Fantasy Flex: Start/Sit Advice for Week Eleven

It is Week Eleven, and the Broncos, Chargers, Jets and Falcons are on bye for the upcoming matchups. We are nearing the fantasy football playoff stretch. Owners sitting at 5-5 or worse are likely making a desperate push for a postseason appearance. Let’s take a look at which players should start or sit this weekend

Start:

Quarterback

Ben Roethlisberger (QB - PIT) vs Browns: The Steelers face off with Cleveland this weekend in a match-up that favors Big Ben. The Pittsburgh quarterback should have a great game against the Browns’ struggling defense. He’s one of the best starting options at the position this week.

Running Back

Latavius Murray (RB - OAK) vs Texans: Murray is going up against Houston’s poor run defense and should be in line for a big game this weekend. The Texans’ pass defense should pose a challenge for Derek Carr and Amari Cooper, meaning Oakland could lean on the run game. Get Murray in your starting lineup.

Wide Receiver

Julian Edelman (WR - NE) vs 49ers: The Patriots’ offense has a great match-up this weekend against the 49ers. Edelman hasn’t had a huge game in the past few weeks, but lining up against the San Francisco pass defense should give him a solid advantage. He has the potential for big numbers this weekend and is a solid starting option.

Michael Thomas and Willie Snead (WRs - NO) vs Panthers: Carolina houses the 25th ranked pass defense in the league, so Thomas and Snead should have a solid day matched up against the Panthers tonight. Fellow wideout Brandin Cooks has potential for a big game as well, but Snead and Thomas are the guys I trust this week. Get them in your starting lineup.

Tight End

Martellus Bennett (TE - NE) vs 49ers: With fellow tight end Rob Gronkowski missing this weekend’s bout with San Francisco, Bennett will retake his role as the go-to tight end option for Tom Brady. As mentioned above, the Pats’ offense should do well against the poor 49ers’ defense. Bennett could be in line for a huge game.

Sit:

Quarterback

Carson Palmer (QB - ARI) vs Vikings: Palmer has struggled as a fantasy option this season, even against mediocre passing defenses. This week, he faces one of the best defenses in the league (Minnesota) and is likely in for a poor fantasy performance. Until he proves himself more reliable, there are better options than Palmer at the quarterback position.

Running Back

Ryan Mathews (RB - PHI) vs Seahawks: Mathews had a big game last weekend but has been largely boom or bust this season. This week, he takes on the Seattle run defense and is likely in line for a poor fantasy performance. If you have running backs with better match-ups this weekend, roll with them.

Wide Receiver

John Brown (WR - ARI) vs Vikings: While Brown occasionally has a decent fantasy outing (largely dependent on touchdown production), he’s not trustworthy as a starter most of the time. This week, he faces off with the stout Vikings’ defense and is unlikely to register on the fantasy radar. Keep him on your bench if you can.

Marvin Jones (WR - DET) vs Jaguars: Jones has struggled recently to regain his fantasy dominance from earlier in the season. He’s got a mediocre match-up against the Jaguars’ fourth ranked passing defense and should be benched in favor of more reliable wideouts.

Tight End

Gary Barnidge (TE - CLE) vs Steelers: Barnidge and the Browns have a tough opponent in Pittsburgh this weekend, and that could spell a bad fantasy outing for the tight end. Barnidge has struggled over the past few weeks and can’t be considered reliable.

What do you think, fantasy owners? Is there anyone else you think is a great start or must-sit option for this week? You can use the comments section to discuss the weekend’s match-ups or ask for advice and to talk all things fantasy football.