Tag: fantasy football Week 11 sleepers

With Thanksgiving Week and a pair of Byepocalypse weeks looming shortly, Week 11’s challenge is to squeeze as many Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs into your lineup as possible.

From a DFS standpoint, I am happy that this matchup is on the main slate, but I am still shocked that this game wasn’t flexed to prime time.

Recommended DFS lineups

*Note: FanDuel and Fanball include the Sunday night game on their Main Slate. DraftKings doesn’t include them, so the pricing is listed as N/A.

DK Lineup: QB Russell Wilson ($5.9k), RB Christian McCaffrey ($8.3k), RB Nick Chubb ($6.0k), WR George Pickens ($7.0k), WR Calvin Ridley ($6.2k), WR Mack Hollins ($3.8k), TE Dawson Knox ($3.5k), FLEX Kareem Hunt ($6.7k), DST Cleveland Browns ($2.6k)

FD Lineup: QB Russell Wilson ($7.8k), RB Christian McCaffrey ($9.8k), RB Nick Chubb ($6.2k), WR George Pickens ($7.5k), WR Quentin Johnston ($6.0k), WR Calvin Ridley ($6.4k), TE Pat Freiermuth ($5.3K), FLEX Chase Brown ($6.8k), DST Cleveland Browns ($4.1k)

FB Lineup: QB Russell Wilson ($5.7k), RB Christian McCaffrey ($8.2k) RB Kyren Williams ($7.6k), WR George Pickens ($5.9k), WR Cedric Tillman ($3.9k), WR/TE George Kittle ($5.9k), TE Travis Kelce ($6.0k), FLEX Kareem Hunt ($6.2k), SUPERFLEX Jameis Winston ($5.5k)

*Note: Player salaries are color-coded based on expected output. Red = Less than 2.5x value, Black = 2.5x value, Green = Greater than 3x value.

Quarterback	DraftKings	FanDuel
Lamar Jackson	$8,000	$9,000
Josh Allen	$7,800	$8,800
Joe Burrow	N/A	$8,500
Jordan Love	$7,000	$7,700
Patrick Mahomes	$6,800	$7,900
Brock Purdy	$6,600	$8,400
Kirk Cousins	$6,500	$7,100
Jared Goff	$6,300	$8,300
Bo Nix	$6,200	$7,400
Sam Darnold	$6,100	$7,500
Tua Tagovailoa	$6,000	$8,000
Russell Wilson	$5,900	$7,800
Matthew Stafford	$5,800	$7,400
Geno Smith	$5,700	$7,600
Justin Herbert	N/A	$7,300
Drake Maye	$5,600	$6,700
Aaron Rodgers	$5,500	$7,100
Jameis Winston	$5,500	$7,200
Caleb Williams	$5,400	$7,000
Trevor Lawrence	$5,400	$7,000
Joe Flacco	$5,300	$6,900
Derek Carr	$5,200	$7,200
Will Levis	$5,100	$6,700
Desmond Ridder	$5,000	$6,600
Gardner Minshew II	$5,000	$6,600
Mac Jones	$4,900	$6,800

Quarterback

Weekly strategy – Despite facing off against each other’s elite defenses and without their top receiving weapons, Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes lock horns in another epic battle. The clear pivot play would be Brock Purdy. To save some money, I love Russell Wilson, Jameis Winston and, to a lesser degree, Matthew Stafford. Will Levis is a bottom-priced punt option.

Fantasy four-pack

Josh Allen, Bills vs. KC ($7,800 DK, $8,800 FD) KC’s defense is elite, but when these two teams meet, throw the recent trends out the window. In seven career meetings, Allen has 20 total TDs, and he has averaged 299 total yards per game. Stack him with two of Khalil Shakir, Dawson Knox (assuming Dalton Kincaid is out), and Mack Hollins (assuming Amari Cooper is out).

Joe Burrow, Bengals @ LAC (N/A DK, $8,500 FD) Burrow went berserk the last two weeks, throwing for nine TDs. This matchup looks tougher on paper, but the Chargers have faced only four top-20 QBs all season.

Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs @ BUF ($6,800 DK, $7,900 FD) Despite facing a stingy Denver defense, Mahomes produced another solid yardage line last week. He threw for only one TD in that game, but Mahomes has six over the previous three weeks. Plus, he should get an enormous boost with the return of JuJu Smith-Schuster (hamstring) this week.

Brock Purdy, 49ers vs. SEA ($6,600 DK, $8,400 FD) Purdy’s receivers returned to the field last week and he instantly went off for 353-2. Meanwhile, Seattle has allowed multiple passing TDs in five of their last six games, including three to Purdy in Week 6.

Sleepers

Russell Wilson, Steelers vs. BAL ($5,900 DK, $7,800 FD) Baltimore has the worst pass defense in football. They have allowed 30 more yards per game than the next worst team. They have also allowed the most passing TDs this year. Since becoming the starting quarterback in Week 7, Wilson has scored the sixth-most points per game among quarterbacks.

Jameis Winston, Browns @ NO ($5,500 DK, $7,200 FD) Winston gets the revenge game against a New Orleans defense that recently traded away their best cornerback. Stack him with David Njoku and Cedric Tillman.

Running back	DraftKings	FanDuel
Christian McCaffrey	$8,300	$9,800
Alvin Kamara	$8,200	$8,200
Derrick Henry	$8,100	$9,400
Kyren Williams	$7,900	$9,200
Bijan Robinson	$7,800	$8,900
Jonathan Taylor	$7,600	$8,400
Breece Hall	$7,500	$8,500
Jahmyr Gibbs	$7,300	$8,300
De’Von Achane	$7,200	$8,700
Josh Jacobs	$7,100	$7,400
Kenneth Walker III	$7,000	$7,800
Aaron Jones	$6,900	$7,600
James Cook	$6,800	$7,900
Kareem Hunt	$6,700	$8,000
J.K. Dobbins	N/A	$7,200
D’Andre Swift	$6,600	$7,100
David Montgomery	$6,500	$8,100
Tony Pollard	$6,400	$6,900
Chase Brown	N/A	$6,800
Travis Etienne Jr.	$6,300	$6,700
Najee Harris	$6,200	$7,000
Rhamondre Stevenson	$6,100	$6,500
Nick Chubb	$6,000	$6,200
Jordan Mason	$5,900	$5,200
Raheem Mostert	$5,800	$6,600
Javonte Williams	$5,700	$5,500
Tank Bigsby	$5,600	$6,300
Alexander Mattison	$5,500	$5,700
Braelon Allen	$5,500	$5,400
Ray Davis	$5,400	$5,300
Jaylen Warren	$5,300	$5,500
Tyler Allgeier	$5,300	$5,800
Justice Hill	$5,200	$5,300
Zach Charbonnet	$5,100	$5,100
Antonio Gibson	$4,800	$5,100
Gus Edwards	N/A	$5,000
Jaleel McLaughlin	$4,700	$5,000
Tyjae Spears	$4,700	$5,300
Cam Akers	$4,600	$5,600
Audric Estime	$4,500	$5,400
Emanuel Wilson	$4,500	$5,200
Zamir White	$4,500	$5,100
Jerome Ford	$4,400	$5,200
Khalil Herbert	N/A	$4,900

Running back

Weekly strategy – Christian McCaffrey immediately stepped back into a bell cow role. This week he faces a cake matchup. Bijan Robinson and Kyren Williams are the next best options. Detroit also has an easy matchup, but good luck choosing between Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. Kareem Hunt is my favorite RB2 choice. Chase Brown and Nick Chubb can be RB2 pivots. They also are both great flex plays if you go cheaper elsewhere. Watch Najee Harris’s (ankle) injury status. If he is out, Jaylen Warren can be a punt option. Otherwise, take a flier on Alexander Mattison or Audric Estime.

Fantasy four-pack

Christian McCaffrey, 49ers vs. SEA ($8,300 DK, $9,800 FD) Since Week 4, Seattle has allowed over 27 PPR points per game to opposing RBs. This included allowing 26.9 PPR points to the Niners’ backups in Week 6. Nothing held McCaffrey back last week. He handled 20 of the 22 RB opportunities for San Fran.

Bijan Robinson, Falcons @ DEN ($7,800 DK, $8,900 FD) Pass-catching running backs can beat Denver’s defense. They rank fourth in RB targets and receptions and fifth in RB receiving yards and receiving TDs. This fits Robinson’s bill as he ranks third among RBs in both receptions and receiving yards.

Kyren Williams, Rams @ NE ($7,900 DK, $9,200 FD) Williams gets to feast on a Patriots’ defense that allows 145 combo yards and 1.1 total TDs per game to the RB position. Despite being shut out the last two weeks, Williams ranks second in total TDs among RBs.

Alvin Kamara, Saints vs. CLE ($8,200 DK, $8,200 FD) His price is the same on both sites, but he is only a legit play on DK because of the full PPR scoring. Kamara has five or more receptions in eight of 10 games. Meanwhile, Cleveland has faced legit pass-catching backs only a few times this year, so their numbers look artificially good.

Sleepers

Kareem Hunt, Chiefs @ BUF ($6,700 DK, $8,000 FD) With Isiah Pacheco’s (leg) return looming shortly, this may be the last week to enjoy huge scoring from Hunt. Buffalo is allowing a league third-worst 4.9 YPC to opposing rushers. Since Week 9, they have allowed 362 total yards and three total TDs to the position.

Nick Chubb, Browns @ NO ($6,000 DK, $6,200 FD) The Saints have allowed seven total RB touchdowns over the last four weeks. Chubb has been a dud since his return in Week 7, but here — at low ownership — he will go off.

Wide Receiver	DraftKings	FanDuel
Ja’Marr Chase	N/A	$9,600
Justin Jefferson	$8,600	$9,000
Amon-Ra St. Brown	$8,000	$9,200
Cooper Kupp	$7,500	$8,800
Tyreek Hill	$7,400	$8,500
Puka Nacua	$7,300	$8,300
Davante Adams	$7,200	$7,400
Garrett Wilson	$7,100	$8,100
George Pickens	$7,000	$7,500
Zay Flowers	$6,900	$7,600
Deebo Samuel Sr.	$6,800	$8,200
Drake London	$6,700	$7,800
Tee Higgins	N/A	$7,100
Darnell Mooney	$6,600	$7,000
DK Metcalf	$6,500	$8,000
Jaxon Smith-Njigba	$6,500	$7,300
Jayden Reed	$6,400	$7,700
Josh Downs	$6,400	$6,900
Khalil Shakir	$6,300	$6,500
Calvin Ridley	$6,200	$6,400
Brian Thomas Jr.	$6,100	$6,600
Ladd McConkey	N/A	$6,300
DJ Moore	$6,000	$6,100
Quentin Johnston	N/A	$6,000
Michael Pittman Jr.	$6,000	$5,900
Courtland Sutton	$5,900	$6,800
Jaylen Waddle	$5,900	$6,200
Jameson Williams	$5,800	$6,300
Tyler Lockett	$5,800	$6,100
Amari Cooper	$5,700	$6,300
DeAndre Hopkins	$5,700	$6,700
Jakobi Meyers	$5,600	$6,200
Xavier Worthy	$5,600	$6,000
Romeo Doubs	$5,500	$5,800
Joshua Palmer	N/A	$5,600
Andrei Iosivas	N/A	$5,500
Alec Pierce	$5,400	$5,400
Jerry Jeudy	$5,400	$5,800
Cedric Tillman	$5,300	$6,500
Jauan Jennings	$5,300	$6,200
Christian Watson	$5,200	$5,700
Keenan Allen	$5,200	$5,800
Demarcus Robinson	$5,100	$5,900
Jordan Addison	$5,100	$5,800
Dontayvion Wicks	$5,000	$5,000
Rome Odunze	$5,000	$5,600
Ricky Pearsall	$4,900	$5,800
Diontae Johnson	$4,800	$5,700
DeMario Douglas	$4,700	$5,300
Gabe Davis	$4,700	$5,700
Rashod Bateman	$4,600	$5,400
JuJu Smith-Schuster	$4,500	$5,200
Adonai Mitchell	$4,400	$5,300
Marquez Valdes-Scantling	$4,400	$5,900
Cedrick Wilson Jr.	$4,300	$5,100
Elijah Moore	$4,300	$5,500
Ray-Ray McCloud III	$4,200	$5,600
Mike Williams	$4,100	$5,700
Tre Tucker	$4,100	$5,100
Jalen Nailor	$4,000	$5,000
Parker Washington	$4,000	$5,300
Devaughn Vele	$3,900	$5,200
DJ Turner	$3,900	$5,100
Mack Hollins	$3,800	$5,600
Justin Watson	$3,700	$4,800
Troy Franklin	$3,700	$5,000
Calvin Austin III	$3,600	$5,200
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine	$3,600	$5,400
Kalif Raymond	$3,500	$4,800
Kayshon Boutte	$3,500	$4,900
Nelson Agholor	$3,500	$5,100
Jermaine Burton	N/A	$4,700
Van Jefferson	$3,500	$4,400
Ja’Lynn Polk	$3,400	$4,800
Odell Beckham Jr.	$3,400	$4,700
Tim Patrick	$3,400	$4,900
Tyler Boyd	$3,400	$4,600
Curtis Samuel	$3,300	$5,000
Mecole Hardman	$3,300	$5,000
Tylan Wallace	$3,300	$4,700
Lil’Jordan Humphrey	$3,200	$4,500
Kendrick Bourne	$3,100	$5,000
Marvin Mims Jr.	$3,100	$4,400

Wide receiver

Weekly strategy – Spend up on Ja’Marr Chase or Puka Nacua. The only other elite player among the high-priced options is George Pickens. At WR2, pick Calvin Ridley, Khalil Shakir, Quentin Johnston, or DeAndre Hopkins. I love Jauan Jennings and Cedric Tillman for WR3. I also would consider JuJu Smith-Schuster (hamstring) if he returns from his injury. If you punt this position, Mack Hollins, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, and Mike Williams are the best options.

Fantasy four-pack

Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals @ LAC (N/A DK, $9,600 FD) If you faced Chase last week, my condolences on your loss. Thankfully, in DFS, you can choose to play him this week even if you don’t own him in your season-long leagues. Over their last three games, the Chargers have allowed an average of 6.3-89-1 to opposing WR1s.

Puka Nacua, Rams @ NE ($7,300, $8,300 FD) In the two full games that Nacua has played since his return from injury, he has posted 16-204 on 23 targets. As long as he doesn’t punch anyone, he should post 9-100-1 here.

George Pickens, Steelers vs. BAL ($7,000 DK, $7,500 FD) Only two WR1s have not topped 100 yards and/or scored against this defense this season. Both came back in Weeks 3 and 4. Since then, they have allowed an average of 7-126-1.8 to opposing WR1s. Plus, Pickens has scored in two of the three games since Russell Wilson took over at QB.

Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions vs. JAX ($8,000 DK, $9,200 FD) This play isn’t as obvious as expected. Detroit could just run the ball down the throat of the Jaguars. Plus, St. Brown’s scoring touchdowns in seven consecutive games has helped his numbers look better than they are. Still, with Sam LaPorta (shoulder) in danger of missing this game, St. Brown could see an uptick in targets.

Sleepers

Calvin Ridley, Titans vs. MIN ($6,200 DK, $6,400 FD) Minnesota ranks in the bottom eight in receptions, yardage, and TDs allowed to opposing WRs. Meanwhile, since Week 6, Ridley ranks third among WRs in targets. 

Cedric Tillman, Browns @ NO ($5,300 DK, $6,500 FD) The sites have not bumped Tillman’s price up, despite his ranking 10th or better in receptions, targets, and receiving TDs among WRs, since Week 7.

Tight End	DraftKings	FanDuel
Travis Kelce	$6,300	$7,400
George Kittle	$6,000	$8,000
Brock Bowers	$5,800	$7,200
David Njoku	$5,500	$6,600
Evan Engram	$5,200	$5,900
Dalton Kincaid	$5,000	$5,800
Kyle Pitts	$4,800	$5,500
T.J. Hockenson	$4,700	$6,500
Mark Andrews	$4,600	$6,100
Taysom Hill	$4,500	$6,400
Tucker Kraft	$4,400	$6,000
Sam LaPorta	$4,300	$5,700
Mike Gesicki	N/A	$5,400
Pat Freiermuth	$4,200	$5,300
Cole Kmet	$4,100	$5,200
Isaiah Likely	$4,000	$5,600
Hunter Henry	$3,900	$5,300
Jonnu Smith	$3,800	$5,100
Noah Fant	$3,700	$5,000
Colby Parkinson	$3,600	$5,000
Will Dissly	N/A	$5,000
Dawson Knox	$3,500	$5,100
Juwan Johnson	$3,400	$5,200
Brock Wright	$3,300	$4,600
Tyler Conklin	$3,200	$5,000
AJ Barner	$3,100	$4,800
Josh Oliver	$3,100	$4,700
Chig Okonkwo	$3,000	$4,800
Foster Moreau	$3,000	$4,800
Adam Trautman	$2,800	$4,700
Brenton Strange	$2,700	$4,700
Davis Allen	$2,500	$4,200

Tight end

Weekly strategy – Travis Kelce and George Kittle each have juicy matchups. David Njoku, Pat Freiermuth, and Mike Gesicki are cheaper alternatives. If you want to take a deep dive, consider Will Dissly, Dawson Knox, or Brock Wright.

Fantasy four-pack

Travis Kelce, Chiefs @ BUF ($6,300 DK, $7,400 FD) In his last seven games against the Bills, Kelce is averaging 7.8-87 with eight TDs. Plus, over the last three weeks, Kelce is leading the league in TE targets, receptions, and receiving yards.

George Kittle, 49ers vs. SEA ($6,000 DK, $8,000 FD) Kittle has seven TDs over his last seven games. This includes a 5-58-2 against these Seahawks.

David Njoku, Browns @ NO ($5,500 DK, $6,600 FD) In the three games since Jameis Winston took over, Njoku has posted 20-166-2 on 28 targets. The Saints have struggled with the limited number of similarly talented TEs they have faced this season.

Brock Bowers, Raiders @ MIA ($5,800 DK, $7,200 FD) This isn’t a great matchup on paper, but Bowers has been matchup-proof this year. He ranks second among TEs in both receptions and targets, and he ranks first in receiving yards.

Sleepers

Mike Gesicki, Bengals @ LAC (N/A DK, $5,400 FD) Since Tee Higgins (quadriceps) went down to injury, Gesicki ranks top-four in every TE scoring category. As long as Higgins remains out, keep playing him. If Higgins plays, consider flipping to Pat Freiermuth at a similar price.

Dawson Knox, Bills vs. KC ($3,500 DK, $5,100 FD) With Dalton Kincaid (knee) on the wrong side of questionable, Knox will be a favorite target for Josh Allen. In six career games versus the Chiefs, Knox has scored three times. Plus, KC has allowed the most receiving yards to the position.