Week 11 Startability Index: Fantasy Start-Sit Advice As Requested By Readers
Welcome back to the Startability Index where I take your player requests and advise you to start or sit by assigning a number between 1-10. 10 being a must start. Think of it like any other start-sit column except with weight, a focus on middle-of-the-road players and of course, extreme accuracy. (If you believe that last part you didn’t watch my Week 10 IG story. My advice usually is not that terrible. I promise. )
I took a few last minute requests for Week 11 and most of those. If you have any other late dilemmas please tweet us at @TFG_NFL and we’ll give our best advice.
Good luck!
Ameer Abdullah at Chicago: Abdullah has scored in each of the past two weeks and is getting more chances to flash his speed. He’s also getting more short yardage touches. The Bears are friendly to opposing running backs, allowing eight TDs on the ground. While Abdullah lacks the elite power or shiftiness to be a real force, he should at least benefit this week from the possible absence of stud LB Danny Trevathan. 7
Rex Burkhead vs. Raiders: With Mike Gillislie a healthy scratch last week the tide has shifted back to featuring Burkhead and Dion Lewis who split carries last week. By all accounts Belichick loves Burkhead though I’m nervous to dive in (Burk) head first until he’s the clear leader in carries or consistently used in the air. The Raiders are allowing 117 yard/game to running backs, however, so expect Burkhead to earn a few points at minimum. 5
Corey Clement at Dallas: Clement is clearly a red zone specialist with all five of his scores coming in the promised land. The more intriguing stat that should both wow and terrify fantasy owners is that Clement only has 8 red zone touches all year. His value is likely a bit inflated after last week’s three-touchdown bonanza. 4
Brandin Cooks vs. Oakland: Cooks owners should be encouraged by his season-high 11 targets last week, even if it was likely due to Chris Hogan’s absence. With Hogan out again in Week 11 owners should feel comfortable riding Cooks as a WR3 against the Raiders who are 22nd in passing defense. 5
Jamison Crowder at New Orleans: Crowder hit double digit targets last week for the first time this season and is poised to be Washington’s leading wideout again in the absence of Jordan Reed and Terrelle Pryor. The Saints’ secondary is stingy, though a little less so in the slot. Still it’s hard to get overly excited about Crowder when he was yet to score this season. 5
Alfred Morris vs. Philadelphia: In his first attempt at the filling for a suspended Ezekiel Elliott Morris looked like he was running in molasses. Slow, not shifty. With Cowboys LT Tyron Smith out again, and the Eagles only allowed 66.4 rush yards per game (by far the league’s best), forget about it. 3
Thomas Rawls vs. Atlanta: Eddie Lacy’s injury has left Rawls as Seattle’s lead back but he’s done absolutely nothing with the opportunity. After last week’s 10 carry, 27 yard stinker it’s hard to see Rawls getting a big increase in touches. 3
Rod Smith vs. Philadelphia: Like Morris, it’s hard to see Smith getting traction on the ground against such a stingy defense. Unlike Morris, Smith is a real threat in the air and PPRers could benefit from Smith receiving a slew of quick hit passes. Still I think 10-11 points is Smith’s absolute ceiling. 4
Matthew Stafford at Chicago: Stafford has been a fantasy owner’s dream the past four weeks putting up either 300 yards and/or three touchdowns. That streak is in jeopardy Sunday as the Bears have held all starting QBs not named Aaron Rodgers or Matt Ryan to under 15 points. In Detroit’s two games last season the Bears secondary held Stafford to one touchdown and four interceptions with much of the same personnel. 6
Robert Woods at Minnesota: The Vikings have a notoriously tough secondary – though they did give up 37.6 points to the Washington WRs last week. No matter the opponent, Woods is coming off of back-to-back games with two scores and is a must start. 9
