While it seems like the season just kicked off, week eleven is actually upon us and the bye weeks are coming to an end. Fantasy owners will have their full complement of players to choose from when setting line-ups for the stretch run and drive for the championship.
As the fantasy regular season draws to an end every week is vitally important and being able to find that sleeper who blows up for a stellar week can be the difference between making the playoffs and just playing for pride.
Examining the match-ups and deciphering the trends is what it's all about this time of year. Seeing who has just been missing sacks but getting consistent pressure on the quarterback or who is being thrown at the most and is poised for that two interception game.
I smile like the butcher's dog the whole time that I research and write this column because of the ups and downs that fantasy football brings us on a weekly basis. Trying to stay ahead of the crowd in locating the next big thing on the defensive side of the ball from deep down NFL rosters isn't always easy, but it sure is always fun.
That being said, let's get to the week eleven sleeper options.
DEFENSIVE LINEMAN
Tyson Alualu, DT, JACKSONVILLE, at HOUSTON: Alualu has had a very nice season on a very bad team. He's posted 27 total tackles and two sacks this season, including ten solo stops and a sack over his last four games. The Texans have been a fantasy friendly match-up for defensive lineman and Alualu registered six solo tackles in their first meeting back in week two. Look for similar numbers in week eleven from the Jaguars big defensive tackle.
Henry Melton, DT, CHICAGO, at SAN FRANCISCO: While he has not posted a sack since week four, Melton has been stellar against the run for Chicago and has 31 total tackles and a forced fumble. This match-up with the 49ers looks to be a slugfest dominated by rushing attacks and Melton will benefit from that type of game. He does have four sacks and has been credited with 14 QB hurries so the possibility of a sack is always there.
Phil Taylor, DT, CLEVELAND, at DALLAS: Taylor finally made his season debut in week nine and logged 34 snaps, registering a single solo tackle. He will have a much better second game back against a Cowboy team that is allowing just less than nine solo tackles a week to defensive lineman. Taylor may not be in total game shape for a couple weeks but he plays on an underrated defensive front that brings plenty of pressure up the middle where...