Divisional report
News and notes from around the league, including fantasy watch.
With a considerable number of leagues less than a month away from beginning their postseasons, Week 11 is a makeor-break for fantasy teams.
Teams lacking the likes of Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry, Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson will have to resort to Plan B as the quartet of fantasy heavy hitters will be on byes.
Don’t expect the weather to be a factor in most places. The massive Arctic blast that hit the nation this week will have lost its grip well ahead of Sunday’s main schedule of games.
START: Lamar Jackson, QB,
Ravens: Newsflash: Jackson’s become a must-start play on a weekly basis. The dual-threat gets a Texans defense without J.J. Watt and one that is the sixth-worst in fantasy football against opposing quarterbacks. He has not thrown an interception since Week 6.
SIT: Carson Wentz, QB, Eagles:
The Patriots allow fewer than 10 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks, and without a viable deep threat to stretch the New England secondary, fantasy owners are on a fool’s errand by starting Wentz.
START: Josh Jacobs, RB, Raiders:
Oakland’s rookie back has hit his stride, recording at least 71 rushing yards in five of his past six, including three 100yard games. The good times should continue to roll at the expense of a winless Bengals team that is the third-worst in fantasy defense against opposing running backs.
SIT: Sonny Michel, RB, Patriots:
A disappointing season isn’t going to get better for Michel, who has to square up against an Eagles defense that is fourth overall against the run and sixth in fewest yards per carry (3.8). Michel has managed a total of 144 yards on 34 carries (3.04 yards per attempt) in the past three weeks and would need a host of goal-line opportunities to justify having him in the lineup.
START: D.J. Moore, WR, Panthers:
He’s still stuck on just one touchdown this season, but Moore has rattled off consecutive 100-yard outings and gets a home matchup against a Falcons defense that has allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers. Atlanta also allows the fourthhighest completion rate in the league, making Moore an even better option in PPR formats considering he’s been targeted 21 times the past two games.
SIT: DeVante Parker, WR, Dolphins:
Despite scoring in three of his past five games, Parker has yet to exceed 75 receiving yards in a game this season. Don’t count on that streak to end against a Bills defense that has allowed the third-fewest passing yards in the league while allowing only seven touchdown passes.
START: Jared Cook, TE, Saints:
Only the Cardinals are worse against opposing tight ends in fantasy than the Buccaneers. Cook has seen 25 of his 37 total targets in his past four games, including a season-best 10 in last week’s loss against the Falcons. Tampa Bay’s 22 touchdown passes allowed is the third-highest in the league.
SIT: T.J. Hockenson, Lions:
Hockenson’s fantasy owners are still waiting for him to duplicate his Week 1 production. Since he had six catches for 131 yards and a touchdown against the Cardinals, the rookie has a combined 19 catches for 212 yards and a touchdown that isn’t likely to get better if Matthew Stafford remains sidelined. Even against a Cowboys defense that has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends, Hockenson is bench-worthy.