It seems only yesterday that I started writing these starts and sits articles, but that isn’t the case. Week eleven is on our doorstep. The fantasy playoffs loom ever larger. Assuredly, there are managers desperately seeking to find a way into the postseason. They ask who do I start, who do I sit? If these are the questions you are asking, no worries! My weekly articles, such as this Week Eleven Fantasy Starts/Sits edition, are here to help!

To be clear, as has been the case the past seven weeks, all position rankings are taken from ESPN. Surely, there will be disagreements about the players listed below. If that is the case, let’s talk about it!

Equally certain, there will be managers that have questions about players that are not included. Easy enough: simply give me the names of the players you are having trouble deciding upon and I will do some research and get back to you.

In week eleven, the same as week ten, there are four teams that won’t take the field. Those teams are the New York Giants, Arizona, Tampa Bay and Carolina. If you have any of those team’s players on the roster, it would certainly be wise to plan ahead.

Week Eleven Starts

Quarterbacks

Bo Nix, Denver Broncos

Sometimes, Bo Nix just can’t catch a break. He had his Broncos in position to hand Kansas City their first loss of the season, only to have the potential game winning FG blocked. Nix completed 22 of 30 passes for 215 yards and two TDs. In the end, Denver still lost the game.

Let’s turn our backs on that and look ahead, shall we? In doing so, we see that the Broncos host the Falcons in Denver. The Falcons rank a sorry 27th against quarterbacks and just allowed Derek Carr to throw for 269 yards and two touchdowns.

There is every reason to believe that Nix will be able to do the same. Certainly, playing at an altitude like Denver’s is never easy on opponents. If Nix is on the roster, ensure he is in starting lineups this week.

Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins

Clearly, there have been questions regarding Tua Tagovailoa. Is he healthy? If so, is he worth a fantasy start? This week, the answers are yes and yes.

After beating the Rams on Monday Night Football, Tua and the Dolphins return home to face the Raiders. Tua completed 20 of 28 passes for 207 yards and a score against L.A.

Certainly, Tua will find the going easier facing Vegas at home. The Raiders rank a lowly 24th versus fantasy QBs. Without question, it’s a solid matchup, making Tua a worthy starter in fantasy lineups.

Running Backs

Kareem Hunt, Kansas City Chiefs

When the 2024 schedule first came out, defending champion Kansas City at Buffalo stood out. Clearly, with this game right in front of us, it is time to celebrate. It should be a game to remember!

Even so, no one could have predicted that the Chiefs’ main ball carrier going into this contest would be Kareem Hunt. Yet, that is exactly where we find ourselves. Isiah Pacheco remains out, with a return to action estimated in late November.

In the meantime, those that managed to pick up Hunt can look forward to him feasting on the Bills. In his last game against a tough Bronco defense, Hunt was held to 35 yards on the ground. He did catch seven passes, however, which was second on the team.

Buffalo, on the other hand, isn’t nearly as stingy defensively as the Broncos, ranking just 30th against the run. The Chiefs will want to keep the Bills offense off the field, and they have the capability of doing just that with Hunt in the backfield.

Of all the recommendation on this Week Eleven Fantasy Starts/Sits edition, getting Hunt into lineups ranks right at the top.

Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns

In a weekend that has a lot of obvious starts at running back, I am going to take a bit of a chance. Obviously, the Cleveland Browns have been a mess this season. No one knows exactly what to expect out of them coming off their bye week.

Even so, I am going to recommend that those managers having Nick Chubb on their teams get him into their starting lineups this weekend. Since returning from injury, Chubb has had double digit carries in all three games.

With the bye behind him, Chubb now has the Saints looming. Simply stated, New Orleans is dreadful against running backs. Only one team is worse. With that in mind, despite any reservations you may have, get Chubb off the bench in week eleven.

Wide Receivers

Jauan Jennings, San Francisco 49ers

Last week, I talked about getting Ricky Pearsall into starting lineups. That worked out well, as he scored his first NFL touchdown. He should be a starter this week, as well. However, this Week Eleven Fantasy Starts/Sits edition is going to focus on his teammate, Jauan Jennings.

On Sunday against Tampa Bay, Jennings was targeted an incredible 11 times, catching seven for 93 yards. The only aspect that overshadowed his day was that he didn’t reach the endzone. In fact, he hasn’t scored a TD since week three.

That shouldn’t be a concern this week, however, as Seattle comes to town. Unfortunately, at least for me, the Seahawks have had a ton of trouble with the 49ers in recent years, especially on the road.

The SF offense should fly high in this game. That being the case, managers will want to make sure that Jennings is in their lineups to take advantage.

Mike Williams, Pittsburgh Steelers

Certainly, there hasn’t been a lot to like about Mike Williams‘ game in 2024. Of course, he started the season as a Jet. That didn’t go so well, as Williams caught just 11 passes for New York, just one in his last three games as he battled injuries.

Before the trade deadline, though, he was dealt to Pittsburgh. Williams appeared in his first game as a Steeler against Washington and caught just a single pass. What a significant catch it was, however, as it resulted in a 32 yard touchdown.

In week eleven, division rival Baltimore comes to town. The Ravens bring the worst defense against WRs into Pittsburgh. Williams will have an entire week to get adjusted to how the Steelers run their offense. As a result, expect that he will have a huge impact against such a sorry Baltimore secondary.

Tight Ends

Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers

Without question, up to this point, Pat Freiermuth has not had the season many were expecting of him. Against Washington, Freiermuth was targeted just three times, catching them all for a scant 17 yards. His day was saved, slightly, with a touchdown reception.

In the last five weeks, Freiermuth hasn’t pulled in more than three passes in any game. Whomever is the QB, he simply hasn’t played well. Whatever the issues are, the Baltimore defense is here to clear them up.

As mentioned above, the Ravens play the Steelers in Pittsburgh. Their defense against tight ends isn’t much better than WRs, as they rank 26th. This game could very well be a high scoring affair. This Week Eleven Fantasy Starts/Sits edition says make sure that Freiermuth is included in your lineups.

Fantasy Football Week Eleven Sits

Quarterbacks

Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks

No question, Geno Smith has played some exciting football at times this season. Unfortunately, he has also had some real stinkers. Prime example: in his last game before the bye against the Rams, Smith threw three interceptions. Example two: in week six, he threw three picks against the 49ers. Both of those games were at home. I have even included him in one of my starts/sits articles this year.

Fast forward to this week. Coming out of the bye, Smith and Seattle must face San Francisco again, this time on the road. The Seahawks haven’t had any luck with their divisional rival in recent years and there is no reason to believe that will change now.

The 49ers are especially good at defending quarterbacks, ranking ninth. As a Seahawk fan, I hate to say it, but Smith is best left on benches if at all possible.

Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings

With Smith out of the way, we can turn our attention to Sam Darnold. In his last start, Darnold faced the Jaguars. To be sure, Jacksonville has had a tough season, especially on defense. Despite them ranking 30th against QBs, Darnold had a rough day, throwing three interceptions without a touchdown.

The going gets no easier in week 11, however. The Vikings are once again on the road, facing the 11th rated against QBs Tennessee defense. Unless you’re in a desperate situation, there are very good reasons to keep Darnold away from starting lineups.

Running Backs

Emmanuel Wilson, Green Bay Packers

Obviously, when it comes to Packer running backs, you are going to start Josh Jacobs, regardless of opponent. However, seeing as how Emmanuel Wilson scored his first TD of the season right before the bye, some maybe considering him as a starter as well.

As firmly as this Week Eleven Fantasy Starts/Sits can say it, DO NOT do that. Take away the score and his numbers vanish. In five games this season, Wilson has scored two or fewer fantasy points.

Further, in only one game has he been in double figures. More of the same is predicted this weekend, even with the Bears and their 22rd ranked running defense up next.

Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans

Going into the season, no one was sure what to expect out of Tony Pollard. All in all, it has been a successful year for Pollard. He has a hundred yard game, two 90 yard games and two games in which he has rushed for 80 yards.

However, the Chargers held him to 44 yards this past Sunday. Pollard can be excused for that, however, as Los Angeles ranked number three against backs going into the game.  Since that contest is in the past, there should be good news in front of us, right?

Unfortunately, that is not the case. Looking ahead, we see that the Vikings are on the schedule. Minnesota ranks third this week against RBs, just like the Chargers were when Indy faced them. Pollard could have fantasy value in the future, but not this week. Bench him.

Wide Receivers

Cincinnati WRs Other Than Ja’Marr Chase

This is going to short and sweet. Of course, you don’t need me or anyone else to tell you to start Ja’Marr Chase. The other Cincinnati receivers are in a completely different situation, however. Bengal wide outs not named Chase caught all of three passes in the Thursday night game against Baltimore.

With the Chargers and their eighth ranked WR defense next up, it would be very wise indeed to bench any and all of them. Except Chase, obviously.

Marquez Valdez-Scantling, New Orleans Saints

Moving on, the second WR headed to the bench on this Week Eleven Fantasy Starts/Sits edition is Marquez Valdez-Scantling. In the remainder of this article, he shall be referred to as MVS. Acquired by the Saints from the Buffalo, MVS played his second game with New Orleans against Atlanta. In an otherwise regular day, he burst on the scene with two touchdown catches.

Sounds great, yes? The problem is that all he caught that day was three passes. That equals his total on the season coming into the game. While Cleveland, the Saints next opponent, is only better than two teams in defending wide receivers, MVS will have to show a lot more before this author is ready to endorse him.

In truth, MVS has burned us fantasy managers too many times in the past to trust him. He will not catch two TDs this weekend. Keep him benched.

Tight Ends

Dalton Schultz, Houston Texans

Last week, Dalton Schultz was featured as a bench player. Despite the fact that the Cowboys’ season has come completely off the rails, Schultz finds himself once again in a bench situation. As awful as Dallas as been, they are average matching up with tight ends, ranking 16th.

As for Schultz himself, he has not delivered a fantasy relevant season, even in a position as shallow as tight end. He hasn’t had more than four catches in any game and has yet to find the endzone.

In most league settings, Schultz hasn’t even reached double fantasy points against anyone. The Texans have had injury problems at wide receiver, and Schultz hasn’t stepped up. Until he does, if he does, he shall remain away from starting lineups.

The Final Word

Thank you for joining me for this Week Eleven Fantasy Starts/Sits edition! Follow me on X (formerly Twitter)  @kevin62wilsea. Please feel free to share this article. Be sure to turn to bellyupsports.com/ and bellyupfantasysports.com/ for all the MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL happenings and the latest sports news!