No one needs to be told to start Patrick Mahomes on their fantasy team. But what about the flex tight-end/wide-receiver position? What about that one running back on waivers that might be able to fill in a spot for a starting running back on a bye week? Well, this is the place to find the important information in terms of fantasy football, as well as to get a second opinion on who to start or sit this week.

START:

QB: Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee Titans

There were many people who thought that Tannehill’s play would fall off after the season-ending foot injury RB Derrick Henry sustained, which will knock him out for the majority of this season. However, Tannehill has actually played better in this stretch than he had before this season. He has a better grasp of the Todd Downey spread offense, in which he has trusted his first read more and avoided costly mistakes. Not only has he gotten the ball off quick, but he has also performed exceptional on play-action passes, even with Derrick Henry not there to fool defenses. He has shown the tendency of taking what the defense gives him, but has also stretched the field opportunistically, which is what everyone expected from Tannehill when he was first drafted by the Dolphins. With a matchup against a putrid Houston Texans’ defense, Tannehill can lay back and throw darts underneath the two safety looks that the Texans give him, which gives his playmakers an opportunity to make a big play and increases his passing volume, which also increases his scoring opportunities.

Projection: 22.63 points (non-PPR)

RB: Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns

After missing a game against the Patriots because of COVID-19, Chubb will look to rebound against a soft Lions defense that allows the second-most fantasy points to running backs in fantasy. Though there have been concerns about the after-effects of COVID-19, Chubb has run through much worse, including calf and knee injuries in different parts of his career, which should cleanse any fears of a decline in production. Adding to that is the horrible Browns passing offense, which will be put in the shadows behind Chubb and his ferocious running, paired with a little splash of RB D’Ernest Johnson.

Projection: 12.80 points (non-PPR)

WR: Brandin Cooks, Houston Texans

On a Houston offense devoid of talent, Cooks has been the only consistent producer outside of an average defense. Cooks will look to increase his output against a Tennessee secondary that has allowed the most fantasy points this season to wide receivers. The only possible problem for Cooks would be the presence of CB Janoris Jenkins, who has excellent zone coverage abilities, but may be susceptible to the occasional double move that Cooks has been proficient at his whole career because of his game breaking speed.

Projection: 10.20 points (non-PPR)

TE: Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens

Mark Andrews has had 5+ targets every single game this season, and looks to be QB Lamar Jackson’s top target against the lowly Chicago Bears defense that has not performed well against tight ends as of late, as evidenced by the performance TE Pat Freiermuth put up with a lowly Steelers passing offense. Andrews is also poised for a bounce back game after Thursday’s humiliation against the Miami Dolphins, in which Lamar Jackson was unable to pass accurately because of the pressure put on him. Against a Bears defense that has also been susceptible to big plays, Mark Andrews should have a massive game, especially with the absence of recently released RB Le’Veon Bell, who was a factor in the decrease of high percentage passing plays.

Projection: 10.90 points (non-PPR)

K: Zane Gonzalez, Carolina Panthers

Although the Panthers have struggled as of late, the presence of QB Cam Newton will energize this team like it did last week against the Cardinals, where he threw and ran for a touchdown pass, while also drawing pass interference on a deep ball throw. Newton’s presence will strengthen the Panthers offense that runs through RB Christian McCaffery, while giving the team a wide array of option-run plays and high-percentage throws. This will push the offense to new heights against the Washington Football Team defense, who will be missing DE Chase Young because of a season-ending ACL tear.

Projection: 11.00 points (non-PPR)

DEF: Tennessee Titans

While this may seem paradoxical in nature, especially with the prediction above about WR Brandin Cooks, the Titans are poised for a big game against the Houston Texans. While QB Tyrod Taylor can expose the lack of talent besides CB Janoris Jenkins in the secondary at some points, the Titans are far too disciplined to let the Texans gain any footing in this lopsided game. With DE Jeffery Simmons wreaking havoc on opposing offensive lines, the Titans are set up for a bounty of points following their smothering performances against the Saints and the Rams.

Projection: 11.00 points (non-PPR)

SIT:

QB: Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons

Ryan performed atrociously against a Dallas Cowboys defense that allowed more than thirty points to the Broncos, and that is expected to continue against a red-hot Patriots defense that has battered opposing quarterbacks into submission in every game except for their game against Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys in Week 6. The Patriots have been surprisingly dominant on their defensive front, which was apparent in their domination against the NFL’s best offensive line, the Cleveland Browns. Meanwhile, the Falcons have shown no propensity to protect Matt Ryan in the pocket, and with WR Cordarrelle Patterson probably out with a n injured ankle.

Projection: 12.01 points (non-PPR)

RB: Saquon Barkley, New York Giants

Saquon Barkley has been trending positively to play in Week 11, but he draws a matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who have only allowed four touchdowns to opposing running backs. While the Buccaneers allowed two touchdowns to RB Antonio Gibson last week, they should return to their previous form despite the absence of DT Vita Vea. Barkley would be running behind a porous offensive line that has improved a little, but are not up to the level of the Buccaneers’ stout run defense.

Projection: 6.20 points (non-PPR)

WR: Allen Robinson II, Chicago Bears

Robinson has been a solid top-end receiver ever since he has entered the league, but this year he has struggled in keeping pace with a less-than-average offensive plan. HC Matt Nagy’s play calling has been less than stellar, asking Robinson to run into double-coverage and act like a decoy while WR Darnell Mooney and TE Cole Kmet do most of their work underneath. Add that to the fact that the Bears are much more run-centric with RB David Montgomery, RB Khalil Herbert and physical QB Justin Fields, and Robinson looks like the odd man out. He has not had a game over 70 yards and has only one touchdown under his belt this season. He draws a difficult matchup against CB Marlon Humphrey and the Baltimore Ravens, who will be looking to avenge their disappointing loss against the Miami Dolphins last week.

Projection: 4.40 points (non-PPR)

TE: Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons

Pitts has been the best rookie tight end the league has seen in years, but he faces a challenge against a Patriots defense that has allowed the 4th least points to tight ends in fantasy with their matchup nightmare SS Kyle Dugger, who logged an interception while matched up against a physical TE David Njoku, who has a similar skill set to Pitts. Pitts will also draw more coverage because of the absence of WR Cordarrelle Patterson and WR Calvin Ridley, which negatively affects his fantasy value.

Projection: 3.50 points (non-PPR)

K: Greg Joseph, Minnesota Vikings

Joseph had a nice day against the Los Angeles Chargers, but faces a Green Bay defense that has allowed the least fantasy points to kickers all year. The Packers defense has allowed only thirteen points these past two weeks, spearheaded by a fast secondary and physical pass rush. Meanwhile, the Vikings offense has struggled to perform up to expectations against top teams like the Packers, and should lead to a suboptimal Sunday for fantasy managers who have Joseph on their lineup.

Projection: 4.00 points (non-PPR)

DEF: Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys defense is definitely better than it was a season ago, but that does not necessarily mean they are a top defense, despite the volume of turnovers they generate, most of which originates from CB Trevon Diggs. Now, they face a Kansas City Chiefs offense that was asleep until Monday Night Football, where they exploded to the tune of 41 points. The Chiefs offense remains dangerous with QB Patrick Mahomes’ stellar play, and Cowboys just don’t have the defensive talent to match up with the offensive firepower the Chiefs have, which will eventually overwhelm the Cowboys.

Projection: 1.00 points (non-PPR)