Welcome back to Week 11 of Keeping it Real with Fantasy! The regular season has flown by with only four short weeks remaining until the fantasy playoffs begin. As we approach the playoffs, it’s important to check the schedules of some of your key players, as an easy schedule could be the difference between being a league winner or a first-round exit. If you don’t have players with appealing playoff schedules, I would advise making a couple of trades before your league’s trade deadline to secure this advantage. In other news, we believe that NVOT should relocate to South Jersey at the very least because being Jets and Giants fans is just completely unbearable, and the Eagles look a lot more appealing right now.
News/Injuries:
Mac Jones (QB) – Mac Jones is in a really bad position right now. He has lost all respect from his teammates, coaches, and fans. Last week, he was benched for Bailey Zappe in their loss to the Colts. Expect him to remain on the bench until he is either traded or released.
Deshaun Watson (QB) – Watson started the season off pretty well. He was putting up solid numbers and started leading the Browns to some wins. Unfortunately for him and Browns fans, he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury. This leaves the starting position to either PJ Walker or Dorian Thompson-Robinson.
De’Von Achane (RB) – Achane was looking like a rookie of the year candidate on one of the best offenses in the NFL, the Dolphins. Unfortunately, though, he suffered a knee injury that put him on injured reserve for the past handful of weeks. The running back was just designated for return from IR and could become a league winner in the home stretch of the season.
Starts:
Nico Collins (WR) – Collins has been relatively quiet recently. That will change this week when he starts to heat up against the Cardinals’ defense. Even though the Cardinals are coming off a big win for their season, they are no match for the red-hot Texans. CJ Stroud is starting to find his groove and he will be finding Collins a lot in this game.
James Conner (RB) – Conner and the Cardinals are facing the 20th-ranked run defense in the league. They look to keep the ball on the ground a lot, especially while they wait for Kyler Murray to heat up again. Conner is the team’s leading rusher and will continue to put up big numbers this week.
Sits:
Stefon Diggs (WR) – Diggs is in a rough situation in Buffalo right now. He is unhappy with Josh Allen and his lack of targets. The Bills host the Jets this week. The last time these teams faced each other, Josh Allen threw three interceptions and folded under the pressure of the solid Jets defense. Last week, Diggs only had 3 receptions for 34 yards.
Amari Cooper (WR) – Cooper has been an outstanding receiver all year. Unfortunately for him, he is left with a backup QB for the rest of the season. This will cause his numbers to go down. The Browns play the Steelers this week and the Pittsburgh defense is very tough on newer QBs. Look for the Browns offense to struggle, leaving Amari Cooper’s stats very low.
Waiver Wire:
Josh Dobbs (QB) – If you don’t know already, Josh Dobbs shocked the world the past two weeks. In his games as a Viking, he is 2-0 and will continue that streak as he is heating up. He is looking like the new savior for the Vikings with Kirk Cousins out with a torn achilles. If he’s still available in your league, go pick him up as he will be a great option for your team.
Khalil Herbert (RB) – Herbert started off the season as the Bears’ leading rusher. This ended when he suffered an ankle injury that sat him on the bench for four weeks. He is returning this week and will pick his streak back up. If he’s still available in your league, scoop him up as he will be a big piece for your team.
Tyler Boyd (WR) – Boyd had a good game last week in the Bengals’ loss to the Texans. Tee Higgins remains out again for their matchup against the Ravens this week. He is picking up lots of receptions and will continue to put up big numbers until Higgins comes back. Definitely worth picking up for your team.