injury status needs to be monitored prior to kickoff of the early games.
SEAHAWKS
QB Russell Wilson: The rushing stats are still missing, but Russell Wilson is rounding into form in the passing game with 3 TDs in each of his past two games after logging zero TDs the previous 3 games. It’s a tough matchup, but Russell Wilson at home should be a decent QB1 start.
RB C.J. Prosise, Thomas Rawls: C.J. Prosise should lead the team in touches as Thomas Rawls returns to action and may end up in a limited role in his first game back.
WR Doug Baldwin: Doug Baldwin is the only consistent fantasy producer at WR for the Seahawks and finally got back into the end zone for the first time since Week 3, catching all 3 of Russell Wilson’s TDs in Week 10.
TE Jimmy Graham: Jimmy Graham has returned to his must-start TE status, even in a tough matchup against the Eagles defense allowing the second least points per game to opposing TEs.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2016
8:30 PM EST
Green Bay Packers at Washington Redskins
-The Fantasy Footballers Matchup Preview on YouTube
PACKERS
QB Aaron Rodgers: The “real NFL” narrative would have you believe that Aaron Rodgers is struggling this year, but for fantasy purposes, he’s QB4 with 5 straight 300+ yard passing games and 3 or more TDs in 4 straight and 6 of 9 games this year. He’s a must-start.
RB James Starks, Ty Montgomery, Christine Michael: James Starks is healthy and should now be the primary ball carrier. He has a nice matchup against a Redskins defense allowing the 9th most points to opposing RBs this year, putting him in the RB2 ranks. Ty Montgomery is dealing with another illness and should be relegated to a limited passing down role if he plays. Christine Michael was picked up off waivers after being cut from the Seahawks but will take time to learn the playbook before he could have any fantasy value.
WR Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, Davante Adams: Jordy Nelson erupted for a monster game last week and should continue to be a red zone favorite for Aaron Rodgers, giving him low-end WR1 value. Davante Adams has emerged as a must-start WR2, while Randall Cobb is more of a WR3/flex.
TE Richard Rodgers: Richard Rodgers has 10 receptions for 93 yards over the past two games and faces a Redskins defense allowing the 10th most points per game to opposing TEs. He’s a decent streaming option.
REDSKINS
QB Kirk Cousins: Kirk Cousins has consistently posted solid QB numbers, even in tough matchups. He’s a very solid QB starter in what should be one of the highest scoring games of the week.
RB Rob Kelley, Chris Thompson: With over 20 carries in his past two games, Rob Kelley has emerged as the Redskins primary ball carrier. His lack of involvement in the passing game makes him an RB2 with a tough matchup. Meanwhile, Chris Thompson maintains his PPR flex value.
WR Jamison Crowder: With DeSean still nursing a shoulder injury, Jamison Crowder is the only viable WR starter from the Redskins. He has 5 TDs, 4 more than any other Redskin WR.
TE Jordan Reed, Vernon Davis: Jordan Reed had a quiet game last week, but is still the primary TE target and should be treated as a TE1. Vernon Davis had another solid game and could be considered as a decent streaming option considering his output over the past 4 weeks and a good matchup with the Packers defense allowing the 6th most points per game to opposing TEs.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2016
8:30 PM EST
Houston Texans at Oakland Raiders
-The Fantasy Footballers Matchup Preview on YouTube
TEXANS
QB Brock Osweiler: Even in what projects to be a great matchup, Osweiler hasn’t taken advantage of his recent plus matchups. You can find much better options.
RB Lamar Miller: Lamar Miller continues to get the volume to be a solid RB2, but the offense is severely limiting his RB1 upside.
WR DeAndre Hopkins, Will Fuller: A disappointing season continues for DeAndre Hopkins as he has only eclipsed 100 yards once this season, and that was in Week 2. has just one game over 60 yards since that Week 2 performance and hasn’t scored a TD since Week 5. At this point, even a plus matchup doesn’t push Hopkins beyond a mid-level WR2 in PPR leagues. Will Fuller is battling a knee injury and while likely to play this week, the uncertainty and Monday night kickoff makes him best left out of your starting lineup.
TE C.J. Fiedorowicz: Oakland is very vulnerable to TEs and C.J. Fiedorowicz is still the primary TE target. He should be a decent TE streaming option.
RAIDERS
QB Derek Carr: The Texans boast a very tough secondary, limiting the upside of Carr. He is currently QB8 in fantasy points per game, but also has just 4 games with multiple TDs this year. If he’s your only option, it’s ok, but streaming a QB this week could be a better play if you need a big game and a win for your fantasy team.
RB Latavius Murray: The volume, involvement in the passing game and a decent matchup against the Texans who rank 14th in points allowed to RBs makes Latavius Murray a high-end RB2.
WR Amari Cooper, Michael Crabtree: The Texans are allowing the 3rd least points to opposing WRs. While they are both still startable, neither has the appearance of more than a high-end WR2.