Week 11 - Players to Start and Sit
This is the Fantasy Nerd's look at the best and worst matchups for Week 11 of the 2023 NFL season. Analysis is aggregated from multiple sources including FN. Rankings are based upon PPR (point per reception) scoring. Given the known conditions, these matchups are the ones to watch and/or avoid.
Please Note: 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 Justin Jefferson, Patrick Mahomes, or Christian McCaffrey. Instead, we take 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.
Start 'em Joshua Dobbs (MIN, QB)This one could go either way, but we like what we're seeing from Josh Dobbs. For a guy who barely knew the playbook, he turned in a solid performance. In fact, Dobbs has turned in three straight 20+ fantasy point games. While the matchup looks great on paper, the caveat here is that the Broncos have started playing well on defense lately keeping both Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen to a combined 20 fantasy points. While we have some reservations, we're rolling the dice here.
Start 'em C.J. Stroud (HOU, QB)You have to love the matchup here. The Cardinals rank in the top third of most points allowed to QBs on the season. Just looking at Stroud's last two games, he has thrown for 826 yards and six scores - a record setting pace. He's elevating the play of his receivers and things are humming for the Texans. Stroud remains a QB1 for Week 11.
Start 'em Jahmyr Gibbs (DET, RB)Even with David Montgomery back, Jahmyr Gibbs put up a helluva performance. The RB duo has been dominant together and we anticipate that trend continuing during their NFC North matchup with the Bears. Chicago is giving up the second-most rushing yards per game and has been very generous to running backs. With three straight games of at least 26 fantasy points, Gibbs is simply too hot to sit right now. RB1 status.
Start 'em Javonte Williams (DEN, RB)This is a tough matchup - no way around that, but with 48 carries over the last two weeks, Javonte Williams is seeing the kind of volume that keeps him in RB2 discussions. Alvin Kamara racked up 18.5 fantasy points against the Vikings last week and D'Andre Swift delivered 27 points back in Week 2. Keep Williams in as your RB2/Flex.
Start 'em Tank Dell (HOU, WR)Did you know that Tank Dell has 25 targets over his last two games? That's incredible - just as awesome as his rapport with C.J. Stroud. There's a chance that Nico Collins returns from injury this week, but we'd still keep Tank Dell penciled in regardless. The matchup is good and we want to ride the hot hand while we can.
Start 'em Terry McLaurin (WAS, WR)Prayers to the fantasy gods that Terry McLaurin can start to take advantage of Sam Howell's passing production. Howell has thrown for more than 300 yards in each of his past three games, but Scary Terry hasn't always been the benefactor here. The Giants are giving up the 4th-most fantasy points to the position including a sick 86.8 fantasy points last week to the combination of Ceedee Lamb, Brandin Cooks, and Michael Gallup.
Start 'em Trey McBride (ARI, TE)We had Trey McBride as a Start last week and he didn't disappoint turning in 131 yards receiving. He's the first Cardinals TE to eclipse 100 yards in the last 34 years. Can he repeat that against Houston? Possibly. Nobody gives up more fantasy points to receivers than the Texans and Kyler Murray is back under center so the conditions are great.
Start 'em Detroit Lions (DET, DEF)After last week's shootout with the Chargers where Detroit gave up 421 total yards and 38 points, you might wonder why we're recommending them. The answer is Chicago. The Bears are giving up the fifth-most fantasy points and won't be able to keep up with Detroit's high-powered offense.
Start 'em Dustin Hopkins (CLE, K)The top fantasy kicker doesn't play for the Chiefs or the Ravens. Fantasy's top kicker plays in Cleveland and he's fresh off a game winner last week. Hopkins has five games with double digits this season and put up 8 fantasy points when he faced Pittsburgh back in Week 2.
Sit 'em Baker Mayfield (TB, QB)Baker Mayfield hurt his thumb in the 4th quarter of last week's game, and although he's expected to suit up, the matchup is simply ugly. San Francisco is giving up the 4th-fewest fantasy points to signal callers this season. The Niners have only allowed ten passing scores all year leaving Mayfield's ceiling much, much lower.
Sit 'em Bryce Young (CAR, QB)In order to try and predict what Bryce Young will do against the Cowboys, it might be helpful to see what he did against the Bears last week. His 185 passing yards and 18 rushing yards gave fantasy owners a whopping 9 points - the second week that he's done that. Dallas is going to be a more difficult matchup. Young presents such little upside that he warrants a bench for this week.
Sit 'em D'Onta Foreman (CHI, RB)This one is going to come down to how the carries are split. Chicago has come out and said this week that they "have no plans" to commit to Foreman, Khalil Herbert, or Roschon Johnson as their starter. This is disappointing given that Foreman carried the rock 21 times last week for 80 yards and a score. If they cut his workload, his fantasy value will drop as well.
Sit 'em Miles Sanders (CAR, RB)After a decent start to the season, Miles Sanders has utterly failed to warrant a starting spot on the Panthers roster - much less a starting fantasy spot on our teams. After seeing just two carries last week for an awful -5 yards, it's time to drop Miles Sanders. Until something happens to Hubbard, Sanders doesn't even warrant a bench spot. Feel free to drop if you haven't already.
Sit 'em George Pickens (PIT, WR)The last time George Pickens faced the Browns back in Week 2, he put up a fantastic 22.7 points...but we're not so optimistic that he'll be able to repeat. Pickens is on a bit of a drought scoring single digits in his last three games. His targets and production has dropped with the return of Diontae Johnson. It's a tough matchup with not enough volume to consider Pickens anything more than a dart throw.
Sit 'em Gabriel Davis (BUF, WR)When Gabe Davis faced the Jets in the season opener, he was held to just 32 yards and a disappointing 5.2 fantasy points. The Jets have remained pretty dominant giving up the fewest fantasy points to wide receivers in the league. Davis is likely to be a roller coaster with dramatic highs and lows. We're expecting this to be one of his lows.
Sit 'em Luke Musgrave (GB, TE)This is such a nice matchup that you want to use Luke Musgrave, but it's difficult to trust him in lineups given that he's seeing such little action. He's had three or fewer catches in his last three games and is averaging just 7 points per game on the year. It's tough to predict what he'll be able to produce here. He's a high-end TE2 with potential if you're willing to gamble a bit.
Sit 'em Tampa Bay Buccaneers (TB, DEF)Tampa Bay did well against the Titans locking them down, but a matchup with Christian McCaffrey and the 49ers is a whole different story. Nobody surrenders fewer fantasy points to DSTs than San Francisco. You can stream someone else this week.
Sit 'em Chris Boswell (PIT, K)This is an ugly matchup for Chris Boswell and it could go one of two ways. He could either get scratched if the Steelers struggle to move the ball in a tough defensive matchup, or he could be the primary opportunity for Pittsburgh to score assuming they can get into range. Either way, there are simply safer options to stream for Week 11.
Join the Discussion
If asking a sit/start question, be sure to provide your scoring format and contribute to answering questions from other FN members as well.
Nerd CommentedNov 15, 2023 9:28 pm
Great question. It's close, but I might go against the rankings and play Tua. Good luck!
jamisdiablo CommentedNov 16, 2023 12:23 pm
Tua
mrock CommentedNov 16, 2023 2:50 pm
Tua
Ed Chan CommentedNov 18, 2023 1:53 pm
Close one, but I'd go with Tua too
RogueRaider CommentedNov 16, 2023 11:38 am
Gotta love Stroud questions: Ok, here's mine Stroud or Prescott? PPR
jamisdiablo CommentedNov 16, 2023 12:23 pm
Dak for me
Nerd CommentedNov 16, 2023 2:44 pm
I'd play Dak as well
mrock CommentedNov 16, 2023 2:50 pm
Dak Prescott
TOBIAS CommentedNov 18, 2023 10:40 am
I would go with Stroud. Carolina's pass defense is pretty good, it is their run defense that stinks.
Ed Chan CommentedNov 18, 2023 1:53 pm
Another close one, but Dak for me
jamisdiablo CommentedNov 16, 2023 12:24 pm
PPR league, and I have two QB/WR combos to chose from to start this week... Purdy/Deebo or Stroud/Brown? (leaning Stroud/Brown at the moment and flexing Deebo...) thanks y'all!
Nerd CommentedNov 16, 2023 2:45 pm
Yep - I'd go Stroud
mrock CommentedNov 16, 2023 2:50 pm
Stroud/Brown
Ed Chan CommentedNov 18, 2023 1:54 pm
Stroud/Brown combo
spittdogg CommentedNov 16, 2023 2:11 pm
Standard league - James Cook or Tyler Lockett in the flex spot?
mrock CommentedNov 16, 2023 2:50 pm
Cook
jamisdiablo CommentedNov 16, 2023 3:06 pm
despite standard league I think I'm still rolling out Lockett here... Cook is no guarantee for lots of touches, while Lockett is #1 in seattle still.
Nerd CommentedNov 16, 2023 3:37 pm
I like Lockett as well
mrock CommentedNov 16, 2023 2:51 pm
Rest of Season: Devon Achane or Kyren Williams? Standard scoring.
Nerd CommentedNov 16, 2023 3:38 pm
Kyren Williams but I agree with jamisdiablo that it's close
fryanade CommentedNov 18, 2023 11:27 am
PPR, DeVonta Smith, Tank Dell, Keenan Allen, and Puka Nacua to fill both WR slots and flex. which 1 of the 4 to sit
jamisdiablo CommentedNov 18, 2023 6:03 pm
sitting nacua unless brown plays, then i sit tank
Daniel Wright CommentedNov 18, 2023 11:59 am
Who should I start, Adam Thielen or Jaxon- Smith Nijiba
Daniel Wright CommentedNov 18, 2023 12:13 pm
This is for PPR league
jamisdiablo CommentedNov 18, 2023 6:02 pm
jsn
Dogpatch CommentedNov 19, 2023 10:25 am
thielen is the #1 there and I would start him
Ed Chan CommentedNov 18, 2023 1:55 pm
Kyler for me
jamisdiablo CommentedNov 18, 2023 6:03 pm
sam
Dogpatch CommentedNov 19, 2023 10:26 am
howell
Sean Houton CommentedNov 18, 2023 12:41 pm
In general is J. Chase a must start still or really need to be match dependent moving forward?
jamisdiablo CommentedNov 18, 2023 6:04 pm
must start
Mchayes CommentedNov 19, 2023 12:30 pm
100% must start. Just his ceiling takes a hit
jamisdiablo CommentedNov 18, 2023 6:04 pm
cook
Dogpatch CommentedNov 19, 2023 10:26 am
cook
Nerd CommentedNov 18, 2023 1:52 pm
Fields for me. Good luck!
jamisdiablo CommentedNov 18, 2023 6:04 pm
fields
Dogpatch CommentedNov 19, 2023 10:26 am
fields
Wally1580 CommentedNov 18, 2023 1:49 pm
Aaron jones, James Conner or rashee rice? Pick 2 ppr. Have 1 rb slot and flex to fill.
Ed Chan CommentedNov 18, 2023 1:56 pm
Jones or Conner, maybe Jones by a hair
jamisdiablo CommentedNov 18, 2023 6:04 pm
sit connor
Dogpatch CommentedNov 19, 2023 10:26 am
sit rice. Start conner at rb and jones at flex
Eric Perl CommentedNov 18, 2023 4:10 pm
Really torn here, Prescott been hot and playing Carolina but Mahomes is due and Eagles secondary not strong? Any thoughts?
Ed Chan CommentedNov 18, 2023 4:52 pm
This is a tough one. The Chiefs might be in a shootout with the Eagles, so Mahomes will throw a lot. For Prescott, presumably the Cowboys will build up a big lead, say after the first half, so they might run the ball a lot in the second half. So IMO, I'd lean toward Mahomes.
Dogpatch CommentedNov 19, 2023 10:27 am
Mahomes
Ed Chan CommentedNov 18, 2023 1:58 pm
Didn't think I'd have to ask this question, but Stroud or Allen? Also, Cooks or Doubs?
jamisdiablo CommentedNov 18, 2023 6:05 pm
allen, doibs
Dogpatch CommentedNov 19, 2023 10:27 am
Allen and cooks
JASON PRITCHARD CommentedNov 18, 2023 3:09 pm
Touchdown only league….
Goff vs Bears at home
Or
Hurts vs KC on the road
Nerd CommentedNov 18, 2023 3:25 pm
TD only - Goff.
jamisdiablo CommentedNov 18, 2023 6:06 pm
hurts
Dogpatch CommentedNov 19, 2023 10:27 am
hurts
Eric Perl CommentedNov 18, 2023 10:27 pm
Thanks Ed. I agree. In your case I’d go with Cooks, and I have similar dilemma with Allen, him vs Tua.
Dub1DMan CommentedNov 18, 2023 11:39 pm
Josh let me down last week big time! So, I have to choose Josh Allen or Brock Purdy?
jamisdiablo CommentedNov 19, 2023 8:44 am
allen stll
Dogpatch CommentedNov 19, 2023 10:27 am
allen
jamisdiablo CommentedNov 19, 2023 8:45 am
warren
Dogpatch CommentedNov 19, 2023 10:27 am
warren
jamisdiablo CommentedNov 19, 2023 9:04 am
achane or pacheco? (already starting rice), PPR, thx
Nerd CommentedNov 19, 2023 10:24 am
I so badly want to say Achane, but my concern is that he won't produce his pre-injury numbers in his first game back. Achane will have the higher ceiling, but I think Pacheco might be the safer play here.
Dogpatch CommentedNov 19, 2023 10:27 am
pacheco
brent j damico CommentedNov 19, 2023 9:51 am
In 1/2 per league have deebo puka and dj moore starting and put achane in the flex but also have nico collins on bench should he stay there or replace somone
jamisdiablo CommentedNov 19, 2023 10:00 am
i’m wondering if you have it right… i have stroud and purdy to choose from but with Brown likely out, Stroud may regress this week, not sure.
Dogpatch CommentedNov 19, 2023 10:28 am
why don't you try and trade collins quick? that's a lot of talent at wr.
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