Okay kids... Week 11 is fast approaching. 2 regular season fantasy weeks to go after this weekend. It's crunch time, so I'm sure many of you (like me) are gripping over which players to plug into those WR2/3, flex, and RB2 spots. Again, if you have a Peyton Manning, Chris Johnson, or other matchup-proof player, then by all means go with that player. Let's take a look at some players who you might want to consider or stay away from this week...
QUARTERBACKS TO START
1. Eli Manning vs. Atlanta. 2 weeks to prepare for Atlanta, who's been giving up yards to everyone through the air. Start with confidence.
2. Donovan McNabb @ Chicago. With Westbrook out, look for pass-oriented Eagles to throw even more often.
3. Matt Schaub vs. Tennessee. Schaub to Andre Johnson is as dangerous as any QB-WR combo in NFL... especially when facing Tennessee secondary at home.
QUARTERBACKS TO SIT
1. Joe Flacco vs. Indianapolis. Flacco has faded into more of a game manager than a statistically-productive fantasy QB; facing a solid Colts defense.
2. Mark Sanchez @ New England. Seems he's been figured out; facing an angry Patriot defense looking for blood.
3. Matt Hasselbeck @ Minnesota. This is especially so in leagues that subtract heavily for sacks and turnovers. Although Minnesota's pass defense ranks low, Jared Allen and the Minny front 7 will batter Hasselbeck.
RUNNING BACKS TO START
1. Rashard Mendenhall @ Kansas City. Should go off against a mediocre Chief defense.
2. Knowshon Moreno vs. San Diego. With Orton likely to miss game, Broncos will be even more prone to run the football.
3. Kevin Smith vs. Cleveland. Great matchup against reeling Browns in this season's biggest pillow fight.
RUNNING BACKS TO SIT
1. Ladell Betts @ Dallas. Even though Washington is a run-based offense, Dallas boasts a top-10 rush defense and has given up few rushing scores this season.
2. Jamaal Charles vs. Pittsburgh. Had a nice Week 10 with 103 RuYds @ OAK, but facing a nasty PIT rush defense coming off a loss.
3. Justin Forsett @ Minnesota. Hopefully, with Seattle likely throwing from behind and facing the Williams Wall, you have a better option on your roster. If not, scour the waiver wire for a Week 11 sleeper like Jason Snelling or Bernard Scott.
WIDE RECEIVERS TO START
1. Sidney Rice vs. Seattle. Brett Favre seems to always develop a strong rapport with a particular receiver, and that guy is definitely Rice. Is there a hotter WR in the league right now?
2. Calvin Johnson vs. Cleveland. If he doesn't go for at least 80+ yards and at least one score, I'll be very surprised.
3. Nate Burleson @ Minnesota. With Houshmanzadeh likely to draw CB Winfield, Burleson should receive plenty of targets Sunday.
WIDE RECEIVERS TO SIT
1. Devin Hester vs. Philadelphia. If you can't afford to sit him, at least temper your expectations. He's gonna have Asante Samuel shadowing him all game. Not the easiest matchup for the speedster.
2. Michael Crabtree @ Green Bay. Sure, he's the #1 receiving threat for SF, but he'll be shadowed by Charles Woodson and the Niners will be running heavily against Green Bay's 3-4. Don't expect huge numbers.
3. Terrell Owens @ Jacksonville. Incredible how the guy has gone from a fantasy #1 to almost unstartable. Lee Evans is getting the looks from his QB, leading the team with a paltry 351 receiving yards. No one outside of Marshawn Lynch and (barely) Evans is a fantasy starter right now.
TIGHT ENDS TO START
1. Kellen Winslow vs. New Orleans. The Bucs appear determined to throw the football (although they had to come from behind in both of Freeman's starts... but still), and Josh Freeman has targeted Kellen Winslow more than any other Buccaneer receiver. Accordingly, there's no reason to think he won't get close to double-digit targets and put up a solid, if not spectacular, day.
2. Vernon Davis @ Green Bay. Could have a big day in the right offensive sets against Green Bay linebackers... especially if GB corners take Crabtree out of the equation and if SF can run the ball and get Davis some red zone looks.
3. Brandon Pettigrew vs. Cleveland. May be Lions' second-best receiving threat behind Megatron. Unlike when facing Vikings, will not be asked to stay in to help block the putrid Browns defensive front and should be productive in passing game (how about that... 3 Lions to start... only the Browns could allow for such a feat!).
TIGHT ENDS TO SIT
1. John Carlson @ Minnesota. I have a feeling his knuckles are going to be black and blue from all the blocking he'll be asked to do on Jared Allen.
2. Todd Heap vs. Indianapolis. Hasn't been healthy, hasn't scored since the second week of the season, and has shown nothing to make me believe he's going to become a factor in the offense this season. Pass.
3. Bo Scaife @ Houston. Although he was a former favorite target of Vince Young, he hasn't rekindled that chemistry yet with his old mate. Texans have held down opposing tight ends pretty well, sans Vernon Davis' 3 TD output.
DEFENSES TO START
1. Arizona @ St. Louis. Arizona a top-flight run-stopping defense and have excellent cover corners. Slim pickings for the Rams' offense.
2. Cincinnati @ Oakland. Bengals should be able to force Raiders into passing situations, setting up Gradkowski and Oakland for a healthy number of sacks and turnovers.
3. Philadelphia @ Chicago. An aggressive, blitzing defense against a turnover-happy Cutler? Gulp.
DEFENSES TO SIT
1. Baltimore vs. Indianapolis. I don't care who they are or that they're coming off a shutout of the hapless Browns (in one of the worst MNF games in history...ugh!). Manning will always get his. If there's a good matchup-based defense on the waiver wire and you have the roster space, make the move.
2. Denver vs. San Diego. Suddenly, that vaunted Bronco defense is allowing opposing ball carriers to gash them. Look out for San Diego to control the time of possession with a balanced offense spearheaded by a solid game from LT.
3. New Orleans @ Tampa Bay. Yes, there is the potential for the Saints to snag some turnovers. However, the Saints have given up numerous big plays and 20+ points to both the Panthers and Rams the past 2 weeks. The Buccaneers have been moving the football well and scoring points. If your league scoring rules put a premium on points allowed, consider going an alternate route.
If you guys have a lineup question, please feel free to post it below.