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Week 11 Fantasy Football Recap: Surprises, Disappointments, Key Stats & Takeaways (2021)

Week 11 started hot with an electric early slate, but ended on a bit of a down note. And while games like Texans-Titans and Ravens-Bears weren’t the prettiest football games, they were certainly thrilling. Meanwhile, the game everyone expected to be high scoring – Chiefs-Cowboys – failed to live up to the hype.

You know who did live up to the hype? Jonathan Taylor. What an epic performance. And this Thanksgiving season, I’m thankful that I somehow survived his 60-point outburst (we have unique settings) in one of my leagues.

Thanksgiving symbolizes the beginning of the holiday season, defined by spending time with loved ones. It also represents the home stretch of the fantasy regular season. Every point matters. Every win is a step closer to a title.

It’s time to strap in and finish strong. Here’s the Week 11 fantasy football recap. You can probably guess where we’re starting.

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Surprises 

1. Jonathan Taylor 

What else is there to say? Taylor was amazing. 185 rushing yards, five touchdowns. He did it all and hopefully led you to an easy fantasy win.

What should we do from here? This will be the easiest advice I’ve ever given. Start Taylor.

2. Elijah Moore explodes 

Elijah Moore has something brewing. He caught eight passes for 141 yards and a touchdown in his best performance of his rookie season. In his last four games, Moore has caught 24 passes for 336 yards and four touchdowns. If he wasn’t on the Jets, he’d be getting much more buzz.

What should we do from here? Moore is still stuck on the Jets so you have to tread with some caution. These performances have also occurred without fellow rookie Zach Wilson under center. If you have receiving depth, I’d wait and see what Moore looks like with Wilson back. But if you need him, he’s definitely start-worthy.

3. Colt McCoy can’t be stopped 

In what might be his final start before Kyler Murray returns, Colt McCoy was awesome. He threw for 328 yards and two touchdowns against a Seahawks defense that never had an answer.

What should we do from here? The Cardinals go on bye next week and the hope is that Murray will be healthy enough to return the following week. But, should he get hurt again, McCoy is plenty capable to be a spot starter in a pinch.

4. Cam Newton and Taylor Heinicke do battle 

In his first start back in Carolina, Cam Newton played pretty well. The problem is Taylor Heinicke played just a little bit better. Cam threw for 189 yards, rushed for 46 yards and scored three touchdowns. But Heinicke got the win while throwing for 206 yards and three scores.

What should we do from here? Both of these quarterbacks should primarily remain streaming options in the right matchups.

Disappointments 

1. The Seahawks 

The Seahawks just stink. Russell Wilson stinks. Pete Carroll stinks. The offensive line stinks. Everything stinks. Wilson looks completely out of sync with his receivers, and he isn’t getting much help in front of him.

What should we do from here? I’m honestly not sure. I guess you have to start D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, but I’m guessing anyone who had Wilson found a way to survive without him when he was hurt. Personally, I’m willing to wait until I see him actually play well again.

2. Josh Allen

Maybe Josh Allen did enough for you to win, but I’m guessing his 209 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions wasn’t good enough for a lot of people. Allen frankly looked out of sorts throughout much of that game. Buffalo’s inability to run the ball effectively might be starting to weigh on Allen.

What should we do from here? You have to keep starting Allen. But he does not feel like as much of a slam dunk on a weekly basis as he once was.

3. Ryan Tannehill 

Gross. As someone who listed Tannehill as a potential streaming option with QB1 upside, his performance was as disgusting as the weather was in Nashville Sunday. Tannehill threw four interceptions against a pretty lousy Texans defense in a losing effort.

What should we do from here? Tannehill’s not someone I’m hitching my fantasy season to. Tannehill is good when everything around him is clicking, but he’s not someone who can ascend the situation around him. With no Derrick Henry and a banged up group of receivers, this is too much for Tannehill to overcome. I’d only start out of desperation.

4. Dak Prescott and Patrick Mahomes

Like I mentioned above, the Cowboys-Chiefs game was a bit of a dud. A big reason why was Dallas’ offense. Prescott looked shaky throughout this game, threw for just 216 yards and two picks, and finished outside of QB2 territory. Mahomes wasn’t much better, throwing for 260 yards and a pick. CeeDee Lamb got concussed, leaving Dallas’ passing game even more shorthanded. Tyreek Hill was fine, but not elite. And Travis Kelce was saved by a rushing touchdown. It was a bad game that many fantasy players probably banked on.

What should we do from here? You’re obviously starting all of the players mentioned above, but Dallas’ offense is a little concerning heading into a short week. The offensive line was destroyed by Kansas City’s front seven, and Prescott could be without his top two pass catchers Thursday. Expect a heavy dose of Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard with your Thanksgiving turkey.

Week 11 By the Numbers

18: Jalen Hurts‘ rush attempts against the Saints, compared to just 13 completions on 24 pass attempts.

88: Zach Ertz‘s receiving yards in Week 11 on eight catches.

90: Justin Herbert‘s rushing yards against the Steelers, which led the Chargers.

123: Joe Mixon‘s rushing yards.

136: D’Andre Swift‘s rushing yards.

169: Justin Jefferson‘s receiving yards.

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Matt Barbato is a featured writer for FantasyPros. For more from Matt, check out his archive and follow him @RealMattBarbato

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