CJ Stroud (QB - HOU) vs Tennessee Titans
If cleared to come back, Stroud has a fantastic matchup against a soft Titans defense. Stroud has hit more than 20 points in 3 of his last 5. Last time he played Tennessee, he dominated with 233 passing yards and two passing touchdowns.
Marcus Mariota (QB - WSH) vs Miami Dolphins
Despite losing terribly to the Detroit Lions, Mariota had a solid game with 213 yards through the air and two passing touchdowns. He also added 22 more yards on the ground. He faces a Miami defense that allows an average of 21 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks.
Dillon Gabriel (QB - CLE) vs Baltimore Ravens
I love this start in deeper formats. Gabriel is finally coming into his role as a starter nicely. The Ravens have a quarterback-friendly defense, allowing more than 245 passing yards in their past three games.
Jacoby Brissett (QB - ARI) vs San Francisco
Despite getting manhandled, Brissett still had a pretty good fantasy day in Week 10 with 22 points. He is and will be a more stable passer in this Arizona offense. Matthew Stafford threw for 280 yards and four touchdowns last week against this 49ers’ offense.
Caleb Williams (QB - CHI) vs Minnesota Vikings
I put Williams on this list because of how skeptical people were about his ability to be consistent. He’s scored 68 combined points through two weeks and six total touchdowns. Granted, this was against weaker opponents. He gets another nice matchup, having scored 26 points in his last game against the Vikings, and we’ve seen further progress from Williams since then.
Sit 'Em
Bo Nix (QB - DEN) vs Kansas City Chiefs
Bo Nix had a fantasy dud against one of the worst teams in Las Vegas. He has a way harder matchup against the Chiefs, who are stingy, allowing only 16 fantasy points to quarterbacks. He also has four turnovers in his last three games.
Mac Jones/Brock Purdy (QB - SF) vs Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals, despite losing, only allowed 178 passing yards from Sam Darnold last week and forced three turnovers. Whoever starts, Jones or Purdy, will have a tough matchup against the Cardinals' defense, which allows 15 points on average to quarterbacks.
JJ McCarthy (QB - MIN) vs Chicago Bears
I know this is a good matchup for McCarthy, but he has a turnover problem that will hold him back from QB1 status. His touchdown-to-interception rate over the last three games is 3:3, even with the best receiver in football (Justin Jefferson) on his team. He’s not going to pass for over 250 yards or score more than two touchdowns, so it’s best to find someone with better upside.
Bryce Young (QB - CAR) vs Atlanta Falcons
Young has lost all fantasy relevance for the remainder of the season. Not to mention, he faces one of the most formidable defenses in the league. He hasn’t passed for more than 200 yards since Week 2. Find better options elsewhere.
Sam Darnold (QB - SEA) vs Los Angeles
The Rams have a difficult defense, allowing only 16 fantasy points to quarterbacks, and Sam Darnold was held to only 6 points last week.
By Alex Percey
Start 'Em
Jaylen Warren (RB - PIT) vs Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals have a historically bad defense. They’re allowing 30 whole points per game to running backs. Whoever is playing them is an RB1 that week, and Jaylen Warren holds the privilege in week 11.
D’Andre Swift (RB - CHI) vs Minnesota Vikings
Don’t let the emergence of Kyle Monongai scare you away from starting Swift. He has scored at least 14 points in each of his last five games, and receives good enough receiving work to be productive even without touchdowns.
Rachaad White (RB - TB) vs Buffalo Bills
Where in the world is Bucky Irving? Somehow, the 2024 rookie sensation still has no timeline to return from injury. This obviously plays to Rachaad White’s benefit, as does the below-average Buffalo rush defense. He’s a good flex this week.
Aaron Jones Sr. (RB - MIN) vs Chicago Bears
The Vikings have been gradually ramping up Jones’ workload each week since he returned from injury, with last week being his best yet this season. He should continue the trend against a mediocre Bears defense.
Woody Marks (RB - HOU) vs Tennessee Titans
Each week, it becomes clearer that Woody Marks has control of the Houston backfield. He now faces the worst defense he has all season, in a game that the Texans will likely lead most of. Start him in all leagues.
Sit 'Em
Bill Croskey-Merritt (RB - WSH) vs Miami Dolphins
More than a “sit him” statement, my inclusion of Bill on the list is for one purpose: to tell you to drip him. He is worth nothing in fantasy anymore and is getting out-carried by Chris Rodriguez. Sorry, the hype is over.
Kenneth Walker (RB - SEA) vs Los Angeles Rams
Kenneth Walker operates in a split backfield and has yet to have a good week that isn’t carried by touchdowns. In addition to those facts, he faces the top defense against RBs this week. Don’t start him.
Tyrone Tracy Jr. (RB - NYG) vs Green Bay Packers
For some reason, Tracy is splitting carries with a washed-up Devin Singletary and failing to be fantasy relevant. He also faces a top defense in the league, and won’t get many carries down the stretch.
Tony Pollard (RB - TEN) vs Houston Texans
Pollard hasn’t put up any great stat lines this season, and that isn’t set to change with Spears back in the lineup. I see the Titans getting down early in this one, so don’t count on Pollard having a significant role.
By Alex Percey
Start 'Em
Tre Tucker (WR - LV) vs Dallas Cowboys
Tucker has disappointed owners since his incredible week three performance, but that is set to change this week. Dallas is the worst secondary in the league, and Tucker is now the #1 receiver on the Raiders. You can feel good about starting him in your flex this week.
Tee Higgins (WR - CIN) vs Pittsburgh Steelers
Tee Higgins was awful for the first six weeks of the season, but since Flacco took over, he’s taken his production up a notch. Higgins has been a top 15 receiver twice in his last three games and is set to do that again against a feeble Steelers secondary.
Khalil Shakir (WR - BUF) vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Watching the Patriots-Bucs game last year, I noticed Tampa Bay struggled to make open-field tackles and limit YAC. That’s where Shakir absolutely thrives. I think he’ll have some monster plays in this game and is a must-start.
Jordan Addison (WR - MIN) vs Chicago Bears
It’s frustrating to be a Jordan Addison owner right now. The targets are there, 11 last week against the Ravens, but just a measly 35 yards. Lucky for the Vikings offense, they face a weak Bears secondary that should allow Addison to have a much better week.
Quentin Johnston (WR - LAC) vs Jacksonville Jaguars
Johnston was receiving less work as Orande Gadsden II emerged. With the injury to the rookie tight end last week, Johnston saw his most targets since Week 4. He should keep that workload against the Jaguars and is a good wide receiver two option.
Sit 'Em
Kayshon Boutte (WR - NE) vs New York Jets
Boutte has been a surprisingly productive fantasy receiver in 2025. However, most of his points have come from touchdowns, and his workload isn’t that of a trustworthy fantasy option. I’d leave him on the bench against an above-average Jets defense.
Xavier Worthy (WR - KC) vs Denver Broncos
Let’s face it: Worthy was drafted too early this year. Since Rice has returned to the lineup, he hasn’t scored more than 11 points in a game. Plus, he plays against the best defense against receivers: the Broncos. Bench Worthy this week.
Deebo Samuel Sr. (WR - WSH) vs Miami Dolphins
Samuel’s production has decreased significantly this season when Mariota is the quarterback. With Jayden out for the foreseeable future, his fantasy values decline greatly. In addition to that, the Dolphins' secondary, despite injuries, has still held receivers to the fourth-fewest points per game.
Brian Thomas Jr. (WR - JAC) vs Los Angeles Chargers
Maybe the disappointment of the year, Brian Thomas Jr., has been awful in fantasy football. He’s only eclipsed five receptions in one game all year, and faces a great Chargers secondary this week. I can’t stomach starting him this week.
Rome Odunze (WR - CHI) vs Minnesota Vikings
This is the take that I’m the least confident in, but I’ll share it anyway. I’m worried about all the weapons in this Chicago offense, as there seems to be no rhyme or reason to who has a great week and who doesn’t. Rome had two two-reception games, followed by a 100-yard performance, then a 0-point game before last week’s boom. The Vikings have a good defense, and he could very easily put up another stinker.
By Logan Lazarczyk
Start 'Em
Kyle Pitts (TE - ATL) vs Carolina Panthers
Pitts should have had a much bigger day in Week 10, but dropped a wide-open pass that could have turned into a touchdown. In Week 11, the 25-year-old tight end faces a Panthers' defense allowing the sixth-most fantasy points per game to tight ends this season.
Cade Otton (TE - TB) vs Buffalo Bills
Otton commanded 12 targets last week, securing nine receptions for 82 yards. The Bills have allowed the fewest fantasy points per game to tight ends this season, but the defense is an overall vulnerable unit in a game that should require points.
Dalton Schultz (TE - HOU) vs Tennessee Titans
Schultz has 19 targets, 13 receptions, 130 receiving yards, and one touchdown over the last two weeks. Fire him up against Tennessee, even if Davis Mills is slated to start again.
Jake Ferguson (TE - DAL) vs Las Vegas
Ferguson disappointed against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 9, catching five passes for 50 yards. Although the Raiders' defense has quietly been one of the best against tight ends, Las Vegas is a pushover in the passing game.
Brock Bowers (TE - LV) vs Dallas Cowboys
This is an obvious choice, but Bowers was virtually shut out against the Denver Broncos, as he caught one pass for 31 yards. The second-year tight end should bounce back in a monstrous performance against the Cowboys' pitiful defense.
Sit 'Em
Theo Johnson (TE - NYG) vs Green Bay Packers
Johnson has scored double-digit fantasy points in three of the last four games. However, with Jaxson Dart presumably out of the lineup, you should fade Johnson this week.
Mark Andrews (TE - BAL) vs Cleveland Browns
Andrews has totaled three touchdowns during the last two games, but he has five receptions for 56 yards in that span. He is touchdown dependent, and the Browns allow the 12th fewest fantasy points per game to tight ends in 2025.
David Njoku (TE - CLE) vs Baltimore Ravens
Despite the New York Jets trading away their two best defensive players, the Browns' offense struggled to produce consistently. Njoku secured a touchdown reception, but only managed two catches for 21 yards in the process. Over the last few weeks, the Ravens' defense has turned things around, allowing only 13.6 points per game.
Sam LaPorta (TE - DET) vs Philadelphia Eagles
Laporta is coming off a modest performance against the Washington Commanders, but that will be difficult to replicate against the Eagles. This season, Philadelphia's defense has allowed the third-fewest yards to tight ends (284) while only allowing one touchdown in nine games against the position.
Evan Engram (TE - DEN) vs Kansas City Chiefs
Engram has only caught two of eight targets across the last two outings. With Denver's recent offensive woes paired with a tough matchup against the Chiefs' defense, avoid starting Engram this week.
