Week 11 Matchups - Fantasy Football Game Breakdowns (Part 1)

Welcome to our Week 11 matchups analysis and starts/sits column for fantasy football. We'll be covering every matchup from every Sunday game to help you make the best decisions for your fantasy lineups. We'll also be updating this as injury reports come in so check back often.

This article will cover the early slate of games, beginning at 1 PM ET on Sunday. Also, check out our late game matchups analysis and our MNF matchups analysis.

Check back here each week to get advice for your toughest start/sit decisions and take a look at our consensus rankings each week. Find me on Twitter @ChrisMangano for more insight and help to your start/sit questions.

Matchups Analysis - 1:00 PM ET Games

The early slate has just seven games this week as six teams are on bye. Set those lineups in time by analyzing each matchup below to gain the best advantage.

Bengals at Ravens

Matchups We Love:

Alex Collins (RB, BAL)
Collins only has 31 carries over the Ravens last three games, but he does have two touchdowns. He should see more work with either Robert Griffin or Lamar Jackson getting the start, and draws a Bengals defense allowing over five yards per carry and 118 yards per game. They've given up at least one touchdown to a running back in all but three games as well. Collins is a low-end RB2 but has upside this week.

Matchups We Hate:

Andy Dalton (QB, CIN)
Dalton, and the entire Bengals offense, really missed A.J. Green last week as he threw for just 153 yards with one touchdown and one interception. While Green has a real chance to play this week that may not be enough as the Ravens are holding opposing quarterbacks to just 224 yards and one touchdown. Dalton is nothing more than a middling QB2 in this one.

A.J. Green / Tyler Boyd (WR, CIN)
Reports are the Bengals expect to have Green back this week. In the one game without Green, Boyd saw just four targets (17% share) and caught three passes for 65 yards. Prior to Green's injury, Boyd was seeing a 23% share. This is a tough spot for Green coming back from a foot injury as the Ravens secondary gives up the seventh fewest receptions to receivers and just 141 total yards per game. Still, if he plays you have to start him. Boyd should get a lift if Green returns but still can't be considered more than a WR3 in a tough spot. If Green is unable to play John Ross is worth a look in deep leagues. He led the team with six targets last week but caught only two, though he did score. He'd be a boom/bust flex start.

Joe Mixon (RB, CIN)
Mixon ran well against a stout Saints run defense in Week 10 but had just 13 total touches as the Bengals offense suffered. If A.J. Green returns that should help, but he gets another tough test versus a Ravens run defense allowing just 3.6 yards per carry and 77 yards per game. The return of Giovani Bernard caps his ceiling a bit too, as he's averaged just 15 PPR points in games Bernard has played this season versus 19 PPR points in games Bernard has been out. Mixon is a fringe RB1 in this matchup but expectations should be tempered.

Other Matchups:

C.J. Uzomah (TE, CIN)
With A.J. Green out in Week 10 Uzomah saw 4 targets (2nd most) but could muster only 23 yards. If Green returns his value will remain low, but he does draw a good matchup against a Ravens defense allowing the eighth most receptions to tight ends and over 60 yards per game. Uzomah is a high-end TE2 if Green is out again, otherwise, he is a deep league stream only.

Robert Griffin III / Lamar Jackson (QB, BAL)
With Joe Flacco looking doubtful at best to play this week we may finally get to see what rookie Lamar Jackson can do when asked to throw the ball. Unfortunately, coach John Harbaugh has said even if Flacco is out Griffin and Jackson will likely share quarterback duties. That would obviously be a killer for both players values. The matchup is fantastic, but neither can be trusted unless we get more clarity before Sunday's game.

Michael Crabtree / John Brown / Willie Snead (WR, BAL)
Over the Ravens last three games, Snead leads the team with 26 targets (21% share) while Crabtree and Brown have 20 each (17% share). With Flacco out it remains to be seen how the targets would be distributed. This is a great spot for all three as the Bengals allow the fifth most receptions to receivers and just under 200 yards per game. All have upside but all are risky with the uncertainty at quarterback. Consider them all upside flex starts.

Hayden Hurst / Mark Andrews (TE, BAL)
Andrews continues to out-target Hurst, but Hurst could see a big bump with Flacco out this week. The Bengals are a fantastic matchup for tight ends, allowing the fourth most receptions and 70 yards per game. Unfortunately, neither player can be considered more than a risky TE2 play and we'd prefer to see how things shake out this week before starting either.

Cowboys at Falcons 

Matchups We Love:

Dak Prescott (QB, DAL)
Prescott has attempted more than 30 passes in three straight games after only attempting 30 or more once all season. In that span, he has five passing touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns and gets a Falcons defense allowing over 300 yards and more than two touchdowns per game. Prescott is entering low-end weekly QB1 territory and makes for a great streaming option.

Ezekiel Elliott (RB, DAL)
Elliott had one of his best games of the season, piling up 187 total yards and two touchdowns against a tough Eagles run defense. Now he gets one of the league's worst defense against backs. Allowing 4.8 yards per carry, more than 90 yards per game, and one touchdown on the ground to running backs, plus another eight catches and 65 yards through the air, Elliott is a locked-in top-5 option against the Falcons and could end as the overall RB1 this week.

Austin Hooper (TE, ATL)
Hooper ranks second on the Falcons with 14 targets over the last three weeks (16% share) and draws a favorable matchup against a Cowboys defense giving up almost six catches per game to tight ends and just under 60 yards. With the Cowboys ability to hold receivers in check Hooper should be more involved and makes for a solid tight end play this week.

Matchups We Hate:

Julio Jones / Calvin Ridley / Mohamed Sanu (WR, ATL)
Jones leads the team with 21 targets over the last three games (23% share) while Ridley has 14 (16% share) and Sanu has 13 (14% share). The Cowboys secondary is very good, and on the year they are holding receivers to the second fewest receptions and just 144 yards. Julio is a must-start regardless of matchup, while Ridley can be viewed as a WR3 and Sanu a PPR flex only.

Other Matchups:

Amari Cooper / Michael Gallup / Cole Beasley (WR, DAL)
In his two games played since being traded to the Cowboys in Week 7, Cooper leads the team with 18 targets (26% share) while Gallup and Beasley are tied for third with nine each (13% share). All three are in a good spot against a Falcons secondary that allows over 13 receptions and more than 180 yards to receivers. Cooper is entering weekly WR2 territory while Gallup is an upside flex play. Beasley remains a high-floor flex option in PPR formats only.

Geoff Swaim (TE, DAL)
Swaim returned from injury and caught all three of his targets but could muster only 13 yards against the Eagles in Week 10. He gets a more favorable matchup this week against a Falcons unit allowing over four catches and 50 yards to tight ends. Swaim remains nothing more than a deep league dart throw even in a decent matchup.

Matt Ryan (QB, ATL)
Ryan has thrown for 330 or more yards in six of his last seven games and has thrown 14 of his 21 touchdowns at home. The Cowboys are only allowing 249 yards and 1.5 touchdowns per game to opposing passers, but it's hard to expect them to slow Ryan down who is playing at his MVP level of 2016. He is a locked-in top-10 option.

Tevin Coleman / Ito Smith (RB, ATL)
Over the last five games, Coleman has just one with more than 11 carries (13 in Week 9) and has only caught more than three passes once (5 in Week 9) though he does have 12 targets and eight receptions over the last two. He continues to split work with Smith, who is averaging over 10 touches per game in the last four. The Cowboys are a stout run stopping unit, allowing just 3.8 yards per carry and 73 yards on the ground, but do give up over six catches per game. Coleman remains a solid RB2 start while Smith is more of a touchdown-dependent flex play.

Buccaneers at Giants

Matchups We Love:

Eli Manning (QB, NYG)
Manning only threw for 188 yards Monday night against the 49ers but did have three touchdowns. He gets a fantastic matchup this week against a Buccaneers unit 306 yards and 2.5 touchdowns to passers. Manning is always a terrifying start but in this matchup, he makes for a solid streaming option.

Odell Beckham Jr. / Sterling Shepard (WR, NYG)
Over the last three weeks, Beckham has a massive 28% target share (33 targets) and has 10 or more targets in all but one game (nine in Week 2). Shepard, meanwhile, has 19 targets over the last three, third on the team. Both are in great spots this week as the Buccaneers allow the fourth most receptions to receivers, 176 yards per game, and almost two touchdowns per game. They are especially vulnerable out of the slot which gives Shepard and added boost. Beckham is a locked-in WR1 while Shepard is an upside WR3.

Evan Engram (TE, NYG)
Engram has 18 targets over the last three games (16% share) and gets a Buccaneers defense allowing the seventh-most receptions and the most yards to tight ends. Engram has not been the fantasy stud he was a year ago, but he should post top-10 numbers this week.

Matchups We Hate:

None

Other Matchups:

Ryan Fitzpatrick (QB, TB)
Since the NFL merger in 1970, Fitzpatrick accomplished something only one other quarterback has ever done. Throw for over 400 yards with zero touchdowns. Somehow Matthew Stafford has done it twice! Fantasy players who started him were disappointed, but you should be encouraged by the high floor he offers every week. The Giants are only allowing 250 yards and just over a touchdown to quarterbacks, but that doesn't matter as Fitzpatrick chucks it deep early and often. He remains a top-10 option at the position.

Peyton Barber (RB, TB)
Barber ran the ball well against a tough Redskins defense, turning 13 carries into 61 yards (4.7 yards per carry). Unfortunately, he has seen more than 13 carries just once since Week 2 (19 carries in Week 8) and has only two total touchdowns on the year. The Giants are giving up just under 100 yards per game on the ground, but with his lack of volume, he is nothing more than a touchdown-dependent RB3.

Mike Evans / DeSean Jackson / Chris Godwin / Adam Humphries (WR, TB)
Over the last three games, the Buccaneers target breakdown is Evans 29, Humphries 21, Jackson 20 and Godwin 17. After playing 32% of snaps in Week 9, Jackson publicly complained and it worked as he played more than Godwin. Still, this is a crowded receiving corps and the Giants are right in the middle in terms of defense against receivers. Evans remains a WR1 while Jackson and Godwin are risky WR3 plays. Humphries is a risky PPR flex start but could get a slight bump if Godwin misses, as he is currently questionable.

O.J. Howard (TE, TB)
For the first time in five games, Howard had less than four catches as he was targeted just twice. He should rebound this week against a Giants defense giving up just under five receptions and more than 55 yards to tight ends. He remains a solid TE1 start.

Saquon Barkley (RB, NYG)
Barkley has yet to run for more than 3.3 yards per carry in any of the last three games but has nine, nine and four receptions over that stretch. He'll continue to be a workhorse against a Buccaneers defense that is surprisingly good against the run, giving up just 79 yards on four yards per carry. They struggle through the air, however, allowing over five catches and more than 50 yards. Barkley remains a weekly top-5 running back.

Steelers at Jaguars

Matchups We Love:

Blake Bortles (QB, JAX)
In Week 1 Bortles was awful, in Week 2 he was great. In Week 3 he was awful, then in Weeks 4 and 5, he was great before reverting to his awful self in Weeks 6 and 7. Over the last two games, he has been great again. In short, Bortles is the epitome of a boom/bust quarterback. This should be a boom week though, as the Steelers are giving up 270 yards and two touchdowns to quarterbacks. Bortles is a solid QB2 and streaming option.

James O'Shaughnessy (TE, JAX)
Every time we think the Jaguars will give us no help at the tight end position, a player rises from the ashes. This time it is O'Shaughnessy who is coming off a five catch, 46 yard game against the Colts. Now he gets a Steelers defense allowing the third most receptions and just under 70 yards to the position. O'Shaughnessy comes with plenty of risks, but he is a viable streaming option in deeper leagues.

Matchups We Hate:

James Conner (RB, PIT)
By not reporting for the 4 pm deadline on Tuesday, Le'Veon Bell will officially not play this year. That means Conner will continue his role as the Steelers primary back and will remain a weekly must-start. The matchup this week is not ideal, the Jaguars are holding running backs to just four yards per carry and 90 yards, but Conner gets so much volume it doesn't matter, though owners may want to temper expectations.

Leonard Fournette (RB, JAX)
For the first time all year, Fournette started and finished a game and looked completely healthy, racking up 109 total yards and two touchdowns against the Colts. He now faces a tough Steelers front that are holding running backs to just 3.7 yards per carry and 66 yards per game. Fournette's usage in the passing game (5 targets) and volume keep him in the RB1 discussion even in a tough matchup.

JuJu Smith-Schuster (WR, PIT)
Smith-Schuster has slowed down of late with just 14 catches, 181 yards and one touchdown over the last three games, but is second on the team with 20 targets over that stretch (18% share). The Jaguars are no longer a matchup to completely avoid but they are still tough, allowing just the third fewest receptions to receivers and only 130 yards per game. Smith-Schuster remains a weekly start as a WR2 even in a difficult matchup.

Other Matchups:

Ben Roethlisberger (QB, PIT)
This isn't your 2016 Jaguars defense, and this isn't your 2016 home/road Ben Roethlisberger. Over the last two weeks, the Jaguars have allowed a 286/3 to Carson Wentz and a 285/3 to Andrew Luck. Roethlisberger, meanwhile, has thrown for over 300 yards in three of four road games this year, and 270 yards in the one game he didn't. Roethlisberger is on a historic pace and it's unlikely the Jaguars slow him down. He remains a weekly top-10 option.

Antonio Brown (WR, PIT)
Yes, Jalen Ramsey will likely shadow Brown. No, that won't stop him. In two games versus the Jaguars last year Brown posted lines of 7/132/2 and 10/157/0. Brown is as matchup-proof as they come, and the Jaguars secondary has struggled. He remains a locked-in top-5 wide receiver.

Vance McDonald (TE, PIT)
McDonald has out-targeted Jesse James 12 to seven over the last three games and has nine catches for 104 yards over that span. He remains a fringe TE1 against a Jaguars defense that just gave up two receiving touchdowns to Eric Ebron while giving up 10 total receptions to Colts tight ends.

Donte Moncrief / Dede Westbrook (WR, JAC)
Over the last three games, Moncrief leads the Jaguars with 21 targets (18% share) while Westbrook is second with 19 targets (16% share). Meanwhile, Keelan Cole has been relegated to backup status with just 10 total targets over that span (12% share). The Steelers secondary allows the seventh most receptions, over 170 yards, and more than one touchdown per game to receivers. Moncrief is an upside WR3 while Westbrook is an upside flex start.

Texans at Redskins

Matchups We Love:

Demaryius Thomas / Keke Coutee (WR, HOU)
While DeAndre Hopkins will be facing shadow coverage from Josh Norman, Thomas and Coutee will be facing the rest of the Washington secondary that allows the seventh most receptions and just under 200 yards per game. Thomas is in an especially good spot, as outside receivers have torched Washington this year. Thomas can be viewed as an upside WR2 while Coutee is an upside flex start.

Matchups We Hate:

Alex Smith (QB, WAS)
Just ignore the matchup, this is the version of Alex Smith we all remember. Facing an abysmal Buccaneers defense last week he could muster only 178 yards and one touchdown. Washington is completely devoid of passing weapons and is forcing the running game. Smith can be benched in all but deep two-quarterback leagues.

Adrian Peterson (RB, WAS)
Peterson continues to get the volume, piling up 19 carries in Week 10 against the Buccaneers but could turn them into just 68 yards running behind a patchwork offensive line. Now he must face a Texans defense allowing just 3.5 yards per carry and 79 yards per game. He is a touchdown-dependent RB2 in a tough matchup.

Josh Doctson / Maurice Harris (WR, WAS)
Over the last two games, Harris leads the team with 17 targets (26% share) while Doctson has just nine (13% share). In such a low-volume passing attack, and facing a Texans defense that is middle-of-the-pack against receivers, neither can be trusted as more than risky flex starts.

Other Matchups:

Jordan Reed (TE, WAS)
Reed is second on the team with 12 targets over the last two games (17% share) and has eight catches for 85 yards. Finally showing some signs of life, he gets a Texans defense allowing the 10th most receptions and 58 yards per game to tight ends. Reed is a fringe TE1 with so many teams on bye this week.

Deshaun Watson (QB, HOU)
Watson has seven touchdowns over the last two games but has yet to throw for more than 239 yards in four-straight. Washington is giving up 286 yards but their bend-but-don't-break defense is giving up just over one touchdown per game. Watson should get a boost with the return of Keke Coutee and remains a QB1 even in a somewhat tough spot.

Lamar Miller (RB, HOU)
After running for over 100 yards in back-to-back games, Miller could muster only 21 yards on 12 carries against Denver in Week 9. He gets a Washington defense allowing 4.2 yards per carry but just 70 yards per game coming out of the bye. He is a touchdown-dependent RB2.

DeAndre Hopkins (WR, HOU)
Hopkins has a ridiculous 40% target share (27 targets) over the teams last three games but will face shadow coverage from Josh Norman. While that may limit his ceiling a bit, Hopkins is a stud and is basically matchup proof. The return of Keke Coutee and the addition of Demaryius Thomas could reduce his target share a bit, but he remains a locked-in weekly must-start.

Titans at Colts

Matchups We Love:

Jonnu Smith (TE, TEN)
It took 10 weeks, but Jonnu Smith finally did something. He caught all three of his targets in Week 10 and added a touchdown against the Patriots. Now he gets a Colts that allows the fifth-most receptions to the position. While the matchup is good, Smith is only seeing a 9% target share over the last three games and comes with considerable risk. Still, he is worth a look in very deep leagues.

Dion Lewis (RB, TEN)
Despite the low yardage total in Week 10, Lewis handled 20 carries and had two targets. In the three games since the team's bye, Lewis has 52 carries and 12 receptions. He makes for a great start this week facing a Colts run defense giving up just under 100 yards a game and close to seven receptions per game to backs. He is a solid RB2 start with upside.

T.Y. Hilton (WR, IND)
Since returning from his hamstring injury, Hilton leads the Colts with 16 targets (20% share). He's had a string of tough matchups but gets a much easier one this week against a Titans secondary giving up 180 yards and more than a touchdown per game. They are especially vulnerable on the outside were corner Malcolm Butler has been getting torched. Hilton is a high-upside WR2 play.

Matchups We Hate:

Derrick Henry (RB, TEN)
Yes, Henry has a touchdown in three straight games, but he has only logged 14, eight, and 12 touches over that stretch. The matchup with the Colts isn't terrible, but with his low usage, you have to be very desperate to play him. He is still completely touchdown dependent as usual.

Marlon Mack (RB, IND)
After consecutive games of 19 and 25 carries, Mack had just 12 against the Jaguars in Week 10. He should see more work this week but the Titans provide a tough test, allowing just 3.8 yards per carry and 88 yards per game to running backs. Mack is still in the RB2 discussion but lacks big-time upside.

Jack Doyle / Eric Ebron (TE, IND)
Another week of Doyle badly out-snapping Ebron, and another week of Ebron badly out-scoring Doyle in fantasy points. Ebron played the fewest snaps of any Colt tight end in Week 10, yet somehow found the end zone three times. Both are hard to trust this week as the Titans allow the third fewest receptions and just 32 yards to tight ends. It's hard to bench either but if you have a better option you should strongly consider it.

Other Matchups:

Marcus Mariota (QB, TEN)
Mariota has two touchdowns in back-to-back games and looks to finally be healthy. Coming off a blowout win over the Patriots, he gets a Colts secondary giving up 280 yards and just under two touchdowns per game. Mariota should keep the momentum rolling this week and is a viable streaming option.

Corey Davis (WR, TEN)
Davis is getting peppered with targets, he has 27 over the last three games for a tremendous 32% target share. Unfortunately, they have only resulted in 16 catches, 197 yards, and one touchdown. The Colts are middle-of-the-pack against receivers, but Davis' target share keeps him in the WR2 discussion.

Andrew Luck (QB, IND)
Luck is completely matchup-proof at this point. He has now thrown two or more touchdowns in all but one game and has six straight games with three or more. The Titans are a stingy pass defense, but that shouldn't matter, as Luck has already lit up Buffalo, Houston and Jacksonville, all who rank in the top-7 toughest pass defense. Luck is a weekly must-start.

Panthers at Lions

Matchups We Love:

Christian McCaffrey (RB, CAR)
McCaffrey is coming off a huge 134 total yard, three touchdown game, and gets a Lions defense allowing over 5 yards per carry and more than five receptions per game. McCaffrey is in line for a monster game and is a locked-in RB1.

Matchups We Hate:

Devin Funchess / D.J. Moore (WR, CAR)
Over the last three games, Funchess has 12 targets (15% share) while Moore has 13 targets (16% share). Both are likely to struggle against the Lions stingy secondary which allows the fewest receptions to receivers. With both having such low target shares they are better left on benches if possible.

Kerryon Johnson / Theo Riddick (RB, DET)
In the last two games with Riddick back, Johnson has had 26 carries and nine receptions while Riddick has had zero carries and 13 receptions. Johnson continues to handle the early down work but Riddick is capping his ceiling. The Panthers allow just 4.3 yards per carry and 79 yards on the ground, and only give up four receptions and 29 yards through the air. Johnson is a low-end RB2 while Riddick is nothing more than a desperation PPR flex start.

Other Matchups:

Cam Newton (QB, CAR)
Newton has thrown two or more touchdowns in every game since Week 1, and prior to last week's blowout loss had at least five rushes in every game. He should get back to his normal level of play against a Lions team allowing 250 yards and more than two touchdowns per game. Newton is an every week QB1.

Greg Olsen (TE, DET)
Olsen trails only Christian McCaffrey for the team lead in targets over the last three games and faces off against a Lions defense giving up over four receptions and 50 yards to tight ends. This isn't a smash spot for Olsen, but he is involved enough to remain a solid TE1 option.

Matthew Stafford (QB, DET)
Stafford saved his day with garbage time in Week 10, and he may need to duplicate that this week. The Panthers do give up points to quarterbacks, however, allowing 266 yards and more than two touchdowns per game. Still, with Golden Tate gone and Marvin Jones looking doubtful to play, Stafford's weapons are dwindling. If you have a better option you should bench him, and if you decide to start him enjoy the roller-coaster ride.

Kenny Golladay / Marvin Jones (WR, DET)
Without Golden Tate in Week 10, Golladay led the team with 13 targets (32% share) while Jones was second with 7 (17% share). There is a real chance that Jones will miss this week which could open even more work up for Golladay. The Panthers are an average defense against receivers so both will have chances. Golladay is an upside WR2 play while Jones is a WR3 start. If Jones sits, T.J. Jones has some deep league flex appeal.