Antonio Brown reminded the football world last night that he is
one of the best wide receivers of all time with an impressive 10/144/3
performance on Thursday Night Football versus the Titans. Brown
matched his season total to date with three touchdown receptions,
highlighted by a circus catch in the fourth quarter in which he
used his helmet to help secure a one-handed grab.
Brown is the first wide receiver to top 1,000 yards in 2017 and
is the only player to reach at least 1,000 yards in each of the
past five seasons. An often overlooked aspect of his eventual
hall of fame career is his ability to stay healthy, with the former
Central Michigan star missing only four regular season games since
2011.
Finding a similar performance in the player pool for this upcoming
slate of weekend games will not be an easy task, as Brown is the
first WR to achieve a three-touchdown game in 2017. But that doesn’t
mean we won’t be treated to some impressive performances
on Sunday and Monday Night.
Here are a few DFS plays that I am targeting for Week 11 of the
NFL season, including an Alex Smith/Travis Kelce stack against
the Giants.
Coming off a bye, Alex Smith gets the Giants
who are giving up the 3rd most fantasy points to QBs.
Quarterbacks
H2H/Cash - Alex Smith @ NY Giants ($6,700 on
DraftKings)
After scoring at least 27 points in Weeks 4, 5, and 7, Alex Smith
cooled off with two sub-20 point games in his last two contests,
including a disappointing 14.38 point performance at home against
Denver in Week 8.
I anticipate that Smith and the offense will get back on track
against a Giants team that has essentially quit on lame-duck coach
Ben McAdoo. If C.J. Beathard and Jared Goff can torch the G-men
for 25 points, I think Smith and the Chiefs will follow suit.
Other options to consider - Tom
Brady @ Oakland (Mexico City) & Derek
Carr vs. New England
GPP - Jay
Cutler vs. Tampa Bay ($5,400 on DraftKings)
It takes a certain amount of intestinal fortitude to start smokin’
Jay Cutler in fantasy, as the spectrum of outcomes ranges from
an interception-laden single digit dud to a 30-point bonanza.
While I don’t anticipate Cutler having a monster game, you
have to like his matchup against the Bucs at home.
Fade - Jared
Goff @ Minnesota ($6,600 on DraftKings)
It is tough to recommend avoiding a player like Goff who has
been excellent with back-to-back 30 point games, but he has too
many question marks this week with the Rams heading north to take
on the Vikings. If Everson Griffen can play and put pressure on
Goff in the pocket, the second year quarterback will likely struggle
and revert somewhat to his 2016 form.
Running Backs
H2H/Cash - Melvin Gordon vs. Buffalo ($6,700
on DraftKings)
Many people may consider Gordon more of a cash game play this
week based on the fact that he has been quite volatile in his
production this season. It seems as if he scores either 20-plus
points or a single digit turd, and not much in the middle.
I like him in all formats this week against a Bills team that
has vaulted to No.2 in fantasy points allowed to RB’s after trading
away Marcell Dareus to the Jags back in October. The emergence
of Ekeler taking touches away from Gordon is a concern, but this
matchup has the makings of being a get-right game for Gordon.
GPP - Rex
Burkhead @ Oakland ($3,600 on DraftKings)
In somewhat of a head-scratcher, Rex Burkhead’s salary on DK
has not adjusted from his current price of $3,600 after consecutive
15.3 point games. With Chris Hogan out and Danny Amendola limited
with a knee injury, Burkhead might be the most valuable receiving
option for Tom Brady and is a steal at his current price.
I was not a fan of starting Fournette against the Browns rush
defense prior to the news of him missing practice on Friday with
an ankle injury. With his health for the game in doubt, I am fading
Fournette in all formats.
Wide Receivers
H2H/Cash - Jarvis Landry vs. Tampa Bay ($6,400
on DraftKings)
Landry continues to be a target monster for Jay Cutler, with
double-digit targets in six of his last seven games. Don’t
expect huge yardage totals from Landry, as the former LSU Tiger
has yet to post a triple-digit yardage game in 2017. But with
a floor of at least five catches and touchdown upside (already
tied career high of five), Landry is an excellent mid-level WR
for cash players against the 30th ranked Tampa pass defense.
Terrelle Pryor and Jordan Reed have already been ruled out vs.
the Saints, opening the door for Crowder to continue his recent
increase in target share (24 targets in the last two games). The
Saints pass defense is much improved this season, and I like New
Orleans to win this game, but Crowder will be an excellent GPP
play with a floor of at least five catches and a ceiling of 20-plus
fantasy points.
Green had a nice post-ejection bounce back game last week against
Tennessee, with seven catches for 115 yards and a score. I don’t
expect him to have similar success this week against a Denver
defense on the road.
Tight End
H2H/Cash - Vernon Davis @ New Orleans ($4,600
on DraftKings)
Travis Kelce against a Giants defense that has allowed a touchdown
in every game this season is a no-brainer play in cash games.
For those not looking to break the bank with a $7,300 tight end,
Vernon Davis against the Saints is a nice inexpensive source of
targets in what could be a high scoring game.
Other options to consider - Travis
Kelce @ N.Y. Giants & Jared
Cook vs. New England (Mexico City)
Lewis is the perfect inexpensive touchdown dependent touchdown
with No.1 TE upside this week against the Browns. Cleveland allows
the third most points to opposing tight ends, and the Jacksonville
wide receiving corps is dealing with various injuries.
Fade - Ben
Watson @ Green Bay ($2,800 on DraftKings)
Although he enters Week 11 on the heels of a ten-target game
against the Titans, the Packers allow the fewest points to opposing
tight ends, and the road matchup against Green Bay looks to be
a low scoring game to avoid.
D/ST
Jacksonville @ Cleveland
I don’t typically like to pay up for defenses, but when
a unit like Jacksonville is paired up against a turnover happy
team like Cleveland in bad weather conditions, I can’t help
but pay the premium.