Daily Fantasy Football Lineup Recommendations for Week 11
*Mike Barner*
Daily Fantasy Football Lineup Recommendations – Week 11
Week 11 is the last week with teams on a bye, so this is the final time you will have limited options for your DFS entry. With the Indianapolis Colts and San Francisco 49ers being two of the teams on a bye, you won’t be able to take advantage of their bottom of the league defenses. That being said, there are still plenty of favorable matchups you can use to bring home some money. Put your favorite daily fantasy football recommendations from the article below in our lineup optimizer and hit calculate. You can let it fill in the rest of the spots for you or choose your personal favorites from the NFL Player Lab.
**QUARTERBACKS**
Carson Wentz vs. Dallas Cowboys
Stadium – AT&T Stadium
DraftKings = $7,200
FanDuel = $8,700
Wentz is one of the hottest quarterbacks in the NFL right now as he has thrown at least three touchdowns in four of the last five games. The Eagles are one of the best teams in the league and Wentz’s progress is the main reason why. Week 11 brings an excellent matchup against a Cowboys defense that has allowed 16 passing touchdowns while intercepting only five passes this year. Don’t expect them to be able to stop the Wentz Wagon this week.
Alex Smith vs. New York Giants
Stadium – MetLife Stadium
DraftKings = $6,700
FanDuel = $7,900
Not only is Smith averaging a career-high 271.6 passing yards per game, but he also has an insane 18 touchdown passes with only one interception. Week 11 brings a terrible Giants defense that is tied for the most touchdown passes allowed this season (20). The Giants defense has dealt with injuries and suspensions and looks to have quit on a disappointing season. 49ers quarterback C.J. Beathard torched the Giants for 288 yards and two touchdown passes last week after throwing two touchdown passes in the previous four games combined. Smith is primed for a big game Sunday.
Jay Cutler vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Stadium – Hard Rock Stadium
DraftKings = $5,400
FanDuel = $6,600
While the Dolphins offense has been terrible this season, Cutler has thrown at least two touchdown passes and thrown no more than one interception in each of his last four games. The Dolphins have weapons at wide receiver and are finally showing some semblance of a rushing attack, so don’t sleep on Cutler. He gets to take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Week 11, a team who has allowed the fourth-most net passing yards per game (266) in the league. At this price, he is worth the risk in tournament play.
**RUNNING BACKS**
Kareem Hunt vs. New York Giants
Stadium – MetLife Stadium
DraftKings = $8,000
FanDuel = $8,600
Hunt has slowed down after a hot start to the season as he hasn’t scored a touchdown since Week 3. He was at least continuing to rack up yards, but even that has dropped off as he has 68 total yards or less in both of his last two games. While it was unlikely that he could keep up his torrid start, it’s also unlikely his recent slide will continue. Week 11 brings a great matchup against a Giants defense that not only struggles to defend the pass but is also allowing the third-most rushing yards per game (132.6). Start Hunt with confidence Sunday.
Chris Thompson vs. New Orleans Saints
Stadium – Mercedes-Benz Superdome
DraftKings = $5,400
FanDuel = $6,800
Like Hunt, Thompson also hasn’t produced much lately as he has 98 total yards over his last two games combined. That being said, he has still been very involved in the passing game as he has received at least five targets in each of the last five games. Fellow running back Rob Kelley went down with an injury last week and has been placed on injured reserve. While Samaje Perine will take over for Kelley on most rushing downs, Thompson should also see an expanded role in the offense. The Redskins may need to throw a lot on the road to keep up with the Saints, making Thompson a nice option for your lineup at this price.
Orleans Darkwa vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Stadium – MetLife Stadium
DraftKings = $4,800
FanDuel = $5,900
The Giants continue to be a mess on both sides of the ball, but Darkwa has quietly provided solid value as he has rushed for at least 70 yards in three of the last four games. He played well in a loss last week against a bad San Francisco rush defense as he had 70 yards on 14 carries and caught two passes for 18 yards. The Chiefs also struggle to defend the run as they are allowing the fourth-most rushing yards per game (131.1). While this game is likely to get out of hand, Darkwa should run enough at least in the first half to provide value considering the cost to add him to your lineup.
**WIDE RECEIVERS**
Adam Thielen vs. Los Angeles Rams
Stadium – U.S. Bank Stadium
DraftKings = $7,200
FanDuel = $7,700
One of the more underrated receivers in the NFL, you should not look past Thielen this week. He gets a ton of passes thrown his way as has had at least 10 targets in each of his last four games. He came away with at least 96 receiving yards in three of those games and has scored one touchdown in both of the last two games. Quarterback Case Keenum has done a surprisingly good job of not just managing the Vikings offense but also leading them to the tenth most points scored in the league. Look for him to continue to produce this week as the Vikings try to keep up with the Rams high-scoring offense.
Jarvis Landry vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Stadium – Hard Rock Stadium
DraftKings = $6,400
FanDuel = $6,800
While the Dolphins offense hasn’t been anything to write home about, Landry has been the key focal point as he leads the NFL in receptions (61) and is third in targets (96). He actually has more touchdowns (5) than Antonio Brown (3) this season. With the Buccaneers struggles to defend the pass already detailed, it would be wise to get Landry in your lineup this week.
Sterling Shepard vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Stadium – MetLife Stadium
DraftKings = $6,300
FanDuel = $6,500
The Giants have very few quality healthy receivers, leaving Shepard as their best threat. While he didn’t reach the end zone, he had a huge game last week against the 49ers as he caught 11 of 13 targets for 142 yards. He received 9 targets the previous week against the Rams, so expect him to be heavily involved going forward. The Giants are likely to find themselves down big against a productive Chiefs offense, meaning lots of passes heading Shepard’s way. The potential is here for a big stat line.
Taylor Gabriel vs. Seattle Seahawks
Stadium – CenturyLink Field
DraftKings = $3,400
FanDuel = $5,300
With all the injuries at quarterback around the league and some teams still on a bye, there are limited cheap options with value at wide receiver. Gabriel might be someone to consider as he has at least three catches and at least 56 receiving yards in both of his last two games. The Seahawks secondary was dealt a blow last week when Richard Sherman was lost for the season due to injury, so they won’t be as strong as usual. If you want a cheap tournament play with some upside, take a chance on Gabriel.
**TIGHT ENDS**
Travis Kelce vs. New York Giants
Stadium – MetLife Stadium
DraftKings = $7,300
FanDuel = $7,500
This almost isn’t fair. Kelce is one of the best tight ends as he is in the top three in the NFL in targets, receptions, yards, and touchdowns at his position. Week 11 brings a matchup against the Giants who have allowed tight ends to score a touchdown in 10 straight games. Tight ends who have scored against them include Tyler Higbee and Garrett Celek. This has the makings of a huge performance from Kelce.
Tyler Kroft vs. Denver Broncos
Stadium – Sports Authority Field at Mile High
DraftKings = $2,900
FanDuel = $5,300
Kroft is coming off a dud of a performance Week 10 when he hauled in only one of six targets for four yards. He actually only has three receptions over his last two games combined, but they have come against solid defenses in the Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars. This is a much easier matchup against the Broncos who have allowed the most receiving yards to tight ends (746) this season. He has the ability to provide significant value at this price.
**DEFENSES/SPECIAL TEAMS**
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Cleveland Browns
Stadium – FirstEnergy Stadium
DraftKings = $4,000
FanDuel = $5,600
The Jaguars failed to record a sack for the first time last week but still provided value as they produced an interception and a fumble recovery. They have an extremely favorable matchup against the hapless Browns offense this week. Not only have the Browns scored the second-fewest points in the league, but they have also allowed 27 sacks. Top that off with the 18 interceptions they have thrown and the Jaguars are a must start this week.
Houston Texans vs. Arizona Cardinals
Stadium – NRG Stadium
DraftKings = $3,100
FanDuel = $4,600
The Cardinals have been decimated by injuries at quarterback as not only is Carson Palmer out, but backup Drew Stanton is dealing with a knee injury that will likely sideline him this week. Blaine Gabbert would be in line to start if Stanton can’t play. There isn’t much more of a recipe for success than facing a team’s third-string quarterback, so play the Texans defense if you are looking for a more cost-effective option.