As you get ready to make your final lineup decisions for Week 11, here are 10 random and last-minute fantasy football thoughts:
10. If you have Carson Wentz, start someone else
This is not a personal knock against the Philadelphia quarterback. It’s just the reality of the situation as he faces the Patriots. Receiver Alshon Jeffrey may miss the game with an ankle injury and DeSean Jackson already is out for the season. Wentz won’t have much to through to. But it probably wouldn’t matter anyway against a New England defense that’s allowed only three touchdown passes and leads the league with 19 interceptions.
9. Ezekiel Elliott should run all over the Lions
Detroit’s run defense has regressed since last year. That’s particularly bad news for the Lions as they get ready to face Elliott and Dallas. When the teams met last year, Elliott rushed for 152 yards. A 200-yard day is a real possibility.
8. Phillip Lindsay will run for a touchdown
The Denver running back averages 4.9 yards per carry and has five rushing touchdowns. He’ll get at least one rushing touchdown against the Vikings. Why? It’s due to happen. Minnesota has allowed just two rushing touchdowns all season, but the Vikings will be devoting most of their defensive attention to stopping receiver Courtland Sutton.
7. Josh Jacobs will reach 1,000 rushing yards
The Oakland rookie running back has 811 rushing yards on the season. He’ll get to 1,000 this week. That’s because the Bengals are the worst run defense in the league. They allow 173 yards per game.
6. Start Jacksonville’s defense against Jacoby Brissett
The Jaguars have a favorable matchup against the Colts. Indianapolis quarterback Brissett is expected to start after sitting out last week with a sprained MCL. He might not be at full mobility and that’s not good news because the Jaguars are No. 6 in the league with 30 sacks.
5. Adrian Peterson is in for a long day
The Washington running back will have a quiet day against the Jets. The Jets? Yeah, they don’t much of anything well. But they can stop the run. In New York’s last four games, the run defense has held opponents to 2.4 yards per carry.
4. Brian Hill will rush for 100 yards
The Falcons likely will start Hill, who came into the season as the third running back, against Carolina. Ito Smith is on injured reserve and Devonta Freeman is dealing with a foot injury. That puts Hill in a favorable situation. The Panthers don’t have a strong run defense. They’re last in the NFL as they allow 5.17 yards a rush and have allowed a league-worst 17 rushing touchdowns.
3. Lamar Jackson and/or Mark Ingram will rush for 100 yards
The Texans have not allowed an individual to rush for 100 yards in a game last season or this season. But that’s about to come to an end. Baltimore has a pair of explosive runners in quarterback Jackson and running back Ingram. One of them will top the 100-yard mark this week. Heck, it’s possible both could do it.
2. Jimmy Garoppolo won’t light up Arizona again
When San Francisco defeated Arizona two weeks ago, Garoppolo had a career day, throwing for 317 yards and four touchdowns. It won’t be the same story in the rematch. Tight end George Kittle and receiver Emmanuel Sanders are banged up. The 49ers are likely to rely on the running game this time around.
1. Drew Brees and Michael Thomas will have huge days
Brees didn’t hide his frustration after a poor showing by the offense against Atlanta last week. When Brees gets angry, he almost always uses it productively the next time out. Look out Tampa Bay. After cutting veteran Vernon Hargreaves on Tuesday it appears the Bucs will start rookie cornerbacks Jamel Dean and Sean Murphy-Bunting. The rookies face a huge challenge not only in Brees, but in Thomas, who is looking for his third straight game with at least 10 catches and 100 receiving yards. In his previous outing against the Bucs, Thomas had 11 catches for 182 yards and two touchdowns.
Pat Yasinskas has covered the NFL since 1993. He has worked for The Tampa Tribune, The Charlotte Observer and ESPN.com and writes for numerous national magazines and websites. He also has served as a voter for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
