Fantasy Football: Here are our bold predictions for Week 11
The Yahoo Fantasy Football crew reveals their boldest takes for Week 11. Check out what Scott Pianowski, Matt Harmon, Ray Garvin, Chris Allen, Justin Boone and Joel Smyth have to say.
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Rico Dowdle is ready to run for 200 yards vs. Atlanta
The dots connect here — Atlanta’s defense is great against the pass but leaky against the run. Meanwhile, Carolina’s offense wants to hide struggling QB Bryce Young as much as possible. Chuba Hubbard’s best game of the year (17-73 rushing) came in the initial meeting between the teams, but Dowdle’s ceiling is obviously a lot higher. Get your calculator ready. — Scott Pianowski
Sean Tucker finds the end zone vs. Bills
Even if Bucky Irving is active, I don’t think Tampa Bay hands him a full workload right away after the layoff. The smart move is to keep the offense explosive by pairing Tucker with Irving while limiting Rachaad White’s touches to passing-down work. Tucker has been the most decisive runner in this room without Irving, and his burst is noticeable compared to White. Buffalo’s front has been giving up big runs against explosive runners. Backs are finding success in the gaps and on the edge vs. the Bills of late. We just watched De’Von Achane run wild over them and Tucker can attack those same lanes if given the opportunity. Baker Mayfield has this group playing as well as can be expected given this team's injury luck, which sets up valuable carries near the goal line. With Irving potentially being eased in, Tucker can still find success.
Plant it now. Tucker punches in a score this week, even if Irving is back in the lineup. — Ray Garvin
Jaylen Waddle finishes as the WR1 overall
I don’t think most realize how good Jaylen Waddle has been since inheriting the No. 1 receiver gig from Tyreek Hill after he went on IR following Week 4. Since Week 5, Waddle ranks fifth in yards per route run (2.94), fifth in first downs per route (13.3%) and 10th in total EPA on his targets (30.3). Simply put, he’s played like one of the best receivers in football. He was always capable of being this guy, he was just blocked by a veteran given more layup routes than him. Now, we see what Waddle can do when elevated in the progression.
Here in Week 11, he gets a matchup in Madrid against a Commanders defense that doesn’t come close to matching his level of speed. While he can beat man coverage, all of Waddle’s efficiency metrics increase against zone coverage. Washington allows the most points per dropback in zone coverage, per Fantasy Points Data. I expect Waddle to put up a huge number early Sunday morning. — Matt Harmon
Jaylen Warren finishes as a top-3 fantasy RB
Warren’s best game of the season from a yardage standpoint came when he played the Bengals in Week 7. During that contest, he racked up 158 scrimmage yards on 21 touches and was the RB10 overall. It’s no secret that Cincinnati’s defense has been the easiest matchup for fantasy backs this year, allowing weekly finishes of RB3, RB3, RB10, RB4, RB9, RB13, RB4, RB12 and RB16. The Steelers are favored by 5.5 points in a game with one of the highest projected point totals on the slate at 48.5. That’s a very nice environment for a spike week from a running back who has a very favorable schedule the rest of the way. If you haven’t tried to trade for Warren yet, make sure you get an offer out before Sunday. — Justin Boone
Jordan Addison sneaks back into the top 25 vs. Bears
On the positive side, Addison has earned a 23.4% target share (4 and 11 single-game totals) in his two full games with J.J. McCarthy. Addison also led the team in air yards during their divisional win over the Lions. Said another way, the opportunity has been there for the third-year receiver. But the rapport with McCarthy is still developing. Despite the volume, he was down to a 50% catchable target rate last Sunday. But facing the Bears will help both the QB and receiver. Chicago has averaged the seventh-lowest pressure rate over the last six games while giving up the ninth-most yards per game to receivers. Plus, the Bears have given up a catch of 20 yards or more in every game since Week 6. So while the quality of targets is a concern for Addison, in this matchup, the volume should get him back into the WR2 conversation. — Chris Allen
Greg Dulcich becomes a fantasy TE1 for the week
As someone who loved Greg Dulcich out of college, I’m speaking this into existence. The Dolphins travel to Spain this weekend as their young TE looks to capitalize on his increased playing time. Dulcich’s route share reached 76% in Week 10, the 12th-best among TEs, or how I would put it, a TE1 route share. If he wants to be a fantasy TE1 this week, those routes will have to turn into production versus a Commanders secondary that ranks 30th in yards per attempt allowed to the position this year. Look for Dulcich to string together a couple of big plays or have his first touchdown since 2022 to place him as a top-12 fantasy TE in Week 11. — Joel Smyth