Week 11 wasn’t too kind to fantasy football with Kenneth Walker, Cooper Kupp, De’Von Achane, D’Onta Foreman, and Aaron Jones all being forced from their games due to injury. There were only two 100-yard rushers and 16 running backs that ran for more than 50 yards – about half.
Six of the Top-14 fantasy wideouts on Sunday were almost certainly not started – Khalil Shakir, Dontayvion Wicks, Darius Slayton, Odell Beckham, Greg Dortch and Calvin Ridley.
Fantasy scores were likely lower in your leagues. But that happens every season and we’ve not had almost any impact from weather in any game yet.
Dallas 33, Carolina 10
Just a standard win when the Cowboys face a weak team. They won by 23 points, and yet no one had a big game. Dak Prescott threw for 189 yards and two scores. Brandin Cook (3-42) led the wideouts while CeeDee Lamb’s (6-38, TD) three-game 150-yard streak is over. Four other receivers ended between 20 and 30 yards. Tony Pollard only ran 12 times for 61 yards and a score, while Rico Dowdle ran for 23 yards on his eight carries. The Cowboys’ defense scored on an interception return, but this easy win went past without inflating the fantasy points for any player. The Cowboys rise to 7-3 and host the Commanders during the second game on Thanksgiving.
The Panthers haven’t evolved much this year. Bryce Young was limited to only 123 passing yards and one score to Tommy Tremble on his only catch in the game. Adam Thielen (8-74) was the only receiver with more than two catches or 20 yards. The backfield was effective but split the workload into two between Chuba Hubbard (10-57) and Miles Sanders (11-50). The Panthers just need to decide what to do with that No. 1 overall draft pick… no wait… they traded it to the Bears. The 1-9 Panthers head to Tennessee this weekend.
Pittsburgh 10, Cleveland 13
What a great watch for fans of great defense and bad offense. Kenny Pickett only threw for 106 yards despite completing 15 of 28 passes. George Pickens (4-38) led the receivers, who mostly had the day off. Jaylen Warren (9-129, TD) scored on a 74-yard run in the early third quarter and added three catches for 12 yards as the only productive fantasy starter. Najee Harris settled for just 35 yards on 12 rushes. Neither team deserved a win, and the Steelers got half of their yardage on the one long run by Warren. They fall to 6-4 and play in Cincy on Sunday.
The Browns did very little other than play great defense. The offense without Deshaun Watson took yet another step down. Dorian Thompson-Robinson passed for 165 yards and an interception. Elijah Moore (6-60) and David Njoku (7-56) were the top receivers, while Amari Cooper (4-34) looks like he’s going to suffer the most with Watson gone. Kareem Hunt (12-36) and Jerome Ford (12-31, TD) struggled to move the ball. But at home, the defense was good enough to keep their opponent just within reach of the mediocre offense and that will be the game plan for the rest of the year. The Browns rise to 7-3 and head to Denver for Week 12.
Chicago 26, Detroit 31
Just when the Bears look like they have a win – nope. They led 26-14 with only three minutes left to play and gave up a touchdown, a field goal, and even a safety to end the game. Justin Fields threw for 169 yards and one score to DJ Moore (7-96, TD), while no other receiver gained more than 24 yards including Cole Kmet (2-19). Fields also ran for 104 yards on 18 rushes, and he only threw 23 passes, so he is back to being a runner that sometimes throws. D’Onta Foreman (6-14, TD) left the game with an ankle injury and Khalil Herbert’s return only totaled 32 yards on 15 carries. The loss drops the Bears to 3-8 and they visit the Vikings on next Monday night.
The Lions sleep for the first three quarters but wake up and steal the win in the end. Jared Goff passed for 236 yards and two scores between Amon-Ra St. Brown (8-77, TD) and even Jameson Williams (2-44, TD). David Montgomery gained 76 yards on 12 rushes and provided the winning score against his old team. Jahmyr Gibbs gained 36 yards and a touchdown on his eight rushes and added six catches for 59 yards for a fine performance even with Montgomery there. The win lifts the Lions to 8-2 and they host the Packers for the first game on Thanksgiving.
Los Angeles Chargers 20, Green Bay 23
The Packers led 16-13 with five minutes left to play when Keenan Allen caught a touchdown to reclaim the lead. But the Packers threw a touchdown to Romeo Doubs to provide the winning points.
Justin Herbert ended with 260 passing yards and two scores but that mostly happened late in the game. Allen led the receivers with 116 yards and a score on ten catches, while no other wideout gained more than 21 yards. The tight ends Stone Smartt (1-51, TD) and Donald Parham (4-57) were more involved than usual and need to be as little as the non-Allen wideouts are doing. Austin Ekeler ran for 64 yards on ten carries but only caught two passes for six yards. Herbert was the leading rusher with 73 yards on eight runs. The 4-6 Chargers continue to spin out of contention despite being competitive in games. They look to get a win playing on Sunday night against the Ravens.
Jordan Love had one of his best games, throwing for 322 yards and two scores, and all it took was to have the No. 31 defense against the pass visit Green Bay. Dontayvion Wicks (3-91) led the receivers with a couple of deep catches while Romeo Doubs (5-53, TD) and Christian Watson (2-21, TD) handled the scoring. Jayden Reed scored on a 32-yard run and was the leading rusher with 46 yards on three carries. The Packers rushing offense was of little help between AJ Dillon (14-29) and Aaron Jones (4-14). None of the Packers turned in notable fantasy games. The 4-6 Packers play in Detroit during the first game on Thanksgiving.
Arizona 16, Houston 21
The Texans led 21-10 at halftime and the Cardinals only managed one score in the third quarter. Kyler Murray was the only fantasy notable throwing for 214 yards and a score, plus rushing for 51 yards on seven runs. Greg Dortch (6-76) and Rondale Moore(1-48, TD) were the top receivers, though Trey McBride (5-43) continues to see higher usage while Marquise Brown (2-18) had a down game. James Conner ran for 62 yards on 14 carries but only gained one yard on his two catches. The Cardinals’ offense was sluggish but their defense intercepted the Texans three times to keep the score down. The 2-9 Cardinals host the Rams on Sunday.
The Texans took the win despite never scoring in the second half, but C.J. Stroud threw for 336 yards and two scores but suffered his first three-interception performance to kill drives and keep the Cardinals within striking distance. Tank Dell (8-149, TD) had another monster performance while Nico Collins (7-65) and Dalton Schultz (2-32, TD) were the next-best receivers. Devin Singletary (22-112, TD) again was everything they wanted out of Dameon Pierce. The Texans’ offense was good enough to win, and their turnovers prevented a much bigger loss for the Cardinals. The Texans rise to 6-4 and host the Jaguars next Sunday.
Tennessee 14, Jacksonville 34
This was never close. The Jaguars led 27-0 until the Titans finally scored on the final play of the third quarter. Will Levis threw for 158 yards and two scores and completed 13 of 17. DeAndre Hopkins (4-59, TD) and Chris Moore (1-49) were the only receivers with more than 23 yards. Derrick Henry only gained 38 yards on ten carries and caught a 6-yard pass. The Titans never got anything going until the Jaguars were already assured of the win. They drop to 3-7 and host the Panthers on Sunday.
Trevor Lawrence turned in one of his better efforts this year. He threw for 262 yards and two scores and ran for 17 yards and two more touchdowns on five runs. Calvin Ridley (7-103, 2 TD) popped up just when most fantasy owners had given up on him. Christian Kirk (3-48) and Evan Engram (4-29) had a quiet game. Travis Etienne only gained 52 yards on 14 rushes and added three catches for seven yards. Tank Bigsby (9-21) saw more use than normal since the Jags were just running out the close for the entire second half. They rise to 7-3 and play in Houston on Sunday.
Las Vegas 13, Miami 20
This matchup was much closer than expected but was almost certainly a sluggish effort by the Dolphins, knowing they could win. The Raiders led 14-13 at halftime but never scored again while the Fins kicked two field goals.
Aiden O’Connell passed for 271 yards and a touchdown but also tossed three interceptions. Davante Adams (7-82, TD) had a better connection with O’Connell, while Jakobi Meyers (4-49) and Michael Mayer (4-46) were held to moderate production. Josh Jacobs only gained 39 yards on 14 carries and caught a 12-yard pass. It wasn’t a great performance overall, but at least O’Connell and Adams had better production and gives hope that the passing game will improve after the quarterback change. The Raiders drop to 5-6 and host the Chiefs on Sunday.
The Dolphins had a scare when Tyreek Hill left the game with a wrist injury, but he returned. Tua Tagovailoa passed for 325 yards and two scores naturally favored Hill (10-146, TD). Jaylen Waddle (4-55) and Salvon Ahmed (3-25, TD) were the next-best receivers after Hill soaked up most of the throws. De’Von Achane fantasy owners waited five weeks to get their surprise star back, but he only had two touches before injuring his knee and leaving the game. Raheem Mostert (22-86) was good enough to keep the ball moving, though he only added one short catch. The 7-3 Dolphins play at the Jets on the new Black Friday game.
Tampa Bay 14, San Francisco 27
No surprises here with the 49ers leading 27-7 before the Buccaneers had a fourth-quarter score to make it look more respectable. Baker Mayfield ended with 246 passing yards and one score to Mike Evans (5-43, TD) while Cade Otton (4-49) and Chris Godwin (6-39) also contributed. Rachaad White was the best fantasy play, running for 30 yards and a touchdown on just nine carries and catching six passes for 28 yards. The Bucs were forced to throw 45 passes and run the ball just 13 times. Otton is earning more targets and led the team in receiving yards. The 4-6 Buccaneers head to Indianapolis on Sunday.
The 49ers looked completely back to form. Brock Purdy passed for 333 yards and three touchdowns between Brandon Aiyuk (5-156, TD), George Kittle (8-89, TD), and Christian McCaffrey (5-25). Throw in Deebo Samuel (3-63); those were the only four receivers who caught a pass. McCaffrey added 78 yards in 21 rushes, as well. Every fantasy play from the 49ers had a decent to great game. The 7-3 49ers play in the final game on Thanksgiving.
New York Jets 6, Buffalo 32
Playing without an offense was going to catch up to the Jets eventually. They faced a very desperate motivated Bills defense and the beat was on. By this point, Zach Wilson is like the head coach’s son in peewee football who is just going to be the quarterback no matter what the parents say. He threw for 81 yards and one score with an interception and was eventually replaced by Tim Boyle. They combined for 14 of 29 passing for 114 yards. Breece Hall, of course, was the leading receiver with five catches for 50 yards and “the touchdown.”. He also ran for 23 yards on ten carries because the entire defense figured he’d run it on every play. No other receiver gained more than 25 yards. The Jets defense finally broke down. The 4-6 Jets host the Dolphins on the Black Friday game and get a chance at an up-close look at an actual offense.
Finally, the Bills looked back to form with Josh Allen throwing for 275 yards and three scores but only rushing for 15 yards without the obligatory rushing score this week. Khalil Shakir (3-115, TD) turned in an 81-yard score, while the rest of the receivers weren’t much. Dalton Kincaid (6-46) and Stefon Diggs (4-27) were less productive than usual but James Cook had one of his better performances with 73 yards on 17 carries and three catches for 29 yards and a touchdown. The Bills dominated the Jets in all facets and need to take that momentum with them on the road to Philadelphia for Week 12.
Seattle 16, Los Angeles Rams 17
Yet another yawner, flavored with the bitter loss of Cooper Kupp after one catch and Kenneth Walker after four rushes. Geno Smith was knocked out of the game but returned. He threw for 233 yards and one score. DK Metcalf (5-94, TD) dominated the receiving, while Tyler Lockett (5-51) and Jaxon Smith-Njigba (3-40) as contributors. Walker left with an oblique injury and Zach Charbonnet (15-47) took over. He also caught six passes for 22 yards. The Seahawks led 16-7 midway in the third quarter but never scored again. They drop to 6-4 and host the 49ers in the late game on Thanksgiving.
The Rams scratched their way back into this game and their defense rose up in the final quarter. Matt Stafford threw for 190 yards and one score, with most of that happening in the fourth quarter. Cooper Kupp left after just one catch, and Puka Nacua (5-70, TD) stepped up with all of his production coming in the second half. No other receiver gained more than 28 yards. Royce Freeman ran surprisingly well, gaining 73 yards on 17 carries, while Darrell Henderson ran six times to gain one yard but stole the rushing touchdown and caught four passes for 28 yards. The Rams rise to 4-6 and play at the Cardinals on Sunday.
Minnesota 20, Denver 21
The Broncos are winning games. Three in a row, currently. They hosted the Vikings who led 20-15 with only three minutes left to play and then Courtland Sutton caught a 15-yard score with a minute left to steal the win back. Russell Wilson passed for 259 yards and a score with no interceptions. Sutton (4-66, TD) and Samaje Perine (7-60) were the top receivers and Jerry Jeudy (5-58) was close behind. No other receivers gained more than 33 yards, The backfield relied on Javonte Williams (11-37) with marginal results but he had all but two carries. But Williams caught two passes for 16 yards. Even Jaleel McLaughlin (5-14) had more receptions. The Broncos kicked five fields goals and their only touchdown was that final minute score. They rise to 5-5 and host the Browns this week.
The Vikings threw an interception and lost two fumbles compared to no turnovers for the Broncos. Joshua Dobbs finally wasn’t the savior, throwing for 221 yards and one score, though he ran in a touchdown. T.J. Hockenson (4-55) and Josh Oliver (4-47, TD) led the receivers while Dobbs had more trouble connecting to his wideouts this week. Jordan Addison settled for 44 yards on three catches as the most productive. The backfield was effective when used. Alexander Mattison (18-81) and Ty Chandler (10-73) split the work up and Chandler (4-37) was also used more often as a receiver. The Vikings slip to 6-5 and host the Bears on Monday night.
GAME-O-THE-WEEK: New York Giants 31, Washington 19
Go figure. The least interesting game turned into one of the highest scoring. Who knew?
The Giants waited until they faced one of the weakest defenses in the league and then came to life just after getting throttled by the Cowboys for the second time this year. Tommy DeVito threw for 246 yards and three touchdowns between Darius Slayton (4-82, TD) and Saquon Barkley (4-57, 2 TD), while no other receivers topped 38 yards or scored. Barkley also ran for 83 yards on 14 carries and was basically the Giants offense other than the one 40-yard touchdown catch by Slayton. The Giants only totaled seven passing scores on the year, so Week 11 was a major aberration. The 3-8 Giants host the Patriots for Week 12.
The Commanders threw three interceptions and lost three fumbles, so sustained drives were a rarity. Sam Howell threw for 255 yards and a score in addition to all those interceptions but struggled to connect with his wideouts. The best was Terry McLaurin (5-43), while Brian Robinson (7-58) and Logan Thomas (5-58) were the top receivers. Robinson also ran for 73 yards on 17 carries and Chris Rodriguez turned six carries into 43 yards. The Giants’ defense won this game and even returned one of Howell’s interceptions for a touchdown. The 4-7 Commanders play in Dallas for the second game on Thanksgiving.
