Sit/Start Week 11: Reviewing All Fantasy Relevant Players In Every Single Game

Game Info

Kickoff: Sunday, November 20 at 1:00 PM ET

Location: NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas

Betting Odds: HOU +3, 40.5 Total on Oddshark

Network: FOX

Writer: Drew DeLuca (@DrewDeLaware on Twitter)

Washington Commanders

Quarterback

Taylor Heinicke (Sit, QB2)

Carson Wentz was cleared to throw on Wednesday, but Head Coach Ron Rivera named Taylor Heinicke the Week 11 starting quarterback for the Washington Commanders. Heinicke exceeded expectations by leading his team to victory against the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night and now travels on a short week to Houston to face a Texans pass defense that is statistically one of the stingiest in the NFL.

Only four teams have allowed fewer points to opposing fantasy quarterbacks so far this season, so we don’t have high hopes for Heinicke. He’s a serviceable option in 12-team superflex and 2QB leagues, but we’ll pass in more traditional formats.

Running Backs

Brian Robinson (Start, RB2), Antonio Gibson (Start, RB2), J. D. McKissic (Sit)

Last week, the Commanders ran the ball down the Eagles’ throats and dominated the time of possession. The Eagles held the football for only 6 minutes and 11 seconds of the first half, and that was a testament to Brian Robinson and Antonio Gibson, who seemingly couldn’t be stopped on third down. Robinson eclipsed the 20-attempt threshold for the second time this season, carrying the ball 26 times for 86 yards and notching his second career touchdown.

Meanwhile, Antonio Gibson recorded 17 touches for 58 total yards and a touchdown. Both should see plenty of usage and enjoy elite efficiency against a Texans run defense that has allowed more points to fantasy running backs than any other. Both Robinson and Gibson are rock-solid RB2 starts this weekend. J.D. McKissic has been an afterthought in recent weeks, and we don’t see that changing this week.

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

Terry McLaurin (Start, WR1), Curtis Samuel (Start, WR3), Jahan Dotson (Sit), Dyami Brown (Sit), Cam Sims (Sit), Dax Milne (Sit), Logan Thomas (Sit), John Bates (Sit), Cole Turner (Sit)

We expected Curtis Samuel to enjoy a big week last week with Eagles slot corner Avonte Maddox out, but that never materialized. C.J. Gardner-Johnson easily filled Maddox’s shoes and more or less held Samuel in check. Terry McLaurin, however, had himself a day. McLaurin hauled in 8 passes for 128 yards, leading the team in targets (11) for the third consecutive week. We expect McLaurin to post low-end WR1 matchups against the Texans in Week 11, while Samuel should offer value as a WR3.

Jahan Dotson was quiet in his first game back from injury; we need to see his role in the offense grow before we can recommend Dotson as anything more than a desperation flex in larger leagues. Dyami Brown, Cam Sims, and Dax Milne are too low on the target totem pole to register as viable fantasy options in the foreseeable future. Likewise, the tight end position has been virtually invisible in recent weeks. We’re sitting Logan Thomas, who has looked washed of late, and we need to see something from younger tight ends John Bates and Cole Turner before we can give either our blessing.

Houston Texans

QUARTERBACKS

Davis Mills (Sit, QB2)

Last week, Davis Mills threw for over 300 yards for the second time in his last four games. Yet, Mills ranks as the QB24 during that span. Why? Well, for starters, the team wants to run the ball as much as possible, especially inside the red zone, where running backs (35) have amassed far more touches than wide receivers (14) and tight ends (8) combined so far this year. Another reason: Mills has thrown for an average of 153 yards in the two other games during this span. That is…not good. Mills is a consummate high floor, low-ceiling option for fantasy managers in need of a streaming option this week, and one who shouldn’t be on the radar of those searching for options in traditional 1QB leagues

RUNNING BACKS

Dameon Pierce (Start, RB2), Eno Benjamin (Sit), Rex Burkhead (Sit), Dare Ogunbowale (Sit)

Dameon Pierce racked up over 100 total yards last week for the seventh time in his last eight games. Only three teams have allowed fewer rushing touchdowns than the Washington Commanders this season. However, their run defense is far from impenetrable, and the squad formerly known as The Football Team has given up more receiving touchdowns to running backs than any other team in the league. Pierce has taken on a larger role in the passing game as the season grinds on, so we expect he’ll cross the stripe one way or the other. Pierce is a high-end RB2 this week with RB1 upside and should be started in all formats.

Eno Benjamin was surprisingly released by the Arizona Cardinals last week, and the Texans were one of several teams to put in a waiver claim for him. Benjamin likely won’t have a large role in his first game in Houston, so if anyone’s going to give Pierce a breather, we expect it to be Rex Burkhead or Dare Ogunbowale. Neither will be fantasy-relevant in Week 11, so both can be safely ignored.

WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS

Brandin Cooks (Start, WR3), Nico Collins (Start, FLEX), Chris Moore (Sit), Phillip Dorsett (Sit), Jordan Akins (Sit), Brevin Jordan (Sit), O.J. Howard (Sit), 

Brandin Cooks sat out Week 9 against the Philadelphia Eagles and was stripped of his captaincy before returning to action last week against the New York Giants. Many expected the disgruntled wide receiver to see zero targets, but Cooks had seven passes thrown his way, including a touchdown reception that was called back due to a penalty.

On the season, the Commanders have been the eighth-most generous defense to opposing fantasy wide receivers. We, therefore, expect Cooks to eat this week, and we also like Nico Collins‘ prospects. Each has the opportunity to break free for a touchdown or two, but we don’t expect as much from Chris Moore and Phillip Dorsett, who will likely see their target shares decline to the point where they’re no longer viable in fantasy.

Brevin Jordan, O.J. Howard, and Jordan Akins have been a three-headed monster of ineptitude for fantasy managers to sift through, Akins had a big Week 10, generating over 70 yards of receiving volume on just three catches. O.J. Howard had his day earlier this season, and we’re still waiting for Brevin Jordan to stay healthy enough to enjoy his. We’re avoiding Texans tight ends until one consistently emerges from the pack as a possible weekly start. Sit ’em all.