FANTASY FOOTBALL: Week Eleven Starters

It’s now Week # 11 in the NFL and starting players in the NFL are getting hurt left and right. The playoffs for fantasy leagues are right around the corner and your team is either struggling to get in or you just can’t wait until the playoffs begin. Hopefully, you have decent players on your roster. Here now is a look at some of the best starting players for this weekend, as well as some sleeper picks that could help you win this weekend.

QUARTERBACKS-

1. Daunte Culpepper- The best fantasy quarterback this weekend looks to be Daunte Culpepper. Culpepper and the Minnesota Vikings go out to Arizona to face the Cardinals, in a meaningful game for the Vikings. With the lost to the Packers last Monday night, the Vikings are only two games ahead of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the NFC Central lead. Despite the loss, Culpepper had a so-so game. Culpepper finished the game with 276 yards passing, two TDs and three interceptions. Even though Culpepper threw too many interceptions, it wasn’t entirely his fault. The weather was bad in Green Bay that night, causing the football to be overthrown too much. This weekend’s game against the Cardinals should be no problem for Culpepper. Culpepper should eat this defense up, as he should easily top the 300-yard passing mark and three TDs.

2. Peyton Manning- Another good start at quarterback this weekend is Peyton Manning of the Indianapolis Colts. Manning and the Colts play host to the NY Jets. Manning had a good game last weekend against the Chicago Bears, as he threw for just over 300 yards and two scores. Manning goes up against a NY Jets defense that has given up an average of almost 225 passing yards a game. Look for Manning to top that mark, as he should have closer to 300 yards and throw for at least two scores.

3. Brian Griese- This Monday night’s match-up is one more great game on the schedule this year. Brian Griese and the Denver Broncos play host to the AFC West leading Oakland Raiders. Griese has played well all season long and this upcoming game should be no different. The Raiders have a pretty good defense, however, Griese will still put up decent numbers against them. Start Griese with confidence this weekend, as he should once again top the 300-yard passing mark and at least two scores.

4. Elvis Grbac- This weekend, Elvis Grbac and the Kansas City Chiefs go to San Francisco to play the 49ers. This game looks to be an all day shoot-out between these two teams. The Chiefs’ offense is ranked 3rd overall in passing and the 49ers’ defense is ranked dead last in the NFL in pass defense. Well, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure this one out. Start Grbac this weekend, as he should throw for 300 yards again and two scores.

5. Trent Green- This weekend, Green and the St. Louis Rams go to the Meadowlands to play the NY Giants. The Rams’ offense is ranked #1 in the NFL, but with the loss of both Kurt Warner and Marshall Faulk, who knows how long they will stay there. This will be a tough game for Green and the Rams, as the Giants have a top ten defense. However, Green should still be able to put the ball in the end zone this weekend. Look for Green to throw for two scores and have around 275 yards passing.

Sleeper of the Week-

Charlie Batch- With the loss of injured wide receiver Germane Crowell, the Detroit Lions have not really had much of a passing game. However, this weekend’s game against the Atlanta Falcons, Batch could have a decent game. With head coach Bobby Ross calling it quits this past week, Batch and the rest of the Lions might step up their play this weekend. The Lions are still very much alive in the playoff race, so look for Batch to get things going in this game. Look for Batch to throw for around 225 yards and have at least one score this weekend.

RUNNING BACKS-

1. Edgerrin James- With Marshall Faulk being out for a couple of weeks due to his knee surgery, Edgerrin James becomes the best fantasy running back in the NFL. This weekend, James and the Indianapolis Colts play host to the NY Jets on Sunday night. The Colts will probably put about 30 points on the scoreboard, so just about every offensive player is a good start this weekend. James will once again have a good game, as he should have around 150 total yards and two scores.

2. Corey Dillon- Another must start running back this weekend is Corey Dillon. Dillon and the Bengals go to Dallas to play the Cowboys. The Cowboys’ run defense is one of the worst in the NFL, so Dillon will have his second best game of the season this weekend. Dillon won’t run for over 275 yards again like he did against the Denver Broncos, however, 150 yards and at least one score is a good possibility.

3. Robert Smith- What a game Smith had last Monday night against the Green Bay Packers. Smith had a total of 189 yards and one score. This weekend, Smith and the Vikings play host to the Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals also have a very porous rush defense, so Smith will once again have a good game this weekend. Look for Smith to easily top the 125 total yard mark and at least one score.

4. Fred Taylor- This weekend, Taylor and the Jacksonville Jaguars play host to the Seattle Seahawks. With Taylor’s knee getting better each passing week, Taylor’s overall numbers should continue to improve. However, in order for Taylor to put up good numbers, the Jaguars need to get a healthy Jimmy Smith back on the field. Taylor will have a decent game this weekend, as the Seahawks give up an average of 136 yards rushing a game. Taylor should finish the game with 100 yards rushing and one score.

5. Ron Dayne- Another good running back going against a weak defense this weekend is Ron Dayne. Dayne and the NY Giants play host to the Super Bowl Champions, the St. Louis Rams. With Kurt Warner and Marshall Faulk out of the lineup due to injuries and the defense giving up entirely too many points, this does not look like the same team that won the Super Bowl a year ago. This will probably end up a close game, so Dayne should be a good start this weekend. Look for Dayne to rush the ball at least 20-25 times, ending up with close to 100 yards rushing and one score.

Sleeper of the Week-

Warrick Dunn- With Mike Alstott only getting around 10 carries a game the past couple of weeks, Dunn could become the Buccaneers primary running back. With Keyshawn Johnson actually playing like he should, defenses won’t be relying on the Buccaneers running game as much. Dunn could have a decent game this weekend, as the Buccaneers play host to the Green Bay Packers. We all know what Robert Smith did against them last Monday night. Look for Dunn to get around 75 combined yards and one score.

WIDE RECEIVERS-

1. Randy Moss- This weekend, Moss and the Minnesota Vikings play host to the Arizona Cardinals in the Metrodome. This game should be a blowout with Randy Moss and Daunte Culpepper hooking up for a big day. The Cardinals’ cornerbacks are much shorter than Moss, so Moss should have a big game. Look for Moss to catch 10 –15 passes in this game. Moss should finish the game with close to 150 yards receiving and two scores.

2. Marvin Harrison- Last weekend against the Bears, Harrison had one of his worst games of the season. Harrison caught only six passes for 42 yards. This weekend, Harrison looks to get back on track as he faces a Jets defense at home on Sunday night. Harrison should put up some good numbers in this game, as the Jets’ defense has not played well the past couple of games. Look for Harrison to once again top the 100-yard receiving mark and at least one score.

3. Marcus Robinson- Do you think Marcus Robinson misses Cade McNown at quarterback? Since Jim Miller has taken over at quarterback for the injured Cade McNown, Robinsons’ totals have gotten better each game. Last weekend, Robinson had almost 100 yards receiving and one score. This weekend, Robinson and the Bears go to Buffalo to face the Bills. The Bills have a good pass defense, only giving up an average of 209 yards a game. Look for Robinson to score again this weekend and have about 100 yards receiving.

4. Derrick Alexander- Another good wide receiver to start this weekend is Alexander of the Kansas City Chiefs. So far this season, Alexander has scored nine TDs and has over 800 yards receiving. Look for Alexander to add to those totals this weekend as he faces a poor San Francisco secondary. Alexander should score once and have about 100 yards receiving.

5. Cris Carter- Even if Randy Moss has a good game this weekend, the Arizona defense is so bad, Carter could also have a decent game. The Minnesota Vikings should be able to put up points with ease in this game, so Carter, Moss, Smith and Culpepper are all must starts in this game. Carter won’t do as well as Moss, however, 80 yards receiving and one score is very possible.

Sleeper of the Week-

Sylvester Morris- A good sleeper pick this weekend is Sylvester Morris of the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs play the woeful 49ers this weekend. With the 49ers defense looking to cover both Gonzalez and Alexander, Morris could be left one on one with one of the cornerbacks. Morris could possibly have around 75 yards receiving and one score.

TIGHT ENDS-

1. Tony Gonzalez- The number one tight end in fantasy football is a no brainer. Tony Gonzalez, after a slow start in the beginning of the year, has been on fire as of late. Gonzalez broke the record last weekend for the most consecutive games with over 100 yards receiving for a tight end at four games. If Gonzalez gets another 100 yard receiving game this weekend, he will break the NFL record for all receivers. This weekend, Gonzalez and the Chiefs go to San Francisco to play the 49ers. What an opponent to face to possibly break the NFL record. We all know that the 49ers have a very poor pass defense, so Gonzalez is pretty much a lock this weekend for a record setting game. Look for Gonzalez to get 100 yards receiving again this weekend and at least one score.

2. Jay Riemersma- Do you think the Buffalo Bills missed the presence of Riemersma when he was out of the lineup? All he does is scores TDs. Last week was no exception as he scored once again and had close to 50 yards receiving. This weekend, he faces an awful Bears pass defense. This should once again be a good game for Riemersma, as he will score another touchdown and have close to 60 yards receiving.

3. Frank Wycheck- Another good start this weekend at tight end is Frank Wycheck. But, when isn’t Wycheck not a good start? With the injuries to just about all the Tennessee recievers and now Eddie George, who else is going to catch the ball? The answer: Frank Wycheck. Look for Wycheck to get a lot of passes thrown his way this weekend, but his stats won’t be as good this weekend. The Titans play host to the stingy Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens have only given up an average of about 185 yards passing a game. So with that being said, look for Wycheck to have around 50 yards receiving and one score.

4. Freddie Jones- This weekend, Jones and the San Diego Chargers go up against a stellar Miami defense. The only worth wild fantasy starter on the Chargers is Freddie Jones. But, Jones will surely have a tough time this weekend. Look for OK numbers from Jones this weekend, as he should have around 40-50 yards receiving and possibly one score.

5. Rickey Dudley- Well it’s about time Dudley caught a touchdown pass this year. It only took until Week 10 to do it. This Monday night Dudley might catch another one. On Monday night, Dudley and the Oakland Raiders go to Denver to face the Broncos. There should be quite a few touchdowns scored in this game and Dudley might be the one that scores one. Look for Dudley to have around 45 yards receiving and possibly one score.

Sleeper of the Week-

Pete Mitchell- This could be a good sleeper pick this weekend because of the match up. Mitchell and the NY Giants play host to the St. Louis Rams. With the Rams defense as bad as it is who knows? Look for Mitchell to get involved in this game. As he should have around 35- 40 yards receiving and maybe one score.

Defenses and Special Teams-

1. Miami- The Dolphins play the Chargers this weekend in San Diego. This defense is a must start every weekend, let alone against a 0-9 football team.

2. Tampa Bay- The Buccaneers are on a roll, led by Warren Sapp and the entire defense. The Packers won’t score 26 points this weekend against this defense.

3. Baltimore- This is a much tougher opponent this weekend for the Ravens as they play the Titans in Tennessee. But, like the Miami defense, they are a must start every week.

4. Tennessee- Can Trent Dilfer throw for three more touchdowns this weekend? Not against the Titans defense in Tennessee.

5. St. Louis- The Rams’ defense might do much in this game, however, the special teams might be in for a big game. With Kurt Warner and Marshall Faulk out of the lineup, the Rams’ special teams need to make some big plays.

Sleeper of the Week-

New England- The Patriots play the Cleveland Browns this weekend. Any defense against the Browns is a good start.