Empty the Bench

It’s not all fun and games anymore. Your co-worker’s smack talk is starting to hit a little too close to home. People are writing you off, and you don’t like it. Your boss is on the verge of elimination, and you want nothing more than to seal the deal. That cocky guy in marketing needs somebody to fix his wagon, and you desperately want to be the one to do it. We understand. We’re here to help. It’s Week 11 of the NFL season, and ETB’s Matchups are more important than ever. You need our break down of a few key fantasy matchups at all the positions that matter (sorry, kickers make us depressed). Well, here they are. For each roster spot we’ve listed Five Strong Plays, a few players to Temper Your Expectations for, one Sneaky Play of the Week, and one Dud of the Week.

As always, these are not always the guys we think will score the most points or score the least points: there will always be obvious situations and choices we ignore. These also aren’t all sneaky plays. These are just the matchups that we think deserve mention*.

With the NBA season underway, we’ve instituted a small change in format to the matchups from here on out. Don’t worry, the gist of it is that you get to crack open more ETB Fortune Cookies every week now.

Kicking ass and chewing bubble gum, it’s ETB’s Week Eleven Fantasy Football Matchups.

Five Strong Quarterback Plays

Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh @ NYJ
Tony Romo, Dallas vs. WSH
Marc Bulger, St. Louis @ SF
Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia vs. MIA
Derek Anderson, Cleveland @ BAL

Fortune Cookies: Jets being duds and Steelers being studs this week is a common theme in our Week Eleven matchups, and it starts with Ben Roethlisberger, who has 13 touchdown passes (and 1 rushing) in his past four games. Pittsburgh will likely build a big league early, which could limit his attempts in the second half, but he should kill this secondary whenever he drops back… Tony Romo is coming off three consecutive games with a QB Rating over 100, and has tossed 7 TDs in his last two games. He’s on fire, and the mediocre Washington pass defense is not a unit to fear right now. They’ve given up 13 TD passes on the season, and their secondary is hurting… Finally, Marc Bulger owners can start him with some sort of confidence. The offense is relatively healthy, and Bulger is riding two strong 300-yard performances heading into San Francisco for what should be an easy matchup. The 49ers give up 216.4 yards a game and have allowed 13 TDs with only 6 INTs… Donovan McNabb’s peripherals have been fairly strong all season, but the TDs haven’t been there. He’ coming off a four-touchdown performance and facing a weak Dolphins defense that should have all kinds of trouble with Reggie Brown, Kevin Curtis and Brian Westbrook in the passing game. The Dolphins have been giving up 2 TDs through the air over the last month, and anything less than 2 TDs and 260 yards would be a disappointment… When Derek Anderson throws for 3 TDs in the first half, on the road, against the Steelers, you know the kid is for real. Anderson finished with 204 yards and 2 TDs in Week 4 against the Ravens, but that was on just 18 attempts and the Browns will be throwing a lot more this time around…

Temper Your Expectations

Eli Manning, New York Giants @ DET
Carson Palmer, Cincinnati vs. ARZ

Fortune Cookies: The Detroit Lions have given up a ton of yardage and 18 TDs overall, but they’ve also accounted for 15 INTs and 16 sacks this season. They generate the kind of adversity that Baby Eli Manning doesn’t respond well to. The Lions have also turned a corner defensively and been significantly better against the pass over the last month, so this isn’t the cakewalk matchup it might first appear to be… Carson Palmer is averaging just 1 TD per game over the last month, and the Cardinals have given up just 1 TD and less than 200 yards through the air over that same stretch. After throwing for no scores against a struggling Ravens secondary last week, it’s time to admit something is wrong. Very few teams have strong alternatives, but if you do this could be a week to turn to them.

Sneaky Play of the Week

J.P. Losman, Buffalo vs. NE

Fortune Cookie: The Pats field the league’s sixth-best pass defense in terms of yards allowed, which is pretty impressive considering most teams end up throwing the ball a ton in the second half. Still, this is Lee Evans’ Most Wonderful Time of the Year, and in front of the home crowd we think he has a good chance to top 100 yards receiving. Losman will be the one distributing, and if you’re in desperate need of a fill-in QB, roll the dice and hope for 200 yards and 2 TDs. Hey, why not, OK?

Dud of the Week

Alex Smith, San Francisco vs. STL

Fortune Cookie: It’s not all his fault–fingers should also be pointed at the 49ers’ front office for failing to provide their ex-first overall pick with more weapons at WR–but Smith has just not taken the next step so many expected he would this season. Through seven games, the youngster has accounted for just 2 TDs and is averaging just 4.7 yards/per pass attempt. A capable offense would move the ball against the Rams, but Smith and the ‘Niners are anything but.

Five Strong Running Back Plays

Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia vs. MIA
Edgerrin James, Arizona @ CIN
Brandon Jacobs, New York Giants @ DET
Chester Taylor, Minnesota vs. OAK
Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville vs. SD

Fortune Cookies: It’s one of those weeks when Brian Westbrook owners feel their heads swell with confidence all week long, and where those facing him curse their luck. The ‘Fins allow almost 150 yards rushing per and the Eagles are in must-win mode, so expect Westbrook to get 25-30 touches… Edgerrin James has really slowed down, failing to rush for more than 88 yards since Week Two, but he draws a Bungles rush defense yielding 135 a week. We see a touchdown here… The Lions traditionally have trouble stopping big, bruising backs like Brandon Jacobs, who should post a strong YPC and will be tough to bring down once he gets upfield against the smallish Lions’ secondary… With Purple Jesus out for at least a week or two, Chester Taylor draws a weak Raiders defense that simply can’t stop the run. With no passing game to speak of, Taylor is in for a heavy workload at the Metrodome… Maurice Jones-Drew has been active recently, finally getting more touches than Fred Taylor in a few games. Meanwhile, the Chargers are surrendering 181.3 yards and 1.33 TDs on the ground over their last three games (numbers admittedly skewed by Adrian Peterson’s record-setting performance). The Chargers are also allowing RBs to catch more than 4 passes for 30 yards and 0.33 scores in those games, so one way or the other we expect MJD to score.

Temper Your Expectations

Warrick Dunn, Atlanta vs. TB
Marshawn Lynch, Buffalo vs. NE

Fortune Cookies: Warrick Dunn is coming off his two most productive games of the year, but even in those games he’s only averaged 3.56 yards per carry. With a 3.3 YPC on the season, he simply hasn’t been effective all year and we don’t expect him to do much against a solid Tampa Bay defense. There’s also a decent chance that Jerious Norwood will return and Dunn’s carries will take a dip… We hate to do this to you Marshawn Lynch, but we don’t see you doing too much this weekend. The Patriots defensive line is going to be too much for your boys up front. The Pats have only allowed 90.6 yards on the ground per game and have surrendered just 5 TDs this year. Bellichick will focus on taking you out of the game and try to force JP Losman to beat them, and in the second half your team will be playing from behind. Sorry, Marshawn.

Sneaky Play of the Week

Kenny Watson, Cincinnati vs. ARI

Fortune Cookie: The Arizona rushing defense is only slightly above average, and Kenny Watson has been reasonably effective all season when given touches. Rudi Johnson, on the other hand, has ground to a halt and we think the Bengals will start giving more carries to Watson this week. In any event, Watson is the more likely RB in Cincinnati to rack up yards and catches at home this week.

Dud of the Week

Thomas Jones, New York Jets vs. PIT

Fortune Cookie: The Pittsburgh Steelers are (just barely) the NFL’s best rush defense, allowing only 72.0 yards a game. They’ve faced some pretty good running backs and rushing teams this year, and only allowed them to score 2 TDs. So when the Jets and Thomas Jones roll into town with his 3.8 YPC and 0 rushing TDs, the odds of Jones finding paydirt are next to nothing.

Five Strong Wide Receiver Plays

Donald Driver, Green Bay vs. CAR
Torry Holt, St. Louis @ SF
Derrick Mason, Baltimore vs. CLE
Braylon Edwards, Cleveland @ BAL
Reggie Brown, Philadelphia vs. MIA

Fortune Cookies: After starting strong the first month of the season, Donald Driver has slowed considerably. He hasn’t scored since Week 3 and doesn’t have more than 5 receptions since Week 4. It’s been mostly because Favre has been getting the young guys involved, but we think Favre and Driver rekindle the flame and the wideout is in for a big week against a Carolina D that should keep the Packers passing game underneath most of the day… Marc Bulger and Steven Jackson are back, and Torry Holt couldn’t be happier. Holt has posted his first two 100-yard games of the season the last two weeks, and he has a good chance to keep it rolling against a soft San Francisco defense. The 49ers have given up 13 TD receptions on the season as well, so Holt has a good chance to score here… The quarterback struggles in Baltimore haven’t phased Derrick Mason, who has managed almost 6 receptions and 50 yards a game over the last month. In PPR leagues he’s been an absolute monster all season, but in Week 4 Mason torched the Browns for 10 catches and 78 yards. Expect at least 6 receptions for Mason in this one… You probably don’t need us to tell you to start Braylon Edwards, but some people still see that “@ BAL” and get nervous. They shouldn’t, because the Baltimore secondary is eminently beatable and they’ve struggled versus big, athletic wideouts all season. Braylon put up 3 receptions for 97 yards and a score in Week 4, and we expect something similar with a few more receptions… Reggie Brown only had 3 receptions last week, but he made them count by going for 55 yards and a TD. He’s been much more involved in the Eagles passing game since a disappointing start in the first few weeks, and the Dolphins don’t really have any corner who can keep up with him. They’ve surrendered 9 receptions, 151.7 yards and 1.66 TDs to wideouts over the last month.

Temper Your Expectations

Brandon Marshall, Denver vs. TEN
Bernard Berrian, Chicago @ SEA

Fortune Cookies: The Tennessee Titans have been an elite secondary all season, giving up 192.7 yards through the air while allowing only 9 passing TDs with 13 INTs. We’re huge fans of Brandon Marshall and those in PPR leagues should still start him, but we’re expecting a quiet day… The return of Rex Grossman might be good for Bernard Berrian’s big-play potential, but we don’t see that coming into play this week. The Seahawks have excelled at keeping wideouts out of the endzone all season, allowing just 5 TD receptions on the year. With the anemic rushing attack in Chicago, we think Seattle will get to Grossman early and often. He’ll be rattled and he won’t have time to find Berrian downfield.

Sneaky Play of the Week

Amani Toomer, New York Giants @ DET

Fortune Cookie: You never enjoy starting humdrum players like Amani Toomer for your fantasy team, but he could post very solid numbers this week with Plaxico Burress really hurting and the Lions’ giving up big yardage through the air. Something in the neighborhood of 5 catches for 65 yards and a possible score is very feasible.

Dud of the Week

Laveranues Coles, New York Jets vs. PIT

Fortune Cookie: The Pittsburgh Steelers give up only 17.9 completions and an NFL-best 157.4 passing yards a game, and they’re going to mob Kellen Clemens all day. Add in the fact that Coles is still dealing with the effects of a concussion and it could be a long day for the wideout, who only has 10 receptions in his last three games.

Five Strong Tight End Plays

Jeremy Shockey, New York Giants @ DET
Donald Lee, Green Bay vs. CAR
Chris Cooley, Washington @ DAL
Heath Miller, Pittsburgh @ NYJ
Vernon Davis, San Francisco vs. STL

Fortune Cookies: With Burress limping around last week The Shockster put up the best game of his career, going for 12 receptions, 129 yards and a score. He should be a primary target for the Giants again this week with Plax still hobbled and against a Detroit defense that struggles versus the tight end… Bubba Franks is out of the picture, and Donald Lee continues his remarkable run of 3 or 4 receptions in every game last week. He’s a solid option who will put some points on the board for you, and we really like his chances of scoring against the Carolina linebackers… It’s been an up-and-down year for Chris Cooley, but Jason Campbell had a breakthrough game last week and he’ll be leaning on Cooley heavily when the ‘Skins visit Big D this Sunday. In the last four weeks Cooley has put up 1, 3, 4 and 5 receptions, and this week he goes for 6, 60 yards and a touchdown… Heath Miller is an elite option in the red zone, and this week Pittsburgh draws a Jets secondary giving up 228 yards a game and that has allowed 12 TD receptions thus far. Miller has 5 TDs in the Steelers’ last five games. Start him with confidence… Vernon Davis took a step back last week, and 49ers HC Mike Nolan said, “I’m disappointed we didn’t utilize him more.” They will make every effort to get Davis involved this weekend against an extremely soft Rams secondary; we like his chances of making a big play.

Temper Your Expectations

Dallas Clark, Indianapolis vs. KC
Tony Gonzalez, Kansas City @ IND

Fortune Cookies: Dallas Clark is in the middle of a career season, but he’s slowed considerably of late. Since the Colts Week 6 bye he has just 8 receptions and 1 TD. He’s also battling a concussion that kept him out last week, and he could again be a late scratch. Have another option lined up… Go ahead and start Tony Gonzalez unless you own another elite tight end, but don’t expect the world. The Colts pass defense is incredibly tough to start with, but we think this could be a week when the Chiefs ask Gonzo to stay back and help block Mathis more often than not– especially with a young quarterback under center. The Colts haven’t let a TE score since Week 7, and they could easily keep the streak alive this weekend.

Sneaky Play of the Week

L.J. Smith, Philadelphia vs. MIA

Fortune Cookie: Finally, signs of life from L.J., who caught 4 passes for 49 yards and 1 TD in Week 10 against the Redskins. McNabb feels comfortable with Smith as a safety blanket, and as long as he doesn’t fall down the stairs or trip on a sidewalk crack before Sunday, Smith should be good to go against those lovable 0-9 Dolphins.

Dud of the Week

Tony Scheffler, Denver vs. TEN

Fortune Cookie: We’re big fans of Tony Scheffler, but his prospects don’t look good this weekend. Scheffler is dealing with a chest injury that will limit him at the very least, and could easily cause him to be a last-minute scratch. And if he does play, Tony gets to face off against a tremendous Tennessee defense that has limited opposing TEs to just 3 catches, 22.5 yards and .25 TDs over the last month.

Five Strong Team Defense Plays

St. Louis Rams @ SF
Pittsburgh Steelers @ NYJ
Green Bay Packers vs. CAR
Minnesota Vikings vs. OAK
Seattle Seahawks vs. CHI

Fortune Cookies: The St. Louis Rams DEF isn’t an especially spectacular unit–not even a good one–giving up just over 27 points/per, but the ‘Niners’ offensive ineptitude trumps all expectations. They’re averaging a league-low 11.6 points and make the Ravens look like an offensive juggernaut… The blitzing Pittsburgh Steelers DEF draw a Jets offense led by a rookie quarterback and a fading running back–it’s a recipe for disaster and our no-brainer pick of the week… Finally, Brett Favre draws a counterpart who’s older than he is in Vinny Testaverde. The Panthers are in the league’s bottom tier in terms of scoring (16.7) and yardage (291), and they’ll fare no better on the road against 8-1 Green Bay… Last week at home against the Bears, Raiders’ starting QB Josh McCown threw for 106 yards, took four sacks, and was intercepted once. With no passing attack to expose the Minnesota Vikings’ DEF one weakness, except the home team to dominate on that side of the ball… Less than a week after facing Alex Smith and the bumbling 49ers, the Seattle Seahawks DEF draw another poor offense, which could be once again led by Rex Grossman. That’s probably all we need to say about this matchup.

Temper Your Expectations

Tennessee Titans @ DEN
Baltimore Ravens vs. CLE

Fortune Cookies: Playing in Denver is rarely fun, and with an effective Selvin Young poised to take on more of the load the Titans DEF might not have many opportunities for turnovers or sacks. The Broncos offense (sort of) got things back on track last week, and we think this contest will be a conservative affair, featuring both team’s running games more… The Ravens DEF are likely your weekly starter, but we saw last week in Pittsburgh that the Browns can put up points on anybody. Baltimore’s secondary does not match up well with a Cleveland passing game that put up 27 points on them in Week 4.

Sneaky Play of the Week

Cleveland Browns @ BAL

Fortune Cookie: Just as there are weak defenses to exploit, there are bumbling offenses that need to be taken advantage of, and the Ravens field one of the league’s absolute worst as anybody unfortunate enough to see their Week 10 match against the Bengals can attest to. This team averages just 15 points a week, their two QBs have combined for 15 turnovers and just 5 TDs, and Kyle Boller is still struggling with the rudimentary principles of throwing a football. Like the Rams/49ers matchup, this is simply a case of a below-average defense versus a terrible offense. It’s up to you to decide who’ll win out.

Dud of the Week

Carolina Panthers @ GB

Fortune Cookie: The only thing that can stop Brett Favre is Brett Favre right now, as he’s averaging a league-high 298.8 yards passing/per and at 16 TD passes is just two away from equaling his total in ‘06 with seven games remaining. As if that wasn’t enough for a very-average defense to deal with, the Pack have also found a running game with Ryan Grant. We can’t see Carolina stopping GB from at least reaching their 25 points/per average.

More Free Fantasy Football Advice for Week Eleven

Week Eleven Stock Report

Week Eleven Position Ranks

*Disclaimer: There are some players who are always must starts, and you should know who they are. To make things easy, we’ve picked a few guys at each position who will never be listed in our Top Matchups because it just wouldn’t be fair– they’re studs, simple as that. They are: QB Peyton Manning, QB Tom Brady, RB LaDainian Tomlinson, RB Adrian Peterson, WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh, WR Randy Moss, TE Antonio Gates, DEF New England and DEF Baltimore.