Making lineup decisions can be the most frustrating or most rewarding part of fantasy football. Here to help you make those decisions are our start ’em and sit ’em picks. The stakes will only get higher from here on out. So let’s take a look at our Week 11 start/sit plays.
Start ‘Em: Joe Flacco, QB, Cincinnati Bengals (at PIT)
How is Joe Flacco still doing this at age 40? Regardless of the reason, all that matters is that he’s been fantasy gold ever since joining the Cincinnati Bengals.
In his four starts with the team, Flacco’s worst outing was 18.7 fantasy points. He’s averaging 25.4 fantasy points per game on the Bengals.
Old Man Flacco is now rested and refreshed following the bye week. His reward is a Pittsburgh Steelers defense that he already torched for 342 yards and three touchdowns in Week 7.
The Steelers allow the sixth-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. Cincinnati probably won’t win this game, but they should score plenty of points trying.
Aaron Rodgers, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. CIN)
It does feel a bit risky simply going with, “Well the last game between these two teams was a shootout, so surely it will happen again!” Cue up a 16-13 stinker.
All we can do in fantasy football is analyze the data and make the best decisions possible. And the data tells us that starting quarterbacks against the Bengals is a great process.
Aaron Rodgers has not been good for fantasy this year. He’s only exceeded 17 fantasy points twice this season. He did it in Week 1 against the New York Jets and in Week 7 against the Bengals.
In that game, Rodgers threw for a season-high 249 yards and four touchdowns, posting 24.5 fantasy points. The Bengals allow the seventh-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. We should see plenty of scoring in this one once again.
Marcus Mariota, QB, Washington Commanders (at MIA)
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There are a lot of good matchups this week. As a result, we’re going with three stars instead of the usual even split.
Marcus Mariota is not about to salvage the Washington Commanders’ season or lead them back into playoff contention. But he still has every incentive to put his best foot forward because he’s hoping to get a job in 2026.
The Miami Dolphins had a truly shocking victory over the Buffalo Bills last week. This seems like the perfect spot for a letdown from a defense that had previously been very generous to opposing quarterbacks.
The Dolphins still allow the eighth-most fantasy points per game to the position. As much as Mariota may not be winning games, he’s been great for fantasy. The former No. 2 overall pick has reached 17 fantasy points in three of his four starts. He’s thrown a touchdown in all of them and rushed for at least 20 yards.
Mariota has an excellent floor and a high ceiling in a favorable matchup.
Woody Marks, RB, Houston Texans (at TEN)
Let’s get the obvious out of the way first. Woody Marks is not going to outsnap Nick Chubb 60-10 this week. The split in this backfield has primarily been a product of game script.
At the same time, Marks is a far superior running back to Chubb at this point in their respective careers. He can and should continue to see more work than his veteran counterpart.
Marks overcame a difficult matchup against the Jaguars to post 16.1 fantasy points. He saw 17 opportunities, which marked his second-highest usage of the season.
Things should be much easier this week against a Tennessee Titans defense allowing the ninth-most fantasy points per game to running backs.
Hopefully, C.J. Stroud returns, and the Texans won’t be chasing on the scoreboard the entire game. A positive game script is better for Chubb, but it benefits both runners. We also saw Marks serve as the goal-line back last week, suggesting perhaps that is not Chubb’s job anymore.
Chubb is startable as well as a desperation RB3, but Marks could be in line for an RB1 performance.
Rachaad White, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at BUF)
Nothing makes my stomach turn more than recommending Rachaad White in fantasy lineups. One of the worst runners and most overrated players of the decade, White is purely a volume merchant who would barely see the ball if Bucky Irving could ever get back on the field.
Unfortunately, Irving does not seem close to returning. That means at least one more week of lead back to White.
The veteran has been disappointing over the past three weeks. His 10.4 fantasy points against the New England Patriots represented his highest output since Week 6. But there’s reason to believe he could be in for a solid outing this week.
The Bills are coming off a terrible loss to the Dolphins. Much like how the Lions took out their frustrations on the Commanders following their bad loss, look for this offense to rebound big time.
If the Bucs can keep the game within reach, Buffalo allows the fourth-most fantasy points per game to running backs. If they fall behind, White is the passing down back. Either way, this game shapes up as one where the plodding, inefficient, and ineffective White can get there for fantasy managers.
Jordan Addison, WR, Minnesota Vikings (vs. CHI)
The sample size is small, but it hasn’t been great for Jordan Addison, going from Carson Wentz to JJ McCarthy. Addison averaged 16.0 fantasy points per game across his four contests with Wentz. In two with McCarthy, he’s managed 14.9 fantasy points…total.
The sample size is small, though. Plus, we saw encouraging signs against the Baltimore Ravens. Addison only had three catches for 35 yards, but he commanded 11 targets. His catch rate won’t often be below 30%.
The Bears allow the third-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers. In Week 1, these teams played to a 27-24 shootout with McCarthy orchestrating a thrilling fourth-quarter comeback. Perhaps we’ll see more sustained fireworks in this one, allowing Addison to post WR2 numbers for the first time with McCarthy under center.
Christian Watson, WR, Green Bay Packers (at NYG)
Initially, this was Romeo Doubs. Then, he picked up a chest injury late in the Packers’ Monday night loss to the Eagles and did not return. It doesn’t seem like an overly serious injury, but with one less day to recover, Doubs is probably on the wrong side of questionable for Week 11.
This puts Christian Watson in the WR1 role for the Packers. And let’s be honest here, he’s their most talented receiver anyway.
Watson led the Packers in receiving last week with just two catches for 45 yards. He continues to make plays downfield, and the Giants allow the seventh-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers.
Jordan Love hasn’t thrown a touchdown pass since Week 8. You have to think that head coach Matt LaFleur wants to get his quarterback’s confidence up. This is a perfect bounce back spot against a bad defense in a game the Packers should win easily.
Kyle Pitts, TE, Atlanta Falcons (vs. CAR)
Last week, Kyle Pitts was unable to capitalize on a favorable matchup against a Colts defense that has struggled to contain tight ends. So, that’s not exactly the most encouraging data point for Pitts this week.
The Carolina Panthers are coming off a bad loss to the New Orleans Saints, where Juwan Johnson scorched them to the tune of 92 yards and a touchdown. Carolina now allows the seventh-most fantasy points per game to tight ends.
Pitts only caught two passes for 38 yards last week, marking his second consecutive game with exactly 38 receiving yards. It hasn’t been good. But the Atlanta Falcons are also coming off a rough loss in a game they realistically should’ve won. And the Panthers have been vulnerable to the tight end.
When Michael Penix Jr. drops back to pass, his options beyond Drake London are limited. Bijan Robinson has been the de facto WR2, but he’s still a running back. There needs to be someone else. It certainly isn’t Darnell Mooney, who has legitimately looked like the worst wide receiver in football since returning from his shoulder injury.
Pitts has four games with at least 12.9 fantasy points. The upside is there. In this matchup, he very well may hit it.
Zach Ertz, TE, Washington Commanders (at MIA)
Even in a dismal effort against the Lions, Zach Ertz got there for fantasy managers. There are plenty of us who would sign for 9.4 fantasy points from our tight end.
Ertz has caught four passes in three straight games. He has a role in this offense, and the situation is ripe for him to have a strong week.
The Dolphins allow the third-most fantasy points per game to tight ends. Their offense was clicking last week in an upset victory over the Bills. They actually may be able to force the Commanders into a negative game script. Plus, it’s not as if Washington has much of a running game anyway.
Terry McLaurin is going to miss another week, which leaves Ertz as the second option in the passing game behind Deebo Samuel Sr. Ertz has been better than Jayden Daniels than Marcus Mariota, but this could be the week he and the backup finally click.
Sit ‘Em: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. LAC)
You probably weren’t thinking about starting Trevor Lawrence anyway. There aren’t many true candidates to sit. So let’s go with a guy who probably won’t be an NFL starting quarterback after this season.
Lawrence predictably struggled against the Texans last week. We won’t hold that against him because everyone struggles against the Texans.
What’s really concerning is that in his last 35 games, Lawrence has thrown for 300 yards just 4 times. None of those instances have been this season.
Lawrence had good performances against the hapless Bengals and Raiders. He also had that anomalously great night against the Chiefs. Otherwise, he’s been mostly terrible.
Now, Lawrence gets a Chargers defense allowing the fourth-fewest fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. He may or may not have Brian Thomas Jr. back, making Parker Washington his WR1. It would be impossible for an actually talented quarterback to succeed under these circumstances. Good luck to Lawrence.
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Zach Charbonnet and Kenneth Walker III, RBs, Seattle Seahawks (at LAR)
Last week, the Arizona Cardinals did the impossible. They made the Seattle Seahawks’ backfield actually look competent.
Over the past two weeks, playing time has shifted back toward Kenneth Walker III. Zach Charbonnet’s snap share has been below 40% — a first in the first six weeks.
A positive game script kept both backs involved, as they had 14 carries each. That is very unlikely to be the case against the Los Angeles Rams.
The Rams allow the fewest fantasy points per game to running backs. Walker hasn’t hit double digits since Week 4. Charbonnet only gets there because he happens to fall into the end zone.
If you are going to start one of these backs, just as it’s been all season, it’s Charbonnet. He has the goal-line role and the touchdown upside. Neither back will be efficient. Charbonnet is your best bet because he can score. Walker is not finding the end zone unless he busts off a big run, which is unlikely to happen against this defense. Both belong on benches, though, if you can afford it.
Tyrone Tracy Jr., RB, New York Giants (vs. GB)
Last week, the New York Giants’ backfield flipped heavily in favor of Tyrone Tracy Jr. The sophomore runner’s snap share jumped to 67%, making this a clear starter/backup split between him and Devin Singletary. Yet, once again, the veteran out-produced him.
Tracy’s highest-scoring fantasy outing of the season is 10.6 points, which he posted in Week 7 purely because he scored. Even with 16 opportunities against a bad Chicago Bears defense, Tracy managed a mere 8.1 fantasy points last week.
Now, Tracy gets a Green Bay Packers defense allowing the second-fewest fantasy points per game to running backs. And he will be asked to overcome this matchup with what will most likely be Russell Wilson at quarterback. Tracy is a low-floor/low-ceiling RB3 in Week 11.
Xavier Worthy, WR, Kansas City Chiefs (at DEN)
The interesting part about Xavier Worthy’s season is that he’s actually played more snaps with Rashee Rice than while the Kansas City Chiefs’ WR1 was suspended. Worthy’s snap share has been around 83% each of his past two games, a number he didn’t hit once over the first seven weeks of the season. Unfortunately, the production hasn’t followed.
Worthy has just a single game with more than 11.1 fantasy points all season. Since Rice returned, the sophomore speedster has given fantasy managers games of 7.8, 10.3, and 6.0. Patrick Mahomes has been unable to connect with Worthy downfield, which is what it will likely take for him to pay off in fantasy.
This week, it will be a tall task to overcome a Denver Broncos defense that allows the second-fewest fantasy points per game to wide receivers.
While we have seen some receivers break through against the Broncos, if a Chief is to do it, it will likely be Rice. Worthy is likely headed toward another underwhelming outing this week.
Brian Thomas Jr., WR, Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. LAC)
Brian Thomas Jr. did not play last week due to a high ankle sprain. Adam Schefter reported that it was a low-grade sprain early in the week and that Thomas had a chance to play. Although BTJ didn’t practice at all last week, if he had a chance to play, it stands to reason he has a chance to play this week.
Even if Thomas does return, though, fantasy managers may not want to put him back into lineups.
Thomas has been incredibly disappointing this season. He has just one game with more than 12.0 fantasy points all season. He’s looked tentative and nothing like the explosive playmaker we saw as a rookie.
This week, Thomas would be asked to overcome a Chargers defense allowing the third-fewest fantasy points per game to wide receivers. They just held DK Metcalf to 35 yards in a game where the Steelers trailed throughout.
Trevor Lawrence will likely opt to throw short stuff to Parker Washington, rather than challenge the Chargers’ cornerbacks. If Thomas plays for the Jaguars, he does not necessarily play for you.
Cade Otton, TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at BUF)
Coming off a game where he caught nine of 12 targets for 82 yards, fantasy managers probably don’t want to sit Cade Otton. And you may not be able to. Otton is essentially the Bucs WR2 while Mike Evans and Chris Godwin are out. This is more of a “proceed with caution” than “don’t start him” for Otton.
The Bills have been very good at defending the tight end this season. In fact, no one has been better. Buffalo allows the fewest fantasy points per game to the position.
Now they haven’t faced any of the league’s top tight ends. The best one they’ve seen is Travis Kelce. And let’s be fair, Kelce is not the elite player he once was. Otton could still get by on volume. Just know that the Bills may be able to take him out of the picture.
Dalton Schultz, TE, Houston Texans (at TEN)
Last week, Dalton Schultz was a recommended start due to the favorable matchup against a Jaguars defense that struggles against the tight end. Negative game script also played a significant factor in Schultz’s 18.3 fantasy points.
This week should be much different as the Texans are likely to have a positive game script against the worst team in football.
Whether it’s C.J. Stroud or Davis Mills, expect Houston to run the ball on the Titans’ run funnel defense. That means less passing volume for a tight end who is, at best, the third option in the passing game.
If that’s not reason enough, the Titans allow the fewest fantasy points per game to tight ends. Schultz had a great spot start last week. Don’t go back to the well in Week 11.
