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Fantasy football is all a matter of trust.
Fantasy managers have been through the ringer in 2025 when it comes to injuries and inconsistencies: Joe Mixon has been a curious absence all season, while Bucky Irving's availability has complicated matters for many. Irving, along with a host of other Tampa Bay Buccaneers skill position players, has been a sore point – no pun intended – when it comes to durability this season.
While some players near a return and the injury status of others throw wrenches into your best-laid lineups, the single, most prominent question you have to ask yourself is: Who do you trust?
That's where USA TODAY Sports comes in, with a comprehensive list of start/sit candidates as Week 11's Sunday schedule approaches.
Should you trust Tua Tagovailoa against the Washington Commanders in Madrid on Sunday? What about Bo Nix vs. the Kansas City Chiefs? Mark Andrews seems like a no-brainer start – but is he, really?
Whether you're completely out of it, aiming for a championship or looking to make a late-season playoff push, USA TODAY Sports has you covered with fantasy advice below.
Fantasy football start 'em: Week 11 QBs
Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins (vs. Washington Commanders)
The Commanders have struggled immensely to contain the pass in recent weeks, allowing at least 250 passing yards and three passing touchdowns in each of their last four games. Their ability to do so doesn't figure to improve after they lost starting cornerbacks Marshon Lattimore (torn ACL) and Trey Amos (broken fibula) to long-term injuries.
Tagovailoa has accounted for multiple touchdowns in six of his last nine starts. That gives him one of the highest floors among fantasy quarterbacks this year while he also has boom potential in this favorable matchup.
Aaron Rodgers, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. Cincinnati Bengals)
Last time Rodgers faced the Bengals, he recorded 249 yards and four touchdowns. Will he post those numbers again? Maybe not, but the Bengals have allowed the third-most fantasy points per game (FPPG) to quarterbacks this season.
Further aiding Rodgers is that the Bengals are expected to be without Trey Hendrickson (hip) in this game. That will prevent Cincinnati from generating consistent pressure against Rodgers, who has shown throughout the 2025 NFL season he can still be a quality fantasy quarterback when he has time to throw.
Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers (at New York Giants)
Starting Love, who hasn't recorded a touchdown since Week 8, comes with some risk. However, he's playing against a Giants team that has surrendered the fourth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season.
Granted, the Giants' ranking stems largely from their struggles against mobile quarterbacks. They have allowed a league-high 279 rushing yards to quarterbacks and four rushing touchdowns, tied for the second most in the league.
Love isn't a big-time runner, but he tied a season-high with 28 rushing yards against the Eagles last week. If he can post similar numbers and have some positive touchdown regression, he could emerge as a top-10 fantasy quarterback in Week 11.
Fantasy football sit 'em: Week 11 QBs
Bo Nix, Denver Broncos (vs. Kansas City Chiefs)
The Chiefs figure to be a tough matchup for Nix and the Broncos. Andy Reid's squad is coming off a bye and is one of just six NFL teams to allow fewer than 10 passing touchdowns to opposing quarterbacks this season. They should have a plan to limit Nix, who struggled against the Raiders in Week 10, so the second-year signal-caller's ceiling is much lower than usual.
The one silver lining: Nix could do some damage against a Kansas City defense that has allowed a league-high five rushing touchdowns to quarterbacks this season. Still, it's hard to trust Nix given the floor he showed against the Raiders.
Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks (vs. Los Angeles Rams)
No, we're not fading Darnold just because he attempted only 12 passes in a blowout win over the Cardinals. It's all about his matchup with the Rams, which doesn't look promising.
The Rams have surrendered the eighth-fewest FPPG to quarterbacks this season. More importantly, the team is tied for eighth in the NFL in pressures, per the NFL's Next Gen Stats. Darnold's passer rating drops from 128.6 when kept clean to 83.8 when under pressure, per Pro Football Focus, so this could end up being a tougher matchup for him.
Geno Smith, Las Vegas Raiders (vs. Dallas Cowboys)
Look, starting the quarterback playing against the Cowboys has typically been a recipe for success this season. But can you really trust Smith, who has posted one touchdown or less in four of his last five games, to be a viable fantasy starter?
Maybe if you're bold, but it's probably best to steer clear of the turnover-prone quarterback. The Cowboys are getting several reinforcements on defense, including trade acquisitions Quinnen Williams and Logan Wilson, so they might not be quite as porous as they've been thus far this season.
Fantasy football start 'em: Week 11 RBs
Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. Cincinnati Bengals)
Warren and the Steelers' offense struggled on "Sunday Night Football" in Week 10, unable to get the running game going against the Los Angeles Chargers' front. Warren managed 91 total yards on 16 touches and failed to find the end zone after a two-score effort in Week 9.
There are few better sights for offenses on the schedule than a matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals. Pittsburgh played the Bengals four weeks ago and Warren had his best fantasy performance of the year with 158 total yards on 21 touches.
Expect more of the same this week even though the Bengals are coming off their bye week. An extra week off isn't enough time for Cincinnati's defense to turn things around. According to FantasyPros data, they're allowing the most fantasy points to opposing running backs per week and it's not close. The gap from them in last to the Giants in 31st is bigger than the gap from the Giants to the Chargers in 14th.
Kimani Vidal, Los Angeles Chargers (at Jacksonville Jaguars)
Vidal bounced back from a disappointing effort against the Titans in Week 9 on the road to have a standout day in Week 10 against Pittsburgh. Despite a barrage of offensive line injuries, Vidal tallied 108 total yards on 26 touches and found the end zone for the second time in three weeks.
He could have another strong day on the road against Jacksonville. The Houston Texans - with arguably the worst offensive line in the NFL - ran over the Jaguars in the fourth quarter to get a comeback win.
Houston running backs averaged 5.79 yards per carry and 7.67 yards per reception against the Jaguars. We're confident the Chargers' staff can exploit the Jaguars' run defense in a similar way to Vidal's benefit.
David Montgomery, Detroit Lions (at Philadelphia Eagles)
Detroit had one of its best games on offense in Dan Campbell's tenure in Week 10 against Washington. The Lions put up 546 total yards of offense, including a season-high 226 on the ground, with Campbell calling plays from the sideline. Montgomery accounted for 71 of those yards on 15 carries out of the backfield.
Detroit faces Philadelphia on "Sunday Night Football" on the road this week in what could be a playoff preview. If Week 10 was any sign of what Campbell's preferences are on offense, it's that he wants to run over opponents.
Philadelphia will be a tougher opponent to do that against than Washington but not impossible. The Eagles have kept opposing running back groups relatively in check yardage-wise with 123.22 total yards allowed per game but they've given up at least one touchdown to running backs in nine of their 10 games. Montgomery should have a solid outing with a good chance of finding the endzone.
Woody Marks, Houston Texans (at Tennessee Titans)
Marks had one of his better days on the ground in Week 10 against the Jaguars with 81 total yards on 16 touches and a rushing touchdown - his first since Week 4. Coincidentally, that was in his first matchup against the Titans.
He should have another solid week ahead of him against Tennessee. Houston's defense is one of the toughest in the league, especially its pass defense. The offense should have plenty of opportunities to take drives as long as they want.
Tennessee is back from its bye this week, but it struggled to stop the run before the break. Opposing running backs are averaging 135.33 total yards per game but they've allowed 14 total touchdowns through nine games. Marks had a great game against this defense before they traded away some pieces. He should have another strong week, even with C.J. Stroud's status in question.
Fantasy football sit 'em: Week 11 RBs
RJ Harvey, Denver Broncos (vs. Kansas City Chiefs)
The Denver offense struggled through a defensive battle on "Thursday Night Football" in Week 10. Harvey had just 18 total yards on six touches (two receptions, four carries) as J.K. Dobbins continued as the lead back for the Broncos but that may change due to a foot injury.
Dobbins may be placed on injured reserve (IR) this week which would take him out of the lineup for a month. In any case, he doesn't seem likely to play this week against Kansas City.
That would be good news for Harvey but the rookie's facing a tough opponent in what could be his second NFL start. Denver hasn't faced Kansas City yet this season and the Chiefs just got run over by the Bills' offense in Week 9 ahead of their bye. But prior to that, Kansas City hadn't allowed a touchdown to a running back in a month. They're still allowing just 111.34 total yards to the position per game this year. This could be a tough one for Harvey.
Zach Charbonnet or Kenneth Walker III, Seattle Seahawks (at Los Angeles Rams)
This week's NFC West showdown between the Seahawks and Rams features two of the best defenses in football. It'll be one of the games of the season for a pair of NFC contenders. Running backs on both teams may struggle against these units but the Seahawks' duo may have a rougher time than their Rams counterparts.
Charbonnet and Walker had a similar split of carries for similar yards with the former earning the long rushing touchdown of the day for Seattle. That came against Arizona; Los Angeles is a much different unit.
The Rams are the toughest defense for opposing running backs in fantasy football this year, per FantasyPros data. Los Angeles has allowed two touchdowns to the position in nine games this season. That's not enough to make up for the 104.55 scrimmage yards allowed per game to opposing running backs. If these guys are must-starts in your lineup, don't expect a strong day from either of them as the Rams' front goes to work against the Seahawks' line.
Tyrone Tracy Jr., New York Giants (vs. Green Bay Packers)
Tracy had a low-key day for the Giants against Chicago in Week 10 with 71 total yards on 15 touches. New York subsequently fired Brian Daboll following the loss and Mike Kafka is now in as interim head coach.
As we saw earlier this year with Tennessee after they fired Brian Callahan, a new head coach doesn't necessarily mean a big jump on offense. Tracy's benefitting from a bigger role but will be going against one of the tougher defenses in the league this week.
Since their Week 5 bye, Green Bay has allowed two touchdowns to opposing running back groups. Both came in a surprising loss to the Panthers in Week 9 against a much better rushing offense than what the Giants are at this point in the season. Tracy has a tough stretch of defenses coming up ahead of New York's bye and this is one of them.
Fantasy football start 'em: Week 11 WRs
Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins (vs. Washington Commanders)
The Commanders could not stop anything the Detroit Lions' offense threw at them last week, and that has become something of a theme this season – but particularly in the last few weeks. Washington ranks third in average fantasy points allowed to wideouts for the whole season, but they're second in that metric over the last four weeks and first in fantasy points allowed to receivers in the last two weeks.
Waddle is entering a Week 11 meeting with this Washington squad red-hot. The Dolphins' No. 1 receiver has tallied at least five catches and 80+ yards in three straight games, and he's scored a touchdown in two out of his three outings. Look for Miami and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to continue feeding their top receiver at home against the Commanders this week.
Jerry Jeudy, Cleveland Browns (vs. Baltimore Ravens)
Jeudy is a risky start in any week given his struggles and those of rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel so far this season. But he's coming off of his best game of the year so far – six catches for 78 yards and a touchdown – against the Jets and has another promising matchup in Week 11.
Baltimore's defense ranks among the top units in receptions allowed to opposing wide receivers. Over the last two weeks, their 27 receptions and 382 yards allowed to wideouts rank fifth and fourth, respectively, of all units. Through 10 weeks, the Ravens rank fourth in the league in average fantasy points allowed to receivers this year (38.10).
Michael Wilson, Arizona Cardinals (vs. San Francisco 49ers)
Wilson is a bit of a curveball pick to be a starter in Week 11, but things are lining up in his favor. The Cardinals' WR2 ranks third on the team in targets behind Marvin Harrison Jr. and tight end Trey McBride. He hasn't surpassed 50 yards in a game more than once this season.
But the 49ers have recently been among the league's defenses most susceptible to giving up fantasy points to receivers. San Francisco has consistently ranked among the top teams in receptions allowed this year – fourth this year, second in the last four weeks, and fourth in the last two weeks.
Wilson is potentially going to step into the Cardinals' top receiver role with Marvin Harrison Jr. recovering from an appendicitis procedure. Zay Jones, who would have been another receiver competing for targets, is out for the season with a torn ACL. All four of Wilson's best games statistically have come with quarterback Jacoby Brissett starting, and Week 11 is his best opportunity yet.
FANTASY FOOTBALL RANKINGS: 30 risers and sleepers in Week 11
Fantasy football sit 'em: Week 11 WRs
Jakobi Meyers, Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. Los Angeles Chargers)
Meyers had a solid debut with the Jaguars in Week 10 – catching three passes for 41 yards against the Texans – but the odds are not in his favor in Week 11.
For one thing, second-year wideout Brian Thomas Jr. is returning from his ankle injury. For another, Parker Washington (7) more than doubled Meyers' three targets in Week 10 to lead the team in the category for a second straight week.
For a third thing, the Chargers are one of the best teams at preventing fantasy points to opposing wide receivers. They rank second in average fantasy points allowed this year, fifth in that stat over the last four weeks and third over the last two weeks.
Xavier Worthy, Kansas City Chiefs (@ Denver Broncos)
Worthy's fantasy value has fallen off a cliff since Rashee Rice returned from his six-week suspension. Rice has surpassed the second-year wideout in receptions and yards in each of his three games back, while Worthy has had more than 50 yards in just one game in that span.
The Broncos have one of the best passing defenses in the NFL this year, and that's been backed up in their fantasy metrics as well. Denver has allowed the fewest average fantasy points to wideouts this year – just 25.29 per game – and that mark drops to 22.25 points allowed per game in the last two weeks.
Coming out of the Chiefs' Week 10 bye, Worthy is safe to stay on fantasy managers' benches in Week 11.
FANTASY FOOTBALL WAIVER WIRE: 16 players to add for NFL Week 11
Fantasy football start 'em: Week 11 TEs
Zach Ertz, Commanders vs. Dolphins (Madrid game)
Jayden Daniels will miss time with the arm injury that he suffered at the end of Week 9. As a result, Marcus Mariota will start at quarterback again for the Commanders. Ertz has averaged 6.05 fantasy points per game with Mariota this season and 10.2 with Daniels.
Ertz hasn't finished with double-digit fantasy points in six of his last eight games, but he did snatch up four of five targets last week against Detroit's defense, which is top 10 in yards and receptions allowed to the position. Ertz finished with his second-highest yardage total (54) of the season.
Terry McLaurin (quad) has already been ruled out for the matchup with Miami, setting up the veteran to be a top target once again. Miami has allowed the third-most yards, second-most touchdowns, and third-most fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends.
Kyle Pitts, Falcons vs. Panthers
Pitts is coming off another disappointing showing, but it's not entirely his fault. He did drop a potential 30-yard completion, which could have ended in a touchdown, but he was also underthrown on a potential 25-yard touchdown. He left plenty of meat on the bone in Week 10 but he has another glorious matchup in Week 11 when the Falcons return stateside to host the Panthers.
Carolina has allowed the fourth-most yards and the seventh-most fantasy points per game to tight ends. Juwan Johnson just torched them to a TE3 finish last Sunday. Pitts, the former No. 4 overall pick, is finally getting consistent targets. Atlanta is in a must-win situation after dropping four straight. Expect the offense to bounce back and Pitts to be a big reason why.
MORE: Need more NFL news, takes and fantasy advice? Check out USA TODAY Sports NFL Vodcast
Fantasy football sit 'em: Week 11 TEs
David Njoku, Browns vs. Ravens
The Browns veteran tight end has scored touchdowns in three straight healthy games, but he's coming off an outing against the Jets in which he received just two targets from rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel. Rookie Harold Fannin Jr. has received 15 targets over the last two games as Njoku has taken a backseat to the neophyte.
The Ravens defense is on fire entering this matchup with the Browns, having allowed just 13.5 points per game during their three-game winning streak. Despite Baltimore's early-season struggles, it ranks in the top half of the league in fantasy points allowed to opposing tight ends.
Cade Otton, Buccaneers at Bills
Otton was a smash start last week at home against the Patriots' pass-funnel defense; however, this week, he is a must-sit on the road against Buffalo. Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Bucky Irving remain sidelined, but the Bills' defense has been terrific against tight ends this season.
Buffalo has allowed a league-low 6.16 fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends. Over the last four games, the Bills have allowed just 12 receptions and 129 receiving yards to the position. Leave Otton on the bench this week.
Mark Andrews, Ravens at Browns
Baltimore hits the road again and will play the Browns. Andrews had been frustrating for fantasy managers, managing just one top-12 finish through the first eight weeks, but he's bounced back over the last two games, which coincided with the return of two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson.
The entire offense has benefited from Jackson's return to the lineup, but the matchup for Andrews against Cleveland's defense is brutal. The Browns have allowed the fifth-fewest receptions to opposing tight ends, and Andrews is touchdown dependent, having failed to top five targets over his last three games. He has topped 35 receiving yards just once all season.
Fantasy football D/STs rankings Week 11
- Houston Texans (at Tennessee Titans)
- New England Patriots (vs. New York Jets)
- Green Bay Packers (at New York Giants)
- Baltimore Ravens (at Cleveland Browns)
- Los Angeles Chargers (at Jacksonville Jaguars)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. Cincinnati Bengals)
- Kansas City Chiefs (at Denver Broncos)
- Denver Broncos (vs. Kansas City Chiefs)
- Atlanta Falcons (vs. Carolina Panthers)
- Chicago Bears (at Minnesota Vikings)
- Dallas Cowboys (at Las Vegas Raiders)
- Miami Dolphins (vs. Washington Commanders in Madrid)
- San Francisco 49ers (at Arizona Cardinals)
- Buffalo Bills (vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
- Los Angeles Rams (vs. Seattle Seahawks)
- Detroit Lions (at Philadelphia Eagles)
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fantasy football Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em: 24 players to start or sit in Week 11
Reporting by Tom Viera, Ayrton Ostly, Jacob Camenker, Jack McKessy and Nick Brinkerhoff, USA TODAY / USA TODAY
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