Fantasy Football Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em Week 11
We are already up to Week 11 and the fantasy playoffs are now within site. The best way to increase your odds of getting there is to know the top Fantasy Football Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em Week 11 options. FullTime Fantasy has you covered, along with some of the top tools of the trade and accurate rankings.
Quarterbacks
Start ‘Em
Kyler Murray (Arizona Cardinals) at Houston
In his season debut last week, Murray performed well by completing 19-of-32 passes for 249 yards and an interception. He also showcased his running ability, carrying the ball six times for 33 yards and a touchdown. These six rushes were consistent with his average per game over the past two seasons. Murray finished the week as the QB14.
Ideally, he is expected to elevate his performance in the second game, especially facing a defense better suited to his strengths. The upcoming match is against the Houston Texans, who have conceded 7.5 passing yards per attempt, ranking them eighth-worst among defenses.
Notably, Murray has demonstrated higher proficiency against zone defenses, earning a 66.7 grade compared to a 51.2 grade against man defenses over the past two seasons. The Texans, employing zone defense on over 80% of pass plays this season, provide a favorable setting. Although the Cardinals won last week, they are underdogs on the road, potentially leading to more passing opportunities for Murray.
Josh Dobbs (Minnesota Vikings) at Denver
Dobbs continued his impressive performance in Week 10 against New Orleans, accumulating over 27 fantasy points. He has now scored at least 26.9 fantasy points in three consecutive games, including two with the Vikings. There is a possibility of Justin Jefferson’s return in Week 11, further strengthening Dobbs’ receiving corps.
Despite the uncertainty, Dobbs has excelled as a running quarterback, securing a rushing touchdown in four consecutive games and amassing seven games this season with at least 41 rushing yards. Facing the Broncos in Week 11, who rank fifth in fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks, Dobbs should be considered a top-10 fantasy quarterback in all leagues.
Sit ‘Em
Trevor Lawrence (Jacksonville Jaguars) vs. Tennessee
Lawrence’s fantasy performances have been inconsistent, finishing among the top-12 fantasy quarterbacks only three times this season. With a low touchdown percentage and facing a Tennessee Titans team that has allowed only 10 touchdown passes, Lawrence may struggle to deliver a strong fantasy performance.
The Jaguars’ clear favoritism in the upcoming game could lead to a reliance on running back Travis Etienne Jr., further limiting Lawrence’s fantasy output. Also, if you’ve been starting Lawrence and waiting for the stats to catch up to the draft hype, this isn’t as enticing as a matchup as it appears.
Baker Mayfield (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) at San Francisco
Mayfield, despite recent solid fantasy performances, faces a challenging Week 11 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. San Francisco’s defense stifled Trevor Lawrence in the previous week. And Mayfield, dealing with a thumb injury, might find it difficult against an improved 49ers pass rush featuring Chase Young.
While expected to play through the injury, Mayfield is a cautious start, recommended only in Superflex and two-quarterback leagues.
Running Backs
Start ‘Em
Darrel Henderson (Los Angeles Rams) vs. Seattle
Kyren Williams’ potential return from injured reserve in Week 12 means this may be Henderson’s last shot to start. Henderson has delivered solid performances, surpassing 11 fantasy points in two of his three spot starts. Despite sharing playing time with Royce Freeman, Henderson receives valuable opportunities in the passing game and near the goal line.
This week’s matchup against the Seahawks is particularly favorable, as they have allowed the fourth-most rushing yards and fifth-most rushing touchdowns to running backs since Week 6. With the Seahawks yielding a league-high 5.2 yards per carry to the position during that span, starting Henderson is recommended.
Jerome Ford (Cleveland Browns) vs. Pittsburgh
The last two weeks have provided stability, with both Ford and Kareem Hunt healthy. Ford, playing 64% of offensive snaps in the last two games, has run for 151 yards on 37 carries. Although Hunt dominates goal-line and short-yardage carries, limiting Ford’s touchdown potential, this week’s matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers, allowing 4.5 yards per carry to runners this season, positions Ford as a fantasy starter.
In their previous matchup against Pittsburgh, Ford ran 16 times for 106 yards and caught three passes for 25 yards and a touchdown, showcasing his ability to perform even in challenging situations. The over/under of this game indicates that running will be at a premium. Therefore, Ford looks like a good play.
Sit ‘Em
Najee Harris (Pittsburgh Steelers) at Cleveland
Harris, while enjoying an impressive stretch over the last four weeks, faces challenges in Week 11. Jaylen Warren’s increasing share of carries and the tough matchup against the Cleveland Browns make Harris a riskier start.
The Browns have the sixth-fewest fantasy points allowed to running backs this season, and Harris struggled in their Week 2 matchup. With the Steelers having the fourth-worst schedule for running backs this week, Harris may encounter difficulties in maintaining his recent fantasy success.
Isiah Pacheco (Kansas City Chiefs) vs. Philadelphia
Pacheco, coming off a bye week, faces a tough matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles, who rank first in fewest fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs. With Pacheco struggling in recent games and the Eagles allowing only three running backs to score at least 13.1 PPR points this season, he is a low-end starter at best for Week 11.
Consider sitting Pacheco, especially considering the strength of the Eagles’ defense against running backs.
Wide Receivers
Start ‘Em
Jayden Reed (Green Bay Packers) vs. LA Chargers
Reed is emerging as the top receiver for the Packers, evidenced by his recent performance with five catches for 84 yards and a touchdown against the Steelers in Week 10. Over the past four games, Reed has achieved at least 11.1 PPR points in three outings, including two touchdowns.
With a favorable matchup against the Chargers in Week 11, who rank sixth in fantasy points allowed to opposing receivers, Reed is a viable option as a No. 3 fantasy receiver in deeper leagues.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Seattle Seahawks) at LA Rams
Smith-Njigba experienced a slight dip in performance in Week 10 against Washington but had previously scored at least 12.3 PPR points in three consecutive games. Despite DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett dominating targets, Smith-Njigba remains a serviceable No. 3 Fantasy receiver.
In Week 11, facing the Rams, who have allowed four receivers to score at least 12.9 PPR points in their last three games, Smith-Njigba is a spot start in Week 11.
Sit ‘Em
Adam Thielen (Carolina Panthers) vs. Dallas
Thielen’s recent performances have been subpar, with fewer than 50 yards in two consecutive games and less than 20 total fantasy points in those outings. Additionally, the upcoming matchup against the Dallas Cowboys, who have allowed the second-fewest yards to receivers, presents a challenging situation.
With Dallas ranking second in the fewest yards allowed to the position, Thielen, who runs 64 percent of his routes from the slot, may face difficulties. Additionally, the Panthers are again changing play-callers. That can’t be a good sign for an offense that has struggled with a rookie play-caller.
George Pickens (Pittsburgh Steelers) at Cleveland
Pickens has encountered a rough patch, recording only six catches for 66 yards over his last three games. Despite achieving back-to-back 100-yard games in October, Pickens faces challenges with fewer targets and the return of Diontae Johnson from injury. The potential return of TE Pat Freiermuth further complicates Pickens’ target share.
With the Steelers having the third-worst schedule for wide receivers this week and the Browns allowing the third-fewest fantasy points to the position, Pickens is a borderline starter at best and may be better left on the bench.
Tight Ends
Start ‘Em
Luke Musgrave (Green Bay Packers) vs. LA Chargers
Musgrave, though not a consistent performer throughout the season, has shown improvement in the last two weeks. Setting new high marks in yards in Weeks 9 and 10, Musgrave has demonstrated reliability, catching his first touchdown in Week 9 and surpassing eight fantasy points in two consecutive games.
The matchup is favorable for Musgrave in Week 11, as the Chargers have allowed the most yards to tight ends this season and the seventh-most fantasy points per game to the position. Musgrave, widely available on waivers, is a viable plug-and-play streamer for the week.
Sit ‘Em
David Njoku (Cleveland Browns) vs. Pittsburgh
Njoku, who struggled to see many targets with Deshaun Watson at quarterback, posted two solid games recently. However, with Watson out for the season and the Browns turning to Dorian Thompson-Robinson at quarterback, Njoku’s production may decline.
Facing the Pittsburgh Steelers, who have allowed the third-fewest fantasy points to tight ends this season, Njoku’s matchup is challenging. Additionally, Njoku has performed better against zone defenses, while the Steelers predominantly use man defense. Considering the unfavorable matchup and quarterback change, Njoku is a risky start. He may be better left on the bench for Week 11.
