Fantasy Football Week 11 Preview (and Picks)

Before I begin with my players to watch in fantasy football this week, a few things: First, I am saddened to tell you that the playoff hopes of the Red Hot Jabrilli Peppers (3-7) and Delanie Walker Texas Ranger (3-7) have died. For the first time in my fantasy career (I think), I will miss the playoffs. And I'll do so in two of my three leagues. Rest In Peace. On a happier note, I would like to thank Jared Goff and Robert Woods for propelling me to victory in my other league (helping The Real Slim Shady improve to 5-5) and for winning me money in daily fantasy. Lastly, I have added the kicker position to the Top Performers section, because they are people too (plus, Greg the Leg is averaging more fantasy points than some starting quarterbacks). That is all.


Top Performers of Week 10
QB: Cam Newton, Panthers (vs. MIA)
21-35, 254 yards passing, 4 TD;  5 carries, 95 yards rushing

RB: Mark Ingram, Saints (@ BUF)
21 carries, 131 yards rushing, 3 TD

WR: Robert Woods, Rams (vs. HOU)
8 catches, 171 yards receiving, 2 TD

TE: Jimmy Graham, Seahawks (@ ARI)
6 catches, 27 yards, 2 TD

D/ST: Atlanta Falcons (vs. DAL)
7 points allowed, 233 yards allowed, 8 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries

K: Greg Zuerlein, Rams (vs. HOU)
FG: 4-4 (27 yards, 33 yards, 50 yards, 33 yards)  XP: 3-3

Picks

Record:
Last Week: 9-4   vs. Spread: 7-6   O/U: 8-5
Season: 83-52   vs. Spread: 64-66-4   O/U: 66-64-2

Sunday
Jaguars 28, Browns 17 (1:00 PM, CBS)
Line: JAC -7.5   O/U: 37
Lions 35, Bears 20 (1:00 PM, FOX)
Line: DET -3   O/U: 41
Ravens 17, Packers 10 (1:00 PM, CBS)
Line: BAL -2   O/U: 38
Buccaneers 17, Dolphins 19 (1:00 PM, FOX)
Line: TB -1   O/U: 41.5
Rams 33, Vikings 24 (1:00 PM, FOX)
Line: MIN -2.5   O/U: 45.5
Washington 21, Saints 35 (1:00 PM, FOX)
Line: NO -7.5   O/U: 51.5
Chiefs 32, Giants 14 (1:00 PM, CBS)
Line: KC -10   O/U: 46
Cardinals 24, Texans 16 (1:00 PM, FOX)
Line: HOU -2   O/U: 37.5
Bills 17, Chargers 21 (4:05 PM, FOX)
Line: LAC -5.5   O/U: 41
Bengals 17, Broncos 14 (4:25 PM, CBS)
Line: DEN -2.5   O/U: 38
Patriots 28, Raiders 35 (Mexico, 4:25 PM, CBS)
Line: NE -7.5   O/U: 54.5
Eagles 38, Cowboys 21 (8:30 PM, NBC)
Line: PHI -5.5   O/U: 48
Monday
Falcons 31, Seahawks 28 (8:30 PM, ESPN)
Line: SEA -2.5   O/U: 45


Fantasy Football Players I Like This Week
Players I like this week who aren't obvious starts

Quarterback
Derek Carr, Raiders (vs. NE)
Carr hasn't been as successful this season as he was last season, but he has still been a quality quarterback. Plus, the Raiders are coming off a bye week (meaning everybody's well-rested), and New England owns the league's worst pass defense (287 yards allowed per game).

Alex Smith, Chiefs (@ NYG)
After a scorching start to the season, Smith has come back down to earth a bit, but this week he gets the 1-8 Giants, who have the third-worst pass defense in the NFL (268 yards allowed per game) and just surrendered 288 yards and two touchdowns to C.J. Beathard.

Jay Cutler, Dolphins (vs. TB)
Cutler is never a great fantasy option, but he's been playing decently, and Sunday he plays a Tampa Bay team that ranks 29th in the NFL in pass defense (266 yards allowed per game). With talented weapons in Jarvis Landry and DeVante Parker, Cutler could have a lot of success this weekend.

Running Back
Jay Ajayi, Eagles (@ DAL)
Since coming over from Miami, Ajayi has become Philadelphia's number one back. Last week, Ajayi took eight handoffs for 77 yards and a touchdown. The Eagles have said that they're going to give Ajayi more work, and he could turn that added work into more production this week.

Duke Johnson Jr., Browns (vs. JAX)
Jacksonville's pass defense is airtight, but its rushing defense is a weak spot. The Jaguars rank 25th in the NFL against the run (120.7 yards allowed per game). While Isaiah Crowell was the more productive back last week, expect Duke to get lots of work running and catching the ball in the bad weather.

Chris Thompson, Washington (@ NO)
Rob Kelley was put on IR this week, and Jordan Reed and Terrelle Pryor have been ruled out. That means the playmaking Thompson will see more action on Sunday (both on the ground and through the air) in what could turn into a high-scoring game.

Wide Receiver
DeVante Parker, Dolphins (vs. TB)
Parker had been pretty productive this season when healthy, and this week he should continue the high production against Tampa Bay. As I noted when talking about Jay Cutler, the Buccaneers rank 29th in the league in pass defense, so Parker should be in for another solid game.

Marqise Lee, Jaguars (@ CLE)
Lee is Jacksonville's clear number one receiver, and the number two pass-catcher (Allen Hurns) has been ruled out for this game. The weather could limit his production, but he should get plenty of looks against Cleveland's porous pass defense.

Dontrelle Inman, Bears (vs. DET)
The Chicago offense hasn't been a paradise for receivers this season, but Inman has stepped in and become the leading target. Last week, in his first game for the Bears, Inman six passes for 88 yards. This week, he goes up against Detroit's 25th-ranked pass defense.

Tight End
Austin Hooper, Falcons (@ SEA)
Hooper has been the second most productive receiver for the Falcons this season, and he's seen six targets in each of the last three games. Seattle's pass defense is solid, but the Seahawks haven't been as stout against tight ends. Hooper could be in for a productive Monday night.

Jared Cook, Raiders (vs. NE)
Cook leads the Raiders in receiving yards this season. Before the bye, he caught eight passes for 126 yards (his second game of over 100 yards this year). I've already talked about New England, which struggles mightily against the pass. Cook will find room on Sunday.

Marcedes Lewis, Jaguars (@ CLE)
This is the weekly "tight end playing Cleveland". Lewis has seen 11 total targets the last two games, and if he's healthy (he is currently questionable for Sunday's game), he will probably find the end zone at least once against the Browns, as most tight ends do.

Defense
Kansas City Chiefs (@ NYG)
Kansas City's defense hasn't been among the best this season, but it is still a solid defense. The floundering New York Giants rank near the bottom of the league in offense, and they just gave San Francisco its first win of the season last week.

Cincinnati Bengals (@ DEN)
Cincinnati's defense ranks in the top half of the league, but the main reason I've listed the Bengals here is because they play our good friend Brock Osweiler. In two starts this season, Osweiler has thrown three interceptions. Denver's offense in general has been stagnant recently.

Cleveland Browns (vs. JAX)
The word "Cleveland" and "Browns" may be turnoffs, but a few things are working in Cleveland's favor. First, the Browns defense has been above average. Second, Leonard Fournette and Allen Hurns are out Sunday. Third, the weather may not be conducive to a lot of offense.

Stats and information via ESPN.com

Lines and Over/Unders via SportsLine.com

Lines and Over/Unders as of Saturday Afternoon


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