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Thursday Night Football Matchup Analysis (Week 11)

Russell Wilson is making a strong case for league-MVP consideration...

The play that saw him spinning and dodging on the way to a 40-plus yard completion to Doug Baldwin shows not only how prolific of an athlete Wilson is, but also how he is the spark to this entire offense. He is putting together one of the best seasons of his young career and likely would have been the driver behind a Superbowl caliber team if not for the season-ending Achilles injury to Richard Sherman. On the other side, Drew Stanton looked very capable after Sherman's injury and helped veteran Larry Fitzgerald top 100 receiving yards in the 22-16 loss. Unfortunately, Stanton's sprained knee is likely to keep him out in Week 11 and give Blaine Gabbert the opportunity to start, making an uncertain situation even worse.

When the Tennessee Titans head to Pittsburgh in a matchup with the Steelers this Thursday, there will be plenty of opportunity for scoring. Pittsburgh will be without cornerback Joe Haden and likely linebacker Harrison Smith while the Titans boast a fairly mediocre pass defense. As there are plenty of defensive holes to be exploited, there should be plenty of high-flying action to go around. Fantasy owners should be licking their chops at the opportunity to start some of the players in this game and I'll do my best to help convince you who they are with this article. Let's dive into the Thursday Night Football Matchup Analysis for Week 11!

Editor's Note: The FFPC Baby Gorilla Tournament is now open, featuring a $100,000 grand prize and a $675,450 total prize pool! This 12-team, Tight End Premium contest uses a 20-round draft format, with the overall winners determined by total points scored during Weeks 15–17. Get $25 to use toward your first entry by signing up through our link. Grab your team now! Sign Up Now!

 

Tennessee Titans @ Pittsburgh Steelers

Date and Start Time: Thursday, November 16 at 8:00 PM ET

Notable Injuries and Status:

  • Joe Haden (DB, PIT) - Fibula - Out
  • Martavis Bryant (WR, PIT) - Illness - Questionable
  • Vance McDonald (TE, PIT) - Ankle - Questionable
  • James Harrison (LB, PIT) - Back - Questionable
  • Mike Mitchell (DB, PIT) - Ankle - Questionable

 

Offensive and Defensive Rankings (2017):

Titans Steelers
Passing Yards  27th  10th
Rushing Yards  8th  18th
Pass Defense  19th  2nd
Run  Defense  6th  11th

 
 

Must Starts

Top Performers That Have To Be In Your Lineup

Delanie Walker (TE, TEN)

I was someone who wasn't so high on Walker going into 2017, but he has managed to put together a solid season so far with top-10 rankings in both standard and PPR formats. He is also riding a hot-streak of at least five receptions per game over his last three contests that I have no doubt will continue against a Steeler's defense without stalwart linebacker Harrison Smith. Trust the target leader for the Titans to pull out a great performance and perhaps put up his first touchdown of the year.

Le'Veon Bell (RB, PIT)

Start your studs, plain and simple. I shouldn't have to mention how Bell averages 93.3 rushing yards per game, nor should I have to point out that he is on pace for the second-most touches in a single season. The volume paired with his versatility are next-level assets and the Titans are 29th in receiving points allowed per game to backs, meaning Bell will be featured heavily much the same way he has all season long. Start. Your. Studs.

Antonio Brown (WR, PIT)

Although I have already made this point twice now, start your studs. Brown's down week in what should have been a juicy matchup against the Indianapolis Colts may cause some owners to pause. However, that game was the first of the season where he was held below 60 receiving yards and should be an anomaly in what has been an otherwise stellar season. As a virtual lock to finish in the top-10 on a weekly basis, there should be no inhibitions about firing him up as a WR1.

 

Must Sits

Players To Avoid Putting In Your Lineup

DeMarco Murray / Derrick Henry (RBs, TEN)

I hate to break this to Murray owners who are riding high after his three touchdown game, but it will be nearly impossible for him to replicate that performance this week against the stingy Pittsburgh Steelers' front-seven. In that matchup, Murray was relatively ineffective with an average of three rush yards per carry and converted his two rushing touchdowns from a total of three yards outside the end zone. Tennessee averages the fewest yards per drive on the road this season, and with Murray and Henry virtually splitting carries, neither are likely to carry prolific fantasy value outside of the potential touchdown upside that has fluctuated between the two.

Eric Decker (WR, TEN)

Volume will always be the question with Decker, who has quite simply failed to live up to offseason expectations that had him pinned as a dominant red zone bully. He has one game with more than four receptions and has one receiving touchdown despite leading the team in red zone targets, a troubling disconnect considering how effective he was in past seasons with the New York Jets and Denver Broncos. He should be viewed as a WR4/5-type of player for the remainder of the season and isn't worth rostering outside of deep leagues.

Martavis Bryant (WR, PIT)

The off-field issues for Bryant certainly haven't helped his fantasy production, as is clear from his career-low 13.3 receiving yards per game. To add to the negatives, he was out-snapped last week by JuJu Smith-Schuster who played on 16 more snaps and seems to have a firm grip on the No. 2 wideout spot. Although Bryant's athleticism is undeniable, he simply doesn't get enough attention to garner any interest as a fantasy starter. He is borderline droppable if not for the immense upside in the event of an injury, but he needs to be kept sidelined until he can prove his worth.

Other Notable Must Sits: Vance McDonald / Jesse James (TEs, PIT)

 

Solid Options/Sleepers

Which Players Will Have Solid Games and Which Could Surprise?

Solid Option: Marcus Mariota (QB, TEN)

Mariota might finally be healthy enough to warrant fantasy consideration. The numbers from his tilt with the Bengals shouldn't be taken at face-value, as he had a number of circumstantial plays that stymied his passing stats like a Corey Davis fumble in the end zone and Rishard Matthews drop near the goal line. Although he suffered a minor left shoulder injury, he seems to be on track to play and should provide a safe floor with his scrambling ability on a healthy ankle.

Solid Option: Ben Roethlisberger (QB, PIT)

Fantasy owners who drafted Roethlisberger haven't been getting an exceptional return on their investment, especially last week in a game against a bottom-tier Colts team that shouldn't have been as close as it was. He looked awfully shaky on his gimme interception and was probably lucky to not have thrown another later in the game, but Roethlisberger should be counted on to put up fantasy numbers in the mid-QB2 to low-QB1 range against a Tennessee team that hasn't seemed to get it together in the secondary. Further, Roethlisberger has a quarterback rating of 98.6 at home compared to 88.8 on the road for his career.

Sleeper: JuJu Smith-Schuster (WR, PIT)

I could have put one of the Tennessee wide receivers in this spot, but I will instead go with one of the hottest players at the position in Smith-Schuster who has seemingly come out of nowhere to secure playing time as the Steelers' No. 2 wide receiver. This man is on fire with back-to-back five reception games that each included 90-plus receiving yards and a touchdown, making him a candidate for one of the best waiver wire adds of 2017. The signs of optimism are there for Smith-Schuster against a Titans crew that has allowed 12 receiving touchdowns this year, meaning his rapport with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger can only improve.

Other Notable Sleepers: Rishard Matthews / Corey Davis (WRs, TEN)

 

More Week 11 Lineup Prep




REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Darius Slayton

Lacking Long-Term Upside for Dynasty Managers
Keaton Mitchell

a Prime Dynasty Handcuff Option Entering First Season in L.A.
Jadarian Price

Looks Like the Running Back of the Future in Seattle
Isaiah Bond

Dynasty Outlook Clouded by Uncertain Role in Cleveland
James Cook III

Remains a High-End Dynasty RB1 Entering 2026
Lamar Jackson

Poised for Bounce Back Season in 2026
Bucky Irving

Expected to Be Ready for Training Camp
Kyle Williams

Deep Threat Kyle Williams Facing Uphill Battle for Playing Time
Michael Pittman Jr.

Could Receive Short-Term Value Uptick in PPR Leagues
Stefon Diggs

Chiefs, Commanders Could Make Sense for Stefon Diggs
Will Howard

Dynasty Value Dealt a Blow
Jaylen Warren

Should Benefit From Veteran QB's Return to Pittsburgh
Drew Allar

Could Continue to Hold Dynasty Value
Pat Freiermuth

Could See a Small Dynasty Bump With Veteran QB Returning
DK Metcalf

A Dynasty Sell Candidate With Veteran QB Returning?
Bones Hyland

Wants to Stay in Minnesota
Mike Conley

Hints He Will Continue Playing Next Season
Kevin Huerter

Iffy for Sunday Night
Caris LeVert

Questionable for Game 7
Duncan Robinson

Back on Injury Report Ahead of Game 7
Larry Nance Jr.

Likely Out Sunday Due to Illness
Munetaka Murakami

Fantastic First Season Continues With Two More Homers
Cristopher Sánchez

Cristopher Sanchez Dazzles With 13-Strikeout Complete Game on Saturday
Aaron Rodgers

Signs One-Year Deal With Steelers
Blake Snell

to Undergo Elbow Surgery on Tuesday
Clay Holmes

Could Miss Around Three Months
Jose Altuve

Exits After Swing
Corey Seager

Absent With Back Spasms on Saturday
Jeremy Lauzon

Misses Saturday's Practice
Mark Stone

Doesn't Practice Saturday
Josh Manson

Misses Practice, Considered Day-to-Day
Brent Burns

Day-to-Day Ahead of Conference Finals
Cale Makar

Considered Day-to-Day
Alex Lyon

Likely to Start Game 6 Against Canadiens
Owen Power

Available Saturday
Isaac TeSlaa

Can Isaac TeSlaa Carve Out a Larger Role in Detroit Going Forward?
Troy Franklin

Facing Uphill Battle for Playing Time in Denver
Trevor Lawrence

Should Trevor Lawrence Be Valued as a Dynasty QB1?
Courtland Sutton

in Line for Reduced Role in Denver?
KC Concepcion

Can KC Concepcion Immediately Assume the WR1 Role in Cleveland?
Trevor Story

Hits the Injured List With Groin Injury
Blake Snell

Likely to Need Elbow Surgery
Duncan Robinson

Nets 14 Points With Four Triples
Cade Cunningham

Contributes 21 Points in Game 6 Win
Jalen Duren

Bounces Back With Double-Double
Anthony Edwards

Finishes Season-Ending Loss With 24 Points
Victor Wembanyama

Tallies 19 Points in Friday's Win
De'Aaron Fox

Highly Effective in Blowout Win
Stephon Castle

Shines in Series-Clincher
Kyle Schwarber

on a Heater, Hits Two More Homers to Take Major-League Lead
Clay Holmes

Suffers Fractured Fibula on Friday Night
Blake Snell

Heads to 15-Day Injured List
Austin Reaves

Could Command $40M Per Year With New Contract
Jalen Duren

Available to Finish Game 6
Yanic Konan Niederhauser

Not Expected to Be Ready for Start of Next Season
Jalen Williams

Declares Himself Healthy for Conference Finals
Terrence Shannon Jr.

Will Play Friday Night
Kevin Huerter

is Available for Game 6
Duncan Robinson

is Returning for Game 6
Caris LeVert

is Cleared for Game 6 on Friday
Blake Snell

Scratched From Start on Friday for Undisclosed Reasons
Max Fried

Heading to Injured List With Elbow Bone Bruise
CFB

Julian Sayin Looking To Build Off Of Strong Debut Season
CFB

College GameDay Set for First Three Weeks
CFB

Jeremiah Smith Aiming For Ohio State Receiving Records
CFB

Keshaun Singleton Projects as Auburn's WR1
CFB

Jeremiah Cobb Impresses New Auburn Staff
CFB

Alberto Mendoza Very Likely to Start for Georgia Tech
CFB

Charles Woodson Jr. Commits to Michigan
Jordan Westburg

to Have Season-Ending Elbow Surgery
Melquizael Costa

Set For UFC Vegas 117 Main Event
Arnold Allen

A Favorite At UFC Vegas 117
Daniel Santos

Set For UFC Vegas 117 Co-Main Event
MMA

Dohoo Choi Returns At UFC Vegas 117
Juan Diaz

Set To Make His UFC Debut
Malcolm Wellmaker

Looks To Bounce Back
Christian Edwards

Set For His UFC Debut
Modestas Bukauskas

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Tarik Skubal

Resumes Playing Catch, Ahead of Schedule?
Lane Hutson

Contributes Two Assists in Game 5 Victory
Nick Suzuki

Amasses Three Points in Crucial Victory Thursday
Juraj Slafkovsky

Dishes Out Three Assists in Game 5 Win
Carter Hart

Stops 31 Pucks in Series-Clinching Win
Pavel Dorofeyev

Enjoys Second Consecutive Multi-Goal Game
Shea Theodore

Records Two Points in Game 6 Win
Mitchell Marner

Scores Special Goal in Series-Clincher
Ryan Johnson

Takes Over as Canucks GM, Sedins Promoted to Co-Presidents
Drew Helleson

Won't Play Thursday
Radko Gudas

Unlikely to Play Thursday
Jeremy Lauzon

Remains Out Thursday
Mark Stone

Misses Third Consecutive Game
EDM

Kris Knoblauch Fired as Oilers Head Coach
CFB

Virginia Tech Lands Commitment from Four-Star QB Peter Bourque
Byron Buxton

Scratched on Thursday With Hip Soreness
Cal Raleigh

Heading to Injured List With Oblique Strain
Francisco Alvarez

has Knee Surgery, Expected to Miss Eight Weeks
Quinn Hughes

Finishes Postseason With 15 Points
Cal Raleigh

Exits With Apparent Side Injury on Wednesday Night
Juan Soto

X-Rays Come Back Negative on Juan Soto's Ankle
Jacob Misiorowski

Pulled Early With Possible Leg Injury
CFB

NFL Veteran Tom Moore Joins Iowa Coaching Staff
CFB

Can Cam Cook Dominate in Return to Big 12?
CFB

ACC, Big 12 Support 24-Team College Football Playoff
CFB

Anthony Colandrea Looking to Elevate Nebraska Back to National Contention
CFB

Kwazi Gilmer Set for Big Impact at Nebraska
Justin Thomas

Trending Well Ahead of PGA Championship Despite Concerning Form
J.J. Spaun

Trending Up Ahead of PGA Championship
Adam Scott

Riding Strong Form Into PGA Championship
Patrick Reed

Looking to Make Another Run at PGA Championship
PGA

Sungjae Im Looks to Build on Strong Finish at Truist Championship
Sam Burns

Must Keep Ball in Play at PGA Championship
Jordan Spieth

Looks to Complete Career Grand Slam at Aronimink
Brandt Snedeker

Not the Best Option for the PGA Championship
Rasmus Hojgaard

a Volatile Option at PGA Championship
Maverick McNealy

Seeking Better Start in Philadelphia
Harry Hall

a Boom-or-Bust Option at Aronimink
Hideki Matsuyama

Attempts to Improve Over 2025 PGA Championship
Scottie Scheffler

Looks to Defend PGA Championship at Aronimink
Nicolai Hojgaard

Wants to Keep Momentum Rolling in Philadelphia
Ben Griffin

Attempting to Bounce Back After Truist Championship
CFB

Transfer Defensive Lineman Devarrick Woods Commits to Clemson
Harris English

Will Need His Putter to Thrive at Aronimink
Akshay Bhatia

Creative Flair Could Show Itself in Philadelphia
Keegan Bradley

Knows the Aronimink Golf Club Well
Si Woo Kim

Struggles at Truist Championship
Gary Woodland

Can Continue Incredible 2026 Season at PGA Championship
Xander Schauffele

In Excellent Form Heading to PGA Championship
CFB

Isaac Brown Has All-American Upside in 2026
CFB

Nyck Harbor Heading into Breakout Year?
CFB

Notre Dame, USC in Discussions to Resume Rivalry Series
CFB

Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele Has Eyes on ACC Title
CFB

Ahmad Hardy's Gunshot Wound Not Viewed as Career-Threatening
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF