Fantasy Football Week 11 Start ‘Em & Sit ‘Em: Phillip Lindsay’s unlikely star turn continues

Do you start or sit Fitzpatrick?

Fantasy owners at least have options better than Jameis Winston, but Koetter is stuck. He’s going with Fitzpatrick in Week 11 at the Giants, and hopefully the QB plays well.

I wouldn’t be surprised if he did. He’s scored at least 22 Fantasy points five of the seven times he’s played this season. He’s passed for at least 402 yards in four of those games. He has multiple touchdowns in five of those outings.

But he also has three games with at least two interceptions. And he’s facing a Giants defense this week that has allowed only one passing touchdown in each of the past three games against Matt Ryan, Alex Smith and Nick Mullens. But this really isn’t about the Giants.

If Fitzpatrick gets careless with the ball, he could be benched in favor of Winston. That’s the real concern here. Koetter needs to win to save his job, and you have to wonder if his marching orders are to keep Winston benched because of the business side of the NFL.

You see, if Winston gets hurt then the Buccaneers owe him nearly $21 million next season. But does that matter to Koetter in the heat of the moment?

We’ll find out. And it’s a concern for Fantasy owners.

So let’s just say, start Fitzpatrick if you must. He could easily have a great game. Or he could be benched at halftime. I’d prefer Eli Manning, Marcus Mariota and potentially Dak Prescott this week given their matchups.

Will we see Fitzmagic or Fitztragic in Week 11? I’m tortured waiting to see what happens.

Editor’s Note: Projections are provided by CBS Sports and not Jamey Eisenberg. Projected points are for PPR leagues.

Start of the Week

While James Conner is likely going to be heralded as the best free agent pickup this season in most leagues — thankfully the Le’Veon Bell saga is over — don’t forget about the impact Phillip Lindsay has made in 2018.

He’s been a star. And he should have another quality outing in Week 11 at the Chargers.

Lindsay has scored at least 10 PPR points in all but one game this season, which was Week 3 at Baltimore when he was ejected for throwing a punch. He has either 84 total yards or a touchdown in six of the seven games he’s played all four quarters.

This week, he gets Royce Freeman (ankle) back after he’s been out for the past two games with an ankle injury, but that shouldn’t matter much. In six complete games with Freeman, Lindsay has averaged 13.6 PPR points this year.

The Chargers run defense has been tough this season, but eight running backs have either 90 total yards or a touchdown. And they just lost linebacker Denzel Perryman (knee) for the season, which will have an impact.

You should trust Lindsay as a starter in all leagues, and he’s a top 15 running back for me regardless of format. Don’t worry about Freeman’s return, this is still Lindsay’s backfield as the dominant running back in Denver.

His breakout season will continue in Week 11.

I’m starting Lindsay over: Dalvin Cook (at CHI), Tevin Coleman (vs. DAL), Marlon Mack (vs. TEN), Adrian Peterson (vs. HOU), Chris Carson (vs. GB)

Quarterback

Sleepers

• Eli Manning (vs. TB): Manning came out of Week 10 at San Francisco with quality performance of 188 passing yards and three touchdowns, and that should help Fantasy owners trust him in a great matchup in Week 11 against Tampa Bay, which allows the most Fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks this season. Only two quarterbacks have failed to score at least 24 Fantasy points against the Buccaneers this season, which were Nick Foles in Week 2 and Alex Smith in Week 10. Manning is among the best streaming options at quarterback this week.
• Marcus Mariota (at IND): Mariota appears all the way back from the elbow injury that caused numbness in his throwing hand earlier this year. He’s scored 26 Fantasy points in consecutive games at Dallas in Week 9 and vs. New England in Week 10, and that’s production you can buy into heading into Week 11 against the Colts. He’s run for at least 21 yards in four games in a row and has three games this season where he’s scored at least five Fantasy points with his legs. And the Colts have allowed five of the past six opposing quarterbacks to score at least 21 Fantasy points coming into this week.
• Dak Prescott (at ATL): Prescott comes into Week 11 with at least 21 Fantasy points in three of his past four games, with his low over that span at 18 points. After a slow start, Prescott is starting to look like a reliable Fantasy quarterback again, especially in deeper leagues. This week, Prescott has a tremendous matchup against the Falcons, who allow the second-most Fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks this year. Only one quarterback has failed to score at least 21 Fantasy points against Atlanta this year, which was Smith in Week 9 when he had 18 points. Prescott, like Manning, is among the best streaming quarterbacks in Week 11.

Bust Alert

Trubisky has been on a tear of late, and he’s looked like a breakout candidate in his sophomore campaign. He comes into Week 11 with at least 25 Fantasy points in five of his past six games, but this should be his toughest test to date. While he’s taken advantage of defenses like Tampa Bay, Miami, New England, the Jets and Detroit during his hot streak — his lone poor outing was nine Fantasy points at Buffalo in Week 9 — he should struggle against the Vikings. Minnesota allows an average of just 18.6 Fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks, and only three quarterbacks (Josh Allen, Goff and Wentz) have scored more than 13 Fantasy points. Trubisky is still worth starting in two-quarterback leagues, but I do not consider him a No. 1 option this week.

Running backs

Sleepers

• Doug Martin and Jalen Richard (at ARI): Martin has played well since taking over for the injured Marshawn Lynch (groin) in Week 8. In three games against Indianapolis, San Francisco and the Chargers, he’s averaging 4.6 yards per carry, and he has two games with at least 89 total yards. He’s yet to score a touchdown, but he can be a good flex option this week against the Cardinals, who allow the third-most Fantasy points to running backs this year. Richard is also worth using in PPR since he has at least 10 PPR points in four of his past five games.
• Theo Riddick (vs. CAR): He’s almost more of a receiver than a running back these days. In two games since Golden Tate was traded to Philadelphia, Riddick has 13 catches for 96 yards on 15 targets, and he’s scored at least 10 PPR points in each game over that span against Minnesota and Chicago, without getting a carry. With Marvin Jones (knee) hurt, Riddick could see an uptick in targets. He’s a flex option in all leagues this week, especially in PPR.
• Peyton Barber (at NYG): Barber only has two games this season with double digits in PPR points, and he’s risky to trust as anything more than a flex option. But he has a tremendous matchup against the Giants this week. In two games without defensive tackle Damon Harrison, the Giants have allowed Adrian Peterson and Matt Breida to each gain more than 130 total yards and score two touchdowns each. Barber is unlikely to reach that ceiling, but he does have the potential for a solid floor. And hopefully he can find the end zone for just the third time this year.
• Mike Davis (vs. GB): Even with Chris Carson (hip) expected to return this week after missing Week 10 and the emergence of Rashaad Penny, I still like Davis in PPR. He has 14 targets for 11 catches, 67 yards and a touchdown in his past two games, and he’s scored at least 11 PPR points with his receiving totals alone in each outing. His carries will likely be limited because of Carson and Penny, but if Seattle is chasing points against Green Bay, then look for Davis to be heavily involved in the passing game.
• Derrick Henry (at IND): While Lewis has done a nice job as the lead back for the Titans, Henry has done a nice job finding the end zone in recent weeks. In his past three games, Henry has scored four touchdowns on just 29 carries for 118 yards, and he’s even managed four receptions over that span. He’s risky to trust since he’s touchdown dependent, but he’s worth using as a flex option this week given his recent production.

Bust alert

The offensive line injuries in Washington have become a problem for Peterson, and he struggled in a plus matchup against Tampa Bay in Week 10. He had 19 carries for 68 yards, along with two catches for 1 yard against the Buccaneers, but it wasn’t easy. Washington is without guards Brandon Scherff (shoulder) and Shaun Lauvao (knee) for the season, and left tackle Trent Williams (thumb) is still out. It will be tough for Peterson to have success against Houston, and the Texans have allowed just three rushing touchdowns to running backs this year. In his past six games, Peterson has scored double digits in PPR just twice, and he’s a low-end starting option at best in Week 11.

Wide receivers

Sleepers

• Sammy Watkins (at LAR): The over/under for the Chiefs-Rams game is 63.5 points, which means everyone is in play here as starting options for your Fantasy team. Watkins didn’t play in Week 10 against Arizona with a foot injury, but he is expected to return this week. He scored at least 11 PPR points in his three previous games prior to sitting out, and he should be in that range again in Week 11.
• Doug Baldwin (vs. GB): The Packers secondary is a mess, and slot receivers have done well against Green Bay in recent weeks with Robert Woods, Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola all scoring at least 12 PPR points in the past three games. I like Tyler Lockett the best among Seattle’s receivers, and he’s worth starting in all leagues. But Baldwin is a No. 3 receiver with upside this week, and he could score his first touchdown of the season in this matchup.
• Tre’Quan Smith (vs. PHI): In two home games since Ted Ginn (knee) got hurt, Smith has five catches for 134 yards and three touchdowns on six targets, with at least one score in each game. The Eagles secondary is banged up, and we should see Drew Brees take some shots down the field for Smith this week, even with the addition of Brandon Marshall. He’s a Hail Mary play, but his success at home is worth buying into in this matchup.
• Anthony Miller (vs. MIN): Prior to Week 10 against Detroit, Miller led all Chicago receivers over the past three games in targets with 20, and he scored at least nine PPR points in three of his past four outings, including two touchdowns over that span. Then came the matchup with the Lions when Miller went off for five catches for 122 yards and a touchdown on six targets. He has the better matchup than Allen Robinson this week since Miller should avoid Xavier Rhodes. As such, Miller remains in play as a No. 3 receiver in most leagues.
• Josh Reynolds (vs. KC): Like we said about Watkins, everyone is potentially in play this week given the expectations of a high-scoring game against the Chiefs. And with Cooper Kupp (ACL) out, Reynolds is headed for a bigger role. The last time Kupp was out in Week 8 against Green Bay, Reynolds had three catches for 42 yards and two touchdowns on five targets. He’s clearly going to be behind Brandin Cooks, Woods and Todd Gurley when it comes to targets. But in the six games that Kupp was able to finish this year, he averaged 7.8 targets per game. Hopefully, some of those start going to Reynolds this week.

Bust Alert

This feels like a trap game for Robinson after his performance against the Lions in Week 10. He took advantage of a beat-up secondary against Detroit with six catches for 133 yards and two touchdowns on eight targets, which was easily his best game of the season. Now he faces the Vikings, and he could see plenty of Rhodes in coverage. While the Bears do a good job of moving Robinson around and playing him in the slot, keep in mind Minnesota has allowed just six touchdowns to receivers this season. Robinson is still in play as a No. 3 Fantasy receiver this week, but don’t go all in on him as a starter just because of his production in Week 10.

Tight End

Sleepers

• Ricky Seals-Jones (vs. OAK): Seals-Jones played well in Week 10 at Kansas City with five catches for 51 yards on nine targets, and he has another favorable matchup in Week 11 against Oakland. The Raiders are top five in Fantasy points allowed to tight ends, so hopefully Seals-Jones will remain heavily involved. His nine targets against the Chiefs were tied for second on the team with David Johnson, behind only Larry Fitzgerald (10). I like Seals-Jones as a streaming option this week.
• Jeff Heuerman (at LAC): The last time we saw Heuerman was in Week 9 against Houston in the first game without Demaryius Thomas, and he had 10 catches for 83 yards and a touchdown on 11 targets. And the Chargers have allowed a tight end to score in three of their past four games.
• Gerald Everett (vs. KC): You can put Tyler Higbee in this spot also since the Rams are trying to find options to help replace Cooper Kupp (ACL). In the past two games, we’ve seen the Rams tight ends more involved. In Week 9 at New Orleans, Everett had three catches for 48 yards on five targets, while Higbee had two catches for 40 yards on four targets. Then, in Week 10 against Seattle, in the game where Kupp was hurt, we saw both score touchdowns, with Higbee catching three passes for 25 yards on three targets and Everett having two catches for 15 yards on two targets. I like Everett slightly better than Higbee, but both are worth a look against the Chiefs in Week 11.

Bust Alert

At some point, Reed will find the end zone again this year, but he’s searching for his first touchdown since Week 1 heading into Week 11 against the Texans. He also has just one game with double digits in PPR in his past six outings despite having at least six targets in three games in a row. The Texans have allowed just one touchdown since Week 4, and it’s hard to trust Reed until he starts playing on a consistent level. He’s a low-end starting option at best in most leagues this week.

Defense/Special teams

Start ‘Em

Cardinals (vs. OAK) – 11.9 projected points

The Cardinals get a dream matchup against the Raiders this week. In the past four games, Oakland has scored six points or less three times against Seattle, San Francisco and the Chargers. In those three games, the Raiders have allowed 18 sacks, and the Cardinals have at least four sacks in four of their past five games. I like the Cardinals DST as a top three Fantasy option in Week 11.

Sleepers

• Steelers (at JAC): The Jaguars have allowed at least four sacks in three of their past five games, and they have scored 18 points or less in three of their past four outings. The Steelers have an interception in two of their past three games, with nine sacks over that span.
• Panthers (at DET): Matthew Stafford has been sacked 16 times in his past two games against Minnesota and Chicago, and he had two interceptions against the Bears. In two games prior to Week 10 at Pittsburgh, the Panthers had four interceptions against the Ravens and Buccaneers.
• Giants (vs. TB): Tampa Bay has allowed an average of nearly three sacks a game for the season, and the Buccaneers have at least two interceptions in seven games in a row. The Giants just had two interceptions against the 49ers in Week 10.

Sit ‘Em

Titans (at IND) – 7.8 projected points

The Titans DST has been good for the past two games, but this should be a bad week for the unit against the Colts. The Titans had one interception, eight sacks and held Dallas and New England to 24 points in the past two weeks. But this week against the Colts should be a letdown since Indianapolis has not allowed a sack since Week 5 and have just one turnover since Week 6. The Colts also have scored at least 29 points in four games in a row.

Kicker

Start ‘Em

Vinatieri likes kicking against the Titans. In his past five games against Tennessee, he’s made 12 of 13 field goals, as well as 12 of 13 extra points. He’s scored at least 10 Fantasy points in four of those outings, and the Titans have allowed four kickers to make multiple field goals against them on the road this year.

Sleepers

• Ryan Succop (at IND): The Colts are No. 2 in Fantasy points allowed to opposing kickers, and six kickers have made multiple field goals against Indianapolis this season.
• Giorgio Tavecchio (vs. DAL): Three kickers in the past five games have made multiple field goals against the Cowboys, and Tavecchio is worth using for as long as Matt Bryant (hamstring) remains out. In one home game this year for the Falcons in Week 7 against the Giants, Tavecchio scored 16 Fantasy points.
• Phil Dawson (vs. OAK): Jason Sanders in Week 3 is the lone kicker against Oakland without at least eight Fantasy points, and three kickers have scored double digits in Fantasy points against the Raiders this season.

Sit ‘Em

Washington comes into this game allowing the fewest field goals to opposing kickers this year with just eight on 11 attempts. Washington is also near the bottom of the league in extra points made with just 17, and no kicker has scored more than eight Fantasy points against Washington this season. Aldrick Rosas in Week 8 is the lone kicker with multiple field goals made against Washington, and Fairbairn has scored eight Fantasy points or less in three of his past four outings.