Week 11 Fantasy Help is Here!

Every week 4SportBoston gets dozens of hits from avid Googlers trying to find out how they should play their Fantasy Football teams for that week. We know it’s hard. In fact, if you look at the Fantasy Sports page here on the site, you will see that I am 2 games under .500 in the 4SB league which pretty much makes me look like a football idiot… but we all know that this is not the case. 

I brought in 4SB brainchildren El Mustachio and Bobby Price to go over some of the Fantasy options that have been brought to our attention going into week 11 and maybe give a little help to those of you with tough decisions heading into this week:

REV ‘EM UP / SIT ‘EM DOWN:

Joseph Addai or LeSean McCoy: Bobby says: I would start McCoy. Baltimore’s defense will be on top of their game Sunday and that means not much room to run for Addai. McCoy’s basically got the job in Philly now that Westbrook is seeing cartoon birdies around his head again and his bad week last week was more the result of Philly playing from behind. He’ll have a better game against Chicago, especially with extra possessions resulting from Jay Cutler’s interceptions.

Ryan Moats or LeSean McCoy: El Mustachio says: At this point, McCoy is the choice.  With Westbrook sidelined, he’s the feature back in Philly.  Moats hasn’t secured anything except his name in questions like whether he should be started over LeSean McCoy.

Laveranues Coles or Nate Burleson: Bobby says: I’m saying Coles. For one thing, it looks like someone finally introduced Matt Hasselbeck to T.J. Houshmandzadeh, which is great for him and bad for Nasty Nate. In that one game, Hasselbeck may have realized, if he didn’t already know, how great a go-to guy Housh is. 

Coles, being #2 on the depth chart, has a significant advantage this week since Chad Johnson (not calling him “Ochocinco”!  And someone needs to tell him it doesn’t mean eighty-five, just eight and five) will be matched up nearly all day with Nnamdi Asomugha who is about the best cornerback in the NFL today, and most offensive coordinators give so much respect and because of that, most people never hear of him. “Don’t throw to whoever he’s covering, don’t get intercepted for a touchdown” is right on his scouting report, I’ve seen it. So take Coles playing the part of a #1 receiver on Sunday.

Burleson

Greg Jennings or Nate Burleson: Bobby says: I would go with Jennings. He’s way down from his production last season, but there’s more of a danger that Burleson could lay an egg on Sunday and you know you’ll at least get an average game from Jennings, worst case scenario. It’s sad with a receiver who was on his way to being in the top 3 last season and now we have to talk worst-case scenarios, but on the other hand, there’s more upside with Jennings as well.

Fred Davis or Ben Watson: El Mustachio says: Ben Watson, hands down.  Washington is in for beat down in Big D, and Fred Davis is unproven and shouldn’t even be considered given Watson’s red zone potential.

I need to start 2 out of these 4 wide receivers: Roddy White, Donald Driver, Miles Austin, or Roy Williams: El Mustachio says: With Turner the Burner on the sidelines, or even limited, Ryan will have to go to the air and his only real options are Gonzalez and White.  He will get looks.  Austin has too much big play potential to leave on the bench, period.

L-Mo or Marion Barber & L-Mo or Jamal Lewis: El Mustachio says: Although Barber is still the toughest back Dallas has, broken thumb or no, he’s sharing time with Choice and Jones.  Cleveland has a great matchup against Detroit, but he’s yet to be completely healthy this year.  Despite the fact that there’s a distinct possibility that L-MO could fumble early and never see the field again, he’s still the best option of the three to put up big numbers.  Then Lewis, then Barber.

Laveranues Coles or Chris Chambers: El Mustachio says: Coles has suffered some sort of head injury, but is listed as probable.  You should probably play probable Coles over Chris Chambers.  He’s lead the Bengals in receiving 2 weeks in a row and should get a lot of looks with Nnamdi blanketing 8-5 all day.  Considering how little the combination of Coles, Ochocinco, and Derek Mason were able to accomplish in the last 2 weeks against the Steelers D, no KC receiver is an option this week, especially with Dwayne Bowe suspended.

Michael Crabtree or Roy Williams: El Mustachio says: Crabtree is growing into a #1 overnight.  Roy Williams is going the other way.  That said, the Pack have a couple of big physical corners in Charles Woodson and Al Harris.  If Crabtree can shrug the bump coverage and get open, he’s your guy.  Williams has turned into a pure possession receiver with very little big play potential.  If it’s a PPR, Williams, standard format, Crabtree.

Nate Burleson or Kevin Smith: El Mustachio says: Kevin Smith.  Burleson was shutout against the Cardinals last week, and faces a tougher matchup this week against the Vikings.  Though Seattle should have to throw all day, they’ll throw to Housh.  Smith has a cupcake matchup against the Browns, and Calvin Johnson returning should help open up the running game.

Pierre Thomas or TJ Houshmandzadeh: El Mustachio says: Can you play both?  Don’t give up on Thomas due to his bad game in St. Louis.  He has the potential to put up 100 yards and score 3 TDs any week of the year against any team, and he’s not facing just any team, he’s facing the Bucs!  Start Thomas without fear.  Housh will see looks all day, as Seattle will need to throw to stay in it against the Vikings.  I’d start Thomas over Housh, but you’re in good shape if this is your toughest decision of the week.

Roddy White or Chad Ochocinco: Bobby says: Roddy White is a great play this week, as Atlanta won’t have Michael Turner to lean on and may end up in a shootout with New York.  I’d start him in any league.  Ochocinco, though he’s had a great season so far, is going up against the premier corner in the league in Nnamdi Asomugah.  If Carson Palmer throws his way at all, it’ll be with some hesitation. 

Moats

Ryan Moats or Shonn Greene: Bobby says: DO NOT START SHONN GREENE.  I know, we all saw his wild performance last week, but with Thomas Jones healthy, Greene is still second fiddle until injury or something else promotes him otherwise.  And, with New England’s explosive offense, the Jets may not have the luxury of playcalling variety to get him carries.  Moats, although not a great fantasy option, at least seems to be in the lead of Houston’s wide selection of mediocre backs to start every game.

Greene

So… Greene or Moats for the rest of the season: Bobby says: If you have to drop one of the two guys, drop Greene.  While he may have more potential, you’ve gotta stick with the guy who can help you NOW, as you enter your league’s playoffs.  If you’re in a keeper league, and you can possibly start someone else for the time being, hold onto Greene with an eye toward 2010.

Matt Forte or Justin Forsett: El Mustachio says:  Forte rushed for over 100 yards last week, he just failed to get into the end zone.  At this point, I’m not sure it’s time to give up on him yet.
 
Nate Burleson or Roy Williams: El Mustachio says:  Roy Williams is angry that he’s even being considered here.  As a result, he’s picked up his game and should continue to do so over the rest of the season.  Play Williams.
 
Pierre Thomas or Rashard Mendenhall: El Mustachio says: Both players have great matchups this week, but Mendenhall is the feature back in the Steelers offense while Thomas shares carries with Bell and Bush.  For that reason, I’ll start Mendenhall this week.

Joseph Addai or Calvin Johnson: El Mustachio says: Calvin Johnson is due to break out and has a matchup against a terrible Browns defense.  Start ‘em up.
 
Lance Long or Laveranues Coles: El Mustachio says:  I think I answered this same question earlier, except replacing Long with Chambers.  Don’t trust KC receivers vs. the Steelers D.  Chad will be inundated with Nnamdi and Coles has been the Criminengals leading receiver anyway.  Start Coles.

WHAT DO I DO?!?!

Turner

Should I buy low on Michael Turner?:

Bobby says: Okay… that’s a tough one because he’s one of the best fantasy backs out there right now… my problem with him is that he’s been inconsistent this season and I’m only talking fantasy, because his team relies on him every week. But in general, he’s going to get somewhere in the vicinity of 100 yards and a touchdown, especially since we’re heading into the playoffs. It also depends whether you need a back who could win you the week by himself or not because with a high ankle sprain and talented backups in Snelling and Norwood, he won’t be that. However, if you’re simply looking for a RB2 or a flex player who can grab you 80 yards and a touchdown in the playoffs every game, make the trade.

Trade Miles Austin for Brett Favre?: Bobby says: All other things being equal, the trade’s fine by me… Austin has been as good a playmaker as any #2 WR or flex position player, and Favre has consistently put up great numbers this season, even compared to other top-scoring fantasy QBs.

Trade Joseph Addai for Anquan Boldin?: El Mustachio says: Are you getting Boldin?  I certainly hope so.  Never trust a running back with a broken hand, and take into consideration that he’ll get increased rest as Indy gets closer to locking up homefield advantage, and his value will fade quickly.  If you can sell Addai now, get it done.

How many more games will Addai play this season?: El Mustachio says: Addai will play 5 of the 7 remaining games.  He’s practicing fully despite the hand, and the Colts need him in blitz protection too badly to make him inactive.  Whether he’ll be a major part of the rushing/passing attack is another question.  Don’t count on him in Week’s 16 and 17 if your playoffs run that late.  They should have homefield locked up and he’ll be rested.

Should I buy low on LaDanian Tomlinson?: El Mustachio says: Yes, buy low now.  San Diego will be in a battle with Denver until the end for the only playoff position coming out of the west.  LDT will have to play, unlike previous years.  Of course buy low means just that, don’t give up too much and trick yourself into thinking it’s 2006.

Trade McCoy for Brandon Marshall: El Mustachio says: What?  Really?

I was offered Romo for Boldin: Bobby says: If you’re offering Tony Romo for Anquan Boldin, I hope you included a Rohypnol Martini along with it.  But, if someone’s crazy enough to give away a 100 catch, 10 touchdown guy for the most average quarterback in the Lone Star State, then giddyup!

I need a replacement for Michael Turner: Bobby says: Well Jason Snelling is the most immediate replacement for Turner, as he’s doing it in real life.  But in most leagues, you can find at least one out of Bernard Scott, Justin Forsett, or Beanie Wells.  All of whom are just taking over their respective running back positions.  In deeper leagues, you can grab Larry Johnson, Ladell Betts, or BenJarvus Green-Ellis, who may be the primary benefactor from Laurence Maroney’s goalline fumble against the Colts last Sunday.

Should i drop Donald Brown for Justin Forsett?: El Mustachio says:  No.  Both players should see an increase in playing time over the next few weeks, and the colts have the better offense = more scoring opportunities
 
Should I pick up Andre Caldwell for Week 11?: El Mustachio says:  He’s not a bad flex play and he’s become more important as the 3rd WR in the Bengals offense.

Rice

Trade Sidney Rice for Tony Gonzalez: El Mustachio says:  Sidney Rice has developed into Brett Favre’s favorite option, that makes him hard to part with, however if you are throwing out goose eggs at the TE position and have depth at WR, this is a good trade.

What makes Roddy White elite?: El Mustachio says:  Last year it was his ability to make plays on 3rd down, and his ability to turn every catch into a first down.  This year, not a whole lot makes him elite and although I drafted him that way, it’s just not the case.  He needs to see some time in the end zone if he wants to be “elite”.
 
Who is the better pick-up Kevin Boss or Visanthe Shiancoe?: El Mustachio says:  Papa Shango!  Go with Visanthe this week against a weak Seahawk secondary.

Hope we were able to help!