Unexpected Boom Performances: Week 11 Fantasy Football Reactions for Samaje Perine, Jamaal Williams, Joshua Palmer, and more

November 21, 2022

Unexpected Week 11 fantasy football performances. Will these players sustain their Week 11 success and be fantasy football waiver wire pickups?

Well, the odd 2022 season continues. After Week 10, which had a slew of entertaining matchups, it only felt right to see some of the weirdest football of the season in Week 11. Numerous field goals, sloppy play, and strange stat lines headlined an odd day of football. 

When a game with almost no offensive production finishes with a punt return touchdown to win it, you know that this was no ordinary slate. Unfortunately, even with dumbfounding play in most games, this week was lacking the insanely unexpected performers as there have been in previous weeks. 

That being said, there were still some interesting ones to go over. After an odd week of football, let’s get into some of the most unexpected performances from Week 11. 

Fantasy Football Risers - Surprise Performances

Demarcus Robinson, Baltimore Ravens

In an unwatchable game between the Carolina Panthers and the Baltimore Ravens, there was a fantasy performance that could almost be characterized as an oasis among a barren wasteland for fantasy production. Wide receiver Demarcus Robinson came out of nowhere in this matchup to serve as Lamar Jackson’s go-to target.

.@Lj_era8 to @Demarcus for 31 🔥🔥

Tune in on FOX! pic.twitter.com/T1s8hkzN3M

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) November 20, 2022

While leading Baltimore in receiving yards, Robinson caught all nine of his targets for 128 yards. That stat line resulted in 17.3 Half-PPR fantasy points on the day, making him the highest scorer among both teams in the game. While this performance may have pleased managers who started Robinson in their 30-team leagues, this was probably not a point total that was capitalized on by many. 

As for his future fantasy value, I would bet on this being a one-hit wonder. Mark Andrews was fairly questionable, as he was coming off of an injury, and it would make sense to see them return to the All-Pro tight end as Lamar’s main option in Week 12 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Robinson is probably not a player you want to be blowing waiver claims or FAAB on this coming week.

Samaje Perine, Cincinnati Bengals

This week’s out-of-left-field performance comes from a backup running back that I can guarantee almost nobody started. Due to an early concussion to Joe Mixon that removed him from the Bengals’ Week 11 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Samaje Perine was elevated into a more involved role.

🗣️ To the house!#CINvsPIT | 📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/Moc13WQgTB

— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) November 20, 2022

Against the Steelers, Perine had 11 carries for 30 yards along with four receptions for 52 yards and THREE receiving touchdowns. While the yardage wasn’t the best, his touchdowns carried him over the top. His stat line resulted in 28.2 Half-PPR fantasy points, making him the second-highest-scoring running back on the week. 

While Perine’s day was insane, he is not a player that gains much value unless Joe Mixon misses time with this concussion. He should be added in most leagues, as he’s a strong handcuff, but this three-touchdown day is nothing more than an anomaly.

Jamaal Williams, Detroit Lions

In a game between the Detroit Lions and the New York Giants, a running back finished with a massive fantasy performance. To the surprise of many, it wasn’t Saquon Barkley or even D’Andre Swift. Fitting in with the odd nature of Week 11, Dan Campbell’s odd love for Jamaal Williams continues. 

Against the Giants, Williams had a huge performance with 17 carries for 64 yards and THREE touchdowns. That statistical performance resulted in 24.4 Half-PPR points, making him the RB4 overall on the week. His 10th, 11th, and 12th rushing touchdowns on the year further cement his status as the NFL’s leader in rushing touchdowns.

Jamaal Williams has 12 rushing TDs through 10 games this season.

Barry Sanders holds the single-season franchise record with 16 rushing TDs (1991)

Jamaal has 7 games left and is just four away from matching that mark. pic.twitter.com/agyRYVas3m

— Erik Schlitt (@erikschlitt) November 20, 2022

With this kind of usage, and the lack of usage for D’Andre Swift, it’s now looking like Williams is the guy to own in this backfield. He’s getting the work on the ground and he’s seeing nearly every carry-in touchdown opportunity. As strange as it seems to anybody outside the Lions organization, this is just something we’re going to have to accept from now on. Jamaal Williams is looking like a strong play every week and it's time people start getting used to it.

Tyler Bass, Buffalo Bills

I know, it’s pretty lame to include a kicker on this list, but you kinda have to with this performance. Kickers aren’t supposed to win fantasy weeks, but that’s just what Buffalo Bills kicker Tyler Bass did in Week 11. 

In an impromptu “home game” played in Detroit, the third-year kicker converted on six out of six field goal attempts. That along with a made extra point resulted in 23 points for Bass on the day. For a kicker that normally has to kick in a frozen tundra or bone-chilling winds, it was probably a nice change of pace to be able to kick in a dome for the first time in a while.

Tyler Bass a perfect 6-for-6 on FGs in this one.

42, 36, 56, 49, 28, 39.

— Matt Parrino (@MattParrino) November 20, 2022

Bass was already considered one of the better kickers in fantasy due to his place in this high-scoring Bills offense. This performance really just gives you a glimpse of how lights-out he can be when he’s not kicking in the erratic Buffalo weather.

Joshua Palmer, Los Angeles Chargers

With wide receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams returning to the Los Angeles Chargers lineup after rehabbing from injuries, it seemed set in stone that Joshua Palmer would be relegated back to a bench piece for most fantasy managers. However, due to the cursed nature of the Chargers organization, that was not the case. Early in the game, Mike Williams caught one pass and injured his ankle. He was out for the remainder of the game after that. 

So, with Palmer stepping back into a more involved role, he had a huge day. The second-year receiver caught eight-of-10 targets for 106 yards and two touchdowns en route to 26.6 Half-PPR points on the day. That output made him the WR3 overall in Week 11.

GOIN' DEEEEEEEEEP@Flowercitysown | @SNFonNBC pic.twitter.com/7hgnyoPfJv

— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) November 21, 2022

We’ve been playing this game with the 23-year-old for a while now. One of the Chargers’ two star receivers goes out, so it must be a huge day for Palmer, right? But it’s never the splash play you’re hoping for, until now… when he’s on benches everywhere. This is definitely frustrating for Palmer managers, but at least we know this can actually happen now. 

I don’t know what to tell you, maybe just start him with more confidence when either Allen or Williams is ruled out next. However, if he’s on waivers for whatever reason, he should definitely be rostered from now on.

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