Week 11: Jones-Drew Ranks First, Despite “The Kneeldown” - 5 comments

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Welcome back to the Cafe’s Start & Sit for Week 11! Before we get into the rankings, just a quick run-down of the happenings last week. By now, everyone’s heard about Manning and Brady’s duel in Indianapolis, a game that ended with a questionable 4th down call and a last second Colts touchdown. Fantasy-wise, Manning, Brady, Moss and Wayne won a lot of games for their owners on Sunday night.

Other big scorers included running backs Adrian Peterson and Chris Johnson, who both went over 120 yards and two TDs. (Maurice Jones-Drew would have ended up in that group as well, but he drove a stake through fantasy owners’ hearts when he knelt down on the 1-yard line… I’m not bitter though!) Representing the passing game, Donovan McNabb put up 450 yards through the air, and Sidney Rice racked up over 200 yards receiving.

Now, let’s see who our rankers think will have the biggest games this week!

Rank	Quarterbacks	Team	Opponent	Average
1	Drew Brees	NO	at TB	96.00
2	Matt Schaub	HOU	TEN	91.60
3	Kurt Warner	ARI	at STL	91.40
4	Peyton Manning	IND	at BAL	90.60
5	Ben Roethlisberger	PIT	at KC	88.00
6	Tom Brady	NE	NYJ	87.60
7	Aaron Rodgers	GB	SF	86.40
8	Donovan McNabb	PHI	at CHI	83.00
9	Brett Favre	MIN	SEA	80.20
10	Carson Palmer	CIN	at OAK	79.00
T-10	Philip Rivers	SD	at DEN	79.00
12	Tony Romo	DAL	WAS	76.60
13	Eli Manning	NYG	ATL	76.00
14	Matt Ryan	ATL	at NYG	71.20
15	Joe Flacco	BAL	IND	70.40
T-15	Jay Cutler	CHI	PHI	70.40
17	Matt Hasselbeck	SEA	at MIN	68.60
18	David Garrard	JAC	BUF	64.20
19	Jake Delhomme	CAR	MIA	63.80
20	Matthew Stafford	DET	CLE	62.94
21	Brady Quinn	CLE	at DET	62.80
22	Marc Bulger	STL	ARI	61.20
T-22	Jason Campbell	WAS	at DAL	61.20
24	Vince Young	TEN	at HOU	60.20
25	Kyle Orton	DEN	SD	60.00
T-25	Alex Smith	SF	at GB	60.00
27	Matt Cassel	KC	PIT	57.80
28	Chad Henne	MIA	at CAR	56.80
29	Mark Sanchez	NYJ	at NE	46.20
30	Bruce Gradkowski	OAK	CIN	44.80
31	Ryan Fitzpatrick	BUF	at JAC	44.20
32	Josh Freeman	TB	NO	40.40

 
Start: Kurt Warner, Cardinals. Warner has not seen the drop off in production that many people called for this year – he’s thrown at least one touchdown in every game this year, and at least two in all but three games. Expect a big game from Warner against the Rams this week. St. Louis ranks 25th in the NFL in pass defense, and Warner has historically done very well visiting the stadium that he called home in the prime of his career.
 
Start: Aaron Rodgers, Packers. I know, I’m really going out on a limb this week… Rodgers is not only on pace for over 4,000 yards and 30 passing TDs, but he has also run for over 200 yards and 3 touchdowns so far this season. His matchup this week, San Francisco, looked like they could be an imposing defense earlier in the year, but has since faded. The Niners did pick off Jay Cutler five times last week, but its not the first time Cutler has been plagued by interceptions. San Fran ranks 29th in the NFL against the pass, so start Rodgers with confidence.
 
Sit: David Garrard, Jaguars. Garrard is middle of the road as fantasy quarterbacks go, worth a start here and there. The Bills are actually a tough matchup for QBs. Buffalo ranks 9th in the NFL in pass defense, allowing 200 yards per game. The Bills have also given up only 7 passing touchdowns to 16 interceptions. The Jaguars will rely on MoJo Drew again this week. Leave Garrard on your bench.
 
Sit: Marc Bulger, Rams. Bulger had his best game of the season last week, throwing for almost 300 yards and 2 touchdowns. Can he do it again? Maybe… but he is relying on young receivers and a shaky offensive line. Consistency is hardly something that can be assumed here. The Cardinals aren’t great against the pass, but they do have some guys who can rush the passer, which could give that offensive line problems.

Rank	Running Backs	Team	Opponent	Average
1	Maurice Jones-Drew	JAC	BUF	95.40
2	Adrian Peterson	MIN	SEA	94.60
3	Chris Johnson	TEN	at HOU	94.40
4	Ray Rice	BAL	IND	87.00
5	DeAngelo Williams	CAR	MIA	83.40
6	Steven Jackson	STL	ARI	82.60
7	Pierre Thomas	NO	at TB	81.40
8	Ricky Williams	MIA	at CAR	79.60
9	Frank Gore	SF	at GB	79.20
10	Rashard Mendenhall	PIT	at KC	78.00
11	Kevin Smith	DET	CLE	76.80
T-11	Brandon Jacobs	NYG	ATL	76.80
13	Thomas Jones	NYJ	at NE	76.00
14	Reggie Bush	NO	at TB	73.40
15	Beanie Wells	ARI	at STL	72.80
16	Ryan Grant	GB	SF	72.60
T-16	Joseph Addai	IND	at BAL	72.60
18	Tim Hightower	ARI	at STL	72.00
19	Ahmad Bradshaw	NYG	ATL	71.11
20	Marion Barber	DAL	WAS	71.10
21	Bernard Scott	CIN	at OAK	69.60
T-21	Steve Slaton	HOU	TEN	69.60
23	Matt Forte	CHI	PHI	69.20
24	Knowshon Moreno	DEN	SD	69.00
25	Jonathan Stewart	CAR	MIA	68.60
26	Marshawn Lynch	BUF	at JAC	67.80
27	Jamal Lewis	CLE	at DET	66.20
T-27	LaDanian Tomlinson	SD	at DEN	66.20
29	LeSean McCoy	PHI	at CHI	66.00
30	Laurence Maroney	NE	NYJ	65.20
31	Mike Bell	NO	at TB	64.00
32	Cadillac Williams	TB	NO	63.00
33	Felix Jones	DAL	WAS	60.60
T-33	Ryan Moats	HOU	TEN	60.60
35	Correll Buckhalter	DEN	SD	58.86
36	Fred Jackson	BUF	at JAC	58.80
37	Chester Taylor	MIN	SEA	58.00
38	Ladell Betts	WAS	at DAL	57.40
39	Justin Forsett	SEA	at MIN	57.00
40	Donald Brown	IND	at BAL	56.92
41	Jason Snelling	ATL	at NYG	56.60
T-41	Darren Sproles	SD	at DEN	56.60
43	Maurice Morris	DET	CLE	55.60
44	Jamaal Charles	KC	PIT	55.20
45	Shonn Greene	NYJ	at NE	54.80
46	Tashard Choice	DAL	WAS	54.60
47	Michael Bush	OAK	CIN	54.40
48	Darren McFadden	OAK	CIN	52.08
49	Justin Fargas	OAK	CIN	51.80
T-49	Derrick Ward	TB	NO	51.80
51	Kevin Faulk	NE	NYJ	49.60
52	LenDale White	TEN	at HOU	47.00
53	Cedric Benson	CIN	at OAK	46.12
54	Chris Brown	HOU	TEN	43.60
55	Sammy Morris	NE	NYJ	43.50
56	Willie Parker	PIT	at KC	41.80
57	Mewelde Moore	PIT	at KC	41.20
58	Kolby Smith	KC	PIT	40.00
59	Jerome Harrison	CLE	at DET	39.40
60	Glen Coffee	SF	at GB	37.00
61	Willis McGahee	BAL	IND	32.40
62	Jerious Norwood	ATL	at NYG	30.50
63	LeRon McClain	BAL	IND	30.20
64	Ahman Green	GB	SF	30.00
65	Rashard Jennings	JAC	BUF	24.00
66	Brian Leonard	CIN	at OAK	23.00
67	Adrian Peterson	CHI	PHI	19.40
T-67	Louis Rankin	SEA	at MIN	19.40
69	BenJarvus Green-Ellis	NE	NYJ	17.60
T-69	Samkon Gado	STL	ARI	17.60

 
Start: Kevin Smith, Lions. The sophomore running back for Detroit has a lot of talent, but hasn’t had a lot of room to showcase it this season. He’s also had some nagging injury problems that may have hurt his production. But this week is a great chance for Smith to put together a good game, and hopefully find the end zone for the first time since Week 4. The Browns have one of the worst run defenses in the league (checking in at 30th overall) so at the very least Smith should manage a decent yardage total to go along with a few catches.
 
Start: Reggie Bush, Saints. Bush has been one of the hardest players to predict this season. Despite his scat-back nature, he’s had a nose for the end zone (5 rushing touchdowns, 1 receiving). Last week was a breakout game of sorts for Reggie, as he scored twice and had his highest yardage total of the season against the Rams. There’s no reason not to expect another good game this week, against a team that is even worse against the run (Tampa Bay, 31st overall).
 
Sit: Justin Forsett, Seahawks. Forsett broke onto the fantasy scene last week with 123 yards and a touchdown against the Cardinals. With Julius Jones out, Forsett will get the start again this week. However, he will be matched up against one of the league’s best rush defenses in Minnesota (94.6 yards per game, 2 TDs allowed all season). While certainly worth a waiver claim for future weeks, he is not a great start in Week 11.
 
Sit: Jamaal Charles, Chiefs. The parallels between Forsett and Charles are many. Both started the season as backups, both had 100-yard games last week, and both will be rewarded by very tough run defenses the next week. Charles’ opponent, the Steelers, still have far and away the best run defense in the league yardage-wise, and like Minnesota, they have allowed only two rushing touchdowns all year.

Rank	Wide Receivers	Team	Opponent	Average
1	Andre Johnson	HOU	TEN	95.20
2	Larry Fitzgerald	ARI	at STL	94.40
3	Marques Colston	NO	at TB	89.00
4	Reggie Wayne	IND	at BAL	88.00
5	Randy Moss	NE	NYJ	87.40
6	Calvin Johnson	DET	CLE	86.70
7	Hines Ward	PIT	at KC	84.20
8	Anquan Boldin	ARI	at STL	84.00
9	Sidney Rice	MIN	SEA	83.40
10	Vincent Jackson	SD	at DEN	82.60
11	Wes Welker	NE	NYJ	82.00
12	DeSean Jackson	PHI	at CHI	81.80
13	Steve Smith	NYG	ATL	80.20
14	Chad Ochocinco	CIN	at OAK	79.40
15	Steve Smith	CAR	MIA	79.00
16	Roddy White	ATL	at NYG	78.80
17	Donald Driver	GB	SF	78.60
18	Santonio Holmes	PIT	at KC	77.40
19	Percy Harvin	MIN	SEA	76.40
20	Brandon Marshall	DEN	SD	76.20
21	Mike Sims-Walker	JAC	BUF	75.60
22	Greg Jennings	GB	SF	74.40
23	Derrick Mason	BAL	IND	74.20
24	Miles Austin	DAL	WAS	73.60
25	Lee Evans	BUF	at JAC	72.40
26	T.J. Houshmandzadeh	SEA	at MIN	71.20
27	Nate Burleson	SEA	at MIN	70.40
28	Terrell Owens	BUF	at JAC	69.00
29	Kevin Walter	HOU	TEN	68.60
30	Mario Manningham	NYG	ATL	68.40
T-30	Santana Moss	WAS	at DAL	68.40
32	Steve Breaston	ARI	at STL	68.00
T-32	Jerricho Cotchery	NYJ	at NE	68.00
34	Bernard Berrian	MIN	SEA	67.60
35	Mike Wallace	PIT	at KC	67.20
36	Devin Hester	CHI	PHI	66.20
37	Devery Henderson	NO	at TB	65.80
38	Robert Meachem	NO	at TB	65.40
39	Hakeem Nicks	NYG	ATL	65.20
40	Mohamed Massaquoi	CLE	at DET	65.00
T-40	Donnie Avery	STL	ARI	65.00
42	Jeremy Maclin	PHI	at CHI	64.80
43	Braylon Edwards	NYJ	at NE	63.80
44	Bryant Johnson	DET	CLE	63.00
45	Michael Crabtree	SF	at GB	62.40
46	Austin Collie	IND	at BAL	61.60
47	Roy Williams	DAL	WAS	61.20
48	Mark Clayton	BAL	IND	60.60
49	Nate Washington	TEN	at HOU	60.40
50	Pierre Garcon	IND	at BAL	59.60
51	Antonio Bryant	TB	NO	59.32
52	Torry Holt	JAC	BUF	59.20
53	Eddie Royal	DEN	SD	59.00
54	Johnny Knox	CHI	PHI	58.40
55	Josh Morgan	SF	at GB	56.40
56	Laveranues Coles	CIN	at OAK	56.20
T-56	Patrick Crayton	DAL	WAS	56.20
58	Earl Bennett	CHI	PHI	56.00
59	Muhsin Muhammad	CAR	MIA	55.60
60	James Jones	GB	SF	55.40
61	Chris Chambers	KC	PIT	55.20
62	Malcom Floyd	SD	at DEN	54.20
63	Davone Bess	MIA	at CAR	53.00
64	Michael Clayton	TB	NO	52.60
65	Brandon Gibson	STL	ARI	52.00
66	Michael Jenkins	ATL	at NYG	51.40
67	Kenny Britt	TEN	at HOU	51.00
68	Josh Cribbs	CLE	at DET	50.40
T-68	Chansi Stuckey	CLE	at DET	50.40
T-68	Deion Branch	SEA	at MIN	50.40
71	Jacoby Jones	HOU	TEN	50.20
72	Ted Ginn	MIA	at CAR	50.00
73	David Clowney	NYJ	at NE	49.20
74	Danny Amendola	STL	ARI	49.00
75	Mark Bradley	KC	PIT	48.80
76	Antwaan Randle El	WAS	at DAL	48.40
77	Louis Murphy	OAK	CIN	45.00
78	Dennis Northcutt	DET	CLE	44.80
T-78	Sam Aiken	NE	NYJ	44.80
80	Andre Caldwell	CIN	at OAK	44.40
T-80	Mike Thomas	JAC	BUF	44.40
82	Jason Avant	PHI	at CHI	43.40
83	Darrius Heyward-Bey	OAK	CIN	42.20
84	Isaac Bruce	SF	at GB	41.40
85	Domenik Hixon	NYG	ATL	41.20
86	Lance Moore	NO	at TB	39.40
87	Mike Furrey	CLE	at DET	37.80
88	Malcom Kelly	WAS	at DAL	37.60
89	Greg Camarillo	MIA	at CAR	34.80
90	Chaz Schilens	OAK	CIN	34.38
91	Early Doucet	ARI	at STL	34.20
92	Johnnie Lee Higgins	OAK	CIN	34.00
93	Kelley Washington	BAL	IND	33.40
94	Devin Thomas	WAS	at DAL	32.80
95	Brandon Stokley	DEN	SD	32.20
T-95	Jason Hill	SF	at GB	32.20
97	Brian Hartline	MIA	at CAR	31.20
98	Josh Reed	BUF	at JAC	30.60
99	Limas Sweed	PIT	at KC	29.80
100	Lance Long	KC	PIT	29.00

 
Start: Calvin Johnson, Lions. Megatron’s owners were probably happy to see what would usually be considered a relatively modest game from the big wideout (8 catches, 84 yards). It seems that Johnson is healthy, and Matthew Stafford is finally healthy as well. This should bode well for Calvin as the season progresses. His owners can finally afford to start him again. Not to mention he has a pretty good matchup this week against the Browns.
 
Start: Steve Smith, Giants. As the Giants have faltered in their last four games, Smith’s numbers have dipped as well. However, despite the drop-off in yards and touchdowns, Smith has still managed six catches a game in these four losses, and still appears to be Eli Manning’s No. 1 target. The Giants have a good matchup this week against Atlanta’s struggling pass defense. This is a game that the Giants cannot afford to lose. I’m willing to bet Manning looks for Steve Smith early and often.
 
Sit: Devin Hester, Bears. Hester has a tough matchup this week against the Eagles. Asante Samuel has done a good job shutting down #1 receivers this season. And while Jay Cutler’s interceptions don’t directly affect Hester, they do show that perhaps the Bears’ franchise quarterback is not quite comfortable. The Eagles’ strong pass rush (29 sacks, tied 2nd in NFL) will try to make sure he stays that way.
 
Sit: Braylon Edwards, Jets. While Edwards has had some decent games yardage-wise since coming over from Cleveland, he has only caught more than three passes once in the past four weeks. With Jerricho Cotchery returning from injury and looking good there will be even fewer catches to go around in New York. The Jets also play a tough pass defense this week in New England.

Rank	Tight Ends	Team	Opponent	Average
1	Dallas Clark	IND	at BAL	89.20
2	Tony Gonzalez	ATL	at NYG	88.20
3	Vernon Davis	SF	at GB	85.80
4	Brent Celek	PHI	at CHI	83.00
5	Antonio Gates	SD	at DEN	81.00
6	Greg Olsen	CHI	PHI	79.40
7	Jeremy Shockey	NO	at TB	77.20
8	Jason Witten	DAL	WAS	76.60
T-8	Visanthe Shiancoe	MIN	SEA	76.60
10	Heath Miller	PIT	at KC	76.40
11	John Carlson	SEA	at MIN	75.40
T-11	Kellen Winslow	TB	NO	75.40
13	Zach Miller	OAK	CIN	72.20
14	Kevin Boss	NYG	ATL	69.20
15	Dustin Keller	NYJ	at NE	68.60
16	Tony Scheffler	DEN	SD	67.60
17	Brandon Pettigrew	DET	CLE	67.00
18	Robert Royal	CLE	at DET	66.00
19	Todd Heap	BAL	IND	65.20
20	Fred Davis	WAS	at DAL	63.60
21	Stephen Spach	ARI	at STL	63.00
22	Donald Lee	GB	SF	62.00
23	Joel Dreessen	HOU	TEN	61.80
24	Dante Rosario	CAR	MIA	61.60
25	Ben Watson	NE	NYJ	61.40
26	Marcedes Lewis	JAC	BUF	59.20
27	Bo Scaife	TEN	at HOU	58.80
28	Sean Ryan	KC	PIT	52.80
29	Jermichael Finley	GB	SF	52.52
30	Derek Fine	BUF	at JAC	52.00
31	Daniel Coats	CIN	at OAK	51.60
32	Randy McMichael	STL	ARI	43.20
33	Martellus Bennett	DAL	WAS	34.40
34	Anthony Fasano	MIA	at CAR	33.20
35	Joey Haynos	MIA	at CAR	23.80
36	Daniel Fells	STL	ARI	21.80
37	Shawn Nelson	BUF	at JAC	20.80
38	Alge Crumpler	TEN	at HOU	18.20
39	Daniel Graham	DEN	SD	11.80
40	James Casey	HOU	TEN	10.20

 
Start: Jason Witten, Cowboys. As a Redskins fan, I can tell you that Witten always seems to kill us, especially in Dallas. The Redskins like to take away the deep pass, and will probably be especially worried about that after last week’s first half debacle. This often leaves Witten open across the middle. Witten has no problem beating linebackers, or even safeties in coverage.
 
Sit: Donald Lee, Packers. Lee wasn’t exactly a huge part of Green Bay’s offense to start with, but it looks like fellow tight end Jermichael Finley is practicing and could be rejoining the Packers on the field this week. This means even fewer looks for Lee, especially in the red zone.

Rank	Kickers	Team	Opponent	Average
1	Ryan Longwell	MIN	SEA	91.40
2	David Akers	PHI	at CHI	86.00
3	John Carney	NO	at TB	84.20
4	Stephen Gostkowski	NE	NYJ	83.60
T-4	Lawrence Tynes	NYG	ATL	83.60
6	Neil Rackers	ARI	at STL	82.40
7	Mason Crosby	GB	SF	82.00
T-7	Rob Bironas	TEN	at HOU	82.00
9	Kris Brown	HOU	TEN	81.80
10	Nick Folk	DAL	WAS	81.60
T-10	Jeff Reed	PIT	at KC	81.60
T-10	Nate Kaeding	SD	at DEN	81.60
13	Matt Stover	IND	at BAL	79.60
14	Matt Prater	DEN	SD	77.00
15	Rian Lindell	BUF	at JAC	75.40
16	Jason Hanson	DET	CLE	73.40
17	Robbie Gould	CHI	PHI	72.80
18	Shayne Graham	CIN	at OAK	72.20
19	Jason Elam	ATL	at NYG	71.40
20	John Kasay	CAR	MIA	71.20
21	Billy Cundiff	BAL	IND	70.80
22	Dan Carpenter	MIA	at CAR	70.60
23	Jay Feely	NYJ	at NE	69.40
24	Shaun Suisham	WAS	at DAL	68.40
25	Phil Dawson	CLE	at DET	68.20
26	Josh Scobee	JAC	BUF	68.00
27	Olindo Mare	SEA	at MIN	67.40
28	Joe Nedney	SF	at GB	66.80
29	Josh Brown	STL	ARI	66.40
30	Sebastian Janikowski	OAK	CIN	62.60
31	Connor Barth	TB	NO	59.40
32	Ryan Succop	KC	PIT	59.00

 
Start: Shayne Graham, Bengals. He’s only ranked 18th on our list, but after mentioning him as a “Sit” last week I feel I owe Shayne an apology. Graham made four field goals last week (the first time this season he’s made more than one in a game).  This week he plays the Raiders, a team that has allowed the second most field goals in the NFL this season. Sure, you could maybe do better than Graham this week, but you could do a lot worse as well.
 
Sit: Joe Nedney, 49ers. Nedney has only managed three field goals in his last four games. The Packers have allowed only seven field goals this season, second lowest in the NFL. Nedney is not a good start this week.

Rank	Defense	Team	Opponent	Average
1	Steelers	PIT	at KC	91.80
2	Saints	NO	at TB	89.00
3	Eagles	PHI	at CHI	86.80
4	Vikings	MIN	SEA	84.00
5	Bengals	CIN	at OAK	81.40
6	Giants	NYG	ATL	76.80
7	Cowboys	DAL	WAS	76.60
T-7	Patriots	NE	NYJ	76.60
9	Packers	GB	SF	76.40
10	Broncos	DEN	SD	75.20
11	Cardinals	ARI	at STL	75.00
12	Dolphins	MIA	at CAR	74.40
13	Panthers	CAR	MIA	72.20
14	49ers	SF	at GB	70.80
15	Chargers	SD	at DEN	69.80
16	Ravens	BAL	IND	69.00
17	Lions	DET	CLE	68.80
T-17	Colts	IND	at BAL	68.80
19	Redskins	WAS	at DAL	68.40
20	Browns	CLE	at DET	65.60
21	Jets	NYJ	at NE	65.20
22	Falcons	ATL	at NYG	64.80
23	Jaguars	JAC	BUF	64.60
T-23	Titans	TEN	at HOU	64.60
25	Bears	CHI	PHI	64.40
26	Seahawks	SEA	at MIN	64.20
27	Bills	BUF	at JAC	64.00
28	Texans	HOU	TEN	63.20
29	Raiders	OAK	CIN	58.00
30	Chiefs	KC	PIT	52.40
31	Buccaneers	TB	NO	51.20
32	Rams	STL	ARI	46.00

 
Start: Cincinnati Bengals. I’ve picked up the Bengals myself in a few leagues this week. Cincy’s defense looked strong last week, holding the Steelers to just 12 points. The Bengals are second in the NFL in points allowed per game (16.3) and this week they play the bumbling Raiders. Oakland is second to last in the NFL in points per game at 9.8.
 
Sit: Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens made their fantasy owners very happy with their shutout of the Browns last week (and a defensive touchdown to boot!). But the Browns and the Colts are very different teams. Not only are the Colts top 5 in both yards and points scored, but Baltimore always seems to have trouble with Peyton Manning’s offense. Baltimore’s defense has to be considered a very risky start this week.
 

 
Nick Hopkins is a Cafe member who has been contributing to the Start & Sit since 2006. He posts on the Cafe under the name terpfan. R.J. White is a fantasy blogger at the sports site FanHouse. Check out his work both here and there, and feel free to talk to him in the forums, where he posts under the name daullaz.
 

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