Every fantasy owner breathes a sigh of relief this week, because the bye weeks are over. You no longer have to juggle your lineup and add a cast-off kicker or bottom-of-the-barrel defense. Having all of your players available makes for an exciting stretch run to the playoffs. If you have impact players that are injured like Clinton Portis, Reggie Bush, and others, do not rely on the NFL injury reports. Get on the internet and check the reports by the beat writers for those teams. Don’t worry, though, according to commercials on NBC for the Sunday night game, Tony Romo is back! For NFL Week 11, here are some plays that will help you maximize your roster.
START ‘EM
Jay Cutler, Denver. The Broncos went out and signed Tatum Bell this week. That fact alone tells you the state of the Broncos’ running game: terrible. The Falcons’ defense is very tough against the run. Relying on Cutler to have a monster game is the only way that the Broncos can win this game. Look for over 40 passing attempts from Cutler. He is primed for another 400-yard passing day.
Marshawn Lynch, Bills. The past two weeks Lynch’s struggles have mirrored the Bills’ fall from grace. Analysts were calling QB Trent Edwards an MVP candidate. The Bills have forgotten that running the football is their strength. Lynch and the Bills get back on track this week on Monday Night Football against the Browns. Look for Lynch to rush for over 100 yards and score two touchdowns in a prime-time performance.
Joseph Addai, Colts. Addai has been struggling, but he has a great match up this weekend against the Texans. The Texans are 27th in the league in fantasy points allowed. This game should be a high-scoring shootout with both teams scoring over 30 points. In each of the last two games, Addai has had double-figure carries, but he has not produced. This week Addai gets the opportunities, and he delivers for Peyton Manning and Coach Tony Dungy.
Chris Johnson, Titans. Surprisingly, the Jaguars defense is ranked in the bottom half of the NFL in rushing defense. In fantasy, the Jags give up an average of 14 fantasy points to opposing running backs—18th in the NFL. The Bears showed everyone in the league that you can stop the Titans’ running attack by stacking the box, but the Titans still won the game. Johnson had a terrible game versus the Bears, but he will bounce back in this game.
Terrell Owens, Cowboys. Everyone is writing the Cowboys’ obituary for the 2008 season, but I think this team is going to make a run. The bright lights of the nationally televised Sunday night game on NBC will bring out either the best or the worst in Owens. I think he comes up with his best game of the season. With QB Tony Romo returning from his pinky injury, Owens will finally break the 100-yard mark and score two touchdowns.
SIT ‘EM
Kerry Collins, Titans. Do not get me wrong; Collins is leading the Titans to wins, but I am not a believer in his fantasy value. The Titans’ receivers just are not that impressive. He has developed a rapport with TE Bo Scaife, but no one on the outside scares any defensive coordinator. The Titans should be able to run the football against the Jags this week, which also will limit Collins’ throwing opportunities.
Gus Frerotte, Vikings. NFL Week 11 is bench-the-old-veteran-quarterback week. Tampa Bay’s defense is quietly one of the league’s best. It gives up just under 10 fantasy points per game to the opposing team’s quarterback. Frerotte will not be any better this Sunday. With the bye weeks over, Frerotte’s value as a spot starter is history.
Reggie Bush, Saints. On one of my fantasy teams, Bush was my leading point scorer until the injury, but I never felt comfortable that he was going to deliver consistently week in and week out – too much Hollywood influence. If you have other options at running back, give Bush a week to prove he is back from his injury. He is fast and elusive, but that is based entirely on his legs. I am taking my own advice this week and keeping Bush on the bench.
Santonio Holmes, Steelers. What is going on with the Steelers? The tough schedule is catching up with this team. The quarterback situation is in such disarray that you should sit Holmes this week. Coach Mike Tomlin should start Byron Leftwich and give Big Ben a chance to rest. The problem for Holmes is that he gets opportunities down the field and outside the numbers. With his injuries, Roethlisberger’s arm is not strong enough to make those throws.
Braylon Edwards, Browns. This season has been disappointing for Edwards. He has been inconsistent and he barely is averaging five fantasy points per game. His situation is similar to Santonio Holmes’s predicament in Pittsburgh. The Browns’ new quarterback, Brady Quinn, will not throw deep down the field. Quinn is more likely to look for his running backs and tight ends. Play TE Kellen Winslow, but sit Edwards this week.
Last Week. I finished up the week with four picks correct and six misses. This was my worst week by far this season. My best pick last week was to sit an improving Marc Bulger against the Jets. In fact, Coach Jim Haslett took my advice and sat Bulger for the entire second half of the game. Unfortunately, I missed on pretty much everything else.
Fantasy Questions? Need line up advice? Leave a comment below or email your questions to me at jck.bender@gmail.com. Good luck this week!
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