Week 11 fantasy wrap: The Eagles can't be stopped
Eagles vs. Cowboys: Carson Wentz had a modest game compared to his standards this year, but he tossed two TDs and didn’t take a sack or commit a turnover. The sophomore signal caller is now on pace to finish with 3,888 passing yards and 40 touchdowns. The Eagles’ schedule starts getting tougher, but there’s no reason to think Wentz’s breakout campaign is slowing anytime soon…Philadelphia ran for 215 yards (marking the fourth time this season they’ve reached 190 rushing yards), held Dak Prescott to a 30.4 Passer Rating and outscored Dallas 30-0 after halftime in another dominant performance (they now lead the NFL in point differential)…Jay Ajayi saw just seven carries but ran for 91 yards (getting caught from behind on a 72-yard gain). His environment is much improved in Philly, but Ajayi’s workload limits his fantasy upside. Corey Clement deserves to keep getting touches…Alfred Morris turned 18 carries into 93 yards, as he continues to look good as Dallas’ new lead back. He’ll be an RB2 down the stretch, as the Cowboys’ schedule eases up…Zach Ertz had his worst game of the year and may not yet be 100 percent back to health…After scoring just twice over the first seven games, Alshon Jeffrey has four touchdowns over three contests since…Dez Bryant has gotten 5.6 YPT this season, making him one of the least efficient receivers in the league.
Cardinals vs. Texans: Tough blow for D’Onta Foreman, who tore his Achilles while scoring his second touchdown of the fourth quarter Sunday. He displayed flashes of big play ability, so let’s hope the injury isn’t career threatening…It’s Ricky Seals-Jones’ world, and the rest of us are just paying rent…Not that he had a huge game, but here’s a nice three-play stretch in which DeAndre Hopkins got the better of Patrick Peterson during Week 11’s most intriguing one-on-one matchup…Blaine Gabbert was an improvement over Drew Stanton, so there’s little reason to go back to the latter.
Washington vs. Saints: Two weeks after winning in Seattle, Washington held a 31-16 lead late in the fourth quarter in New Orleans against the heavily favored Saints that entered as the only team in the NFL ranking in the top-five in both Defense and Offense DVOA. What a comeback by New Orleans…Kirk Cousins looked terrific and given Chris Thompson’s injury (bummer) and how impressive he looked Sunday, Samaje Perine is the clear top waiver wire add if available. Max out the rest of your FAAB if possible…Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara are simply the most productive fantasy backfield ever right now. The rookie came up clutch late in the fourth quarter, while Ingram has totaled 724 yards from scrimmage with eight touchdowns over the past six games despite sharing a backfield with a fellow top-five fantasy RB over that span.
Lions vs. Bears: Matthew Stafford has gotten 9.9 YPA over the past four games, posting a 7:1 TD:INT ratio over the last three, as he continues to have the best season of his career…Jordan Howard got 8.3 YPC and scored for the first time since Week 4…That’s four big games out of his last five contests for Marvin Jones.
Chiefs vs. Giants: Andy Reid entered 16-2 in his career coming off byes and as 10+ point favorites against a Giants team without Sterling Shepard and a defense that’s looked checked out, having allowed 82 points over the last two games and losing to the previously winless 49ers last week. Naturally, Kansas City failed to score a touchdown in nearly five quarters of play in a loss. Meanwhile, the Giants’ streak of allowing a touchdown to a tight end came to an end at 11 games, to a team with Travis Kelce no less…The weather conditions were tough, but the Chiefs offense looked lethargic, and Kareem Hunt’s expected big bounce back never came to fruition…Ben McAdoo must know he’s not long for the job, as he let loose and successfully pulled off a fake punt in the first quarter, later watching Shane Vereen get picked off on a trick play to end the same drive…This Roger Lewis catch on fourth down late in overtime was a sick game winner.
Buccaneers vs. Dolphins: Jay Cutler’s poor performance (6.9 YPA with three picks in the first half) looks even worse when compared to what his replacement was able to do, as Matt Moore got 10.1 YPA with a TD and no turnovers. That’s what you’re supposed to do against this Bucs defense…Doug Martin turned 21 touches into just 44 yards and didn’t score during a game in which Tampa Bay put up 30 points.
Ravens vs. Packers: This marked the third shutout of the season for Baltimore…This one-handed catch by Mike Wallace was nice…The only thing to be said about the Packers is at least Davante Adams still has fantasy value.
Rams vs. Vikings: Minnesota gave up an early TD to Todd Gurley but otherwise shut him down (2.5 YPC), as they’ve yet to allow a 100-yard rusher this season…Adam Thielen’s breakout season continued, highlighted by this 65-yard score…The Rams entered leading the NFL in points per game but were held scoreless over the final 55 minutes Sunday…The Vikings have won six in a row but now get three straight road games (and four of five).
Jaguars vs. Browns: Jacksonville’s defense lived up to expectations, recording five sacks, forcing four turnovers and scoring a touchdown (and nearly had two). The Jags are no longer a favorable matchup for RBs with Marcell Dareus in town…Corey Coleman saw 11 targets and is immediately in the WR2/3 mix, although it will be interesting to see how he and Josh Gordon coexist…It only took two targets for Marcedes Lewis to become the latest tight end to score against the Browns.
Bills vs. Chargers: Nathan Peterman became the first quarterback to throw five interceptions during the first half of a game since 1991, and the Bills mercifully turned back to Tyrod Taylor afterward. Buffalo’s curious decision to make a QB switch looked as bad as it possibly could Sunday…My buddy made this bet on the Chargers to win the Super Bowl last week. Can’t wait to see how he hedges if they sneak into the sixth spot…What a game by Keenan Allen, who secured 12-of-13 targets for 159 yards and two touchdowns, reaching the end zone for the first time since Week 1. The Bills have totaled 16 points in the first quarter over 10 games this season.
Bengals vs. Broncos: Joe Mixon predictably got just 2.5 YPC, but Andy Dalton posted a 3:0 TD:INT ratio in Denver, as the Broncos’ season continues its freefall…After not scoring for 14 games, Demaryius Thomas has a TD in three straight contests…Don’t be surprised if/when Paxton Lynch starts in Week 12…Here’s Dre Kirkpatrick returning an interception 100+ yards yet not scoring a touchdown.
Patriots vs. Raiders: Oakland has now gone 10 games this season without an interception, and they are tied with an NFL-low 14 sacks as well. They entered Sunday with the last ranked Defense DVOA, and the Patriots predictably had their way, getting 8.7 yards per play in a blowout…Rex Burkhead saw his snaps come to a screeching halt after fumbling early, which makes it a situation to monitor moving forward. Bill Belichick doesn’t play backs with ball security issues…In a game with this week’s highest Over/Under (54.5 points), Oakland managed just eight points, as Derek Carr got a paltry 4.8 YPA against a New England defense that continues to play better and better…Rob Gronkowski had a quiet day, while Brandin Cooks was a monster, turning six catches into 149 yards and two scores.
