Manning finally makes sense as a "start" again.
We had great success in Week 10, making the right call on Brett Favre, Ricky Williams, and nudging you in the right direction on sitting Matt Ryan and Matt Cassel. We also picked some fine sleeper picks, as Matthew Stafford and Josh Freeman dropped in respectable efforts, and Jamaal Charles solidified himself as Kansas City’s starting running back.
Read on for the calls of the week for Week 11:
Start
Eli Manning, QB, New York Giants
Manning bounced back in the Giants last game, despite falling short and losing their fourth straight game. Regardless, the Falcons can’t seem to stop offenses on the air or on the ground currently, and we really like Manning’s chances if the Giants rush offense can get going as expected.
Prediction: 21-29, 237 yds, 2 TD, 0 INT
Ricky Williams, RB, Miami Dolphins
He got our vote of confidence last week and did not disappoint, and with Ronnie Brown nursing an injury, he should be in for another big day on Thursday night. Make Williams your RB2 this week.
Prediction: 21 att, 124 yds, 2 TD, 3 rec, 24 yds, 0 TD
Ahmad Bradshaw, RB, New York Giants
Fantasy owners have been playing Bradshaw as a strong Flex and/or a weak RB2 all season, but with a match-up against the porous Atlanta Falcons run defense this week, Bradshaw is finally a RB1. He still has to split carries with starter Brandon Jacobs, but considering he hasn’t had less than nine touches in a game all season, we love his chances.
Prediction: 14 att, 88 yds, 1 TD, 2 rec, 15 yds, 0 TD
LeSean McCoy, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
McCoy gets just his second real crack at the majority of the carries, although there is some slight hesitation to start him due to Andy Reid’s infatuation with passing the ball. Reid should smarten up this week with the Eagles needing a win, and with the Bears struggling to stop the run McCoy should get a solid amount of carries with Brian Westbrook once again missing action with a concussion.
Prediction: 17 att, 84 yds, 2 TD, 3 rec, 26 yds, 0 TD
Santonio Holmes, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
Holmes has been a consistent performer all season, getting you solid yardage and teasing you with touchdown play-making ability. However, he hasn’t scored since Week One. With a nice match-up against Kansas City’s slow corners, expect the drought to finally come to an end.
Prediction: 7 rec, 120 yds, 2 TD
Sit
Jay Cutler, QB, Chicago Bears
Cutler faces a spotty Philadelphia Eagles pass defense that has allowed Phillip Rivers and Tony Romo to have their way with them lately, but considering how awful he played last week (five interceptions), and the overall struggles within the Chicago offense, it’s probably best to stay clear of him.
Prediction: 24-36, 304 yds, 2 TD, 3 INT
Carson Palmer, QB, Cincinnati Bengals
Palmer hasn’t done much since his five-touchdown out-burst against the Chicago Bears, and you can’t expect the world against a stiff Oakland Raiders pass defense that has shutdown the likes of Matt Schaub and Donovan McNabb.
Prediction: 17-30, 233 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT
Steve Slaton/Ryan Moats, RB, Houston Texans
Both Texans running backs are getting a sit call this week, as they’re facing an improving Tennessee Titans defense. On top of that, these guys are splitting the ball between each other and Chris Brown, while also playing second fiddle to a pass-heavy offense. Neither are a great start this week.
Slaton Prediction: 9 att, 55 yds, 0 TD, 3 rec, 19 yds, 0 TD
Moats Prediction: 11 att, 36 yds, 1 TD, 4 rec, 22 yds, 0 TD
Chad Ochocinco, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
If Carson Palmer is a “no go”, that likely means Ochocinco won’t be having much success. He should see Oakland’s top corner all day, and should have a low ceiling for success this Sunday.
Prediction: 5 rec, 52 yds, 0 TD
Vernon Davis, TE, San Francisco 49ers
It’s hard to bet against this 2009 version of Vernon Davis for two games in a row of below-average football, but against a Packers defense that stifles tight ends and looked very good last week, we’re not taking chances. Look for Green Bay to force Alex Smith to beat them with his receivers.
Prediction: 4 rec, 49 yds, 0 TD
Sleeper
Brady Quinn, QB, Cleveland Browns
He didn’t look particularly good on Monday night, doesn’t have good weapons, and recent history isn’t on his side, but we like Quinn’s chances this week. The Detroit Lions simply cannot stop the pass, and regardless of Quinn’s inept receivers and coaching, he has a decent chance at surprising some people this week.
Prediction: 20-28, 245 yds, 2 TD, 2 INT
Jason Snelling, RB, Atlanta Falcons
Snelling has a good shot at the starting job this week with Michael Turner nursing an ankle injury, and after putting up solid numbers in relief duty last week, it’s clear he has the ability to do more than merely sub for the Falcons star back. The Giants aren’t an easy first start, but Snelling should get enough carries to make him a decent bye week fill-in if needed.
Prediction: 16 att, 69 yds, 1 TD, 3 rec, 21 yds, 0 TD
Justin Forsett, RB, Seattle Seahawks
Julius Jones won’t be playing this Sunday, which means Forsett is the likely candidate to start at running back, and has a gruesome date with the Williams Wall on the road against Minnesota. We can’t make him a start this week, but his speed and athleticism still give him a shot against a tough match-up, and we like his potential down the road.
Prediction: 14 att, 57 yds, 0 TD, 6 rec, 44 yds, 1 TD
Julian Edelman, WR, New England Patriots
Edelman returned from a broken arm to catch two passes and a touchdown against a solid Indianapolis secondary, so we like his chances against a beatable New York Jets secondary this week, as well as his prospects toward the future. The Jets will have their hands full with trying to contain Randy Moss and Wes Welker, so Edelman has a decent chance at some nice looks.
Prediction: 5 rec, 70 yds, 0 TD
Lance Long, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
Long registered just two catches for 18 yards after breaking onto the scene with eight grabs for 74 yards a week ago, but we’re not discouraged. He was facing a stingy Oakland Raiders pass defense last week, and had trouble getting located by Matt Cassel while working out of the slot. The Pittsburgh Steelers wouldn’t normally make it much easier, but if they’re going to get beat, it’s definitely through the passing game. Long has a chance to do some damage.
Prediction: 6 rec, 67 yds, 0 TD
