Fantasy Player Breakdown – Week 11

By: Kevin

Every week we take a look at every team’s key players and their match-ups for fantasy football. Check out some quick analysis on some possible studs, as well as some guys to avoid. Using the five-star rating to get a good idea on who to start and sit, in addition to the comments:

Miami Dolphins @ Carolina Panthers

QB Chad Henne: Miami should run the ball a ton and Carolina pass defense is tops. *
QB Pat White: He should be in the mix more with the loss of Ronnie Brown for the season. **
RB Ricky Williams: Panthers run defense is soft and he should get the rock a ton now. *****
WR Davone Bess: Gets a decent amount of looks, but doesn’t do a ton. **
WR Ted Ginn: Started last week and had zero catches. Not much optimism this week. *

QB Jake Delhomme: Carolina will run the ball a lot, but he should be OK against rookie corners. **
RB DeAngelo Williams: Check his status, but if he’s active, he’s too good to pass up. *****
RB Jonathan Stewart: Value rises if Williams is out. Solid match-up. ****
WR Steve Smith: Definitely has a chance at some success this week. ***
WR Muhsin Muhammad: Had a nice effort last week, and should get a few looks. **

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Kansas City Chiefs

QB Ben Roethlisberger: Chiefs corners are slow, so Big Ben could be in for a big day. *****
RB Rashard Mendenhall: Should be in for a solid bounce-back game. ***
WR Hines Ward: Match-up is great and he has been consistent all season. ****
WR Santonio Holmes: Still looking for that second score of the year, but good match-up. ****
WR Mike Wallace: Always a sneaky play, as he gets solid amount of targets. ***
TE Heath Miller: He’s been quiet the past three weeks, so he’s due for a solid game. ***

QB Matt Cassel: Chiefs will have to throw the ball, so he’ll at least be busy. **
RB Jamaal Charles: Has almost no chance against Steelers run defense, so not a good play. **
WR Chris Chambers: Should see a ton more targets with Bowe out. ****
WR Lance Long: Value also rises with Bowe out. ***

New Orleans Saints @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

QB Drew Brees: He hasn’t had a truly elite game in a while. This is the one. *****
RB Pierre Thomas: Sharing the ball a lot, but bad defense still makes him a RB2. ****
RB Mike Bell: Carries have been inconsistent, and production hasn’t been there. **
RB Reggie Bush: Looked very explosive last week, so nice potential this week. ***
WR Marques Colston: Has been quiet, so this could be a nice week to break-out. ****
WR Devery Henderson: Has been losing some deep targets to Meachem, so questionable play. **
WR Robert Meachem: Has scored in two straight games, and Tampa secondary is bad. ***
TE Jeremy Shockey: Has caught at least three balls in every game, so he’s active. ***

QB Josh Freeman: His running game will have to get going for him to have a chance. *
RB Carnell Williams: Saints can’t stop the run, so not a horrible play this week. ***
RB Derrick Ward: Shares the ball, but has looked OK. Nice match-up this week. **
WR Sammie Stroughter: Saints pass defense is solid, so not a good play. *
WR Antonio Bryant: Should be back this week, but still not a great match-up. **
TE Kellen Winslow: Freeman loves him, and he’ll need him in thise one. ***

Atlanta Falcons @ New York Giants

QB Matt Ryan: Giants pass defense is so-so and they’ll need to pass in this one. ***
RB Jason Snelling: Even if he doesn’t start, he’ll get a lot of touches. ***
RB Michael Turner: Hasn’t ruled himself out yet, but unlikely to play. **
RB Jerious Norwood: Is trying to come back, but not for certain this week. *
WR Roddy White: Should be active all day with a banged-up rush offense. ****
WR Michael Jenkins: Could see more targets than usual with Turner likely out. **
TE Tony Gonzalez: Nice match-up and he had 11 targets last week. Great play. ****

QB Eli Manning: Atlanta’s pass defense is weak and Manning looked good last game. ****
RB Brandon Jacobs: Falcons run defense is atrocious, so he might finally get going. ****
RB Ahmad Bradshaw: Ditto. ***
WR Steve Smith: Looked better last week, and should go as Manning goes. ****
WR Hakeem Nicks: Shares time with Manningham, but is a decent WR3. ***
WR Mario Manningham: Great match-up, so worth a shot. ***
TE Kevin Boss: Has scored in two straight and great match-up. ***

Buffalo Bills @ Jacksonville Jaguars

QB Ryan Fitzpatrick: Jaguars can be beat, but probaby not by him. *
RB Marshawn Lynch: Is splitting carries, but Bills should try to run early. ***
RB Fred Jackson: Sharing the ball, so it still relevant. **
WR Lee Evans: Fitzpatrick loves him, so not a bad play this week. ***
WR Terrell Owens: Fitzpatrick kills his potential. **

QB David Garrard: Bills are solid against the pass, and Jaguars will run all day. **
RB Maurice Jones-Drew: Always a must-start, especially against this horrid run D. *****
WR Mike Sims-Walker: Jags might not pass a ton, but could still have a good day. ***
WR Torry Holt: Once again, when will this guy finally score a touchdown? **
TE Marcedes Lewis: Not a great match-up and not heavily involved. *

Indianapolis Colts @ Baltimore Ravens

QB Peyton Manning: Ravens can be passed on, and Manning is on fire as usual. *****
RB Joseph Addai: Will have a tough time, but has been showing up. ***
RB Donald Brown: Role isn’t what it used to be, so not a good play. *
WR Reggie Wayne: Best receiver in football should put up nice numbers again. *****
WR Austin Collie: Should be fairly active underneath. ***
WR Pierre Garcon: If he can catch the ball, he can get solid numbers. ***
TE Dallas Clark: Manning loves him, so you have to play him. *****

QB Joe Flacco: Colts pass defense is beginning to crumble, so not a bad play. ***
RB Ray Rice: Could dominate only so-so Colts run defense. ****
RB Willis McGahee: Won’t be used enough to depend on. *
WR Derrick Mason: Could get back into a groove if needed. ***
WR Mark Clayton: Hasn’t done anything lately, so don’t expect much. **
WR Kelley Washington: Hasn’t been active at all, so don’t hope for much. *
TE Todd Heap: He’s a little banged-up this week, but he’s been mildly active: **

Seattle Seahawks @ Minnesota Vikings

QB Matt Hasselbeck: He’ll have to pass all day, so numbers could be there. ***
RB Justin Forsett: The Williams Wall should be feared, but he could go al “Ray Rice” on them. **
WR Nate Burleson: Had zero catches last week, so should bounce back against former team. ***
WR TJ Houshmandzedeh: Has been decent, and should be active this week. ***
TE John Carlson: Scored last week and Minnesota struggles against tight ends. ***

QB Brett Favre: Seahawks don’t do anything special, and he’s playing great football. ****
RB Adrian Peterson: Seattle couldn’t stop Hightower and Wells, so do the math. *****
WR Sidney Rice: Has had one weak game in his last four, and the match-up bodes well. ****
WR Bernard Berrian: Has been slowed by injuries all season but potential is still there. **
WR Percy Harvin: Stays involved on offense and is a monster in return leagues. ***
TE Visanthe Shiancoe: Seattle is getting killed by tight ends, so there’s a chance. ***

Cleveland Browns @ Detroit Lions

QB Brady Quinn: Detroit can’t stop the pass, so believe it or not, there’s hope. ***
RB Jamal Lewis: Should be fairly active against weak overall defense. ***
WR Mohamed Massaquoi: Isn’t reliable, but match-up could work. **
WR Mike Furrey: Was very active last week, and faces former team. **
WR Josh Cribbs: A little banged-up, but should be ready for nice match-up. **

QB Matthew Stafford: Lions are likely to pound it with the run, but not a bad match-up. ***
RB Kevin Smith: Could be in for a huge workload against awful run defense *****
WR Calvin Johnson: Should see a couple targets deep. ****
WR Bryant Johnson: As long as he stays active, he’s not a horrible play this week. **
TE Brandon Pettigrew: Hasn’t done jack lately, but the match-up is nice. ***

Washington Redskins @ Dallas Cowboys

QB Jason Campbell: Not a great match-up, but he’ll probably have to throw. **
RB Ladell Betts: Has looked good, but will struggle for success against solid defense. ***
RB Rock Cartwright: Shouldn’t have a role big enough to matter. *
WR Santana Moss: Is only true threat in passing game, so worth a shot. ***
TE Fred Davis: Got more action last week, but not an easy match-up. **

QB Tony Romo: Washington had issues with Brandon Marshall, so Romo could expose them. ***
RB Marion Barber: Redskins do a good job against the run, and he’s not doing much. ***
RB Felix Jones: Not a big enough role to be starting in fantasy. **
RB Tashard Choice: Ditto. *
WR Roy Williams: Is seeing more and more targets, so decent play. ***
WR Miles Austin: Has been getting shutdown lately, but potential is there. ***
TE Jason Witten: Has disappointed all season, but could always break-out. ***

San Francisco 49ers @ Green Bay Packers

QB Alex Smith: Green Bay’s defense is looking better, but he still has a shot this week. **
RB Frank Gore: Not an easy match-up, but definitely worth a shot. ***
WR Michael Crabtree: Has dropped down a bit, but could put up WR3 numbers. ***
WR Jason Hill: Not a great play this week, and role isn’t especially great. *
WR Josh Morgan: Is starting along side Crabtree now, but not really producing. **
TE Vernon Davis: Tough match-up, but still Smith’s top guy. ***

QB Aaron Rodgers: 49ers defense looking good, but he’s still an elite play. ****
RB Ryan Grant: Too inconsistent to rely on for big numbers, but should get carries. **
WR Donald Driver: Has been very consistent, and 49ers secondary nothing special. ***
WR Greg Jennings: Not playing like a WR1, but always has that potential. ***
WR James Jones: Has been active, so worth a shot as a WR3 in most leagues. **
TE Donald Lee: Probably going to start taking the backseat to Finley again. *
TE Jermichael Finley: Should be more active as he gets healthy. **

Arizona Cardinals @ St. Louis Rams

QB Kurt Warner: Facing former team and could have huge day. *****
RB Tim Hightower: Splitting carries, but has played well and has nice match-up. ***
RB Chris Wells: Very active in the offense and has looked good. ***
WR Larry Fitzgerald: A must-start every week, and has looked great. *****
WR Anquan Boldin: Near full health and is due a big game. ****
WR Steve Breaston: Still very active and a decent WR3. ***

QB Marc Bulger: Could do some damage if protected well. **
RB Steven Jackson: Has been on fire, but not the best match-up. ****
WR Donnie Avery: He’s their number one guy, so there’s a small chance he goes off. **
WR Danny Amendola: Should be active, but minimal potential. **
TE Daniel Fells: Has been getting more targets than Randy McMichael, so there’s hope. **

New York Jets @ New England Patriots

QB Mark Sanchez: Has looked OK, but Patriots could rattle him early. **
RB Thomas Jones: If he gets going he’s a RB1, and match-up isn’t unbeatable. ***
RB Shonn Greene: Role is too inconsistent, so not a great play this week. **
WR Braylon Edwards: Has been doing more lately, and can always go deep. **
WR Jerricho Cotchery: Still a solid option, but unpredictable with Sanchez throwing to him. **
TE Dustin Keller: Sanchez trusts him more and more each week, so worth a shot. ***

QB Tom Brady: If Jaguars can find success, he should be fine. ****
RB Kevin Faulk: Took over last week, and Jets run defense has been beatable. **
RB Laurence Maroney: Splitting carries again, so stock dropping. **
WR Randy Moss: Don’t count on him getting shutdown by Jets a second time. ****
WR Wes Welker: Always active, and won’t be facing an elite corner. *****
WR Julian Edelman: Scored last week, and should be finding bigger role. **
TE Benjamin Watson: Too sporadic, but can score randomly. **

Cincinnati Bengals @ Oakland Raiders

QB Carson Palmer: Oakland pass defense still stellar, so not a great play. **
RB Cedric Benson: Iffy for this week, and role could be diminished with depth. **
RB Bernard Scott: Looked solid last week and could see decent amount of carries. ***
RB Brian Leonard: Active as a receiver, and could see some carries. **
RB Larry Johnson: Too low on the depth chart to take a chance on yet. *
WR Chad Ochocinco: Will have a tough time, but potential is there. ***
WR Laveranues Coles: Might see some action with Ochocinco blanketed. **
WR Andre Caldwell: Hasn’t been anything special, but could see some extra targets. *

QB Jamarcus Russell: Out as the starter, so feel free to drop him.
QB Bruce Gradkowski: Slight upgrade over Russell, but Bengals defense is solid. *
RB Michael Bush: Played great last week, but tough match-up. **
RB Darren McFadden: Should be more involved this week, but match-up stinks. **
RB Justin Fargas: Probably third on the totem pole, so losing value. *
WR Darrius Heyward-Bey: More accurate passer will help, but still not a good play. **
WR Louis Murphy: Lost starting spot and hasn’t done anything lately. *
WR Chaz Schilens: Starting now, but role isn’t very reliable. *
TE Zach Miller: Always a threat, and new quarterback might help chances. ***

San Diego Chargers @ Denver Broncos

QB Phillip Rivers: Has looked great and Denver defense has been slacking. ***
RB LaDainian Tomlinson: Broncos aren’t stopping the run, and he looks to be back. ***
RB Darren Sproles: Not overly active, but always has a chance. **
WR Vincent Jackson: Can’t sit this guy as he has too much big-play potential. ***
WR Malcom Floyd: Not very active, despite being a starter. **
TE Antonio Gates: Hasn’t been elite, but should be needed this week. ***

QB Kyle Orton: Hasn’t looked good, but Chargers not stopping the pass lately. ***
RB Knowshon Moreno: San Diego can be run on, and he looked good last week. ***
RB Correll Buckhalter: Still should get some carries, and match-up is decent. **
WR Brandon Marshall: He’s been huge lately, and should be again in big game. ****
WR Eddie Royal: Very quiet, and role isn’t as big as you’d like. **
TE Tony Scheffler: Virtually non-existent, so not a great play. *

Philadelphia Eagles @ Chicago Bears

QB Donovan McNabb: His offense has been spotty, but Bears can be had. ***
RB LeSean McCoy: Is the starter, but should still share the ball with Weaver. ***
RB Leonard Weaver: Steals carries and has looked solid in limited work. **
WR DeSean Jackson: A bit spotty, but could easily make some big plays. ***
WR Jeremy Maclin: Very consistent, so always a solid WR3. ***
TE Brent Celek: Chicago shut Vernon Davis down, but Celek is very active. ***

QB Jay Cutler: Looked atrocious last week but has a chance to bounce back. ***
RB Matt Forte: Eagles only so-so against the run lately, so he has a chancce. **
WR Devin Hester: Very consistent and reliable, and match-up is beatable. ***
WR Earl Bennett: Extremely inconsistent, but has a shot this week. **
WR Johnny Knox: Always a deep threat, but role unreliable. **
TE Greg Olsen: Should be more active than last week. ***

Tennessee Titans @ Houston Texans

QB Vince Young: Could feed off of Chris Johnson, so not a bad play. ***
RB Chris Johnson: Absolutely dominant, so a must-start. *****
RB Lendale White: Could eventualy see some goal-line work, but unreliable. **
WR Kenny Britt: Is a top option, but Titans don’t pass a ton. **
WR Nate Washington: Still spotty, but should be a top option again. **
WR Justin Gage: Likely to miss this week and longer, so don’t play.
TE Bo Scaife: Young likes him, but his role has decreased. *

QB Matt Schaub: Titans pass defense looking strong, but you can’t sit him. ***
RB Steve Slaton: Role has changed, but still active. Bad match-up, though. ***
RB Ryan Moats: Getting carries, but again, not a great match-up. ***
WR Andre Johnson: Even against a solid pass defense. AJ could go off. ****
WR Kevin Walter: Should continue to be more active. **
TE James Casey: Not starting, but could carve out a nice role. **