Making lineup decisions can be the most frustrating — or most rewarding — part of fantasy football. We’re here to help you make those decisions with our fantasy start ’em/sit ’em picks.
It’s now Week 11. We have plenty of in-season data and can play matchups based on reliable information. With that in mind, let’s take a look at our top Week 11 start/sit plays.
Which Players Should You Start in Week 11?
Russell Wilson, QB, Pittburgh Steelers (vs. BAL)
A month ago, I was lamenting Mike Tomlin’s absurd decision to bench Justin Fields for Russell Wilson. Now, I’m recommending you start Wilson in fantasy. I’m sorry, coach. You were right. I was wrong.
FIRST TD AS A STEELER!!!!!!!!
📲 Stream on NFL+: https://t.co/COxKRnr6Mc pic.twitter.com/qaxvtHNvcM
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) November 10, 2024
I’m not sure what Wilson’s problem was in his final year in Seattle or both of his years in Denver, but he looks rejuvenated. In his three starts, he’s scored at least 19 fantasy points twice. Most notably, he’s been doing this on minimal volume.
Wilson has yet to hit 30 pass attempts in a game. That could very well change against a Baltimore Ravens offense that will surely force the Pittsburgh Steelers to play a little more offense than they’ve had to over the past month.
If the Steelers do have to throw, they should be successful at it, considering the Ravens have the third-worst defensive EPA per dropback in the league. They are allowing the second-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks.
With the Ravens also bottom five in terms of deep-ball completion percentage allowed and Wilson’s patented moon ball looking on point, he could be in for a big day in this divisional showdown. Wilson is a fantasy QB this week.
Nick Chubb, RB, Cleveland Browns (at NO)
It still remains to be seen whether Nick Chubb will ever look like himself again. He’s only played three games since returning from his devastating knee injury, but the trademark efficiency has not returned.
Is it likely that Chubb suddenly looks like his old self after a bye week? No. But that doesn’t mean he can’t get better to the point where he’s a good start in fantasy.
Chubb has reclaimed his RB1 job with the Cleveland Browns. He’s had touch counts of 14, 18, and 16 in his three games this season. In Week 8 against the Ravens, the only game in which the Browns didn’t experience a significant negative game script, Chubb played 59% of the snaps.
The Browns are no lock to defeat the New Orleans Saints this week. However, it would be a surprise if they ran into a severely negative game script forcing them to abandon the run. That should keep Chubb on the field more often than not.
The Saints allow the fourth-most fantasy points per game to running backs. Well-rested off the bye and two more weeks removed from his injury, perhaps Chubb will look a bit more explosive against a defense that makes every running back look good.
Regardless, there should be plenty of volume for the veteran running back, making him a strong start in a favorable spot.
Aaron Jones, RB, Minnesota Vikings (at TEN)
It’s been a rough three-week stretch for Aaron Jones’ fantasy managers. The veteran RB hasn’t played poorly. The fantasy results just haven’t followed.
Jones has scored between 11.5 and 12.2 fantasy points in three straight games. This is despite seeing no fewer than 20 opportunities in each of those contests. He just hasn’t scored.
Fantasy managers should keep their faith in Jones against a Tennessee Titans run-funnel defense. The Titans allow the 10th-most fantasy points per game to running backs. Given how poorly Sam Darnold played against the Jacksonville Jaguars, almost losing to Mac Jones, the Minnesota Vikings may opt for a more run-heavy approach against a team that is vulnerable on the ground.
As long as everything is good with Jones’ chest injury (he returned to the game after getting checked out by the medical team), he has a very strong start this week.
Calvin Ridley, WR, Tennessee Titans (vs. MIN)
I always fear being perceived as point-chasing when I recommend a player coming off a big week. In this case, it’s purely coincidental that Calvin Ridley had his best game of the season last week, catching five passes for 84 yards and two touchdowns. He would’ve been a recommended start regardless.
The Titans only scored 17 points against a very good Los Angeles Chargers defense last week. Imagine what they will do against a Vikings pass-funnel defense allowing the second-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers.
Ridley looks like he’s turned a corner. The Titans committed to getting him the ball more, and those promises have been kept. He’s now seen at least eight targets in five consecutive games.
Since DeAndre Hopkins got traded
Calvin Ridley 📈📈📈📈
34% target share (1st in NFL)
52.9% air yard share (3rd in NFL)
300 rec yards (2nd in NFL)
20 receptions (8th in NFL)
40.8% 1st read share (1st in NFL)Data from @FantasyPtsData
— Joke 🃏 (@Jokeeee_) November 11, 2024
With DeAndre Hopkins gone, there is no one even close to Ridley’s talent level in the Titans passing game. Likely to experience a negative game script, Ridley is a strong bet for a double-digit target game against a very beatable secondary.
Courtland Sutton, WR, Denver Broncos (vs. ATL)
Is Courtland Sutton ever not a start? The longtime Denver Broncos WR is putting together the best season of his career. Over his last three games, he’s scored no fewer than 17 fantasy points in each of them while averaging 10 targets a game.
Bo Nix goes deep to Courtland Sutton for the 32-yard TD! @Broncos lead 14-3 👀
📺: #DENvsKC on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/zCVxAlrDBs— NFL (@NFL) November 10, 2024
It’s weird playing matchups with Sutton because, truthfully, they haven’t mattered. He’s had success regardless of the caliber of his opponent. Nevertheless, good matchups certainly don’t hurt, and he’s got one this week.
The Atlanta Falcons allow the eighth-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers. While the Broncos are good enough defensively to avoid being forced to completely abandon the run, the play of their running backs has pushed them into a neutral game script pass rate that is slightly above average. That’s good enough for Sutton, who is the clear alpha in a favorable matchup.
Dalton Kincaid (or Dawson Knox), TE, Buffalo Bills (vs. KC)
Given the hype surrounding Dalton Kincaid, combined with the Buffalo Bills’ lack of receiving options, saying his sophomore campaign has been a disappointment would be a massive understatement. However, there is reason for optimism this week if he can go.
Kincaid’s best week this season is 13.1 fantasy points. He’s hit double-digits only three times. However, he’s poised to make it four against a Kansas City Chiefs defense allowing the second-most fantasy points per game to tight ends.
Now, to be fair, Kincaid just played the fifth-worst team against TEs and only managed two catches for five yards. Though, he should’ve had an easy walk-in touchdown, had Josh Allen not missed him badly on a wide-open play.
The only concern is his knee injury, which he picked up in the Bills’ victory over the Indianapolis Colts. If Kincaid can’t go, Dawson Knox will serve as the primary TE. He would not be as exciting of a start, but he’d be a viable streaming option against a pass-funnel defense in a game the Bills should have to score a bunch of points to keep up.
Which Players Should You Sit in Week 11?
Kirk Cousins, QB, Atlanta Falcons (at DEN)
The Falcons QB has certainly improved considerably since his disastrous start to the season. He’s been able to completely sustain the fantasy values of Drake London, Darnell Mooney, and, to a lesser extent, Kyle Pitts. However, I do believe the perception of Cousins as a fantasy QB has been skewed by his games against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Cousins is not a fantasy QB1. He’s barely a QB2 … unless he plays the Bucs. In two games against his division rival, Cousins scored 35.36 and 28.64 fantasy points. Cousins vs. the Bucs is the single best QB matchup in fantasy. Against everyone else, he’s unstartable.
In the rest of his games, Cousins is averaging 12.13 fantasy points per game. He’s yet to reach 18 fantasy points in any non-Bucs game.
This week, Cousins has a road date against a Broncos defense that ranks fourth in defensive EPA per dropback. They’re allowing the sixth-fewest fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. Cousins is well outside the top 12 QBs and better left on the bench.
Travis Etienne Jr., RB, Jacksonville Jaguars (at DET)
In his second game back after a two-game absence due to a hamstring strain, Travis Etienne Jr. returned to the clear lead-back role for the Jaguars. He played 68% of the snaps and handled 12 touches in a very difficult offensive environment without Trevor Lawrence.
You probably weren’t chomping at the bit to start Etienne or anyone playing in a Jones-led offense. But Etienne’s usage suggests he would be a viable RB2 in the right circumstances. These are not the right circumstances.
The Detroit Lions allow the seventh-fewest fantasy points per game to running backs. Their defensive rush success rate is fifth-best in the league.
Etienne should see enough volume to be a passable RB2, but this Jaguars offense is a complete disaster without Lawrence. Hopefully, for the sake of anyone with Etienne, Evan Engram, and/or Brian Thomas Jr., Lawrence will opt to return after the team’s Week 12 bye. If not, they will all remain fades for the remainder of the season, starting with Etienne in this brutal matchup this week.
Najee Harris, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. BAL)
As much as we love Wilson this week, we do not like Najee Harris. The stranglehold the Steelers’ lead back had on this backfield is completely gone.
Although Harris carried the ball 21 times last week, he only managed 53 yards. If not for a touchdown, his fantasy outing would’ve been a disaster. Harris did not see a single target for the second time in three weeks, as Jaylen Warren has a monopoly on the receiving-back role.
Ultimately, when it comes to projecting Steelers RBs, the game script will play a huge role. The Steelers have yet to really find themselves in a situation where they have to completely abandon the run. Their biggest test was last week against the Washington Commanders when they had to come back and win in the fourth quarter. They were still able to run the ball 39 times (excluding Wilson scrambles).
This week, the Steelers may be forced to throw more against a Ravens offense that looks like the best in football. When they throw, it’s going to be Warren on the field. He played just two fewer snaps than Harris last week.
The Ravens’ defensive rush success rate is second in the league. They surrender a mere 3.4 yards per carry and allow the eighth-fewest fantasy points per game to running backs. Harris is purely a touchdown-or-bust RB3 this week.
Jakobi Meyers, WR, Las Vegas Raiders (at MIA)
This is being written before “Monday Night Football,” but it’s not as if whatever Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua do will massively impact the Miami Dolphins’ defensive numbers against wide receivers. They allow the fewest fantasy points per game to the position.
The Las Vegas Raiders are an absolute mess. Gardner Minshew II has been benched three different times this season. At this point, we don’t know whether it will be Minshew or Desmond Ridder this week. Quite frankly, it probably doesn’t matter.
Jakobi Meyers won’t be a total flop. He’s the clear WR1 for the Raiders. In a game they should trail, he may be able to survive on volume. However, do not expect the 8-105 he posted against the Bengals or for him to score a touchdown like he did against the Chiefs. Consider Meyers a floor-based WR4, at best, this week.
Tank Dell, WR, Houston Texans (at DAL)
Most start/sit recommendations are purely matchup-based. For this one, I’m going in a different direction.
Tank Dell has a good matchup against the Dallas Cowboys, who allow the 11th-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers. To be fair, though, every position is a good matchup against the hapless Cowboys.
This is about the game script and team situation. Dell managed just five catches for 39 yards last week against a Lions pass-funnel defense that struggles mightily against WRs. Now, Nico Collins is expected to return. Plus, the Houston Texans should be able to do whatever they want on the ground against a Cowboys defense that ranks fourth-worst in defensive rush success rate.
Not only will Dell revert to being the WR2, but C.J. Stroud may not have to throw much, as the team leans heavily on Joe Mixon. Two of Dell’s last three games have been good for fantasy, but the run is over. Sit Dell this week.
Jake Ferguson, TE, Dallas Cowboys (vs. HOU)
It’s amazing how quickly a player can go from looking like a sure-fire top-five option at a position to completely unstartable. That’s where we are with Jake Ferguson.
The Cowboys TE had given fantasy managers 11.9 fantasy points or more in four of his last six games before Week 10. He’d been able to do that without scoring a touchdown. It’s very uncommon for non-elite TEs to produce TE1 numbers without scoring. Ferguson actually had a pretty solid floor. Well, that’s gone now.
This Cowboys offense from which we always used to want pieces is now the worst in football. It doesn’t matter whether it’s Cooper Rush or Trey Lance at quarterback, neither is capable of completing any passes downfield.
It’s fair to say the offense will be better going forward, but the Cowboys finished their blowout loss to the Philadelphia Eagles with a total of 66 passing yards. Add in the fact that the Texans allow the fifth-fewest fantasy points to tight ends and had Jared Goff under duress all night last week, and this is a recipe for disaster for all things Cowboys.