Between the Hashes- Week 11 Edition
Hello Fantasy Footballers,
It’s Week 11 in the NFL, tonight the New York Jets travel to Denver to play the Broncos on Thursday Night Football. There’s some pretty good match-ups on Sunday as well. But first, let’s look back at the players I mentioned last week.
QB’s
Tony Romo– 270 yds/3 TD – Relatively easy day for Romo and the Cowboys against the Bills.
Eli Manning– 311 yds/2 TD, 2 INT – Manning threw the ball a lot Sunday, the Niners secondary is tough and they again made plays at crucial times in the win over the Giants.
Matt Schaub– 242 yds/2 TD – Schaub was on his way to a nice game against the Bucs, but ended up getting hurt and could possibly be out for the season with an injury to the Lisfranc joint in his foot.
RB’s
LeSean McCoy– 14/81/1 – McCoy scored for the Eagles, but they still do not know their identity on the offensive side of the ball.
Michael Bush– 30/157/1 – I wrote this article before last Thursday nights game, and hopefully everyone started Bush because he showed he can handle a huge workload if the opportunity presents itself. Bush also had 85 yds receiving in the win against the Chargers.
Darren Sproles– Sproles carried the ball twice for just one yard as the Falcons did a great job of shutting down the Saints running game.
WR’s
Dez Bryant– 6/74/1 – Bryant had a tremendous catch for his TD early in the game against the Bills. He’s showing he can be a beast with all his skills on display.
Anquan Boldin– 2/22 – What happened here? Joe Flacco was out of sync with Boldin all day. Flacco threw the ball 52 times in the loss to Seattle, and the Seahawks physical CB’s took him out of the game.
Antonio Brown– 5/86 – Brown continues the climb up the Steelers depth chart, and he had himself a nice performance against the Bengals.
TE’s
Jermichael Finley– 3/67 – Finley didn’t score in this game, but did have a nice grab in double coverage to set up one of Aaron Rodgers’ four TD’s.
Aaron Hernandez– 4/41 – I thought Hernandez would be the one to watch in the game against the Jets, but typical of the Patriots, it was actually TE Rob Gronkowski who had the better game.
Greg Olsen– 4/45 – Olsen had 11 targets in the game, but struggled as did Carolina’s offense against Tennessee. He fumbled in the redzone in addition to a dropped pass.
Week 11 Bye Weeks: Indianapolis, New Orleans, Pittsburgh, Houston
Let’s look at some players I like this week.
Quarterbacks
Carson Palmer (OAK)- Palmer flashed a strong arm last week against the Chargers in their win, throwing 2 TD’s. Although the Vikings still have a good pash rush led by Jared Allen, Palmer should have relative success as the Vikings are still banged up on the backend and giving up the most FP to QB’s over the last five weeks.
Prediction: 230 yds/2 TD/INT
Jay Cutler (CHI)- The Bears face the Chargers, who a few weeks back got into a shootout with QB Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers. Cutler’s O-line has been playing better as of late, so Cutler should be able to throw and have some volume to that. Chargers are giving up the 2nd-most to QB’s the last five weeks.
Prediction: 255 yards, 2 TD’s
Running Backs
Maurice Jones-Drew (JAC)- Really like MJD this week, though the Jaguars offense overall isn’t something to like that much. Jones-Drew has been as consistent as anyone at the RB position this season. That will continue against the Browns this week, giving up the 6th-most to RB’s last five weeks.
Prediction: 113 yards/TD
Marshawn Lynch (SEA)- Ran hard against the Ravens and that should continue again this week against a Rams defense with a lot of injuries on that side of the ball.
Prediction: 90 yards/TD
Brandon Jacobs (NYG)- Ahmad Bradshaw is looking less likely to play this Sunday against the Eagles, and Brandon Jacobs is healthy, so he’ll get the rock. He’ll do it against the Eagles who are still sorting their defense out. Giants should control this game, so Jacobs could close this one out with some carries.
Prediction 75 yards
Michael Bush (OAK)– Bush is the starter again this week filling in for RB Darren McFadden. I’ve been high on this guy for a few weeks and he should continue to handle a large workload in this run-heavy offense.
Prediction: 85 yards rushing/60 yards receiving/TD
Wide Receivers
Brandon Marshall (MIA)- Marshall had a great game last week catching seven passes as he has some chemistry going with QB Matt Moore. He caught 19 against the Bills in two games last season. Look for more of that this week.
Prediction: 80 yards/TD
Jordy Nelson (GB)- It’s just a lot of fun to watch the Packers offense right now. They are scoring at will, and QB Aaron Rodgers is on an incredible roll. Nelson caught two of Rodgers’ four TD passes last week. That will continue again this week against a worn-down Buccaneers secondary.
Prediction: 70 yards/TD
Earl Bennett (CHI)- If this game against the Chargers turns into a shootout, which I can see happening, then Bennett should be very active in this ballgame. Chargers are giving up the 2nd-most to WR’s and were lit up last week against Oakland.
Prediction: 75 yards
Tight Ends
Tony Gonzalez (ATL)- Had a ton of targets last week against the Saints, scoring a TD. Titans are giving up the 4th-most to TE’s last five games. Start him.
Prediction: 60 yards/TD
Fred Davis (WAS)- Facing the Cowboys, Davis should be active for the Redskins. If he can get the ball from Rex Grossman who is now the QB for Washington.
Prediction: 75 yards
Good luck in Week 11 to all Fantasy players!
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