Week 11: Sit 'Em
This weekly column will feature players that are normally solid bets for fantasy production, but not worth starting in a particular week.
Week 10 Recap:
LT had two less carries than Shonn Greene and less yardage. LT did however come up with 6 receptions for 50 plus yards, making his from scrimmage total yardage over 100.
Santonio Holmes had five receptions for 76 yards and a score.
Of course, Kyle Orton threw for four touchdowns and 296 yards.
Matt Forte gained 69 yards rushing and had only one reception for short yardage.
Randy Moss grabbed one reception for 26 yards.
Hartline was Miami's top receiver. Brandon Marshall gained 34 yards on 3 receptions.
The Baltimore defense gave up 26 points to Atlanta and had 2 sacks.
Week 11 Sit'em:
We are through the bye weeks and ready for the playoff push. Now is the time to re-evaluate your roster, get rid of dead weight and pick up players on the upswing. It is also the time to carefully consider your active and bench roster spots. This week I have two quarterbacks, three running backs, one wide out and one tight end to leave on your bench.
Donovan McNabb and Chris Cooley are coming off a huge loss to Philadelphia and now face a tough Tennessee defense.
Jason Campbell and Darren McFadden have a powerful Pittsburgh defense to contend with this week. I suspect Oakland's offense will struggle with this match-up.
Jahvid Best is one of those guys that started great and has faded. Best has significant value in PPR leagues, but in the rushing game he now faces the return of Kevin Smith. Smith is a back I like. His ACL appears to be healed and this could help jump start the Detroit rushing attack. Look for Best to lose some carries and to have a solid Dallas defense to deal with this week.
Ray Rice has been mediocre this season. As a fantasy owner who drafted Rice quite early with high hopes, I can say I am disappointed thus far. Rice has his moments, but the lack of touchdowns is killing his value. If Rice could even add a score here and there he would regain his fantasy status.
Nearly every core receiver scored in last week's score-fest. Jeremy Maclin and Philadelphia face a solid New York defense this week. Maclin is one of Vick's targets, who in my opinion could receive more targets. He had more receptions in Vick's absence this season. Look for Philadelphia to run quite a bit this week.
QB Jason Campbell, ---
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Coming off their Week 10 bye, Oakland faces a stout Pittsburgh defense that is coming off a nasty loss. Look for Pittsburgh to be out for blood this week. Campbell has been an interesting plug and play through the bye weeks (given match-ups), but I think Week 11 is a week to return Campbell to your bench. I think Campbell will throw for just under 200 yards with a pair of interceptions and one score.
QB Donovan McNabb, ---
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Wow, McNabb went from being benched to receiving a 5-year contract extension with an $88 million potential. Are you as confused as I am? Do not get me wrong, I am a fan of McNabb, but struggle with his fantasy value. McNabb is good for 200-300 yards and a score each outing, but carries the burden of an interception or two. To tell you the truth, I might be more frustrated with McNabb given the poor involvement of Santana Moss and Chris Cooley of late. McNabb needs to get his top guys back into the mix if Washington wants to win ball games. The match-up against Tennessee's defense this week is not appealing.
RB Jahvid Best, ---
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Kevin Smith is basically back from his knee troubles and that means Best, who has not provided us with the dazzle we observed early in the season, may be relegated to shared duties. Best has value in PPR leagues and I would suggest starting him in these formats, but in non-PPR leagues, Best's value takes a hit. Best has not crossed into the end zone in what seems forever and I do not see Week 11 vs. Dallas being his week to break this trend. Look for 50-60 rushing yards and a few middle yardage receptions out of Best this week.
RB Darren McFadden, ---
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McFadden is coming off his bye week, but he has not had a touchdown since his four score performance against Denver in Week 7. Kansas City limited McFadden in Week 9 and this week against the stout Pittsburgh defense (which by the way is number one against the run). I foresee McFadden having issues. The Pittsburgh defense is going to throw everything at Oakland and I think Pittsburgh is going to win this battle. Look for 80-90 total yards from scrimmage out of McFadden this week.
RB Ray Rice, ---
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The consistency of Ray Rice's play is an issue. Rice is mediocre this season, averaging about 80 yards per game with few scores. This week Flacco and Baltimore face a Carolina defense that can be exploited through the passing game. Look for the Baltimore offense to focus on gaining traction in their air attack this week. Rice will likely be good for his normal 70-80 yards rushing without a score. If you have Rice in a PPR format like I do, he is worth a look with the upside being short receptions and an opportunity to run after the catch, but Rice is likely to find himself in a blocking scheme this week.
