Fantasy Football Two Minute Drill, Week 11

Fantasy Football stats, news, and opinions heading into NFL Week 11.

Check out my Individual Defensive Player ( DL, LB, DB ) rankings alongside other experts at FantasyPros.com

“Points Allowed” provided by MyFantasyLeague.com

NY Jets 13, Denver 17

Broncos fans, winning ugly is still winning. Jets fans, just ugly.
QB Mark Sanchez’s black and blue kidneys will last for a week. That’s nothing compared to his bruised value to fantasy owners and Jets fans.
RB Shonn Green’s injury allowed us to watch RB Joe Mcknight’s Jack-of-all-Mediocrity.
If scientist could attach wires to QB Tim Tebow’s gigantic windmill throwing motion, he could supply power to all ofColorado.
I hope RB Willis McGahee’s injury kept him on your bench.
That’s the DE Elvis Dumervil who has been missing.
Nice job by NFL Network highlighting rookie LB Von Miller. But the broadcast is still tough to watch.

Bye: Indianapolis, New Orleans, Pittsburgh, Houston

New QB Matt Leinart’s best chance of success is RB Arian Foster, who continues to make highlight plays. If Alex Smith can manage an offense, so can Leinart.
Nifty moves by RB Ben Tate, who would start on many teams if given the lead back role.
TE Jimmy Graham was open long enough to fix the uprights he bent.
RB Rashard Mendenhall circa 2011 = RB T.J. Duckett circa 2003. Sucky yards but decent touchdowns. Difference is Duckett was a RB2 onAtlanta. Mendenhall is a RB1 onPittsburgh.

Tampa Bay at Green Bay

Season-to-date, Points Allowed: Packers give up the fourth most fantasy points to quarterbacks. Disappointed Josh Freeman owners have the odds on their side.
The only thing stopping RB LeGarrette Blount from finding his grove again is the Bucs’ ability to maintain a respectable weekly run-pass ratio. Don’t count on it this week.
Season-to-date, Points Allowed: Packers give up the eighth most fantasy points to wide receivers. Stock up Mike Williams, Arrelious Benn, and Preston Parker.
Past 4 weeks, Points Allowed: Packers have moved from 20th to 9th in fantasy points given up to tight ends. Stock up Kellen Winslow.
Season-to-date, Points Allowed: Packers give up the fourth fewest fantasy points to linebackers. The Bucs’ linebacking unit has been in serious flux over the past few weeks. I’d seek better options, which includes sending rookie Mason Foster to your bench.
Season-to-date, Points Allowed: Packers give up the third fewest fantasy points to safeties. Bench Sean Jones and Tanard Jackson.
Somebody look up if QB Aaron Rodgers is on pace to shatter some fantasy records. The last guys I remember who were this money were Marshall Faulk and Priest Holmes.
Past 7 weeks, Buccaneers’ Points Allowed to running backs rankings: 27, 19, 16, 13, 11, 6, 2. See a trend? Start James Starks, and consider Ryan Grant as a flex in 16-team leagues.
Jordy Nelson is now ranked inside the Top 10 fantasy wide receivers on the season. When did you draft him?
LB Clay Matthews belongs on a roster, regardless of league scoring settings. His inconsistency is maddening, but I’d rather roll the dice with him then some junky LB3. His potential to wreck the opposition’s backfield on any given week can win you a close game.

Jacksonville at Cleveland

Blaine Gabbert vs Colt McCoy. The only things that could make this game lousier are Donovan McNabb singing the National Anthem and a halftime show by Curtis Painter and the Incompletions.
Past 4 weeks, Points Allowed: Browns have moved from 28th to 15th in fantasy points given up to running backs. Stock up Maurice Jones-Drew, who last week had his first 100+ all-purpose yards plus touchdown game since Week 14, 2010.
Season-to-date, Points Allowed: Browns give up the fewest fantasy points to wide receivers. Head coach Del Rio and your passing’s stuck in sand, just like that river twisting through before you’re canned.
Past 5 weeks, Points Allowed: Browns have moved from 32nd to 8th in fantasy points given up to linebackers. Stock up Paul Posluszny and Daryl Smith.
Season-to-date, Points Allowed: Browns give up the seventh most fantasy points to safeties. Dawan Landry makes a solid start.
Season-to-date, Points Allowed: Jaguars give up the second fewest fantasy points to wide receivers. Stock down Josh Cribbs and rookie Greg Little.
Season-to-date, Points Allowed: Jaguars give up the second most fantasy points to tight ends. Start Ben Watson. Evan Moore is useless if he doesn’t score, so don’t take the risk.
Season-to-date, Points Allowed: Jaguars give up the third most fantasy points to defensive tackles. Stock up Ahtyba Rubin and Phil Taylor.
RookieDEJabaal Sheard, past four games: 8 Solos, 3 Assists, 0.5 Sack. Get him a pillow; he’s tired.

Carolina at Detroit

Season-to-date, Points Allowed: Lions give up the fifth fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks. Stock down Cam Newton.
Season-to-date, Points Allowed: Lions give up the fifth fewest fantasy points to running backs. Stock down Jonathan Stewart. Bench DeAngelo Williams.
WR Legedu Naanee, past two games: 13 Receptions, 16 Targets (averages 6 per game on season), 124 Receiving Yards. I don’t trust him, but he’s getting chances, which is all you can ask for a WR4/5 in 16-team leagues.
Past 4 weeks, Points Allowed: Lions have moved from 6th to 23rd in fantasy points given up to tight ends. Stock down Greg Olsen and Jeremy Shockey.
Season-to-date, Points Allowed: Lions give up the fourth most fantasy points to cornerbacks. Start Captain Munnerlyn.
Season-to-date, Points Allowed: Lions give up the fourth fewest fantasy points to safeties. Bench Sherrod Martin and Charles Godfrey.
Excuse time for QB Matt Stafford. Wind, glove, finger injury, Bears’ defense? Check out Brian Baldinger’s break-down of Stafford’s two third-quarter pick-6’s.
Season-to-date, Points Allowed: Panthers give up the most fantasy points to running backs. Javid Best can’t clear the cobwebs, making Maurice Morris a great fantasy start (which I can’t believe I’m typing).
Season-to-date, Points Allowed: Panthers give up the third fewest fantasy points to wide receivers. Stock down Calvin Johnson. Bench Nate Burleson and Titus Young, despite both of them having good stats over their past two games
Break LB DeAndre Levy’s season into thirds. During the first third – with a healthy LB Justin Durant – he produced 9 Solos, 4 Assists. During the second third – with Durant sidelined – he produced 22 Solos, 13 Assists. During the last third – with Durant returning from injury – he produced 15 Solos, 6 Assists. When Durant plays, Levy is a LB3 at best.

Oakland at Minnesota

Season-to-date, Points Allowed: Vikings give up the third most fantasy points to quarterbacks. Start Carson Palmer.
RB Michael Bush is averaging 161 yards from scrimmage in the three games he’s substituted for RB Darren McFadden.
Season-to-date, Points Allowed: Vikings give up the second most fantasy points to wide receivers. You’re almost forced to start rookie Denarius Moore. Jacoby Ford’s injury could get Darrius Heyward-Bey back in the mix. Say, weren’t you all gooey about Louis Murphy this preseason; how’s that going?
LB Rolando McClain was having a respectable season before his injury. Get him back in your starting lineup.
Season-to-date, Points Allowed: Vikings give up the fifth fewest fantasy points to safeties. Stock down Tyvon Branch.
Season-to-date, Points Allowed: Raiders give up the sixth most fantasy points to quarterbacks. Rookie Christian Ponder looked feeble last week. Only use him for a bye QB or if you’re a Matt Cassel owner.
Season-to-date, Points Allowed: Raiders give up the fourth most fantasy points to running backs. That Week 10 Broncos game is going to keep the Raiders high on the P.A. list for RB’s. Stock up Adrian Peterson.
Season-to-date, Points Allowed: Raiders give up the third fewest fantasy points to defensive ends. Stock down Jared Allen.
If you blinked, you missed CB Antoine Winfield make an impact. CB Cedric Griffin is going to see a ton of WR1’s.
Season-to-date, Points Allowed: Raiders give up the sixth most fantasy points to safeties. That would have been good news for Husain Abdullah, but he’s suffering from a concussion.

Buffalo at Miami

Season-to-date, Points Allowed: Dolphins give up the fifth most fantasy points to quarterbacks. I’m worried the Jets and Cowboys have exposed the Bills’ offense to the rest of the league. But for this week, Ryan Fitzpatrick should shake off some of the rust.
Season-to-date, Points Allowed: Dolphins give up the fourth fewest fantasy points to running backs. Stock down Fred Jackson.
I thought WR David Nelson’s TD celebration was simple and classy. Nice job not making a grand spectacle of the whole thing.
Season-to-date, Points Allowed: Dolphins give up the seventh most fantasy points to linebackers. Stock up Nick Barnett.
Season-to-date, Points Allowed: Dolphins give up the third most fantasy points to cornerbacks. CB Terrence McGee has one tremendous game, two solid games, and one clunker since his return from injury. He warrants attention, as it was not too long ago that he was a DB1.
DB Bryan Scott, past five weeks: 12 Solos, 5 Assists, zero sacks and turnovers. He’s no longer an effective option to use when exploiting good match-ups.
Season-to-date, Points Allowed: Bills give up the seventh most fantasy points to running backs. The sweep is RB Reggie Bush’s best friend. Daniel Thomas is doing squat with his carries, so keep him benched.
WR Brandon Marshall is a Top 10 fantasy WR despite catching balls from QB Matt Moore.
LB Karlos Dansby is dominating over the last five weeks.
DB Yeremiah Bell is in a bit of a cold spell over the past three games (5 solos, 5 Solos, 2 Solos). That’s cold for him due to his lofty status. Keep starting him.

Dallas at Washington

Don’t be greedy QB Tony Romo owners. Take under 300 yards passing if it means less turnovers (thus leading to more scoring chances).
I just read RB Felix Jones is getting special team reps. That’s about right.
That’s the WR Laurent Robinson dynasty owners have been waiting on for five years.
Season-to-date, Points Allowed: Redskins give up the third most fantasy points to linebackers. Stock up Demarcus Ware. Whatever device Sean Lee wears is going to hinder his ability to make tackles, that’s if he even plays.
Season-to-date, Points Allowed: Redskins give up the second fewest fantasy points to cornerbacks. Terrence Newman has been impressive, but he’s best left on your bench.
Season-to-date, Points Allowed: Redskins give up the second most fantasy points to safeties. Avoid Abram Elam, but definitely use Gerald Sensabaugh.
If you’re asking about RB Roy Helu or Ryan Torain, your team is 2-8.
WR Jabar Gaffney is good enough to be used as a WR3, but bad enough to leave you disappointed.
Season-to-date, Points Allowed: Cowboys give up the third most fantasy points to tight ends. Stock up Fred Davis.
Past 5 weeks, Points Allowed: Cowboys have moved from 1st to 18th in fantasy points given up to linebackers. Some guy named Perry Riley has replaced Roger McIntosh. Chances are Riley will have inflated stats after this weekend. Also stock up for London Fletcher, Brian Orakpo, and Ryan Kerrigan.

Cincinnati at Baltimore

Season-to-date, Points Allowed: Ravens give up the fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks. Bench rookie Andy Dalton.
Season-to-date, Points Allowed: Ravens give up the fewest fantasy points to running backs. Cedric Benson, past two games since returning from injury: 35 Rushes, 135 Rushing Yards, 68 Yards per Game, zero TD’s. Bernard Scott has done nothing to prove he’s ready to take over, so continue to be bored by Benson.
My knee would have exploded on WR A.J. Green’s TD grab.
Season-to-date, Points Allowed: Ravens give up the fewest fantasy points to tight ends. Bench Jermaine Gresham.
Season-to-date, Points Allowed: Ravens give up the fifth most fantasy points to linebackers. Rey Maualuga has got some game action last week, so take a chance on him.
CB Leon Hall’s season ending injury isn’t huge for fantasy, but it will hurt the Bengals’ defense.
It’s only one yard, and all NFL players should be able to hit a wide open player. QB Joe Flacco owners were not happy with RB Rice Rice’s touchdown toss.
Anyone seen WR Lee Evans?
Warning: if you added TE Ed Dickson, you will be burned.
Season-to-date, Points Allowed: Bengals give up the fewest fantasy points to defensive ends. Terrell Suggs, past six games: four clunkers, one solid game, one tremendous game. Hopefully he’s saving it for your fantasy playoffs.
Past 5 weeks, Points Allowed: Bengals have moved from 12th to 27th in fantasy points given up to linebackers. Stock down Jarret Johnson and Jameel McClain. It’s never a good time to be injured, but Ray Lewis missing this game might be good for your fantasy team.
DB Bernard Pollard, past five games: 21 Solos, 9 Assists, 1 Sack, 3 FF, 4 PD. If the Ravens keep him on the field, he’s useful. But that’s always a big “if”.

Arizona at San Francisco

If John Skelton is competitive, there will be a major quarterback controversy in Week 12. Kevin Kolb should contact the organ player to fix his foot.
Season-to-date, Points Allowed: 49ers give up the second fewest fantasy points to running backs. Bench Beanie Wells, who’s averaged 53 Rushing Yards over his past five games.
Great concentration and hands by WR Larry Fitzgerald. Little kids, take note of him politely tossing the ball to the official.
WR Early Doucet has quietly climbed into the mid-20’s of WR rankings.
Calais Cambell has been amazingly consistent for a 3-4 defensive end.
Season-to-date, Points Allowed: 49ers give up the second fewest fantasy points to linebackers. Tough match-up for Daryl Washington, who’s only had one bad fantasy game all year.
Richard Marshall’s cornerback/safety split is doing wonders for his fantasy value. Past four games: 24 Solos, 1 Assist, 1 Sack, 1 Int, 5 PD.
RB Kendall Hunter is probably the hot waiver wire pickup in Re-Draft leagues. Shame on you RB Frank Gore owners if you didn’t handcuff him.
Season-to-date, Points Allowed: Cardinals give up the fifth most fantasy points to wide receivers. Michael Crabtree’s catches and yards have dipped in each of the past four games, but he should bounce back. You need to witness a good fantasy game out of Braylon Edwards before you use him.
Season-to-date, Points Allowed: Cardinals give up the most fantasy points to defensive ends. Stock up Justin Smith.
LB Patrick Willis has finally passed LB NaVorro Bowman in total fantasy points. The Earth is back on its correct axis.
DB Donte Whitner, past five games: 21 Solos (with at least 3 in every game), 5 Assists, 1 FR, 1 FF, 1 PD. It’s not eye-popping, but he’s helpful.

Seattle at St. Louis

Season-to-date, Points Allowed: Rams give up the fifth most fantasy points to running backs. Marshawn Lynch is a perfect playoff back. Too bad he’s only been to the postseason once.
Season-to-date, Points Allowed: Rams give up the sixth most fantasy points to wide receivers. The top two options Doug Baldwin and Sidney Rice are woozy, and nobody else can be trusted.
Season-to-date, Points Allowed: Rams give up the fourth most fantasy points to defensive ends. Stock up Chris Clemons.
Season-to-date, Points Allowed: Rams give up the most fantasy points to linebackers. Expect big games from David Hawthorne and Leroy Hill.
DB Kam Chancellor’s stats have dipped in each of the past five games. Keep starting him despite the trend.
QB Sam Bradford has zero multi-TD games this season, and his TD-turnover ratio is even or minus in every game.
Good news is RB Steven Jackson is getting you in the playoffs. Bad news is he’s bunching up his quality games and he’s gonna leave you hanging in the fantasy playoffs.
DE Chris Long has eight sacks in nine games, and at least one sack in six games.
Quintin Mikell is another Top DB who’s been cold of late.

Tennessee at Atlanta

Season-to-date, Points Allowed: Falcons give up the sixth fewest fantasy points to running backs. Chris Johnson’s Week 10 outburst came against a terrible Panther run defense. Don’t go assuming he’s back.
I like the vision by WR Damien Williams to identify the soft spot, then the speed to exploit it.
DB Jordan Babineaux has been solid, but DB Chris Hope is back. Chances are there’s only room for one.
QB Matt Ryan, past two games: 43-76, 626 Passing Yards, 5 TD’s, 2 Turnovers.
RB Jason Snelling’s rumble was easily one of the Top 5 TD’s of the season. If you own RB Michael Turner, he is a must own once your fantasy playoffs begin.
Why can’t WR Harry Douglas do that in the slot?
Season-to-date, Points Allowed: Titans give up the third fewest fantasy points to linebackers. Stock down Curtis Lofton and Sean Weatherspoon, who still haven’t had a bad game all year.
Season-to-date, Points Allowed: Titans give up the second fewest fantasy points to safeties. Bench Thomas DeCoud and an injured William Moore.

San Diego at Chicago

Look ahead. QB Philip Rivers faces the Ravens in Week 15 and the Lions in Week 16, two teams who give up nothing to quarterbacks. But you’re probably used to disappointment by now.
What to do with RB Ryan Mathews? I don’t own him anywhere, so I’m glad I don’t have to wrestle with it.
Season-to-date, Points Allowed: Bears give up the most fantasy points to tight ends. Stock up Antonio Gates.
Season-to-date, Points Allowed: Bears give up the fifth fewest fantasy points to linebackers. Stock down Donald Butler. Antwan Barnes has come out of nowhere with sacks in three consecutive games to go along with 15 Solos, 2 Assists, 1 FF, 1 PD. He should seriously be considered.
The only thing that can stop WR Devin Hester is strep. Well, that and a smart special teams coordinator forcing his punter to kick the damn ball out of bounds.
WR Earl Bennett should pass receivers Johnny Knox, Dane Sanzenbacher, and Roy Williams in fantasy points in about two or three weeks. That’s embarrassing for that group of three.
Season-to-date, Points Allowed: Chargers give up the second most fantasy points to linebackers. Stock up Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs.
Season-to-date, Points Allowed: Chargers give up the most fantasy points to cornerbacks. Stock up Charles Tillman and Tim Jennings.
Season-to-date, Points Allowed: Chargers give up the fourth most fantasy points to safeties. Major Wright is nothing special, but he’s a good play. Past two games: 5 Solos, 2 Assists, 2 Int, 3 PD, 1 TD.

Philadelphia at NY Giants

QB Vince Young will attempt to remind other GM’s that he can lead a team.
See above – RB LeSean McCoy better get 30+ touches.
I don’t see any dramatic stat change from WR DeSean Jackson. It takes time to get back in a groove.
It’s clear WR Jason Avant is strictly a slot receiver. Take a peek at WR Steve Smith in the absence of Jeremy Maclin.
Four of the past five games have been duds for DE Jason Babin.
Season-to-date, Points Allowed: Giants give up the seventh fewest fantasy points to linebackers. Stock down Jamar Chaney.
Eli Manning is on the verge of Top 5 fantasy QB status.
Season-to-date, Points Allowed: Eagles up the sixth most fantasy points to running backs. Stock up Brandon Jacobs. Still no sign of Ahmad Bradshaw.
Giants’ receivers are scorching hot. Mario Mannigham is a Top 10 WR over the past five games. Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks are Top 15 WRs on the season.
Past 4 weeks, Points Allowed: Eagles have moved from 17th to 28th in fantasy points given up to tight ends. Bench Jake Ballard.
The Eagles QB switch throws a monkey wrench into Season-to-date, Points Allowed, which currently are sixth most fantasy points to linebackers, and third most fantasy points to safeties.
DE Justin Tuck needs to get going, like now.
Prepare to play without LB Michael Boley.

Kansas City at New England

Matt Cassel is an okay QB. I hope his next employer looks past his 2011 coaches.
Season-to-date, Points Allowed: Patriots give up the most fantasy points to quarterbacks. Tyler Palko?
Season-to-date, Points Allowed: Patriots give up the most fantasy points to wide receivers. It’s impossible to get excited about Dwayne Bowe and Steve Breaston’s match-up with the QB change.
Season-to-date, Points Allowed: Patriots give up the most fantasy points to safeties. Start Kendrick Lewis. Consider Jon McGraw.
QB Tom Brady looked so comfortable in the second half last week. When he’s like that, you win.
Season-to-date, Points Allowed: Chiefs give up the eighth most fantasy points to running backs. Who to start? Who will flourish? Unless you’re related to Bill Belichick, you don’t know. And even then, you still wouldn’t know.
DE Andre Carter’s ability to get solos in addition to sacks is huge. He’s only had one bad game all year.
Past 4 weeks, Points Allowed: Chiefs have moved from 29th to 10th in fantasy points given up to linebackers. Jerod Mayo better have a big game. I’d be concerned if his mediocrity continued after this game.

Vegas, NFL Spreads Week 11, Season Record 19-18-1

Chicago (-3.5) vs San Diego
Cardinals (+10) at San Francisco
NY Giants (-4) vs Philadelphia

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