On to week 11.
The NFL seems to be upside down in most divisions with teams like Carolina, Green Bay, and Pittsburgh with losing records, and teams like Miami, Oakland, and Detroit with winning ones. There are multiple statistical surprises in this bizarro world that could lead your team into a fantasy trap. I’ll try to help you make sense of all of this with some surprising fantasy matchups.
Read on and listen closely. Any questions? Twitter. @FantasyGodSport
Start Em’
Ben Roethlisberger (PIT) (QB) – What will Pittsburgh do after two very tough loses in a row? Destroy Cleveland. Big Ben is inching towards better health and this is just the kind of matchup he needs. The Browns are the third worst team against the fantasy QB. Not surprising. This one is a no brainer, but some people are still scared of Roethlisberger because of the injury. Don’t worry about him this week.
Rob Kelley (WAS) (RB) – In his first two starts this season Kelley has put up 87 Yds with a TD, and 97 Yds. The 97 came against a tough Vikings run defense, although they did lose Kendricks early. This week Washington has an important Wild Card implication game against the Packers, who they want to repay for their playoff loss last season. The Packers have lost 3 in a row, but they still have a decent pass defense. Their run defense is middle tier. Expect for a lot of points to be scored in this game, and the Redskins will need to run the ball effectively to win the game. Expect for Kelley to go over 100 Yds for the first time and to find the end zone.
Davante Adams (GB) (WR) – Last 4 games- 156 Yds, 41 Yds and a TD, 74 Yds, 132 Yds and 2 TDs. The Packers will continue to throw a lot in shoot out games. Josh Norman shuts down #1 WR’s so lower your expectations on Nelson this week. Expect Adams or Cobb to put up the big game this week. Cobb hasn’t returned to a full workload from his most recent injury. Keep rolling with Adams.
Bench Em’
Terrance West (BAL) (RB) – West has been solid recently with plenty of rushing attempts and a few catches. Last week he put up a combined 77 Yds. This week he runs into Dallas, who is a top 7 defense against the fantasy RB. Expect for the Ravens defense to step it up against a tough Cowboys team, resulting in a rather low scoring game. I don’t like West’s chances and I don’t expect him to score. Plus there’s always the chance that the Cowboys blow them out and West doesn’t have a reason to run.
Stefon Diggs (MIN) (WR) – He’s frustrating fantasy owners this season because of how hit and miss he’s been. He either puts up massive games or he kills you. Coming off of a big game, it’s now time for him to kill you. The Cardinals give up the 4th least amount of points to the fantasy WR of all active teams this week. He’s just too hard to trust in a bad matchup.
Jimmy Graham (SEA) (TE) – He’s been pretty reliable during a bounce back season. But now he faces Philadelphia, who is the 2nd best team against the fantasy TE. Despite his success the truth is that Graham hasn’t reached 50 Yds in 2 of his last 3 games. That trend will continue this week. Seattle will find a way to score points, but it won’t be to the TE.
Add Em’
Jeremy Langford (CHI) (RB) – He could be in line for a start if Jordan Howard misses this week. Howard was injured in last week’s game. Alshon Jeffery has been suspended for 4 games. So the Bears are without a lot of weapons. In that case, it sounds like Langford will get plenty of carries. He was pretty good last year while filling in for the often injured Matt Forte.
Thomas Rawls (SEA) (RB) – Remember when you were targeting him in the first 4 rounds of your draft this year? And then he got injured. But he returns this week. He’s coming back to a crowded backfield, but he’s got more upside than any RB that Seattle. Perhaps they ease him back into the starting role and his late season heroics are a reason why Seattle is able to reach the Super Bowl again. It’s not a far fetched scenario. Stash him now based on the upside alone.
Tyreek Hill (KC) (WR) – A few weeks ago I recommended adding him. Hill started last week for the injured Jeremy Maclin and put up pretty strong numbers. 89 Yds and 13 targets is no joke. He has a solid matchup against the Buccaneers this week.
Check back every Wednesday for another week of fantasy football advice from our guest blogger – The Fantasy God. A Maryland native and an avid Maryland sports fan, he has been playing fantasy sports for over twenty years. Also, he’s worked professionally in statistics for multiple professional sports teams, both in baseball and football.
Agree with him? Disagree with him? Or just want some to have some sports related banter? Follow him on Twitter @FantasyGodSport and let him know you enjoyed his post.
