Using a weighted mix of over a dozen different advanced stats on each side of the balI, I reverse-power-ranked every defense in the league — all to point fantasy gamers of any league size toward the right start/sit answers this weekend.

Let’s jump in… 

Laghezza's Week 11 RBs To Start 

Browns (at Saints) — Who doesn't love rooting for Nick Chubb? Plus, the now fantasy-friendly Browns have the always-exciting Jameis Winston under center. The vertical threat he poses is exactly what I want to key up on. 

Winston is, let’s be nice and call it “cavalier” attitude, keeps secondaries on their heels. Forget the Deshaun Watson weeks — Cedric Tillman and David Njoku represent legitimate threats to any defense. Sure, Chubb has struggled the last two games (31-91-0; 1-4-0), but scuffling versus the Chargers and Ravens is far from embarrassing. 

Unable to stack the box, we finally get the Chubb breakout against a Saints’ D ranking bottom-three in EPA/rush, success rate, yards/rush, and rushing TDs. Deeper leagues in bye-hell may even consider capable pass-catcher and big-play threat Jerome Ford.

Jets (vs. Colts) — Oh, the Jets. What’s been the bumpiest of rides for anyone in kelly green may still unbelievably end in a postseason berth (ducks). I know, I know (ducks again). New York is only two games behind Denver as the 7-seed, with one of the other teams in its way on the docket Sunday. It’s a must-win for the Airplanes. 

Despite some clunkers, queue up first-round letdown Breece Hall in all formats for a big breakout. GMs in deeper 14-teamers need to squeeze Braelon Allen into FLEX spots — the rookie is averaging eight touches a game over a three-week span. Allen’s high success rate in short yardage situations could land him in the end zone and pay off as an ignored bye-week stream.

Laghezza's Week 11 QBs/WRs/TEs To Start

Steelers (vs. Ravens) — If anyone knows Russell Wilson, you can tell him I owe an honest apology. Mr. Unlimited’s been nothing short of a force multiplier on offense for the black and yellow. Not only did the Steelers win three in a row after the QB change but scored 26-plus points in each — something PIT achieved exactly once in six tries with Justin Fields. 

It’s been start your aerial weapons against the Ravens season and this week is no different. Baltimore is the ultimate pass funnel. The run defense locks it down, their secondary’s leaky, and the offense scores a million points. If you’re missing Kyler Murray or Baker Mayfield to a bye, Wilson is an obvious start. The Ravens allowed 319 passing yards/game over a six-week span, where opposing QBs scored +17 fantasy points in each, +20 in five, and +30 (!) in half. The water’s always warm against Baltimore. Start Pat Friermuth with confidence and Mike Williams if cornered.

Broncos (vs Falcons) — For all the attention garnered by rookie QBs in this year’s news cycle, we’re short at least one round of applause for Denver’s Bo Nix. Hard to argue the progress made at this point, almost beating the Chiefs last weekend, posting his fourth top-12 positional finish in six weeks.  

Nix provides an interesting mix of potential outcomes, a big part of his fantasy QB appeal. He’s fifth in QB rush yards and tied for third in rush TDs, so there’s always a floor available. Atlanta has struggled against the pass, ranking bottom-three in passing yards/game, +20-yard completions, and passing TDs allowed. Scoop up Nix to start with Cortland Sutton in all formats, then circle Devaughn Vele in your deepest formats with nowhere else to turn.

Gene’s Bold Prediction: Start Mike Gesicki, Cincinnati TE

With Tee Higgins out last week, many thought Gesicki was the play — but he did not have the day most expected. I believe this makes it a perfect time to play him this week. What are the chances that Ja’Marr Chase goes full Super Saiyan again and produces a 264-yard and three-touchdown day? Not likely. Even if Higgins comes back, Gesicki seems to be the No. 3 target. His targets have been consistent over the past three weeks, and this Bengals passing offense has been clicking.

The Chargers have been playing really well over the past few games. They've won four of their last five and three straight, but, respectfully, none of those teams have a quarterback comparable to Joe Burrow, who has been on fire. L.A.’s areas of vulnerability will be exploited by Burrow, and while they are focused on stopping Chase, Gesicki will work the middle of the field and even grab some targets in the red zone. Look for him to have a quality day in fantasy. 

Laghezza's Week 11 RBs To Sit

Patriots (vs. Rams) — Don’t look now, but the Rams defense came to play. Bouncing back from early injuries in a major way, Los Angeles hasn’t allowed a single running back to top 92 yards on the ground or score a TD in a month. 

The stats pop off the spreadsheet — +0.21 EPA/rush, 71.8% success rate, 3.4 yards/rush, 3.8% explosive rush rate and 0 +20-yard carries all rank top-three in the NFL during that span. It’s a tough sit after posting top-eight positional finishes in two of three, but you can brush off a section of bench for Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson. New England is set on the right path directionally, that’s true. I worry the interior pressure allowed and lack of vertical threats come back to bite the Pats — they've yet to top 25 points this year for a reason. 

Titans (vs. Vikings) — Epic failures at the QB position continue to resonate down the line for Tennessee. An inability to efficiently move the ball means validation of bottom-three scoring metrics and therefore a nonstop wave of negative game scripts. 

Tony Pollard played well in valiant efforts versus the Lions and Patriots but sharp GMs should fight the temptation this weekend — it’s time he finds the pine. Minnesota is easily a top-three rush defense, leading the league in a myriad of stats, including just two 20-yard carries all season. Wow. Then, Tajae Spears returned last week, soaking up critical PPR targets and rendering both RBs essentially useless. Benching Titans feels right.

Laghezza's Week 11 QBs and WR/TEs To Sit

Seahawks (vs. 49ers) — Last time we saw the Seahawks, they were walking off the field as losers against LAR despite going nuclear on offense. Geno Smith finished as the QB4 while battery-mate Jaxon Smith-Njigba ran the table as the WR1. I’m bucking the trend, holding my nose and selling the rip (opposite of buying the dip). 

San Fran’s defense looked healthy off the bye, swarming to the ball against a hobbled Tampa squad. The Niners’ secondary has allowed one more TD than INT all season and just a lone QB to go over 270 passing yards. Expect Shanahan to use disguised blitz packages with zones over the top with a specific focus on JSN to quash the Hawks. I’m start-less in Seattle (sorry, that was awful).

Commanders (vs. Eagles) — As much as I like Jayden Daniels and his potential career arc with no ceilings, there’s no denying it. His immediate production is directly related to competition level (which is fine for a rookie). Daniels torched the Bucs and Bengals but failed to finish inside the top-10 for six weeks running against significantly better pass defenses. 

Speaking of which, Washington’s ROY favorite draws the Eagles, who have simply clobbered the opposition during a five-game win streak off the bye. Philly tackles well, sacks the QB, clogs running lanes, and defends the pass well. I fear the Commanders’ lack of explosivity outside of Terry McLaurin will bite them on their bottoms Thursday. Difficult as it may be, I’m benching everyone in burgundy this week.

Gene’s Bold Prediction: Sit Najee Harris, Steelers RB

The Baltimore Ravens defense has been shaky this season. They have given up a lot of points and passing yards. However, the one place they have been stout is against the rush. They are not allowing backs to run the football well. 

Chase Brown and Javonte Williams had 42 yards on the ground, Rachaad White had 40 yards rushing, Austin Ekeler had 21 yards rushing. The difference is that they all were able to add value ass pass catcher, which made them good fantasy performers. Najee Harris does not usually affect the game as a receiver, so how much does that devalue him? The answer is a lot! 

If you look at the Ravens against the Browns, Nick Chubb had 50 yards rushing but no receiving yards. That's a great illustration of how a running back’s fantasy value is diminished with no receiving upside. When the Steelers want to get the ball to a guy out the backfield, they usually take Harris out and put another running back in the game. Against the Ravens that can definitely diminish his value and now makes him more dependent on getting a touchdown to have a better day in fantasy. It's a much rougher road to fantasy relevance, and there are easier paths to take this week. 

Gene’s Parting Thought For Week 11

The trade deadline is fast approaching in most fantasy leagues. These are the times where you have to figure out if you truly have a team that can contend or not. If you don't, that's OK but have some pride. Don't just sell off your assets — turn your attention toward who's season you can ruin. 

Even if you are not at the top of the standings, I promise you are likely not that far off from the last couple fighting for the playoffs. Make it your mission to take one of them out. Keep the league fun from the bottom. Go down swinging. You never know, you may somehow creep your way into the playoffs, but if not you can put a scare into the rest of the league. 

Laghezza’s Parting Thought For Week 11

Simply put, winning weekly fantasy matchups is all about attaching yourself to the highest-scoring games. Check out this beauty:

When I’m in a pinch, this is my favorite image when in need of a thousand words — if all else fails, head toward the circus music. I charted the entire league’s points scored with points allowed as a simple reference tool: