The fantasy football regular season is quickly coming to a close. Are you going to be on the outside looking in when the playoffs start? Use these next few weeks to take a look at last-minute trades and waiver-wire pickups that could make a difference. In the meantime, let's preview Week 11 in fantasy. We will start with your Denver Broncos, who are heading to Chicago this Sunday to try and slow down the Bears, who have won two straight.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Broncos (Draftkings Salary: $3,900) possess the highest scoring unit in fantasy according to NFL.com. They will remain a top defensive play despite taking on an underrated Bears offense. Behind strong QB play from Jay Cutler ($5,100) and impressive rookie RB Jeremy Langford ($5,600), the Bears have put up 59 points in the past two weeks. On average, the Broncos are giving up fewer than 20 points per contest, meaning you need to downgrade any Bears fantasy players on your team. The Bears have also allowed three defensive and three return touchdowns. That bodes well for a Denver defense that has scored four TDs off turnovers and added one via punt return.
The Bears defense ($2,000) has given up 17 TDs through the air, which gives the Broncos passing attack plenty of upside. Brock Osweiler ($5,000) will make his first career start and is an intriguing add in 2QB formats and deeper leagues because of his arm strength and the weapons at his disposal. You can also consider him a viable starter on DraftKings with a QB-minimum salary. He can allow you to frontload your lineup at other positions. Osweiler has the tools to be a very successful fantasy QB.
The Bears secondary will attempt to slow down one of the best receiving duos in the NFL. They have allowed 12 TDs to opposing wideouts and over 1,300 yards. Demaryius Thomas ($7,300) is the type of talent that you would never even think about benching, regardless of who is throwing him the ball. He has double-digit fantasy points in every game this year, making him a cornerstone player for your DraftKings lineup. Emmanuel Sanders ($7,000) is another receiving option that should be in your lineup against the Bears. Keep an eye on Cody Latimer ($3,000), who could develop into a deep sleeper in both seasonal and DraftKings formats. The second-year player from Indiana hauled in his first three passes of the season in Week 10, tallying 30 yards.
In his second game with the team, Vernon Davis ($2,500) snagged two passes for 19 yards. Expect more involvement in the coming weeks, but the Bears are a tough matchup for tight ends. Still, you need to consider him a cheap DraftKings option and a bye week plug-in if you own Gary Barnidge (Browns), Ben Watson (Saints) or Heath Miller (Steelers).
Chicago is averaging over 17 fantasy points per game to opposing running backs, making Ronnie Hillman ($3,900) an RB2 consideration. He led the Broncos in touches last week against the Chiefs, tallying over 50 yards and a score. He could see even more work behind a new quarterback.
In addition to being a perfect 20 of 20 in extra point attempts, Brandon McManus has connected on 19 of 20 field goals this season. The Bears have given up the seventh-most fantasy points to opposing kickers, locking in McManus as a top-10 option.
Week 11 is the last of the byes but it is a big one with the Saints, Browns, Steelers and Giants all off. Cam Newton ($6,900) continues to roll and a matchup versus the Redskins should be no different. They have allowed at least 200 passing yards and two TDs in four straight. Add in Newton's rushing potential and you have a QB1 play. If Ryan Fitzpatrick ($5,000) is healthy enough to start on Sunday, he is a strong streamer. His salary makes him a very intriguing DraftKings option as well. He has seven multiple-TD performances on the season, including each of the last two games while dealing with ligament damage in his left thumb. Also at $5,000, Mark Sanchez gets a tasty matchup versus the Buccaneers as he steps in for an injured Sam Bradford. He put up two scores in seven of nine appearances last season for the Eagles and there is no reason to think he cannot find similar fantasy success this year.
Lamar Miller ($6,200) should continue his strong season versus a Cowboys defense that has been shredded multiple times already. Miller has also caught 18 passes for 166 yards and a TD over the past three weeks, giving him a huge ceiling in PPR leagues and DraftKings contests. Charcandrick West ($4,500) faces the lowly Chargers run defense after racking up over 160 total yards and two scores last week in a tough matchup. He is a DraftKings bargain at his current salary, having scored more than 22 fantasy points in three straight games. After failing to score double-digit points for the first time in five weeks, Darren McFadden ($5,000) will look to bounce back against a vulnerable Dolphins squad. The expected return of Tony Romo ($6,000) should open up additional space for McFadden to operate.
Mike Evans ($7,300) has at least 8 catches and 126 yards in three of his last four games. The sky is the limit against a Philly defense that has ceded at least one WR score per game outside of Week 7 versus the Panthers. Eric Decker ($5,800) continues to be an underpriced option on DraftKings and a reliable one in seasonal formats. Consider him in a cheap stack with Fitzpatrick. With the injury to Julian Edelman, both Danny Amendola ($4,000) and Brandon LaFell ($4,300) should see a value boost. They should be owned in all formats and are worth considering as bargain DraftKings plays.
Eric Ebron ($3,500) is averaging 11 fantasy points per game and should once again be a focal point of the Lions passing game. The Raiders have allowed 10 TDs to the position. Zach Ertz ($3,100) has at least five grabs in four of his last five games. While Zach Miller ($2,900) cannot be counted on for elite production each week, he does have 130 yards and three TDs in the past two weeks. His affordable salary and availability on the waiver wire make him a consideration.
The Seahawks ($4,000) should be able to overpower a Niners offense that has scored more than 20 points just twice. Expect a big D/ST performance from Seattle at home. Tyrod Taylor ($5,200) accounted for four scores against the Patriots ($3,200) defense in Week 2, but they are still a top-10 defense. New England has 30 sacks and 13 turnovers as a unit. The Texans ($2,500) defense has double-digit fantasy points in three of their last four, and has given up just 12 points in November. They are an inexpensive defense at home versus the Jets.
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