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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!

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

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




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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Yordan Alvarez

Likely to Return on Tuesday
Jacob deGrom

to Start on Monday
Kyle Tucker

Homers Twice in Win
Chris Sale

Likely to Return Next Weekend
Brian Robinson Jr.

to be RB2
Najee Harris

to be Ready Week 1?
De'Von Achane

Making Good Progress
Jaylen Wright

Considered "Week-to-Week"
Marcus Semien

Placed on Injured List
Jackson Merrill

Heads to 10-Day Injured List
Jordan Love

Says He'll Play in Week 1
Brice Turang

Absent on Saturday, "Touch-and-Go" With Wrist Injury
Chase Elliott

Despite Being Winless at Daytona, Chase Elliott is Probably the Best DFS Option
Ryan Blaney

Will Likely Lead a Lot at Daytona
Kyle Larson

a Poor DFS Option at Daytona
Christopher Bell

Consistent Enough to Consider for DFS
Chris Buescher

Now Must Win His Way Into Playoffs
Ryan Preece

Being One of the Slowest-Starting Fords Makes Ryan Preece a Strong DFS Option
Ross Chastain

Leads a Lot on Drafting Tracks
Daniel Suarez

Now in Desperation Mode With his Career on the Line
Chase Briscoe

Tendency to Finish Better Than He Runs May Reap Dividends at Daytona
Lamar Jackson

Should Practice on Monday
Carson Hocevar

Hard to Forecast Since He's Rarely Given 100 Percent at Daytona
Michael McDowell

has a Solid Drafting Record
AJ Allmendinger

A.J. Allmendinger Arguably Starting Too Well for Place-Differential Points
Austin Dillon

Will Likely Be Too Conservative for DFS Consideration
Noah Gragson

Has Place-Differential Potential as One of the Lowest-Starting Fords
Todd Gilliland

Poor Starting Position and Ford's Drafting Speed Make Todd Gilliland a Viable Option
Zane Smith

Probably Starting Too Well for DFS Play
Justin Haley

has Strong Pass-Differential Potential
Cole Custer

Daytona 500 Speed Makes Him a Solid Play
Austin Hill

Qualifies Poorly Enough for DFS Consideration
Matt Chapman

Activated and Starting on Saturday
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Kevin Durant

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Warriors, Spurs Interested in Trey Murphy III
Zack Wheeler

to Undergo Season-Ending Surgery
Kyle Busch

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Ricky Stenhouse Jr

. Could Be a Risky Pick at Daytona
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Yoan Moncada Hits a Pair of Home Runs on Friday
Willy Adames

Belts Two Solo Home Runs on Friday
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Luke Kunin Joins Panthers on One-Year Deal
Auston Matthews

Says His Health is "Good" Before Start of Season
Roope Hintz

"Feeling Good" Ahead of New Season
Matthew Tkachuk

Recovering From Surgery
Marco Rossi

Wild Re-Sign Marco Rossi to Three-Year Deal
Bubba Chandler

Records Four-Inning Save in Debut
Walker Buehler

Officially Moving to Bullpen
Adolis García

Adolis Garcia to be Activated on Saturday
Tanner Scott

Activated on Friday
NBA

Malik Beasley Now Drawing Interest from Teams
Jacob Wilson

Reintated and Starting on Friday
Marcus Semien

Could be Out All Weekend, IL Stint Possible
Evan Carter

Could Miss Rest of Season With Fractured Wrist
Brian Robinson Jr.

Traded to 49ers
Samuel Basallo

Inks an Eight-Year Extension With the Orioles
Zhang Mingyang

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Johnny Walker

In Dire Need Of Victory
Brian Ortega

An Underdog At UFC Shanghai
Aljamain Sterling

Set For UFC Shanghai Co-Main Event
Waldo Cortes-Acosta

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
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A Favorite At UFC Shanghai
Kevin Borjas

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Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
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Yandy Diaz Dealing With Low-Grade Hamstring Strain
Connor Ingram

Clears Player Assistance Program
Frank Nazar

Inks Seven-Year Extension With Blackhawks
COL

Victor Olofsson Signs One-Year Deal With Avalanche
Tee Higgins

has Injury Scare on Thursday
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Micah Parsons Expected to Play in Week 1
Chris Godwin

Expected to be Activated from the PUP List
Dru Smith

Aims to Be Healthy for Training Camp
Jayson Tatum

Provides Injury Update
RJ Barrett

Considered a Trade Candidate
Golden State Warriors

Warriors "Remain Very Confident" About Signing Al Horford
Jahmir Young

Agrees to Deal With Heat
Devaughn Vele

Traded to Saints
Demarcus Robinson

Issued Three-Game Suspension
Lamar Jackson

Dealing With Minor Foot Injury
Lamar Jackson

Suffers Apparent Hand Injury
Hideki Matsuyama

Looks to Bounce Back at Tour Championship
Corey Conners

Looking to Reverse Struggles at East Lake
Joe Mixon

Could Begin Season on PUP List
Cameron Young

Stays Hot Ahead of Tour Championship
Harris English

Aims for Complete Game at East Lake
Sepp Straka

Back in Action at East Lake
Ben Griffin

a Strong Value Play at East Lake
Rory McIlroy

Chasing Another Win at East Lake
Patrick Cantlay

Finishes Tied for 30th at BMW Championship
Ludvig Aberg

Finishes Tied For Seventh at BMW Championship
Collin Morikawa

Finishes Tied for 33rd at BMW Championship
Keegan Bradley

Finishes Tied for 17th at BMW Championship
Robert MacIntyre

Finishes Second at BMW Championship
J.J. Spaun

Finishes Tied for 23rd at BMW Championship
Scottie Scheffler

Wins BMW Championship
Brian Robinson Jr.

Not Expected to Play for Commanders This Year
Rashee Rice

Could be Facing 4-6 Game Suspension?
Harry Hall

Hot at the Right Time for Tour Championship
PGA

Sungjae Im Wants to Rebound at Tour Championship
Jacob Bridgeman

has One Weakness Heading to Atlanta
Nikola Vučević

Nikola Vucevic Not Expecting to Be Moved Before the Season
Nick Taylor

a Long Shot to Win Tour Championship
Josh Giddey

Bulls Not Interested in Sign-and-Trade Deal Involving Josh Giddey
Brian Harman

Trying to Crack Top 20 at Tour Championship
Andrew Novak

Attempts to Bounce Back in Atlanta
Oscar Tshiebwe

Signs New Two-Way Deal With Jazz
Justin Rose

Seeks Even More Success at Tour Championship
Washington Wizards

Alondes Williams Joins Wizards for Training Camp
Washington Wizards

Wizards Add Skal Labissiere for Training Camp
A.J. Brown

on Track to Play in Week 1
CBJ

Brendan Smith Joins Blue Jackets on Tryout Deal
STL

Milan Lucic Joins Blues for Tryout
DET

Red Wings Pick Up Travis Hamonic
Jalen McMillan

Could be Out Through Week 9 Bye
Indiana Pacers

Pacers Coach Rick Carlisle Agrees to a Multiyear Contract Extension on Tuesday
Washington Wizards

John Wall Retires After 11 NBA Seasons
Daniel Jones

Named as Colts Starting Quarterback
Jalen McMillan

Will Not Be Ready for Season Opener
Collin Sexton

Hornets Have High Hopes for Collin Sexton
Rui Hachimura

Likely to Start Season Without Contract Extension
Jaime Jaquez Jr.

Hopes to Bounce Back in 2025-26
Stephen Curry

Ready to Go for New Season
Orlando Magic

Lester Quinones Agrees to Deal With Magic

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP