Week 11 Where to Put em

Where to Put 'em is the Fantasy Football Nerd's look at the best and worst matchups for the week. Decisions are based upon the FFN rankings and matchup analysis. Given the known conditions, these matchups are the ones to watch and/or avoid for Week 11 of the 2011 NFL season.



This list does not generally include the elite players that you are going to start regardless of matchup. You don't need us to tell you to start Aaron Rodgers, Andre Johnson, or Adrian Peterson. Where to Put 'em takes a look at other players on your team that we believe either have great matchups or should be avoided for multiple reasons. Factors like opposing defense, performance trending, and peer comparisons may influence our decisions.

Put 'em In The Game: Carson Palmer
Carson Palmer is definitely well rested and he has Housh for moral support. It's working. He's 1 yard shy of having back-to-back 300 yard games. This week he'll face a Vikings defense without Antoine Winfield and one that's giving up 294 yards/game and the 3rd most fantasy points to opposing QB's. Palmer should fare well this weekend.

Put 'em In The Game: Jay Cutler
The offensive line for the Bears has gotten better over the past few weeks. Even when Cutler has held onto the ball too long or looked lost, the line has given him enough time to make something happen. He's found his new favorite receiver in Earl Bennett who has hauled in 11 catches for 176 yards and a score in the past two games. What Cutler can't get through the air (the Chargers allow a mere 213 yds), he'll make up for with short dump passes to Forte.

Put 'em In The Game: Reggie Bush
How weird is it to see Reggie Bush on the Start list? The resurgence of Bush is due to the lackluster performance and injury of Daniel Thomas. He'll face the Bills this week who allow 125 yards on the ground to opposing rushers. He's hot right now and you've got to ride that streak while you can. If you're looking for a solid flex play this week, Bush is your man. Just don't trade him for a pizza.

Put 'em In The Game: DeMarco Murray
Felix who? DeMarco Murray has become a bona-fide stud in Jones' absence racking up 672 yards rushing (a monster 6.8 yd/avg/carry), 2 scores, and 115 yards receiving. Even if Jones gets back into the mix, Murray has earned the right to be the main back. His performance forces defenses to stay honest and relieves some pressure off Romo. The Redskins are middle-of-the-pack against the run and the match-up certainly favors Murray.

Put 'em In The Game: Marshawn Lynch
Who rushes for more than 100 yards on the Ravens? Seriously. Last week, Lynch did just that. He had 135 yards against the Cowboys the previous week. This week he'll face the Rams who give up the 4th-most yards and 4th-most fantasy points per game to opposing RB's. Lynch will either have a monster game or he'll fall victim to the Law of Inverse Opportunity where he'll do terrible in a gimme match-up. We're giving him the benefit of the doubt on this one.

Put 'em In The Game: Jordy Nelson
Nobody has found an answer to Green Bay's passing game. It's too efficient, too polished, and too talented right now. Next to Greg Jennings, the best option in that offense has been Jordy Nelson. He's been fantastic when called upon and has delivered fantasy points in abundance the past three games. When Tampa Bay comes visiting Lambeau Field, their 28th-ranked pass defense should be no match for Rodgers and company.

Put 'em In The Game: Denarius Moore
Denarius Moore has become the new Housh for Carson Palmer. The go-to receiver has posted solid numbers as of late and was monstrous in Week 10's Thursday Night game. The Vikings give up the 4th-most fantasy points to opposing WR's and Moore is playing too well to even consider benching.

Put 'em In The Game: Kellen Winslow
Fantasy points can often accrue nicely during garbage time. For teams facing the Packers, they tend to have more garbage time than most. The Bucs will have difficulty moving the ball on the ground against Green Bay, but the Packers still give up the 5th-most fantasy points to opposing TE's and are vulnerable through the air. When the Bucs fall behind, they'll need to take to the air to try and catch up. Winslow has been a disappointment this season, but this match-up may be just what he needs.

Put 'em In The Game: Vernon Davis
Vernon Davis can be a stud. He has been in the past and he has the ability to be one again if they get him involved in the passing game. With Frank Gore injured, the 49er's have looked to Davis to help move the ball. With Kendall Hunter expected to carry most (if not all) of the rushing load, we expect Davis to be much more involved than he has in the past.

Put 'em In The Game: Billy Cundiff
On paper, a match-up against the Bengals doesn't look promising. To date, they're giving up the 5th fewest fantasy points to opposing kickers. The Ravens offense may struggle against Cincy's defense this weekend putting pressure on Cundiff to put points on the board. We'll call him our sleeper pick among kickers (if there is such a thing). He's the 6th-highest scoring fantasy kicker in the NFL this season - he'll put points on the board.

Put 'em On The Bench: Joe Flacco
Joe Flacco reminds us of Keanu Reeves' character Shane Falco from The Replacements, minus the hot cheerleader girlfriend and happy ending. He's been average (at best) for the last month+. The Bengals cough up the 7th-fewest fantasy points and the 11th-fewest yards per game through the air which doesn't bode well if Flacco is your starting QB (as he is with us while Brees is on bye). While he could surprise us, his average-streak should continue this week. Go Falco!

Put 'em On The Bench: Andy Dalton
Across the field from Joe Flacco will be rookie sensation Andy Dalton who can easily be in the discussion (along with Cam Newton) for Rookie of the Year honors. His numbers have been better than any of us anticipated, however the Ravens are ridiculously tough against the pass. In fact, they allow fewer fantasy points to opposing QB's than any other team.

Put 'em On The Bench: Cedric Benson
Cedric Benson is a tough nut to crack. Lending credibility to the Law of Inverse Opportunity, Benson should have had some big weeks this year only to disappoint when the match-up was favorable (think 57 yards against Indy). The Ravens allow the 6th-fewest fantasy points to opposing backs. Which Benson will show up against Baltimore's 2nd-ranked rush defense? Does it matter? The Ravens only allow an avg of 109 yards on the ground.

Put 'em On The Bench: Beanie Wells
What should you do when your fantasy RB has a bad knee and has to face the league's toughest rush defense? Yep - that's what we thought too. Beanie Wells will have to face the 49ers and their superior rush defense. Nobody gives up fewer yards or fantasy points to opposing RB's than San Francisco. Not exactly the type of situation that you want to be in.

Put 'em On The Bench: Dez Bryant
With Miles Austin still out, Bryant should be dominating the fantasy scene. Secondaries have been doubling him and keeping coverage over the top on him leaving guys like Laurent Robinson open to make big plays. Bryant will still see his targets, but this week, against a fantastic Washington defense, he'll likely struggle. He'll struggle because everyone has struggled. The Redskins give up the 3rd-fewest fantasy points to opposing WR's, and if past history is any indication, 4 catches for 63 yards (his Week 3 stats) may be the best we can hope for.

Put 'em On The Bench: Eric Decker
Eric Decker and the Broncos face the Jets on Thursday Night Football this week and he has a direct flight to Revis Island. In what could end up being one of the worst passing performances of the season, Tebow and the new Denver offensive scheme won't take to the air the same way that most traditional teams do. That's not going to bode well for Decker. If he even sees a target, you can bet that Revis will see it too.

Put 'em On The Bench: Jermaine Gresham
Jermaine Gresham found the end zone last week in his return to action. This week he'll face a very tough Ravens D that has been absolutely brutal to fantasy tight ends this season giving up fewer points to them than any other team. There are much better options this week at the TE position.

Put 'em On The Bench: Greg Olsen
Consistency hasn't been the hallmark of Greg Olsen this year. The Detroit Lions are very strong on defense giving up 6 fantasy points on average to opposing TE's. Olsen isn't a focal point in that offense, and with the match-up, he's tough to give the starting nod to.

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