The bye weeks are back for one last hurrah to cause you lineup headaches. With several big name players either sitting this one out on a bye or suffering an injury, you may need to dig a little deeper to find the right mix of players this week. Several quarterback changes are in play this week, which has an effect on the receivers and tight ends as well as the running backs. Be sure to get all the facts before clicking the submit button.
I utilize statistical analysis combined with more than 15 years of fantasy football experience to give you an inside look of how players will perform on a week-to-week basis. The Studs list will be updated on a regular basis as players emerge and injuries occur, but be patient.
When using this list, try and remember a couple basic rules:
1) Studs - Always play your studs. Each position will include a list of players that are considered studs and should not be benched. If you have the luxury of needing to decide between studs, check out the matchups or feel free to let the shark tank assist you in your decisions.
2) Depth - Every fantasy team is different and some have more depth than others. Only follow the recommended moves if your team depth allows you to make such a move.
Quarterbacks
Bye Weeks: Curtis Painter, Drew Brees, Ben Roethlisberger, Matt Schaub
Studs
Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay vs. Tampa Bay
Tom Brady, New England vs. Kansas City
Cam Newton, Carolina at Detroit
Eli Manning, N.Y. Giants vs. Philadelphia
Matthew Stafford, Detroit vs. Carolina
Tony Romo, Dallas at Washington
Philip Rivers, San Diego at Chicago
Michael Vick, Philadelphia at N.Y. Giants
Start
Josh Freeman, Tampa Bay at Green Bay: First the bad news. Freeman threw for less than 200 yards last week including one touchdown to three interceptions against the Houston Texans. This happened two other times this season, and in those games he's also thrown a total of four interceptions and no touchdowns. Now the good news. In the previous two times he threw for less than 200 yards, he responded the next game with at least 287 yards passing with a total of three touchdowns to no interceptions. With the Packers on the schedule and the fact that they allow an average of 284.3 yards passing (31st in the NFL), odds are good that Freeman has nice stats at the end of the day regardless of the outcome of the game. Don't shy away from Freeman this week despite what you saw Green Bay do to Minnesota on Monday night.
Carson Palmer, Oakland at Minnesota: Trust me, I'm as surprised as you are to see his name here. But you can't deny the numbers that Palmer has posted the last two week, averaging 316 yards passing with five touchdowns to four interceptions. This week, Palmer faces a Vikings' defense that was shredded on Monday night by Green Bay and is ranked 30th in the NFL in passing yards allowed. Ride Palmer while you can because you don't know how many of these big games he's got left.
Bench
Andy Dalton, Cincinnati at Baltimore: As predicted, Dalton struggled last week against Pittsburgh, throwing for just 170 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Unfortunately for Dalton owners, you can expect more of the same this week as the Bengals travel to Baltimore, which has held opponents to less than 200 yards passing per game and have allowed just six passing touchdowns on the season. It's not all doom-and-gloom for Dalton the rest of the season, but this is definitely a rough patch.
Tim Tebow, Denver vs. N.Y. Jets: For the record, I am not a Tebow hater. I think he can be a valuable fantasy starter given the right matchup. This week is not one of those times. The gimmick offense that the Broncos are installing will be no match for a Jets' defense that is hungry to avenge the beat down they suffered on Sunday night against the New England Patriots. Tebow won't find any open receivers when he tries to pass and the running lanes won't be there either. Expect a season-low performance from Tebow this week as the questions will resurface about his long-term prospects as the Denver quarterback after this week's game.
Running Backs
Bye Weeks: Joseph Addai, Delone Carter, Donald Brown, Darren Sproles, Pierre Thomas, Mark Ingram, Rashard Mendenhall, Isaac Redman, Mewelde Moore, Arian Foster, Ben Tate
Studs
LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia at N.Y. Giants
Fred Jackson, Buffalo at Miami
Matt Forte, Chicago vs. San Diego
Ray Rice, Baltimore vs. Cincinnati
Adrian Peterson, Minnesota vs. Oakland
Michael Turner, Atlanta vs. Tennessee
Frank Gore, San Francisco vs. Arizona *Questionable: Ankle, Knee*
Ryan Mathews, San Diego at Chicago *Questionable: Groin*
Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville at Cleveland
Steven Jackson, St. Louis vs. Seattle
Darren McFadden, Oakland at Minnesota *Questionable: Foot*
Start
Marshawn Lynch, Seattle at St. Louis: Not only has Lynch rushed for more than 100 yards in each of the past two games, he's scored in each of the past three games. This week, he faces a Rams' defense that ranks dead last in the league in rushing yards allowed, averaging 150.6 per game. I can see Lynch salivating from here as he makes it three games in a row with more than 100 yards rushing and a score. A big day for Lynch in on tap. Don't miss out.
Reggie Bush, Miami vs. Buffalo: Speaking of hot running backs, Bush has three touchdowns in the past two games with 183 total yards (rushing and receiving) during that stretch. Miami has another solid matchup this week against the Buffalo Bills who have allowed an average of 125.4 rushing yards per game and 11 rushing touchdowns this season. As Miami looks to win its third straight game, Bush will continue to reward those owners that stuck with him through the rough start (present company included).
Kendall Hunter, San Francisco vs. Arizona: Frank Gore tried to play through an ankle injury last week and he gained no yards on six carries. To add insult to his ankle injury, he also suffered a knee injury. It's a shame, too, because the Cardinals' defense is the perfect opportunity for Gore to post big numbers. Look for the 49ers to incorporate much more of Hunter this week even if Gore plays. Hunter scored a touchdown last week in addition to gaining 40 yards on six carries. Look for the number of carries to rise to 13-16 this week, his yardage total will approach 100, and he'll find the end zone at least once. That makes him a very solid play.
Bench
Chris ‘Beanie' Wells, Arizona at San Francisco: The good news is the balky knee hasn't kept Wells on the sidelines. The bad news is he has rushed for more than 60 yards just once since Week 5 and he has just one touchdown in the past four games. The road doesn't get any easier for Wells this week as he faces a San Francisco run defense that has allowed the fewest rushing yards this season and zero rushing touchdowns. Sorry Beanie, this won't be your week to shine.
Cedric Benson, Cincinnati at Baltimore: Benson has historically had success against the Ravens, but the entire Bengals' offense will struggle to get anything going this week. With A.J. Green dinged up and Andy Dalton unlikely to do much in the passing game, the Ravens will focus on Benson, and he'll be very familiar with Ray Lewis when this one is all said and done. Another subpar performance for Benson this week, but you should be getting used to it by now.
Michael Bush, Oakland at Minnesota: Congrats to those of you that started Bush last week as you were rewarded with 157 rushing yards, 85 receiving yards, and a touchdown. With McFadden's status still in doubt this week, Bush should get the starting nod, but temper your expectations. The Vikings' run defense has been solid this year, ranking sixth in the NFL in fewest rushing yards allowed. The Raiders will have success in the air, limiting the need to give Bush another 30 carries like he had last week. Expect less than 75 yards this week from Bush without a score. That places him on the bench list after such a monster game in Week 10.
Wide Receivers
Bye Weeks: Pierre Garcon, Reggie Wayne, Austin Collie, Marques Colston, Lance Moore, Robert Meachem, Devery Henderson, Mike Wallace, Antonio Brown, Hines Ward, Emmanuel Sanders, Andre Johnson, Kevin Walter, Jacoby Jones, Derrick Mason
Studs
Wes Welker, New England vs. Kansas City
Calvin Johnson, Detroit vs. Carolina
Steve Smith, Carolina at Detroit
Greg Jennings, Green Bay vs. Tampa Bay
Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona at San Francisco
A.J. Green, Cincinnati at Baltimore *Questionable: Knee*
Brandon Marshall, Miami vs. Buffalo
Vincent Jackson, San Diego at Chicago
Jeremy Maclin, Philadelphia at N.Y. Giants *Questionable: Hamstring*
Hakeem Nicks, N.Y. Giants vs. Philadelphia
Roddy White, Atlanta vs. Tennessee
Start
Denarius Moore, Oakland at Minnesota: I am definitely buying into Moore the rest of the season. With the sudden disappearance of Darrius Heyward-Bey, Moore has quickly become Carson Palmer's go-to receiver as his five catches for 123 yards and two scores from last week proves. As the Raiders find success in the passing game this week, so too will Moore as another 100-yard game is very likely. Jump on Moore if you can in your league and you'll have a solid wide receiver option for the rest of the season.
Laurent Robinson, Dallas at Washington: Robinson did not disappoint starting in place of Miles Austin last week catching three passes for 73 yards and two touchdowns. This week, Robinson faces the Redskins, which he had three catches for 49 yards against back in Week 3. The difference this week is the presence of DeMarco Murray. Murray's play has opened up the passing game tremendously, enough so that Tony Romo's stock is rising and Jason Witten can produce big numbers without impacting the value of Robinson. Expect another nice game from Robinson, who only has a week or two left to start in place of Austin.
Victor Cruz, N.Y. Giants vs. Philadelphia: Even...
Start/Bench - Week 11 fantasysharks.comWed 11/16/11 5:15 AM