If you follow me on Twitter, you’ve probably noticed a series of tweets I share on a weekly basis regarding player and team defensive performances, all from a fantasy lens. I’m going to be sharing some of that same information with you here. I use this each week as I am making my own lineup and waiver wire decisions and thought you might find this valuable as well.

There are many players around the league that lack consistency. These players have shown off a high ceiling but also a scary floor that can cost fantasy managers a weekly win. It can be difficult to know when to trust these streaky players and big-play wide receivers are often the biggest culprits of this. In recent weeks, we’ve seen some big-time performances from these players, and thanks to a juicy matchup this week, I’d go right back to them again in Week Eleven.

Quentin Johnston, LAC

The former first-rounder Quentin Johnston was left for dynasty dead after a pitiful rookie season but he’s reminded us why he was so highly valued entering the NFL. Johnston has produced a pair of WR1 games this season and found the end zone last week against the tough Titans defense. This week, the Chargers face the Bengals, who have allowed 11 top-24 performances to receivers this year. The Chargers offense has opened up lately as they rely on Justin Herbert and the passing game. There’s also a good chance they fall behind the Bengals, forcing even more work from the passing game.

Courtland Sutton, DEN

Routinely failing to live up to expectations, Courtland Sutton’s game has opened up this season. With four top-24 performances already, Sutton is set up for another big week against the Falcons’ defense in Week 11. Atlanta has given up ten top-24 games through ten weeks and Sutton is the clear go-to guy for rookie Bo Nix and the Broncos. Thanks to Denver’s struggling running game, we may see even more from the Nix/Sutton combo against the Falcons’ explosive squad.

Calvin Ridley, TEN

Another defense that has allowed ten top-24 wideout performances so far this season is the Vikings. That’s Calvin Ridley’s foe in Week Eleven as he’s coming off his best game of the season. With DeAndre Hopkins gone from Tennessee, Ridley is the only show in town and he’s taken advantage. Ridley has posted a pair of top-five performances over the past two weeks and should eat up the Vikings’ defense.

Marquez Valdes-Scantling, NO

Okay, this one is a bit of a reach, but with bye weeks and injuries, some teams are desperate. With Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed out, the Saints passing game was also desperate. Last week, MVS shocked the world with three grabs for 109 yards and a pair of scores, finishing as the WR2 for the week. Valdes-Scantling has been known for his poor hands, but he made a pair of tough catches last week and now gets a plus matchup against the Browns, who have allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to receivers. The Saints appear likely to have to stick with MVS, so fantasy managers can, too.

Note: The scoring system used is always PPR with four points for passing touchdowns and all stats and info are provided by Fantasy Data.

Quarterbacks

Week 10 QB1s

Season-Long QB1s

Most QB1 Games This Season

Most QB1 Games Allowed

The Jaguars defense was actually impressive in intercepting Sam Darnold multiple times last week. Now, they are tied with Tampa Bay with eight QB1 games allowed. With the Bucs off, all eyes will be on the Jaguars, who face Jared Goff and the Lions’ explosive offense. The Ravens allowed a massive performance to Joe Burrow and the Bengals last week, and now face surprising Steelers starter Russell Wilson, who is worthy of a fantasy start this week.

Other quarterbacks with strong matchups this week include CJ Stroud (vs. DAL) and Justin Herbert (vs. CIN.)

The Steelers remain perfect this year, having not allowed a QB1 game this season. That will be put to the test this week against potential MVP Lamar Jackson and the Ravens. Bad matchup or not, there is no way to bench Jackson. The same could be said for a trio of other star signal callers with difficult matchups in Week Eleven. Patrick Mahomes (vs. BUF), Jordan Love (vs. CHI), and Jayden Daniels (vs. PHI) could each perform below typical expectations this week. Matthew Stafford (vs. NE) and Gardner Minshew (vs. MIA) also have matchups to avoid this week.

Running Backs

Week 10 RB1s

Season-Long RB1s

Most RB1 Games This Season

Most RB1/2 Games Allowed

Three teams have allowed more than ten top-24 running back performances so far this season. Unfortunately for fantasy managers, all three teams (CAR, ARI, TB) are on bye this week. That could lead to lower than expected fantasy scores from running backs this week.

Three teams have given up ten top-24 games, so we are left to chase them. The Bills face Kareem Hunt and the Chiefs. With Isiah Pacheco seemingly returning soon, Kansas City could ride Hunt with a heavy workload against Buffalo, making him an excellent option this week. It’s always a good time to insert David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs into your fantasy lineup but a sweet matchup against the Jaguars makes that a no-brainer. Only two teams have allowed more fantasy points to running backs than Jacksonville this season. Finally, red-hot De’Von Achane faces off against the Raiders. With Raheem Mostert suddenly being phased out of the offense, Achane’s ceiling could be even higher than what we’ve seen so far this season, if that’s possible.

Other backs with promising matchups include Nick Chubb (vs. NO) and Joe Mixon (vs. DAL.)

The Chiefs have been tough against the run all season, giving up just a pair of top-24 games to opposing backfields. This week, James Cook will test that defense that is giving up just 14 fantasy points per game to running backs. Other defenses that are allowing 18 fantasy points or less include the Vikings (vs. Tony Pollard/Tyjae Spears), Chargers (vs. Chase Brown), and Eagles (vs. Brian Robinson/Austin Ekeler.)

Wide Receivers

Week 10 WR1s

Season-Long WR1s

Most WR1/2 Games Allowed

Week 10 TE1s

The Texans and Buccaneers have each allowed a dozen top-24 performances to enemy wideouts. With Tampa resting this week, Houston could “take the lead” as they face in-state foe CeeDee Lamb and the Cowboys. Obviously, Lamb is being impacted by the recent quarterback change, not to mention his own injury issues. He remains a lineup lock, especially in this matchup.

Five other teams have allowed at least ten top-24 wideout performances and are defenses to target when choosing receivers for Week Eleven. They include the Ravens (vs. George Pickens), Bengals (vs. Ladd McConkey/Johnston), Falcons (vs. Sutton), Jaguars (vs. Amon-Ra St. Brown/Jameson Williams) and the Vikings (vs. Ridley.) Other players with positive matchups include Brian Thomas (vs. DET) and Valdes-Scantling (vs. CLE.)

The Bears, Raiders, and Titans have been tough against opposing receivers, allowing four top-24 performances each through ten weeks. This week, that means some of the top wideouts in the league could be slowed. The Bears face division-rival Green Bay, which is bad news for Jayden Reed, Christian Watson, and Romeo Doubs. Fellow NFC Northerners Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison match up with the Titans while Vegas will try to slow the duo of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.

Other receivers with tough matchups this week include Drake London/Darnell Mooney (vs. DEN), Jakobi Meyers (vs. MIA), Zay Flowers/Diontae Johnson/Rashod Bateman (vs. PIT), and Michael Pittman/Josh Downs (vs. NYJ.)

Tight Ends

Season-Long TE1s

Most TE1 Games This Season

Most TE1 Games Allowed

WEEK 11 QB PPR RANKINGS

The Ravens have now allowed a league-worst seven TE1 performances on the season, which should have Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth ready for a season-best game in Week Eleven. Next in line are the Bengals (vs. Will Dissly), Packers (vs. Cole Kmet), Jaguars (vs. Sam LaPorta.) Dalton Kincaid (vs. KC) and Jonnu Smith (vs. LV) also are in good spots for above average production this week.

The teams allowing the fewest fantasy points to tight ends through ten weeks are the Texans (vs. Jake Ferguson), Lions (vs. Evan Engram), Eagles (vs. Zach Ertz), and Browns (vs. Juwan Johnson.)

Finally, here is the chart summarizing how teams have fared against each position. I’ve also included the schedule for this week for reference.

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Ryan McDowell

Contributor at Dynasty League Football

In addition to his senior leadership role here at DLF, Ryan is also a husband, father of three and PE teacher. Ryan is the commissioner of multiple dynasty leagues, most notably the Kitchen Sink Dynasty Leagues. Here at DLF, Ryan’s focus is on identifying, monitoring and analyzing player value.

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