What can we expect from Carson Palmer in his “revenge game” against the Bengals?
We saw Peyton Manning break the all-time passing record only to be benched at halftime. What a fall from grace. Could this be the last we see of him? It is for now, but I am not so sure about the playoffs. Downgrade your Denver Broncos in the meantime.
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WEEK 10 RECAP
Let’s take a look at a quick recap from Week 10.
I Knew It
Ryan Tannehill – QB – Miami Dolphins – 217 yds, 2 TD
I thought Tannehill could bounce back and have a top-10 day for a passer. He came close, finishing as the QB11, but he had his best game since Week 7 and his third-best game of the season.
Martavis Bryant – WR – Pittsburgh Steelers – 6 rec, 178 yds, 1 TD
He didn’t have a better day than Antonio Brown, but he was a top-tier WR1 and scored a touchdown.
James Starks – RB – Green Bay Packers – 15 att for 42 yds, 6 rec for 54 yds
He contributed as much through the air as he did on the ground and finished with 15 fantasy points.
Doug Martin – RB – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 18 att, 63 yds, 4 rec, 40 yds
Martin finished as the RB9 last week and got back on track into double-digit scoring with 14 fantasy points.
Scott Chandler – TE – New England Patriots – 1 rec, 1 yd, 1 TD
I thought he would strike gold in the end zone, and he only needed one reception to do it. He by no means had an earth-shattering day but if you streamed the position and needed a cheap touchdown, you got it from him.
Russell Wilson – QB – Seattle Seahawks – 240 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
I recommended benching Wilson, who has not registered a 300-yard game this season and has cracked 20 fantasy points once.
Jeremy Maclin – WR – Kansas City Chiefs – 3 rec, 17 yds
I felt Maclin was barely a flex option at this point. He has become a low-end, matchup-based receiver.
Nate Washington – WR – Houston Texans – 2 rec, 32 yds
In a low-scoring affair, Washington barely contributed. The presence of Cecil Shorts III ate into his measly three targets.
Martellus Bennett – TE – Chicago Bears – 3 rec, 18 yds
His teammate Zach Miller had five receptions for 107 yards and scored twice. Bennett owners who did not bench him must have lost their minds.
I Blew It
Demaryius Thomas – WR – Denver Broncos – 7 rec, 71 yds
14 fantasy points is not a terrible day, but you expect more from your WR1. He had zero touchdowns, and I liked him for a pair of them.
Karlos Williams – RB – Buffalo Bills – 7 att for 24 yds, 1 rec for 26 yds, 1 rec TD
There was fear on my part that Williams could easily score and make me look foolish. Well done, Karlos.
Ronnie Hillman – RB – Denver Broncos – 11 att, 42 yds, 1 TD, 2 rec, 9 yds
Hillman was not in for the disappointing day I projected. Touchdowns are never a disappointment.
WEEK 11 START/SIT SUGGESTIONS
Who’s Hot – Start
Fire Starter: Carson Palmer – QB – Arizona Cardinals vs. Cincinnati Bengals
If you have ever read my start/sit pieces before then, you already know I am a sucker for a revenge game. Palmer is always a great play, but he is a top play for me this week. The Bengals, for their part, rank third against quarterbacks and are a stout defense. Only Joe Flacco and Tyrod Taylor have hit the 20-point mark against the Bengals. Palmer will become the third quarterback to do so this week.
Stevie Johnson – WR – San Diego Chargers vs. Kansas City Chiefs
The San Diego Chargers will be returning from their bye this week at home in a great matchup for receivers. The Chiefs have allowed 20+ fantasy points to receivers in each game but one, and have given up 14 touchdowns to the position. Johnson is Philip Rivers’ WR1 with Keenan Allen on injured reserve and should be peppered with targets in Week 11. He is a lock to finish as a top receiver this week.
Jordan Matthews – WR – Philadelphia Eagles vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Matthews’ production has been all over the place this season as a true boom-or-bust wide receiver. He does seem to perform with Mark Sanchez under center. Tampa Bay is in the bottom half in the league against receivers and has surrendered 12 touchdowns. Matthews is in for a big day.
Charcandrick West – RB – Kansas City Chiefs @ San Diego Chargers
Over his past three games, West has accumulated 71 fantasy points and scored in each. I likely do not have to tell you to start him at this point, but in case there is any hesitation, you should consider the fact that the Chargers rank dead last against the run. West is no slouch in the passing game either. His past three contests saw him haul in seven receptions for 136 yards and a receiving touchdown. Raise your already-high expectations for him this week.
Darren McFadden – RB – Dallas Cowboys @ Miami Dolphins
Right below San Diego’s league-worst rushing defense is the Dolphins’ porous run defense, which has almost identical defensive statistics to the Chargers against running backs. To his credit, McFadden has 20+ touches in three of his four past games. The return of Tony Romo should only elevate his play. He has not made a trip to the end zone since Week 7 and will have the opportunity to do so this Sunday.
Eric Ebron – TE – Detroit Lions vs. Oakland Raiders
I am not suggesting Ebron simply because of the Raiders’ reputation when it comes to tight ends. He is a big-bodied talent, but he has struggled with drops. Matthew Stafford has given him 40 targets this season, and he looks in his direction in the red zone. If he can put it together this week, he can have a top-tier game.
Who’s Not – Sit
Ice Cold: A.J. Green – WR – Cincinnati Bengals @ Arizona Cardinals
Green is an explosive wideout, but the truth is that he has had only two games of 20+ points this season. His four touchdowns also seem low, especially because two of them came in one game. He has had back-to-back games of single-digit performances, and that can be expected this week. Patrick Peterson will likely follow Green wherever he goes, which sets him up for another lackluster day.
Kamar Aiken – WR – Baltimore Ravens vs. St. Louis Rams
Outside of two duds, Aiken has scored double-digit points in each of his games. The injury to Steve Smith Sr. made him the WR1 by default and he has produced. In a tough matchup against the Rams, Flacco could favor his tight ends more than his receivers, which is something we have seen him do. Only the Denver Broncos are stifle receivers more than the Rams do. Aiken should be benched this week.
Kirk Cousins – QB – Washington Redskins @ Carolina Panthers
If you chase last week’s performance, it will come back to bite you. Cousins is coming off a huge game but he is guaranteed to return to mediocrity, or worse, this week on the road against the Panthers. He is prone to turnovers, and I cannot envision him throwing for 300 yards. If you are even considering Cousins than you stream quarterbacks. Stream elsewhere this week.
Jeremy Langford – RB – Chicago Bears vs. Denver Broncos
I realize it is hard to bench the latest big thing, but I encourage you to do so this week. Matt Forte may be back in the mix, and the matchup just is not good. The Broncos have shown they can be beaten on the ground, but I would not count on Langford doing so, especially if Forte suits up. He is a player you picked up off of the waiver wire, so you have other options.
LeSean McCoy – RB – Buffalo Bills @ New England Patriots
Despite going over 100 yards in back-to-back games, I am still fading McCoy this week. Divisional games are never easy, especially when they are against the New England Patriots in Foxboro. When you factor in the matchup and Karlos Williams‘ usage, you will see that, even though it is a tough call, you should bench him this week.
Jimmy Graham – TE – Seattle Seahawks vs. San Francisco 49ers
It is unfortunate you drafted Graham as high as you did. The former receiving tight end has become a blocking tight end. He has only scored twice this season and is about as hot and cold as it gets in terms of scoring. The 49ers kept him in check in their first contest and will do so again this week.
I do not have a crystal ball and can only rely on research and good old intuition. I may hit or miss on a few, but I’ll keep myself honest with a full disclosure section next week when I give you your “Who’s Hot” and “Who’s Not” for Week 12. Consider my recommendations here, but ultimately trust in yourself. Good luck!
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Jen Ryan is a correspondent at FantasyPros, featured writer at Gridiron Experts and senior writer at Football Diehards. Click here for her archive and feel free to reach her and talk all things fantasy @FFdeJENerate.
