Thursday Night Football makes fantasy owners work a little harder. The weekly Season Pass rankings come out on Tuesday at noon, and we'll post the Goal Line Stand rankings on Wednesday. But that's just the start of the NFL week.
There's still a lot we don't know about some key risers in the rankings, like
Wesseling's waiver pickups Jason Snelling and
Bernard Scott.
If
Jerious Norwood is able to play, Snelling is a mediocre flex option against a stout Giants rush defense. Scott could have a big day cleaning up for
Cedric Benson, but he becomes a must-start if Benson is out of the lineup. The availability of
Sammy Morris will also affect
Laurence Maroney.
We know
Ronnie Brown is out, so my man
Ricky Williams has to be in your lineup. (The man
knows how to finish.)
LeSean McCoy and
Justin Forsett both have established roles and make solid options, especially in PPR leagues.
The rankings will continue to change dramatically each week, especially if injuries start to pile up. Just don't forget they can also change dramatically
during the week too. This has been a season of remarkable health in key fantasy positions, so we're overdue from some upheaval.
Week 11 Quarterbacks | Rank | Player Name | Opponent | Notes |
| 1 | Drew Brees | at TB | - |
| 2 | Peyton Manning | at BAL | - |
| 3 | Matt Schaub | vs. TEN | - |
| 4 | Tom Brady | vs. NYJ | Probable(right shoulder) |
| 5 | Kurt Warner | at STL | - |
| 6 | Ben Roethlisberger | at KC | - |
| 7 | Aaron Rodgers | vs. SF | - |
| 8 | Donovan McNabb | at CHI | - |
| 9 | Philip Rivers | at DEN | - |
| 10 | Brett Favre | vs. SEA | Probable(hip) |
| 11 | Carson Palmer | at OAK | - |
| 12 | Tony Romo | vs. WAS | - |
| 13 | Jay Cutler | vs. PHI | - |
| 14 | Matt Hasselbeck | at MIN | - |
| 15 | Eli Manning | vs. ATL | Probable(foot) |
| 16 | Matt Ryan | at NYG | - |
| 17 | Vince Young | at HOU | - |
| 18 | Joe Flacco | vs. IND | Probable(knee) |
| 19 | David Garrard | vs. BUF | - |
| 20 | Josh Freeman | vs. NO | - |
| 21 | Alex Smith | at GB | - |
| 22 | Brady Quinn | at DET | - |
| 23 | Matthew Stafford | vs. CLE | Probable(knee) |
| 24 | Marc Bulger | vs. ARZ | - |
| 25 | Chad Henne | at CAR | - |
| 26 | Jake Delhomme | vs. MIA | - |
| 27 | Matt Cassel | vs. PIT | - |
| 28 | Chris Simms | vs. SD | - |
| 29 | Ryan Fitzpatrick | at JAC | - |
| 30 | Jason Campbell | at DAL | - |
| 31 | Mark Sanchez | at NE | - |
| 32 | JaMarcus Russell | vs. CIN | - |
QB Notes: Somewhat lost in the Colts-Patriots classic is that the Patriots passing attack is operating at full tilt. Great games against the Bucs, Titans, and Dolphins were nice, but Brady and Moss strafed the hardest pass defense in the league to score fantasy points against. It bodes very well for a monster second half from Brady. We'd take Brady in fantasy leagues over Manning the rest of the way. … Manning has played his three worst games of the season in a row, with a lot of wacky looking un-Manning-like passes. Of course, he continues to put up big numbers. But the young Colts receivers are fading just slightly, so it's not a crazy time to sell high on Manning if you get another top-10 QB and good value at other positions thrown in.
I've watched almost every throw
Vince Young has made since entering the lineup. He's making smart decisions, but also completing some intermediate throws. They are doing a great job of coaching Young, but he's been accurate on some difficult passes. He's not a terrible option fantasy option against Houston and could grow towards being a bigger factor down the stretch. … The move to
Ryan Fitzpatrick in Buffalo is odd because
Trent Edwards was coming off one of his better games. Fitzpatrick has no hope for value. … Was last week a dramatic step back for
Alex Smith or just a bump in the road? The coaches didn't trust him in the second half against Chicago, and he didn't earn their trust. We'll find out how good the 49ers passing attack can be against an outstanding Packers pass defense. … I'm not that worried about
Jay Cutler's five-pick game. Just Cutler being Cutler. He's going to top 4,000 yards this year because of Chicago's crappy defense and running game. He'll probably break his career record for touchdowns. He's a good buy low. …
Kurt Warner is in good shape to play 16 games amazingly. He's not getting hit often, and his upcoming slate of games doesn't include many good pass rushes. It's huge for Warner's fantasy value that Ken Whisenhunt keeps his foot on the pedal when he has a lead in games.
Don't fall for Chicago's secondary looking improved against San Francisco;
Donovan McNabb should shred them. … In most years,
Matt Hasselbeck would be a top-eight every week QB1 by now. Only the depth at quarterback is preventing him from being ranked higher. You can win your league with him at quarterback. … Perhaps built up too fast,
Matt Ryan and
Joe Flacco are facing second-year struggles that should have them on fantasy benches. Flacco is unlikely to turn it around against Indianapolis. Teams counting on them as starters should at least look for possible trade upgrades.
And for the few folks out there that haven't checked out
Season Pass yet, um, get on it! Tons of exlusive material every week, including our brand new rankings
just for the fantasy playoffs. It's $4.99 for the rest of the season.
Thursday Night Football makes fantasy owners work a little harder. The weekly Season Pass rankings come out on Tuesday at noon, and we'll post the Goal Line Stand rankings on Wednesday. But that's just the start of the NFL week.
There's still a lot we don't know about some key risers in the rankings, like
Wesseling's waiver pickups Jason Snelling and
Bernard Scott.
If
Jerious Norwood is able to play, Snelling is a mediocre flex option against a stout Giants rush defense. Scott could have a big day cleaning up for
Cedric Benson, but he becomes a must-start if Benson is out of the lineup. The availability of
Sammy Morris will also affect
Laurence Maroney.
We know
Ronnie Brown is out, so my man
Ricky Williams has to be in your lineup. (The man
knows how to finish.)
LeSean McCoy and
Justin Forsett both have established roles and make solid options, especially in PPR leagues.
The rankings will continue to change dramatically each week, especially if injuries start to pile up. Just don't forget they can also change dramatically
during the week too. This has been a season of remarkable health in key fantasy positions, so we're overdue from some upheaval.
Week 11 Quarterbacks | Rank | Player Name | Opponent | Notes |
| 1 | Drew Brees | at TB | - |
| 2 | Peyton Manning | at BAL | - |
| 3 | Matt Schaub | vs. TEN | - |
| 4 | Tom Brady | vs. NYJ | Probable(right shoulder) |
| 5 | Kurt Warner | at STL | - |
| 6 | Ben Roethlisberger | at KC | - |
| 7 | Aaron Rodgers | vs. SF | - |
| 8 | Donovan McNabb | at CHI | - |
| 9 | Philip Rivers | at DEN | - |
| 10 | Brett Favre | vs. SEA | Probable(hip) |
| 11 | Carson Palmer | at OAK | - |
| 12 | Tony Romo | vs. WAS | - |
| 13 | Jay Cutler | vs. PHI | - |
| 14 | Matt Hasselbeck | at MIN | - |
| 15 | Eli Manning | vs. ATL | Probable(foot) |
| 16 | Matt Ryan | at NYG | - |
| 17 | Vince Young | at HOU | - |
| 18 | Joe Flacco | vs. IND | Probable(knee) |
| 19 | David Garrard | vs. BUF | - |
| 20 | Josh Freeman | vs. NO | - |
| 21 | Alex Smith | at GB | - |
| 22 | Brady Quinn | at DET | - |
| 23 | Matthew Stafford | vs. CLE | Probable(knee) |
| 24 | Marc Bulger | vs. ARZ | - |
| 25 | Chad Henne | at CAR | - |
| 26 | Jake Delhomme | vs. MIA | - |
| 27 | Matt Cassel | vs. PIT | - |
| 28 | Chris Simms | vs. SD | - |
| 29 | Ryan Fitzpatrick | at JAC | - |
| 30 | Jason Campbell | at DAL | - |
| 31 | Mark Sanchez | at NE | - |
| 32 | JaMarcus Russell | vs. CIN | - |
QB Notes: Somewhat lost in the Colts-Patriots classic is that the Patriots passing attack is operating at full tilt. Great games against the Bucs, Titans, and Dolphins were nice, but Brady and Moss strafed the hardest pass defense in the league to score fantasy points against. It bodes very well for a monster second half from Brady. We'd take Brady in fantasy leagues over Manning the rest of the way. … Manning has played his three worst games of the season in a row, with a lot of wacky looking un-Manning-like passes. Of course, he continues to put up big numbers. But the young Colts receivers are fading just slightly, so it's not a crazy time to sell high on Manning if you get another top-10 QB and good value at other positions thrown in.
I've watched almost every throw
Vince Young has made since entering the lineup. He's making smart decisions, but also completing some intermediate throws. They are doing a great job of coaching Young, but he's been accurate on some difficult passes. He's not a terrible option fantasy option against Houston and could grow towards being a bigger factor down the stretch. … The move to
Ryan Fitzpatrick in Buffalo is odd because
Trent Edwards was coming off one of his better games. Fitzpatrick has no hope for value. … Was last week a dramatic step back for
Alex Smith or just a bump in the road? The coaches didn't trust him in the second half against Chicago, and he didn't earn their trust. We'll find out how good the 49ers passing attack can be against an outstanding Packers pass defense. … I'm not that worried about
Jay Cutler's five-pick game. Just Cutler being Cutler. He's going to top 4,000 yards this year because of Chicago's crappy defense and running game. He'll probably break his career record for touchdowns. He's a good buy low. …
Kurt Warner is in good shape to play 16 games amazingly. He's not getting hit often, and his upcoming slate of games doesn't include many good pass rushes. It's huge for Warner's fantasy value that Ken Whisenhunt keeps his foot on the pedal when he has a lead in games.
Don't fall for Chicago's secondary looking improved against San Francisco;
Donovan McNabb should shred them. … In most years,
Matt Hasselbeck would be a top-eight every week QB1 by now. Only the depth at quarterback is preventing him from being ranked higher. You can win your league with him at quarterback. … Perhaps built up too fast,
Matt Ryan and
Joe Flacco are facing second-year struggles that should have them on fantasy benches. Flacco is unlikely to turn it around against Indianapolis. Teams counting on them as starters should at least look for possible trade upgrades.
And for the few folks out there that haven't checked out
Season Pass yet, um, get on it! Tons of exlusive material every week, including our brand new rankings
just for the fantasy playoffs. It's $4.99 for the rest of the season.
Week 11 Running Backs | Rank | Player Name | Opponent | Notes |
| 1 | Chris Johnson | at HOU | - |
| 2 | Maurice Jones-Drew | vs. BUF | - |
| 3 | Adrian Peterson | vs. SEA | - |
| 4 | Ray Rice | vs. IND | - |
| 5 | Frank Gore | at GB | - |
| 6 | Steven Jackson | vs. ARZ | - |
| 7 | Ricky Williams | at CAR | - |
| 8 | Rashard Mendenhall | at KC | - |
| 9 | DeAngelo Williams | vs. MIA | Questionable(knee) |
| 10 | Pierre Thomas | at TB | - |
| 11 | Bernard Scott | at OAK | No Benson |
| 12 | Matt Forte | vs. PHI | - |
| 13 | Kevin Smith | vs. CLE | - |
| 14 | Brandon Jacobs | vs. ATL | - |
| 15 | Marion Barber | vs. WAS | Probable(thumb) |
| 16 | Ryan Grant | vs. SF | - |
| 17 | Thomas Jones | at NE | - |
| 18 | LeSean McCoy | at CHI | - |
| 19 | Joseph Addai | at BAL | - |
| 20 | Chris Wells | at STL | - |
| 21 | Marshawn Lynch | at JAC | - |
| 22 | LaDainian Tomlinson | at DEN | - |
| 23 | Knowshon Moreno | vs. SD | - |
| 24 | Tim Hightower | at STL | - |
| 25 | Mike Bell | at TB | - |
| 26 | Ladell Betts | at DAL | Probable(ankle) |
| 27 | Justin Forsett | at MIN | - |
| 28 | Jason Snelling | at NYG | - |
| 29 | Steve Slaton | vs. TEN | - |
| 30 | Jonathan Stewart | vs. MIA | Questionable(heel) |
| 31 | Jamaal Charles | vs. PIT | - |
| 32 | Laurence Maroney | vs. NYJ | - |
| 33 | Carnell Williams | vs. NO | Probable(knee) |
| 34 | Jamal Lewis | at DET | Questionable(ankle) |
| 35 | Ahmad Bradshaw | vs. ATL | Probable(foot) |
| 36 | Michael Bush | vs. CIN | - |
| 37 | Ryan Moats | vs. TEN | - |
| 38 | Donald Brown | at BAL | - |
| 39 | Fred Jackson | at JAC | - |
| 40 | Shonn Greene | at NE | - |
| 41 | Derrick Ward | vs. NO | - |
| 42 | Felix Jones | vs. WAS | - |
| 43 | Darren Sproles | at DEN | - |
| 44 | Darren McFadden | vs. CIN | - |
| 45 | Tashard Choice | vs. WAS | - |
| 46 | Correll Buckhalter | vs. SD | Probable(knee) |
| 47 | Justin Fargas | vs. CIN | - |
| 48 | Chester Taylor | vs. SEA | - |
| 49 | Jerious Norwood | at NYG | Questionable(hip) |
| 50 | Kolby Smith | vs. PIT | - |
| 51 | Willis McGahee | vs. IND | - |
| 52 | Danny Ware | vs. ATL | - |
| 53 | Willie Parker | at KC | - |
| 54 | Maurice Morris | vs. CLE | - |
| 55 | LenDale White | at HOU | - |
| 56 | Rashad Jennings | vs. BUF | - |
| 57 | Kevin Faulk | vs. NYJ | - |
| 58 | Ahman Green | vs. SF | Questionable(groin) |
| 59 | Chris Brown | vs. TEN | - |
RB Notes: Jamaal Charles' big game was great, but he's still on the Chiefs. And he's still facing the Steelers. Kansas City's offensive line will get overwhelmed and it's not worth the risk. …
Rashard Mendenhall is up and down and doesn't always fight through tackles like you'd like a guy his size to do. But he's a must start top-10 play in this matchup. I'm surprised there is as much doubt still about Mendenhall out there as there is. …
Maurice Jones-Drew should be the latest running back to expose the soft middle of the Buffalo defense. Expect one of his monster games.
Chris Johnson's superlative season is overshadowing Mo-Jo's sill campaign. He's on pace for over 1,900 yards from scrimmage, 300 carries, 57 carries, and 21 TDs. Who says there are no true workhorse backs left?
Pierre Thomas is frustrating at times to own, but there's still no way you can sit him against the Bucs. That would be over thinking. …
Matt Forte's receptions are saving his season. He's averaging ten yards per catch and the Bears have smartly started using him more like a
Brian Westbrook since the team can't run block. Chicago's attack resembles Philadelphia in a lot of ways. … With
Danny Ware ready to take some third down duties back,
Ahmad Bradshaw is becoming less exciting. Atlanta's defense is falling apart, though, so expect a solid game out of
Brandon Jacobs. Look for the Giants to re-establish their running game well, especially in the next two games.
Beanie Wells remains a risky play, but he's a solid bet to score in any given week. Especially when that week is against the Rams. He loses a lot of value in PPR leagues. …
Marshawn Lynch is still running hard and Beast Mode broke out a few times last week, but Buffalo's offensive line remains a mess.
Fred Jackson remains such a weapon that it's hard to count on Lynch in any given week, although we are still hopeful his talent will break through. The effort seems there, but he's not special enough to overcome the offense around him. … San Diego's offensive line has improved of late and Denver's defense continues to wear down late in games. This could be a high volume game for LT2, even if I'm not totally convinced he'll do much with it. … If
Reggie Bush is out,
Mike Bell is a lot safer. If
Correll Buckhalter is out,
Knowshon Moreno is similarly better.
Bernard Scott will be ranked in the top 13 if
Cedric Benson is out Sunday, which I suspect he will be. You still don't want to play
Larry Johnson. … There's not telling how the Texans will divide up their workload after the bye week. I suspect
Steve Slaton will get more work, but the matchup dictates that it's safer to sit both backs. …
Jason Snelling's ranking is based on
Jerious Norwood suiting up. …
Marion Barber remains a good buy low. They are built to run and nothing in the game footage indicates Barber is struggling. His role is frustrating, but it's not that different than before. The touchdowns and points will come.
Note: Snapdraft leagues are starting every day. If you haven't looked at the game's structure, just do me a favor and
check it out. I would have gone insane on Snapdraft stealing people's money if I wasn't an employee of the company.
Week 11 Wide Receivers | Rank | Player Name | Opponent | Notes |
| 1 | Larry Fitzgerald | at STL | - |
| 2 | Andre Johnson | vs. TEN | - |
| 3 | Reggie Wayne | at BAL | - |
| 4 | Vincent Jackson | at DEN | - |
| 5 | Randy Moss | vs. NYJ | - |
| 6 | Roddy White | at NYG | Questionable(knee) |
| 7 | Calvin Johnson | vs. CLE | Probable(hand) |
| 8 | Marques Colston | at TB | - |
| 9 | Wes Welker | vs. NYJ | - |
| 10 | DeSean Jackson | at CHI | - |
| 11 | Mike Sims-Walker | vs. BUF | - |
| 12 | Greg Jennings | vs. SF | - |
| 13 | Chad Ochocinco | at OAK | - |
| 14 | Sidney Rice | vs. SEA | - |
| 15 | Steve Smith | vs. MIA | - |
| 16 | Anquan Boldin | at STL | - |
| 17 | Steve Smith | vs. ATL | - |
| 18 | Miles Austin | vs. WAS | - |
| 19 | Devin Hester | vs. PHI | - |
| 20 | Santonio Holmes | at KC | - |
| 21 | Hines Ward | at KC | - |
| 22 | Jerricho Cotchery | at NE | - |
| 23 | Donald Driver | vs. SF | - |
| 24 | Brandon Marshall | vs. SD | Ranked as if Simms will start |
| 25 | Nate Burleson | at MIN | - |
| 26 | T.J. Houshmandzadeh | at MIN | - |
| 27 | Derrick Mason | vs. IND | - |
| 28 | Steve Breaston | at STL | Probable(knee) |
| 29 | Kevin Walter | vs. TEN | - |
| 30 | Braylon Edwards | at NE | - |
| 31 | Percy Harvin | vs. SEA | - |
| 32 | Michael Crabtree | at GB | Probable(knee) |
| 33 | Roy Williams | vs. WAS | - |
| 34 | Santana Moss | at DAL | - |
| 35 | Hakeem Nicks | vs. ATL | - |
| 36 | Lee Evans | at JAC | - |
| 37 | Malcom Floyd | at DEN | - |
| 38 | Devery Henderson | at TB | - |
| 39 | Jeremy Maclin | at CHI | Probable(foot) |
| 40 | Donnie Avery | vs. ARZ | - |
| 41 | Austin Collie | at BAL | - |
| 42 | Bernard Berrian | vs. SEA | Questionable(hamstring) |
| 43 | Pierre Garcon | at BAL | Questionable(ankle) |
| 44 | Earl Bennett | vs. PHI | - |
| 45 | Chris Chambers | vs. PIT | - |
| 46 | Terrell Owens | at JAC | - |
| 47 | Laveranues Coles | at OAK | Probable(head) |
| 48 | Mario Manningham | vs. ATL | - |
| 49 | Nate Washington | at HOU | - |
| 50 | Brandon Gibson | vs. ARZ | - |
| 51 | Davone Bess | at CAR | - |
| 52 | Johnny Knox | vs. PHI | - |
| 53 | Patrick Crayton | vs. WAS | - |
| 54 | Mohamed Massaquoi | at DET | - |
| 55 | Josh Morgan | at GB | - |
| 56 | Robert Meachem | at TB | - |
| 57 | Andre Caldwell | at OAK | - |
| 58 | Mike Wallace | at KC | - |
| 59 | Mark Clayton | vs. IND | - |
| 60 | Eddie Royal | vs. SD | - |
| 61 | Greg Camarillo | at CAR | - |
| 62 | James Jones | vs. SF | - |
| 63 | Lance Long | vs. PIT | - |
| 64 | Torry Holt | vs. BUF | - |
WR Notes: Trent Edwards was struggling, but the move to
Ryan Fitzpatrick is still a downer for
Lee Evans and
Terrell Owens. Fitzpatrick throws the ball vertically even less than Edwards. Jacksonville's secondary is weak, so it will be a bad omen for Evans/Owens owners if they don't produce like a WR3 this year. …
Vince Young is throwing to his running backs and wide receivers, so
Nate Washington and
Kenny Britt aren't overly exciting options against Houston. … If
Chris Simms starts, knock
Brandon Marshall down about 20 spots. He's still worth using as a WR2/3 in most leagues, but wouldn't be a must play. …
Kevin Walter is one of those players that has shown production and talent before and remains in a good situation, so I'm sticking with a high ranking until he proves me right.
Marques Colston remains the prime red zone target on a team threatening to break scoring records. Don't over think things and sit him against a terrible defense. …
Steve Smith and
Miles Austin have come back to Earth, but they remain solid WR2s. Austin will be boom or bust, but you can't sit him because of his big play ability. Think
DeSean Jackson. Smith is settling into the rock solid 6 for 70 type of PPR machine we expected to begin with. … Ken Whisenhunt knew what he was doing sitting
Anquan Boldin for a week. He looked as strong and explosive as he has all season when he returned last week. … The Packers corners will be a great test for
Michael Crabtree. I think he can handle physical play.
Laveranues Coles has season highs in targets in back-to-back games with nine. He's becoming a decent PPR option. …
Malcom Floyd is a random huge game waiting to happen, and Denver's secondary has been exposed a little bit the last few weeks. If you are willing to gamble, he's a good option. … The NFL Matchup guys thought that
Austin Collie and
Pierre Garcon were hitting a bit of a wall the last few weeks. This is a good matchup, but the new starters may be wearing down. …
Chris Chambers will be a fantasy option with
Dwayne Bowe out, but the Chiefs won't be able to protect
Matt Cassel against Pittsburgh. Future weeks, maybe.
Week 11 Tight Ends TE Notes: In case you missed it, the
Todd Heap revival ended a little while back. If it ever started. …
Kellen Winslow has received a nice boost since
Josh Freeman entered the lineup. Freeman gets a lot of yards on improvised plays and Winslow has done a nice job staying alive and getting open for him. …
Greg Olsen got three more targets against the 49ers than he did in his three-touchdown game against the Cardinals. And the Eagles struggle against tight ends. …
Dustin Keller should be off the wire after 14 catches for 134 yards the last two weeks, but he doesn't necessarily have to be in lineups against
Brandon McGowan and the Patriots. …
Jermichael Finley is a fine pickup and play if you need help this week. It looks like he'll be a go.
Week 11 Team DefenseWeek 11 Kickers
continue story »
Gregg Rosenthal has directed Rotoworld's football content since 2003. He co-hosts the
NBC Fantasy Fix and covers the NFL for NBCSports.com and Profootballtalk.com. Catch him
on Twitter.
Email :
Gregg Rosenthal