Welcome back IDP Nerds. We are entering the final stretch of the 2023 dynasty fantasy football season. Unfortunately, it’s that time of the season when one key injury can hurt your chances of making a championship run. It’s of the utmost importance we are using trades, waiver wire pickups, and smart lineup decision-making to our advantage. I’m here to give you some of the best data to help guide you in the right direction. Last week, we finished with 53.8% accuracy, bringing your season total to 57%. We continue to trend in the right direction, and I’m excited to dive into Week 11.
Check out the teams putting together the start/sit columns this season. Follow us, friend us, and tweet us. We look forward to hearing from you!
- QB: Mike Hicks (@DroptheMikeFF) – Changing the Call
- RB: Jake Oliver (@DarthDbacks) – The Cutback
- WR: Tristan Cook (@THEtristancook) – Slant Pattern
- TE: Steven Pintado (@CoachStevenP) – 12 Formation
- FLEX: Evan Brown (@FFEVanlution) – Let’s Talk About Flex
- IDP: Jon Glosser (@Glosser13) – IDP Start/Sit
NOTE: Rankings are based on a 12-team PPR league. So, saying WR2 means top 24, or TE1 means top 12, etc., and are pulled from Fantasy Pros consensus expert rankings.
Dallas Cowboys @ Carolina Panthers
Start
Vonn Bell DB, Carolina Panthers
We start with a big mismatch in the NFC as the Dallas Cowboys travel to Carolina to take on one of the worst teams in the entire league. The Panthers are fighting to not reward the Chicago Bears with the top pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Carolina veteran defensive back Vonn Bell returned to action last week and played 100% of the defensive snaps. Although he didn’t put up a big performance, he’s facing a Dallas offense that allows 65 tackles per game to opposing defenses. The Cowboys are the 6th most favorable matchup to DBs this season, allowing 15 tackles per game to the safety position. The former Ohio State DB played 33% of box snaps last week and should have a good week against a Dallas Cowboys offense that has allowed three DB1 weeks this season.
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cleveland Browns
Start
Elandon Roberts LB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Welcome to the dead zone of linebackers in the 2023 season. The Pittsburgh Steelers have been hit hard by injuries at the linebacker position over the last two weeks, losing both their starting linebackers to season-ending injuries. It’s a true ‘next man up’ philosophy for the Steelers and dynasty managers alike.
Elandon Roberts steps in as the LB to start this week in a great matchup against the Cleveland Browns. The Browns have allowed a league-leading 19.7 tackles per game to opposing linebackers. Elandon Roberts is nothing special, but he’s been very efficient this season and is the only Pittsburgh LB who can play 100% of the snaps at this point. The veteran LB has outperformed his projection total in six of nine games this season. We’re using our waiver wire to our advantage this week and firing up Elandon Roberts in our lineups.
Chicago Bears @ Detroit Lions
Sit
Montez Sweat DL, Chicago Bears
This one is sad because Montez Sweat was one of the most reliable defensive linemen among all IDPs this season before the trade to Chicago. He had 12 points or more in six of his first eight games while recording 6.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. He was a great addition to a Chicago Bears defense that needed help creating pressure, but his production has dropped off drastically. Montez Sweat has just two solo tackles and four pressures in two games with his new team.
I hate sitting a defensive lineman with such upside, especially knowing how thin the position is. The Chicago Bears are dead last in the NFL in sacks and rank 27th in pressures this season. They will match up with the Detroit Lions, one of only six teams allowing less than two sacks per game this season. As much as I love Montez Sweat, the player this week, he’s a fade for me if you can find better options.
Los Angeles Chargers @ Green Bay Packers
Start
Keisean Nixon DB, Green Bay Packers
If you’re looking for a cornerback to start this week, look no further than one playing the Los Angeles Chargers high-powered passing attack. The Chargers allow the second most tackles per game (15) to cornerbacks this season. This week, I like Keisean Nixon in this matchup; he’s averaged 15.6 fantasy points per game this season. Since Rasul Douglas was traded to the Buffalo Bills, Nixon has 14 tackles and has been targeted 14 times. He’s in a good spot for another double-digit performance this week, as I’m sure he will see a heavy dose of targets trying to stop Keenan Allen and the Chargers passing game.
Arizona Cardinals @ Houston Texans
Start
Blake Cashman LB, Houston Texans
Blake Cashman steps in as middle linebacker for the Houston Texans this week with both of their starters out. This is a great spot for Cashman, who has at least five tackles in every game that he’s played more than 12 snaps in this season. The Texans veteran LB averages 20.6 fantasy points per game over his last five games. The Houston linebackers have a great opportunity this week against the Arizona Cardinals, who rank as the 8th most favorable matchup to the position. IDP managers desperate for linebacker help can take advantage of a solid opportunity in the early window of the Week 11 slate.
Tennessee Titans @ Jacksonville Jaguars
Start
Amani Hooker DB, Tennessee Titans
Amani Hooker and the Tennessee defense will travel to Jacksonville to face the slumping Jaguars for the first time this season. He is on pace for career highs in both tackles and fantasy points this season. This matchup doesn’t look good on paper but going off some history here to recommend Hooker as a starter this week. The former Iowa Hawkeye has recorded double-digit performances in his last two against the Jaguars. He’s averaging over six tackles per game this season. The Titans defense is looking at a long afternoon against a Jacksonville offense that should move the ball with ease. I’m expecting a high-volume tackle game from the Tennessee DB, and hopefully, he can sprinkle in an impact play to give us a potential matchup-swinging performance.
Las Vegas Raiders @ Miami Dolphins
Sit
Divine Deablo LB, Las Vegas Raiders
Divine Deablo returned to action for the Raiders defense last week, turning in a seven-tackle performance on just 44 snaps. Robert Spillane has taken over as the centerpiece of the Las Vegas LB group. Divine Deablo is still a solid player, but it’s a bit concerning trusting him coming off injury and with Luke Masterson playing behind him effectively.
The Raiders have a tough matchup in Week 11, with the Miami Dolphins coming off their bye week. The Dolphins are the least favorable matchup to linebackers this season, allowing just 127 tackles to the position. I don’t think this is a complete fade for IDP managers, but if you’re between players, I would look to sit Deablo based on the matchup. The Miami offense has allowed just two LB1 weeks this season in their first nine games.
New York Giants @ Washington Commanders
Start
Micah McFadden LB, New York Giants
Micah McFadden has taken a backseat to teammate Bobby Okereke, who is having a very good season for IDP managers. The University of Indiana product is also having a special season on pace to set career highs in tackles, impact plays, and fantasy points in 2023. The New York Giants are struggling this season but have one of the league’s most underrated LB groups. Micah McFadden is coming off seven consecutive games of 10+ fantasy points and has reached that total in eight of nine games overall.
The Giants defense played the second-most snaps in Week 10, and with the continuous struggles on offense, it doesn’t look like it will change anytime soon. McFadden played just shy of 86% of snaps last week, with most of those coming on early downs. The Washington Commanders offense has allowed four LB1 weeks this season. I’m confident that both New York linebackers will post a strong Week 11 for IDP managers as they have for most of this season.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ San Francisco 49ers
Sit
Shaq Barrett DL, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers EDGE rusher has been on a tear over the past two games. Shaq Barrett has totaled six tackles, two sacks, and a forced fumble in his last eight quarters of football. As much as I find it difficult to sit hot players, this one is a no-brainer. The San Francisco 49ers offense allows just 1.7 sacks per game and has only surrendered one DL1 performance this season. The Tampa Bay defense has also used a heavier rotation over the past couple of games, with four EDGE rushers playing at least 35% of snaps. Shaq Barrett is a fade for me in this Week 11 road matchup with the San Francisco offense.
New York Jets @ Buffalo Bills
Start
Jordan Poyer DB, Buffalo Bills
It appeared Jordan Poyer was done from an IDP perspective to start this season with just one double-digit performance over his first five games. The veteran DB was also forced to miss a game due to injury. He was dropped across most IDP leagues, as he averaged just 7.8 fantasy points per game.
Jordan Poyer has stepped up over the past month of the season after Matt Milano’s injury. Poyer has averaged 20.5 points per game over the past four games and has been a reliable starter in the DB position. The New York Jets have only allowed one DB1 week this season, but Jordan Poyer has had success against them with 10+ points in seven of his last eight games against them. The Buffalo DB has seen an uptick in box usage, playing 123 box snaps over his last four games. I like his chances to keep his hot streak going in a must-win game for the Buffalo Bills.
Seattle Seahawks @ Los Angeles Rams
Start
Christian Rozeboom LB, Los Angeles Rams
The Los Angeles Rams have found a very underrated LB in South Dakota State’s Christian Rozeboom. He’s having a breakout season with 48 tackles this season. He’s recorded at least nine fantasy points in 88% of his games this season. The Rams look like they will get Ernest Jones back this week, who has been dealing with a lingering issue all season. The two together have been fun to watch for the young Rams’ defense.
The Seattle Seahawks are not a great matchup for opposing LBs; they allow just 13.2 tackles per game to the position. When Seattle has been good this season, they have controlled the ball, which was the opposite in the first game against the Rams. I think the Seahawks will look to lean on the running game as they have over the past few weeks, and this should give the Rams’ linebackers more opportunities.
Minnesota Vikings @ Denver Broncos
Start
Ivan Pace Jr. LB, Minnesota Vikings
The time has come for Ivan Pace to step into an every-down role for the Minnesota Vikings. The undrafted rookie LB started the season strong with 16 tackles and a half sack through his first two games. Since then, he has played a rotational role and has failed to score more than 8 fantasy points in a game. This is a huge opportunity for IDP managers who have stashed Pace on their rosters this season.
The Denver Broncos have allowed an average of 17.6 tackles per game to opposing LBs this season. They have allowed five LB1 weeks this season while allowing the highest LB tackle efficiency (30.4%). All the signs point to a strong week ahead for the rookie LB in this matchup.
Philadelphia Eagles @ Kansas City Chiefs
Sit
Jalen Carter DL, Philadelphia Eagles
Usually, when I’m showing the DT-premium leagues some love, it is as recommended starts, but this week, we’ll be doing something different. Jalen Carter is a sit for me this week in a rematch of last season’s Super Bowl, a game he didn’t play. I love Jalen Carter, and it still seems like this could backfire, but I’m fading him in this matchup. The Kansas City Chiefs allow 1.4 sacks per game this season and have one of the strongest interior offensive lines in football. Kansas City Chiefs guard Joe Thuney leads all NFL guards in pass block grade (81.3) and helps solidify the strongest part of the Chiefs offensive line. I love Jalen Carter, but this matchup isn’t in his favor, so I’d be looking elsewhere for your DT-premium options ahead of Week 11.
The Wrap-up
That will do it for the week 11 breakdowns. I appreciate, as always, your taking the time to fill up your heads with this nerdy IDP knowledge. As the end of the season creeps closer, the schedules get a little crazier. I’ll deliver these weekly articles sooner in the week to give you the best data to help make your decisions as soon as possible.
I look forward to catching up with you all next week as the best time of year approaches with football, family, and food for the Thanksgiving holiday. Until next week, good luck with your matchups and keep your nose to the grind as we continue to work towards securing a dynasty fantasy football championship.
