2022 Fantasy Football Week 11: Start Em’ or Sit Em’

Each week we’ll break down one player that should start in your fantasy lineup and one that would be better left on the bench per position. There are players like Travis Kelce & Saquon Barkley who are matchup proof and should be in your starting lineups every week barring a major circumstance. Through 10 weeks, we’ve been correct on 44 of our 80 predictions after having a rough week last week only getting 2 of the 8 picks right and are hoping to have a bounce back week this go around. 

Quarterback to Start: Justin Fields – Chicago Bears

Over the last 2 weeks Justin Fields has racked up 325 rushing yards putting his total to 749 rushing yards on the season which ranks 7th overall of all players. This places him higher than running backs like Dalvin Cook, Joe Mixon, and Alvin Kamara amongst many others. Fields faces another run friendly defense in the Atlanta Falcons in what should be like watching a college football game with how much emphasis will be put towards the run game. With Khalil Herbert put on IR, this will make Montgomery get more touches, but also in turn draw up more running plays around Fields. We would not be surprised to see Fields finish as a top 5 fantasy quarterback again this week. 

Quarterback to Sit: Derek Carr – Las Vegas Raiders

Despite the addition of college teammate Davante Adams in the offseason, Derek Carr has been rather underwhelming this year after his breakout performance last season. We had high hopes for Carr especially with getting someone of Davante’s caliber, but the Raiders somehow sit at 2-7. They face another team who’s performed well below expectations in Denver, but Denver’s issues are on the offensive side of the ball. Their defense can hold their own and we think it’s going to cause yet another disappointing day for the Raiders offense and Derek Carr specifically. 

Running Back to Start: Rhamondre Stevenson – New England Patriots

The 2nd year running back has been the focal point of the Patriots offense and has been quickly catapulting his name into the upper tier of running back categories. Stevenson has been phenomenal being able to be a playmaker on the ground and through the air giving us very much Alvin Kamara vibes. The Jets have one of the better pass defenses in the NFL led by rookie defensive back Sauce Gardner who should handle Jakobi Meyers and other Pats receivers pretty smoothly. This will leave short drop passes to Stevenson open and in PPR formats allow him to have a high volume game. 

Running Back to Sit: D’Andre Swift – Detroit Lions

Since coming back from injury, Swift’s volume has gone down significantly. He still has had a couple games of some fantasy relevance, but that’s been on a couple larger plays. The Lions view Swift as part of their longer-term plans which is why they’re preserving him compared to what the Chiefs are doing in trying to move away from Clyde Edwards-Helaire. The Lions are utilizing more of a committee approach with workhorse Jamaal Williams and then being more conservative with Swift’s touches until he’s fully recovered. 

Wide Receiver to Start: Michael Pittman Jr. – Indianapolis Colts

With Matt Ryan taking back the starting quarterback duties from Sam Ehlinger, he went back to one of his favorite targets in Michael Pittman Jr, targeting him 9 times. Of those 9 targets, he hauled in 7 receptions. As long as the Colts stick with Matt Ryan, Pittman Jr. is worth at least a WR2 or a Flex spot in PPR formats due to the amount of targets he’ll receive alone. 

Wide Receiver to Sit: Allen Robinson – Los Angeles Rams

On paper, this looks like the perfect opportunity for Allen Robinson to rise to the occasion and play like the player Los Angeles wanted him to be. Matthew Stafford should be back playing, the run game is a mess, and Cooper Kupp will be out for an extended time leaving Robinson as the on paper #1 wideout. However, we don’t think Stafford is going to target the veteran until it actually happens. We think Stafford will favor Higbee and Skowronek over A Rob. 

Tight End to Start: Dalton Schultz – Dallas Cowboys

With Dak back and Schultz healthy, their connection looks like it has gone back to normal. Schultz being the 2nd favorite target behind CeeDee Lamb. With Lamb often being double covered, Schultz should get more opportunities in what’s set to be a great matchup against the Vikings. This is going to be a game heavily scripted through the air and Schultz should have a respectable game. 

Tight End to Sit: Cole Kmet – Chicago Bears

After two multiple touchdown games in a row, Cole Kmet is the tight end people want to grab their hands on right now. We don’t blame you, but this is similar to what we’ve seen of Kmet in the past of being very boom or bust. If Kmet can pull off this feat for a 3rd game in a row, we’ll be impressed, but he’ll be limited in playing as well as this game is going to be heavy on the run. We think Kmet is worth the pick up off the waiver wire, but not trusting him yet.