Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em Week 11

We’re halfway through the season and the fantasy football playoffs are right around the corner as there are only a few weeks left of the regular season. Fantasy football team owners have a clear view of whether they have a chance to make the playoffs and are actively preparing for it. Unfortunately, part of preparing for the playoffs is making sure you have enough healthy players on your roster to give you the best chance to win. Fantasy Football relevant injuries that occurred in week 10 include Derek Carr (concussion and AC joint sprain), Baker Mayfield (thumb), Deshaun Watson (left high ankle sprain), Alexander Mattison (concussion), Michael Thomas (right MCL sprain), and Keenan Allen (left shoulder AC joint sprain). As I have stated throughout the season, navigating through a heavy injury riddled season can be tough. However, the right strategy of starting players who have favorable matchups can help you win when your “starters” are hurt. Doing this can help you win your respective matchups and earn a spot in the playoffs to potentially win a championship.

Here are my recommendations for Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em Week 11.

Kyler Murray

Cardinals @ Texans | 1:00 pm EST Sunday

ESPN Starting Percentage: 22.3%

Murray officially returned to action this past Sunday leading the Cardinals to a 25-23 win over the Atlanta Falcons, scoring 17.26 fantasy points. In his second game back, he faces the Houston Texans defense that allows on average 17.3 fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. Murray should put up at least 17 points in this weekend’s matchup if not more if he utilizes his rushing ability, especially running in for six. He should be considered a mid-end QB2 in fantasy football leagues in week 11.

Brock Purdy

Buccaneers @ 49ers | 4:05 pm EST Sunday

ESPN Starting Percentage: 34.1%

Purdy looked sharp as a nail on Sunday leading the San Francisco 49ers to a 34-3 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars scoring 23.84 fantasy points for team owners. He helped the 49ers break a three-game losing streak which was crucial for them to gain confidence for the remainder of the season. Purdy has a great matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense that on average allows 23.2 fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks which ranks the fourth highest in the league. Purdy should be considered a low-end to mid-end QB1 in fantasy football leagues in week 11.

Jahmyr Gibbs

Bears @ Lions | 1:00 pm EST Sunday

ESPN Starting Percentage: 70.0%

It is now known that Gibbs and Montgomery can both have outstanding fantasy football performances while splitting time in the backfield. Gibbs helped the Detroit Lions increase their record to 7-2 after defeating the Los Angeles Chargers 41-38 in a shootout, scoring 26.2 fantasy points in PPR leagues which ranks second highest for the week. This week, Gibbs has a fantastic matchup against division rival the Chicago Bears defense which on average allows 16.6 fantasy points to opposing running backs. I expect Gibbs to put up double-digit numbers and should be considered a low-end to mid-end RB1 in week 11.

Devin Singletary

Cardinals @ Texans | 1:00 pm EST Sunday

ESPN Starting Percentage: 21.1%

Singletary enjoyed a marvelous game against the Cincinnati Bengals defense in the Houston Texans win this weekend 30-27, scoring 23.1 fantasy points in PPR leagues which was the third highest in the running back position. As news reports continue to generate, starting running back Dameon Pierce is out indefinitely for the time being with an ankle sprain. This gives Singletary owners or potential owners a clearer view that he will be the starter for the foreseeable future. In week 11 he has an excellent matchup against the Arizona Cardinals defense that on average allows 20.6 fantasy points to opposing running backs which ranks the third highest in the league.

Brandon Aiyuk

Buccaneers @ 49ers | 4:05 pm EST Sunday

ESPN Starting Percentage: 75.0%

Aiyuk helped the San Francisco 49ers defeat the Jacksonville Jaguars 34-3 this past weekend as I stated earlier, scoring 14.5 fantasy points in PPR leagues. In week 11 he faces a Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense that on average allows 25.1 fantasy points to opposing wide receivers which ranks the fourth highest in the league. Aiyuk is a must-start in this matchup and should be considered a mid-end to high-end WR1 in week 11.

Courtland Sutton

Vikings @ Broncos | 8:20 pm EST Sunday

ESPN Starting Percentage: 34.3%

In a stunning win, Courtland Sutton helped lead the Denver Broncos to victory over the Buffalo Bills 24-22 this past Monday night, scoring 17.3 fantasy points in PPR leagues. Sutton has a much better matchup against the Minnesota Vikings defense that allows on average 21.8 fantasy points to wide receivers this week. I expect Sutton to play a significant role in this upcoming matchup and should be considered a low-end to mid-end WR1 in fantasy football in week 11.

Christian Kirk

Titans @ Jaguars | 1:00 pm EST Sunday

ESPN Starting Percentage: 49.8%

Shockingly Kirk has been the most targeted receiver on the Jacksonville Jaguars offense with 71, and newcomer Calvin Ridley ranking second with 61. Kirk has played a significant role in this offense this season and has scored double-digit numbers in seven games this season. It showed again in their loss to the San Francisco 49ers 34-3, scoring 14.4 fantasy points for team owners. Kirk and the Jaguars offense have a much better matchup against the Tennessee Titans defense that on average allows 22.2 fantasy points to wide receivers. Thus, Kirk should be considered a low-end to mid-end WR1 in week 11.

Dalton Kincaid

Jets @ Bills | 4:25 pm EST Sunday

ESPN Starting Percentage: 73.6%

Kincaid had another solid outing scoring 16.1 fantasy points in PPR leagues in the Buffalo Bills loss to the Denver Broncos 24-22 this past Monday night. Kincaid has another good matchup against the New York Jets defense that on average allows 7.4 fantasy points to opposing tight ends which ranks seventh highest in the league. Kincaid should be considered a high-end TE2 to low-end TE2 in fantasy football in week 11.

Baker Mayfield

Buccaneers @ 49ers | 4:05 pm EST Sunday

ESPN Starting Percentage: 41.2%

On the flip side of the San Francisco 49ers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers matchup, quarterback Baker Mayfield has a less than favorable matchup in week 11. Mayfield has been playing better than expected throwing 14 touchdowns compared to 5 interceptions this season. Unfortunately, this is a week you want to avoid starting him in your lineup as he faces the 49ers defense that on average allows only 13.8 fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. My recommendation is to sit Mayfield in week 11.

Isiah Pacheco

Eagles @ Chiefs | 8:15 pm EST Monday

ESPN Starting Percentage: 12.7%

Pacheco has solidified the starting running back position for the Kansas City Chiefs offense and has had a solid season thus far. Except this week he faces an angry and fierce Philadelphia Eagles defense. The Eagles defense is excellent against the run allowing only 7.4 fantasy points on average to opposing running backs and wants revenge for last year’s Super Bowl loss.

Adam Thielen

Panthers @ Cowboys | 1:00 pm EST Sunday

ESPN Starting Percentage: 82.5%

The Dallas Cowboys defense showed their dominance in their blowout victory over the New York Giants 49-17. Unfortunately, Thielen is facing the Cowboys defense that on average allows 15.9 fantasy points to opposing wide receivers. I do not believe the Panthers will be able to get anything rolling against the Cowboys defense as they barely could score against the Chicago Bears defense this past weekend. My recommendation is to sit Thielen in week 11.

David Njoku

Steelers @ Browns | 1:00 pm EST Sunday

ESPN Starting Percentage: 45.5%

It wasn’t pretty, but the Cleveland Browns somehow defeated the Baltimore Ravens 33-31 in a come back win on Sunday. Njoku scored 11.8 fantasy points in PPR leagues which was the seventh highest in the tight end position group. Unfortunately, he faces the Pittsburgh Steelers defense that on average allows only 4.1 fantasy points to opposing tight ends. My recommendation is to sit Njoku in week 11.