With Week 11 of the NFL season in full swing, we have multiple high-scoring performances from Thursday night football. With the number of injuries this week, fantasy managers might be tasked with digging deep to find the right starters this week in fantasy football. Last week the start/sit list hit on 70% of our picks and look to build on the momentum heading into this week. Below are my favorite start/sits for Week 11.
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Quarterbacks to Start
Jared Goff DET
Goff has been hit or miss this season in fantasy football with five performances under 15 points and he has only combined for 17.4 points the last two weeks. After a five-interception performance, Goff can get back on track against the Jaguars at home. Their defense has allowed quarterbacks the third-most points per game, including seven who have scored 18-plus points and four who have posted 26-plus. Goff is a Top 10 play at quarterback this week.
Brock Purdy SF
Purdy has been on a hot streak in the last four weeks going over 23 fantasy points in three of those games. The 49ers have Christian McCaffrey back and Jauan Jennings back who helped Purdy throw for 353 yards with 2 touchdowns against the Bucs last week. Against the Seahawks in Week 6, Purdy finished with 24.1 points and should be in for another 20+ point performance against Seattle this week.
Russell Wilson PIT
Since taking over at quarterback for the Steelers, Wilson has 737 passing yards, 6 touchdowns, and 1 interception and is averaging 18.7 fantasy points per game. Wilson’s resurgence this season was a pleasant surprise and has helped George Pickens breakout. This week against the Ravens, I expect the Steelers’ passing game to continue its hot streak. The Ravens are allowing the second-most points to quarterbacks at 22.7 points per game. Russ is my top streamer at quarterback ahead of Week 11.
Quarterbacks to Sit
Jordan Love GB
Multiple injuries have contributed to Love’s shaky play in the last few weeks as he has failed to throw a touchdown in two straight games combining for 18.6 fantasy points. On Sunday, a matchup against the Bears is not ideal to help him get back on track. The Bears are allowing the least number of points to quarterbacks at 11.3 per game while quarterbacks are averaging a -0.13 EPA as well. Love should be viewed outside of the Top 12 quarterbacks this week.
Kirk Cousins ATL
Cousins is coming off a 300-yard passing game against the Saints in Week 10 but failed to throw a touchdown and threw an interception resulting in 10.2 points. Cousins faces a tough road matchup against the Broncos who have limited quarterbacks to the 11th-fewest fantasy points this season. One thing that concerns me is the Broncos pressure that overwhelmed Mahomes last week and will surely give an immobile Cousins trouble. Cousins is best viewed as a low-end QB2 this week.
Sam Darnold MIN
Darnold is trending in the wrong direction right now with five interceptions in his last two weeks and finished with 6.4 points last week in a good matchup against the Jaguars. With a hand injury that has limited him in practice all week, I am hesitant to start him against the Titans. Only one quarterback this season has scored more than 15.7 points against the Titans in Tennessee this season making Darnold a high-end QB2.
Running backs to Start
Nick Chubb CLE
Chubb is looking to improve on a rough start to the season with just 2.7 yards per carry across his three games since returning from injury. I expect Chubb’s snaps to increase after the bye week taking more early down snaps from other Browns’ ball carriers. The Saints have been one of the most generous defenses to running backs, allowing the third-most fantasy points per game to the position. Given the Saints’ vulnerability, Chubb has a good chance to exceed expectations and should be started as an RB2 in all leagues.
Rhamondre Stevenson NE
Stevenson enters Week 11 as the Patriots’ lead running back, having logged at least 15 total touches in each of his last three games. Although he struggled with efficiency in Week 10 against Chicago, finishing with 20 carries for 74 yards and one catch for 3 yards, his volume remains strong, making him a consistent fantasy contributor. With high volume and a matchup against the Rams who are middle of the pack against opposing running backs this season, he should be in line to finish as a high-end RB2 this week.
Kareem Hunt KC
With the return of Isiah Pacheco at practice, this could be the last week we can utilize Kareem Hunt in our starting lineups. Despite only averaging 3.6 yards per carry, Hunt is averaging 16.8 PPR points per game proving to be one of the best pickups off of waivers this season. The Bills have allowed the 2nd most points to running backs this season and Hunt should have another performance in low-end RB1 range.
Running backs to Sit
Tony Pollard TEN
Pollard has been cleared to play in Week 11 despite dealing with ankle/foot injuries all season. With Tyjae Spears back in the lineup, Pollard played a season-low 54% of snaps last week partly due to the nagging injury. Despite still being the lead back in Tennessee Pollard’s fantasy value takes a hit as he faces a Vikings defense ranked fourth-best against fantasy running backs and No. 1 in yards allowed. With the tough matchup and a slightly reduced workload from Spears, Pollard is best viewed as a low-end flex option this week.
Travis Etienne JAX
Etienne is s set for a potential workhorse role in Week 11 with Tank Bigsby out due to an ankle injury. His only competition for touches is D’Ernest Johnson, who is also limited by a hamstring injury. Despite the increase in volume, Etienne is expected to be incredibly inefficient as he ranks 42nd among running backs in yards per touch. The Lions are ranked 6th in the fewest fantasy points allowed to running backs, making this a tough matchup for Etienne.
Najee Harris PIT
Harris will play against the Ravens after dealing with an ankle injury suffered in last week’s win. He has been on a hot stretch as of late with three 100-yard performances in his last four games with 3 rushing touchdowns. I fully expect Harris to see a healthy workload this week, but the matchup against the Ravens is not ideal. Harris operates more on early downs and on the goal line while the Ravens have yet to allow a running back to gain more than 52 yards against them this season. Harris is an RB3 heading into a tough matchup against the Ravens.
Wide Receivers to Start
Courtland Sutton DEN
Sutton has been on a heater as of late with at least 17.1 PPR points in his last three games with 21 catches for 292 yards and a touchdown. With his fantasy value rising, Sutton has a chance to continue his hot streak against the Falcons. This season, the Falcons are 7th worst at limiting opposing receivers while allowing 10 receivers to score at least 13.5 PPR points. Sutton is a high-end WR2 option heading into Week 11.
Cedric Tillman CLE
Before the bye, Tillman had been on a hot streak, recording 21 catches for 255 yards and three touchdowns resulting in at least 18.1 PPR points in his previous three games. He will look to continue his strong performance against a Saints defense that ranks 11th in fantasy points allowed to wide receivers this season. Given the Saints’ struggles against receivers, where four have scored over 13.9 PPR points in the last three games, Tillman should be considered a WR2 in all formats.
Jauan Jennings SF
Jennings suited up for the first time since the 49ers lost Brandon Aiyuk last week against the Buccaneers. He slotted right into that Aiyuk role leading the team in snaps and routes run which resulted in 7 catches for 93 yards on 11 targets. Going forward, his value slots into that wide receiver two-tier, and has a great matchup against the Seahawks this week. The Seahawks are No. 8 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing receivers, and 10 receivers have scored at least 16.0 PPR points against Seattle in the past six games
Wide Receivers to Sit
Brian Thomas Jr. JAX
The rookie wide receiver, Thomas, was limited in practice all week but is expected to play in Week 11 despite his injury. His fantasy value is significantly impacted with Mac Jones starting at quarterback for the Jags, In the last two weeks Thomas has scored 6.2 points or less with 4 catches. Fantasy managers shouldn’t expect better results until Trevor Lawrence returns from his shoulder injury. With Lawrence out, Thomas falls to the WR4 tier and faces a tough matchup against the Detroit Lions, who have been strong against the pass since Week 6.
Colts Wide Receivers
It was announced that Anthony Richardson will be taking over the starting duties again for the Colts which is not good news for their receivers. In five AR starts this season only four times has a receiver scored over 10 points. Michael Pittman has not scored 10 points once this season with AR at quarterback and drops nearly 0.5 points per target with the QB switch. The Jets also rank within the Top 5 of limiting receivers in fantasy football this season making it impossible to trust Pittman, Josh Downs, and Alec Pierce this week.
Jaylen Waddle MIA
Waddle continued his eight-game streak of scoring under 9 fantasy points with his 8.6-point dud against the Rams last week. Mike McDaniel got Waddle involved early in the game but went back to mixing in more of De’Von Achane and Jonnu Smith in the passing game after the first drive. With a 16.7% target share and an 8.9 average depth of target, Waddle lacks the volume to produce based on his route tree this season. Waddle is a low-end wide receiver 3 with a high upside against the Raiders this week.
Tight Ends to Start
Will Dissly LAC
Dissly has taken over as the TE1 in Los Angeles after totaling 32 targets in the last five weeks while hauling in at least 4 catches in four of his last five games. He is a solid streaming option this week against the Bengals who have allowed the 7th most receiving yards to tight ends while being tied for the 2nd most touchdowns allowed. Dissly is a Top 12 play at tight end this week.
Tucker Kraft GB
Kraft heading into the bye week had five touchdown catches while showcasing some of the best YAC ability at the tight end position. The Bears will be without starting safety Jaquan Brisker this week who has been limiting tight ends this season. Kraft should be in for the best game among Packers pass catchers on Sunday.
Hunter Henry NE
Henry has been a viable starter with Drake Maye at the helm but finished last week with 1 catch for 14 yards against the Bears proving he isn’t matchup-proof. He will be in for a bounce-back week against the Rams who are allowing the fifth most fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends. Expect Henry to finish within the Top 8 tight ends this week.
Tight Ends to Sit
Jake Ferguson DAL
On the bright side, Ferguson was the leading receiver for the Cowboys last week. His 24 yards accounted for 37.5% of the Cowboys quarterback’s total yards last week. It’s almost impossible to trust any Cowboys moving forward in fantasy football with their current quarterback situation. To make matters worse for Ferguson, the Texans are the best at limiting tight ends in fantasy football this year.
Evan Engram JAX
Engram has been awesome this season since returning from his hamstring injury. The injury to Trevor Lawrence hurt all of the Jaguars options in fantasy but Engram was able to manage 10 points last week. As good as he has been this season, leave him on your bench this week. Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch have blanketed tight ends this season allowing the 5th fewest yards, lowest passer rating, and zero touchdowns
Mike Gesicki CIN
Gesicki has benefited from Tee Higgins absence in the last few weeks being a weekly starter for many teams. With Higgins return, Gesicki’s value takes a big hit as he has combined for 15 points in five games with a healthy Higgins. On top of that the Chargers present a tough matchup for tight ends. I would leave Gesicki on your bench to avoid a dud this week.
Kickers to Start
Brandon McManus GB
Since taking over as the starting kicker for the Packers, McManus has only missed 1 kick this season while averaging 8 points per game. He has a good matchup against the Bears who have been allowing 3.7 field goal attempts per game in the last three weeks. Expect McManus to get to 10+ points in Week 11.
Wil Lutz DEN
Lutz has had a rough last few weeks with four of his last five games under 10 points while suffering from the block heard around the world last week. I do think Lutz gets back on track against the Falcons who have allowed eight or more points to all but two kickers this season.
Jason Sanders MIA
Sanders has an elite matchup this week against the Raiders who are allowing the 3rd most points to kickers this season. I am higher on Sanders than most due to the return of Tua Tagovailoa. Since Tua’s return Sanders has scored 11, 9, and 15 points making him one of the best kickers during that stretch. If you just lost Butker due to injury, Sanders is a good long-term replacement.
Kickers to Sit
YoungHoe Koo ATL
After a hot start to the season, Koo has fallen off with no performances over 10 points in the last four weeks. During that stretch he has gone 2-7 on field goals entering a slump for the first time in his career. On top of the slump, he has a tough matchup against the Broncos who only allow 1.8 field goal attempts per game providing a low floor for Koo this week.
Tyler Bass BUF
Bass on the other hand, has broken out of his slump in the last two weeks scoring 27 points. Although Bass has been on fire as of late, I am not starting him this week against the Chiefs. The Chiefs have held four of their last six kickers to fewer than 6 points while only allowing one kicker to score over 10 points this season.
DEF to Start
Houston Texans DEF
The Texans have had solid weeks in fantasy and have been hot lately producing 10+ points in three of their last five games. With no Dak Prescott, the Cowboys become one of the best matchups for fantasy defenses for the remainder of the 2024 season. Expect the Houston Texans to add another 10+ point performance to their season.
Miami Dolphins DEF
The Dolphins defense has not been great this season but could be in for a good week against the Raiders. The Raiders have the most giveaways in the NFL at quarterback and have allowed 30 sacks this season. Teams are averaging 13.4 fantasy points per game against the Raiders making the Dolphins a popular streamer defense ahead of Week 11.
Detroit Lions DEF
The Lions defense has many similarities to the Texans defense this week. Both units have 10+ points in three of their last five games and face their opponent’s backup quarterback. The Lions face Mac Jones who threw 2 interceptions in his debut and struggled to move the ball against. I fully expect the Lions to have a Top 5 finish among defenses this week.
DEF to Sit
Buffalo Bills DEF
The Bills defense has performed well this season currently ranking 5th in fantasy points while producing 10 or more points in four of the last five games. This week against the Chiefs, you should leave the Bills defense on your bench. The Chiefs are a bottom five matchup for opposing defenses and are getting Juju Smith-Shuster back to improve their depth in the WR room.
Pittsburgh Steelers DEF
The Steelers have had two tough matchups the last two weeks against two of the highest scoring teams in the NFL. This week against the Ravens it would be wise to bench the Steelers defense as the Ravens are the worst matchup for defenses this season. The Ravens offense ranks in the bottom 3 in giveaways while averaging 31.8 points and 440.2 yards per game.
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