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Welcome RotoBallers to another edition of The Fantasy Matchmaker. I will be taking this article over in Week 11 and will help fantasy managers with tough lineup decisions. If you are new here, this piece will show the players with the best and worst matchups this weekend.
Each position (QB, RB, WR, and TE) will feature one to two players who have a matchup we love and a matchup to avoid. However, that doesn't necessarily mean to start or sit the player. For example, Josh Allen has the hardest quarterback matchup this week against the New York Jets. But you likely aren't sitting him unless you have better options.
This article will help you see those matchups and maybe make your lineup decisions a lot easier. Here are the best and worst matchups of Week 11.
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Week 11: QB Matchups We Love
Brock Purdy - San Francisco 49ers
Opponent: TB
Opponent Rank vs. QB: 27th
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy went through his midseason troubles, which started in Week 6 and lasted for about two weeks. But his performance in Week 10 proved that Purdy can still be a reliable fantasy option down the stretch. He threw for 296 yards and three touchdowns while finishing as the QB6 on the week. That range of outcome is certainly possible again in Week 11 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Just two weeks ago, the Buccaneers allowed 470 pass yards and five passing touchdowns to rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud. Although the Buccaneers' secondary did a much better job in Week 10 against the Tennessee Titans, they will have a hard time guarding Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, and George Kittle this weekend. Tampa Bay is also allowing the sixth-most fantasy points per game this season. Purdy should have his ways on Sunday against a bottom secondary.
Jordan Love - Green Bay Packers
Opponent: LAC
Opponent Rank vs. QB: 32nd
It's been a very up-and-down season for Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love. He had two top-six quarterback finishes through the first three weeks but has failed to finish inside the top 10 since then. There's been some consistency, though, for Love over the past couple of weeks. He has three top-15 finishes since Week 7 while throwing at least two touchdowns twice during that span.
His best game of the season could also be on the horizon against a Chargers defense that allows the most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks this year. Los Angeles' secondary has given up 325-plus yards and two touchdowns in four different games and has also allowed at least 25 fantasy points to QBs five times in 2023. Love has a fantastic matchup and could finish inside the top 10 in Week 11.
Week 11: QB Matchups to Avoid
Baker Mayfield - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Opponent: @SF
Opponent Rank vs. QB: 6th
There are other notable players with tough matchups in Week 11. As mentioned earlier, Josh Allen plays the Jets, which is an extremely tough matchup. He had just 13 fantasy points against them in Week 1, and New York seems to be even stronger on defense. Dak Prescott has a tough game against the Carolina Panthers. Carolina is surprisingly giving up the third-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks this season. But with how Prescott has played recently, it likely wouldn't be smart to sit him.
That leads me to Baker Mayfield, who has been a reliable fantasy quarterback this season. He's averaging over 17 fantasy points per game this year, which has included three straight top-10 fantasy finishes from Week 8 to Week 10. But Mayfield is a risky start in Week 11 against the San Francisco 49ers. In Week 10, the 49ers gave up just 190 passing yards while forcing Trevor Lawrence to throw two interceptions.
The 49ers defense is one of the best in the NFL and has been really good at preventing fantasy points to quarterbacks. They are allowing just 13.7 fantasy points per game to QBs this season.
Week 11: RB Matchups We Love
Tony Pollard - Dallas Cowboys
Opponent: @CAR
Opponent Rank vs. RB: 31st
I know, it's been a struggle to roster Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard. Most fantasy managers likely spent a second-round pick on the young playmaker, and it's correlated to almost no production. He is currently the RB23 in half-PPR formats while averaging just 10.9 points per game. But if there was ever a week to get going, it's in Week 11 against the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers are giving up the second-most fantasy points per game to running backs this season and the seventh-most rush yards per game (131.9).
De'Von Achane / Raheem Mostert - Miami Dolphins
Opponent: LV
Opponent Rank vs. RB: 25th
Both Miami Dolphins running backs De'Von Achane and Raheem Mostert should have plenty of opportunities to shine in Week 11 against the Las Vegas Raiders. The Raiders have been better against the run in recent weeks against the New York Jets and New York Giants. But from Week 2 to Week 8, they were giving up plenty of big games to running backs. During that span, they allowed 30-plus fantasy points to RBs in three matchups. While we don't know how much work Achane will see this week, his upside is worth the risk.
Week 11: RB Matchups to Avoid
Isiah Pacheco - Kansas City Chiefs
Opponent: PHI
Opponent Rank vs. RB: 32nd
The Eagles' run defense might be the best in the NFL, and the numbers surely back that up. They have not allowed a 100-yard rusher this season, and opposing running backs are only averaging 53.6 rush yards per game against them. Philadelphia has also not given up more than 16 fantasy points to any running back this season. The highest running back scorer was Breece Hall in Week 6 when the Eagles let him score late in the game. I expect the Chiefs to throw a lot in this game, which could mean more work for Jerick McKinnon in the receiving game.
Week 11: WR Matchups We Love
Terry McLaurin - Washington Commanders
Opponent: NYG
Opponent Rank vs. WR: 30th
Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin is almost a must-start this week. The results haven't necessarily been there for the 28-year-old, but the Giants secondary is a nice matchup for him to finally see some production. McLaurin has just 14 catches for 169 yards and one touchdown over the past three games. But he should have his way against rookie cornerback Deonte Banks.
For starters, the Giants are giving up the third-most fantasy points per game this season to wide receivers. That is great news for a Commanders team that has thrown 397 times this year, by far the most of any team this season. On top of the plus matchup, McLaurin always has his best games against the Giants. In eight career games, he is averaging seven catches for 92.5 yards while totaling 740 yards in those contests. This is a matchup that we love in Week 11.
Rashee Rice - Kansas City Chiefs
Opponent: PHI
Opponent Rank vs. WR: 32nd
The Kansas City Chiefs always come out with fire following a bye week. It's also when most rookies start to see more playing time and opportunities on offense. Rashee Rice could really benefit from that after a solid start to his NFL career. Through nine games, he has 32 catches for 378 yards and four touchdowns. Many expect Rice to eventually take over the WR1 job in Kansas City if he hasn't already. In Week 11 against the Philadelphia Eagles, this could be the breakout we have all been waiting for.
Despite last year's defense, the Eagles secondary has been one of the worst this season. They are allowing the most fantasy points per game to wideouts this season, which should benefit Rice. Since he plays in the slot, he should be able to avoid Darius Slay and James Bradberry. In a game where Kansas City will likely have to throw a lot to win, the rookie should benefit. His playing time has increased in four straight games before the bye, and it could be a fifth in Week 11.
Week 11: WR Matchups to Avoid
Diontae Johnson - Pittsburgh Steelers
Opponent: @CLE
Opponent Rank vs. WR: 31st
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson is coming off his worst game of the year in Week 10. He had just one catch for 17 yards while seeing a season-low four targets. It might also not get better for Johnson in Week 11 against a stout Cleveland Browns secondary. The Browns are allowing the second-fewest fantasy points per game to wide receivers this season at just 21.4 half-PPR points.
Additionally, the Browns cornerback room features Denzel Ward and Martin Emerson. Ward is likely to shadow Johnson in this game, which is not great news for the Steelers wideout. The Browns corner is allowing a passer rating of just 55.4 this season, and Kenny Pickett could decide to stay away from him because of it. Cleveland has a top-notch secondary, and Johnson might struggle in Week 11.
Week 11: TE Matchups We Love
Trey McBride - Arizona Cardinals
Opponent: @HOU
Opponent Rank vs. TE: 29th
Kyler Murray came back, and Trey McBride immediately became his favorite target in the receiving game. He caught eight passes for 131 yards while seeing nine targets. But don't forget, McBride also caught 10 passes for 95 yards and one touchdown in Week 8 with Joshua Dobbs at quarterback.
The breakout is finally here, and he has another great matchup in Week 11 against the Houston Texans. Houston has allowed at least six catches and 50 receiving yards in six of nine games this season. The Texans have struggled against tight ends this year, making McBride a nice play this week.
Week 11: TE Matchups to Avoid
Evan Engram - Jacksonville Jaguars
Opponent: TEN
Opponent Rank vs. TE: 3rd
Evan Engram has been a reliable fantasy tight end this season, catching at least five passes in seven of nine games this season. He has been an extremely high floor play but has lacked a high ceiling. He has only topped 70 receiving yards once this season while catching zero touchdowns through nine games. To make matters worse, the Titans have not allowed a receiving touchdown to tight ends this season. Tennessee's defense is also giving up just 38.9 receiving yards per game to tight ends. Engram could struggle in Week 11.
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