The 2020 NFL season is speeding along. A year full of heartbreaking injuries, untimely COVID outbreaks, and fantasy disappointments, creating the optimal lineup has been a challenge this season. Understanding what is at stake at this point of the season is critical. Knowing your team and your opponents’ teams will give you the upper hand as the fantasy playoffs inch closer.

With 10 weeks behind us and only six more to go including the playoffs, it is important to stay strong on your path to fantasy glory.

As always, let’s win Week 11.

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Week 11 Bold Predictions

Amari Cooper (WR – DAL) goes over 20 fantasy points and 100 yards receiving.
Cooper was off to a hot start when Dak Prescott was healthy, giving fantasy managers that invested a second or third-round pick a glimmer of hope. However, following Dak’s leg injury, Cooper, along with the entire Cowboys offense, was negatively impacted. Cooper has made the most of the inconsistent and interchanging quarterback play, remaining Dallas’ number one option in the passing game. Facing a beatable Vikings defense this week, while also getting Andy Dalton back from a concussion, Cooper should see an uptick in production. Cooper has only topped 100 yards twice this season and has not done so since Week 4. He hasn’t topped 20 fantasy points since Week 6 as well, but this changes in Week 11 when Cooper goes over the century mark while racking up 20 or more fantasy points. Cooper is a locked-in WR2 with a heap of upside.

Robby Anderson (WR – CAR) scores two touchdowns and 100 yards receiving.
Robby Anderson has been a great return on investment for fantasy managers who took Anderson as a late-round sleeper this season. In PPR scoring, Anderson is a WR12 through the first 10 weeks of the season, beating out running mate D.J. Moore, who had a mid-round ADP heading into the season. Despite Anderson’s current ranking, he has been middle-of-the-pack in recent weeks, totaling 15 fantasy points on one occasion since Week 6. Anderson has only scored one touchdown all season, coming in Week 1, which was also his best fantasy performance of the season. Despite these facts, Anderson will turn it around in Week 11, hauling in two touchdowns while also going over 100 yards receiving. Anderson has brought in no less than four receptions per game, allowing for a very high ceiling in a Week 11 matchup that could be a high scoring contest. As always, Anderson is a must-start.

Joshua Kelley (RB – LAC) breaks off a long touchdown run.
Joshua Kelley’s usage and production have shrunk seemingly every week since his big Week 2 performance. Kelley looked to be the second part of the one-two punch with Austin Ekeler until he went down with an injury. Justin Jackson handled the majority of the running back duties following that before his injury. Once Jackson went down, a rotating cast of Troymaine Pope, Kelley, and Kallen Ballage took over in the backfield. Pope would have a productive game but got concussed and has subsequently lost his opportunity. Ballage, however, has emerged as the running back to the roster in the Chargers’ backfield until Ekeler returns, almost leaving Kelley useless from a fantasy perspective. However, Kelley will give his fantasy managers a glimmer of light this week when he busts open a long touchdown run against a vulnerable Jets defense. If you have to start Kelley out of desperation, the best outcome would be for him to make the most out of his limited opportunities and turn loose for a touchdown.

Ezekiel Elliott (RB – DAL) is an RB1 in Week 11.
Fantasy managers that drafted Elliott with a top-three draft pick heading into the season have reason to be concerned with Elliott’s production this season. Elliott has not rushed for 100 yards one time all season and has not scored a touchdown since Week 5. Much of the blame cannot be put on Elliott, as the Cowboys’ offensive line is in shambles and the deflated nature of the team following the loss of Dak Prescott to injury. If there was a week for Elliott to turn his season around, there is no better week than his Week 11 contest against the Vikings, a bottom-tier defensive unit. If the Cowboys want a shot of remaining competitive during this game, they will look to feed Zeke early and often. If Elliott can bounce back to his old form, he will be a top-12 running back in Week 11. If you are upset with his lack of production, let those feelings go, and do not bench Elliott this week.

Mark Andrews (TE – BAL) scores two touchdowns.
There is no denying that the Baltimore Ravens passing game has taken a step back compared to their effectiveness in 2019. One of the players directly impacted by this regression is Mark Andrews. Despite being a top-five fantasy tight end this season, Andrews has not posted the same production he did a season ago. Andrews will look to turn it around in Week 11 against a Titans defense that has been extremely vulnerable this season. Lamar Jackson needs to utilize Andrews as a safety net in the red zone. Despite not scoring a touchdown since Week 5, Andrews will capitalize on his opportunities and secure two touchdowns in Week 11.

Jalen Guyton (WR – LAC) scores a 70+ yard touchdown.
Justin Herbert has been airing out the football since taking over as the starting quarterback for the Chargers. One of the main benefactors of this style of play has been Jalen Guyton, who has broken loose for massive touchdown receptions several times this season. This theme will continue in Week 11 when Guyton crosses the goal line after bringing in a touchdown reception of 70 or more yards. Guyton is a dart-throw option this week, but in deep leagues with multiple flex options and with several big-name players on byes, Guyton could provide an unexpected spark that your team needs to win this week.

Alex Smith (QB – WAS) throws for over 300 yards for the third-straight week and throws two touchdowns.
After Smith’s devastating leg injury in 2018, many, including Smith himself, never would imagine Smith to be a starter in the NFL just two years later. However, after disappointing play from 2019 first-rounder Dwayne Haskins and a leg injury to Kyle Allen, Smith has taken over the reign behind center in Washington. Over the last two weeks, Smith has thrown for 300 or more yards in each game, topping 15 or more fantasy points. In a favorable matchup in Week 11, Smith could execute at a high-level once again. Look for Smith to convert more opportunities into scoring plays this week in a game that should be a positive game script. If you need a QB streamer this week, Smith possesses sleeper appeal for his Week 11 contest against the Bengals.

Jalen Hurts (QB – PHI) scores a touchdown off Wildcat/trick play.
The Eagles selection of Jalen Hurts in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft was puzzling at the time, and remains a mystery to this day. Is Hurts insurance policy for Carson Wentz? Is Philadelphia trying to develop him into a Taysom Hill-like player? These questions are hard to answer at this time due to Hurts’ usage in the offense. Hurts has seen limited snaps in gadget and trick plays, rarely executing productively. However, the Eagles will utilize Hurts in the red zone during a package that will result in Hurts finding the end zone for his first career touchdown in Week 11.

Conclusion

Now, more than ever, edging out your opponents through understanding matchups and potential booms or busts will separate you from your league as we head into the final stretch of the regular season.

Each play is crucial. Avoid leaving points on your bench.

Last week doesn’t matter when this week is a must-win game.

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Joshua Lefkowitz is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Joshua, check out his archive and follow him on Twitter @JLefkoNFL.