As we march towards the Playoffs, these next few weeks are going to be absolutely crucial to see which fantasy owners will be making the playoffs, and those that should start preparing for next season. As always, this starts first with our starting lineup decisions.
Let’s talk about who we should start, and who we should sit.
*Note* – All metrics are courtesy of Football Outsiders and Sharp Football Stats
Quarterbacks
Start ‘Em
Derek Carr (vs. CIN) – Razzball Projection: #5 QB
The Raiders have been a welcoming surprise for the NFL this season. After a rollercoaster offseason involving Antonio Brown, the Raiders now find themselves at 5-4, and within striking distance of the 6-4 Chiefs. While Carr has only been the #19 QB in fantasy this season, he’s done exactly what he’s need to for the Raiders to remain competitive in most games. I think we should be expecting a huge Carr game this weekend, as he’ll face off against the Bengals, and their secondary that ranks dead last in pass defense DVOA, and dead last in explosive pass rate allowed.
Tom Brady (@ PHI) – Razzball Projection: #12 QB
It was a game to forget for Brady and the rest of the Patriots as they suffered their first loss against the Ravens two weeks ago. They’re coming off of their bye week to face the Eagles this Sunday, and I’m expecting Brady to have a great performance. While they did suffer a defeat, the passing game looked pretty good for stretches of the game, and now against an Eagles secondary that hasn’t looked too good at times this season, Brady should look to capitalize and bounce-back. Our projections have him as the #12 QB, so he’s a solid QB1 option this Sunday.
Jimmy Garoppolo (vs. ARI) – Razzball Projection: #15 QB
After a fantastic performance against the Cardinals in Week 9 in which Jimmy GQ threw for 317 yards and 4 TD’s, he followed up that performance with a mediocre one this past Monday, throwing for 218 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT. Well, the good news is that he gets to play against the Cardinals again, this time at home! This is a very weak Cardinals secondary, one that ranks 31st in pass success rate allowed, and 27th in explosive pass rate allowed. Fire up Jimmy GQ in a great spot this Sunday.
Sit ‘Em
Carson Wentz (vs. NE) – Razzball Projection: #18 QB
Coming off of a bye, this Pats defense should cause major troubles for Carson Wentz tomorrow. While Lamar Jackson was able to cause trouble for New England, Wentz, who is far from a mobile QB like Jackson, shouldn’t pose the same issues. This Pats secondary still ranks 2nd in pass defense DVOA, and if the Eagles want to be successful on Sunday, it’s going to have to come on the ground, and not through Wentz.
Kyler Murray (@ SF) – Razzball Projection: #20 QB
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Such is the feelings of the 49ers defense, who will look to shut down Kyler this Sunday after giving up 241 yards and 2 passing TD’s a few weeks back. I think the rookie QB will have a much tougher time this Sunday against the Niners, and I don’t Murray is a must-play at the position this week.
Kirk Cousins (vs. DEN) – Razzball Projection: #22 QB
After the year’s early troubles, Cousins has done a great job producing this season, and currently sits as the #9 QB in fantasy. And while he’s done a good job producing these past few weeks, I’m hesitant to believe he can continue the streak this week at home against a tough Broncos secondary. It doesn’t help that he’ll also be without Adam Thielen against a Broncos defense that ranks 6th in both passing success rate allowed, and explosive pass rate allowed. There are better options elsewhere this week.
Running Backs
Start ‘Em
Le’Veon Bell (@ WAS) – Razzball Projection: #10 RB
It hasn’t been a great season for Bell, but he’s had his moments for the Jets this season, as he currently sits as the #18 RB in fantasy. This week, I’m expecting Bell to put it all together against a Washington rush defense that ranks 25th in rushing success rate allowed. As the #10 back according to our projections, Bell should be in line for a very productive outing.
Brian Hill (@ CAR) – Razzball Projection: #16 RB
Due to the injuries to Devonta Freeman and Ito Smith, Hill steps into the lead back role for Atlanta, and immediately has a great matchup this Sunday. While they are on the road, this is a Panthers defense that can be beat on the ground, as they’re currently dead last in the NFL in rush defense DVOA, 29th in rush success rate allowed, and dead last in explosive rush rate allowed. Hill is a perfect starting option for Devonta Freeman owners, or any owners that need help at the position this week.
Devin Singletary (@ MIA) – Razzball Projection: #19 RB
Singletary has emerged as an RB2/3 over the past few weeks, and now has a great matchup on the road against the Dolphins, a defense that ranks 30th in rush defense DVOA, and 26th in rushing success rate allowed. Singletary is a perfect RB2 or FLEX option this week, as he should get a bunch of work and success should soon follow.
Sit ‘Em
Kenyan Drake (@ SF) – Razzball Projection: #21 RB
Like Murray, Drake will have to repeat a great performance a few weeks back against a tough opponent in the 49ers once again. This time, however, I do not expect Drake to rush for 110 yards and 1 TD. This Niners defense ranks 15th in rush defense DVOA, which certianly isn’t the toughest matchup, but I’m expecting the Niners to shut down the whole offense, putting extra pressure and weight on the run game. With our projections having him as the #21 RB, Drake doesn’t really bring much of a floor or ceiling in this matchup.
Ronald Jones (vs. NO) – Razzball Projection: #28 RB
While he has found the endzone, Jones hasn’t done too hot these past few weeks, or really on the season. I’m expecting that to carry over into this week as well. While they are at home, this Saints rush defense ranks 7th in rush defense DVOA, and 8th in rushing success rate allowed. RoJo is far from a must-start.
Philip Lindsay (@ MIN) – Razzball Projection: #29 RB
Facing the Vikings rush defense, who ranks 5th in rush defense DVOA, and has done a great job limited opposing rushing games, on the road, is not a recipe for success for Philip Lindsay. I’m not expecting him to produce at all come Sunday, and he should mostly be left on benches.
Wide Receivers
Start ‘Em
D.J. Moore (vs. ATL) – Razzball Projection: #8 WR
Moore has been on an absolute tear these past few weeks against the Titans and Packers, and should continue that streak this Sunday against Atlanta. While the Falcons somehow shut down the Saints, I don’t think they’ll make it 2-2 against the Panthers. This Falcons secondary ranks 31st in pass defense DVOA, and 32nd in pass success rate allowed. Moore should continue to grind.
Terry McLaurin (vs. NYJ) – Razzball Projection: #17 WR
The past three weeks haven’t been too kind to F1, but I think he’ll right the ship this week at home against the Jets. This New York secondary isn’t very good against the passing game, ranking 24th in pass defense DVOA. This Giants team was able to carve them up last Sunday, and I think the NFC East tradition will continue. McLaurin is a great WR2-3 on Sunday.
Marquise Brown (vs. HOU) – Razzball Projection: #24 WR
In the game of the week, in what could potentially turn into a shootout, Hollywood Brown finds himself in an idea spot, against a secondary that ranks 20th in pass defense DVOA. The Texans have allowed some big games to opposing WR’s in the past weeks, and Brown, as well as Lamar Jackson, should have no issues against this defense.
Sit ‘Em
Kenny Golladay (vs. DAL) – Razzball Projection: #26 WR
Not only will Matthew Stafford be out once again, but Golladay will now have to face a Cowboys defense that does a great job of limiting big plays, ranking 10th in explosive passing rate allowed. While he did catch a TD, Golladay didn’t do that great last week without Stafford, and that should continue this week as well. He’s very TD-dependent at this point, and isn’t worth a start in most leagues.
Christian Kirk (@ SF) – Razzball Projection: #30 WR
Well, I thought he should be a bona-fide start last week, and he came through. Even a blind squirrel finds a nut! While Kirk did find the endzone (finally) last week against Tampa Bay, he should have a much harder chance this week against a tough 49ers defense. Kirk isn’t a must-start at all, even if he coming off of a great performance.
Alshon Jeffery (vs. NE) – Razzball Projection: #43 WR
Jeffery has struggled greatly these past few weeks, and I think it continues this Sunday against New England. Like I mentioned above with Wentz, my expectations aren’t too high for the Eagles passing game this Sunday, especially Jeffery.
Tight Ends
Start ‘Em
Gerald Everett (vs. CHI) – Razzball Projection: #4 TE
He put together a solid game last week against the Steelers, and I think he should continue the mini-run this week against Chicago at home, against a defense that can’t really cover opposing Tight Ends.
Jared Cook (@ TB) – Razzball Projection: #7 TE
Like Everett, Cook should continue with a productive outing this Sunday against a defense that can’t really cover Tight Ends in Tampa Bay.
Sit ‘Em
Kyle Rudolph (vs. DEN) – Razzball Projection: #15 TE
While Thielen is still out, I don’t have the same confidence that I did have last week in Rudolph, as it’s a much tougher matchup now against the Broncos.
Kickers and D/ST
Start ‘Em
Daniel Carlson (vs. CIN) – Razzball Projection: #1 K
The Raiders should move the ball down the field with ease tomorrow, and Carlson should have a bunch of XP and FG opportunities to boot.
Minnesota Vikings (vs. DEN) – Razzball Projection: #1 DEF
At home against Brandon Allen is a good recipe for fantasy success. I don’t think Allen will do as well as he did last time out against the Browns.
Sit ‘Em
Brandon McManus (@ MIN) – Razzball Projection: #28 K
I’m expecting the Broncos offense to struggle a great deal this Sunday, and McManus holds little value in most leagues.
Baltimore Ravens (vs. HOU) – Razzball Projection: #19 DEF
While this is a pretty good unit, they have the unfortunate task of defending against Deshaun Watson, and I don’t like their chances to totally shut him down. This game should be a slugfest.
Good luck to everyone in Week 11, and I will be back on Thursday for another edition of Ambulance Chasers!
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