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The Yahoo team offers its strongest predictions for Week 11.
Russell Wilson offers top-five upside
Just four weeks ago, during the first quarter of Wilson’s first start of the season, many of us were begging Pittsburgh to pull the plug and reinsert Justin Fields at QB.
As always, the NFL remains the wildest and least predictable league. Russ is currently undefeated and is coming off a signature victory in which he threw three touchdown passes. They now have seven combined touchdowns in their three games, and just reached the friendliest stretch of matchups on their schedule. The Steelers have a series of divisional games scheduled, starting this week against a Baltimore defense that ranks last against the pass, allowing 294.6 yards per game. Wilson is on the verge of giving us another multi-touchdown performance, likely finishing inside the top 10 at his position (and possibly the top five). It should also be another good week for George Pickens’ management. — Andy Behrens
Rookie Bo Nix keeps rolling
Nix has been the QB7 in fantasy points per game since Week 4, averaging nearly as many fantasy points (20.4) as Josh Allen (20.7) in that six-game span. After attempting seven passes inside the 10-yard line in his first seven games, Nix has 11 in his last three. Nix ranks fourth among all quarterbacks in carries within five and expected fantasy points this season, behind only Jalen Hurts, Brock Purdy and Lamar Jackson.
The Broncos get a Falcons defense that allows the 10th-fewest fantasy points to running backs, but the seventh-most to quarterbacks. Denver has a big advantage up front (LT Garrett Bolles hasn’t given up a single pressure in the last four weeks) against an Atlanta front that just became the first defense in the Super Bowl era failing to record 10 sacks in his first 10 games. Nix finishes as a top-five QB this week. — Dalton Del Don
Cedric Tillman gets the perfect matchup
In the two games leading up to Cleveland’s bye week, Cedric Tillman was one of the most used players at his position in the entire league. Tillman had 19 targets, 268 passing yards (fifth most among receivers) and a pair of end zone targets. You can’t ask for much more. Tillman is a big receiver who can win at X with some separation, contested catch prowess and a subtle ability to gain yards after the catch. His film has been as legitimate as the production.
After the break, Tillman and the Browns will play a Saints defense that has declined throughout the season. In the last month alone, they have allowed the seventh-most yards per target as a pass defense amid both coverage and tackling issues. This is not a matchup for any of these Browns passing game players, including Tillman. — Matt Harmon
Khalil Shakir… a perfect sleeper for Week 11
I find that Khalil Shakir is a perfect pick for fantasy managers most weeks. This is a good place to call it. He came to Kansas City for seven catches and a touchdown in the playoffs last year, and Josh Allen has leaned specifically on Shakir in recent weeks, with 28 connections for 280 yards over the last four games. Keon Coleman and Dalton Kincaid are out and we’re not sure about Amari Cooper. Put Shakir in those lineups. — Scott Pianoowski
Jauan Jennings makes the most of his new role
In his first active game since Brandon Aiyuk’s injury, Jennings took a massive step forward with 11 targets, catching seven for 93 yards. He’s transitioning into a new role, specifically taking on Aiyuk’s workload, and this revamped 49ers offense should continue for the rest of the season.
Jennings has an extremely high ceiling, the trust of Kyle Shanahan and Brock Purdy, and a dream matchup against the Seattle Seahawks this week. The Seahawks have been lit up all season by each and every receiving corps they’ve faced. Expect Jennings to take advantage of the matchup and be a strong WR2 with WR1 upside. — Teresa Roberts
Ladd McConkey recovers
McConkey is coming off his worst fantasy day in more than a month. The Chargers’ second-round rookie produced just 52 yards on two receptions against the Titans in Week 10. This was a tough matchup for McConkey, as the Titans began the week allowing the fewest receiving yards per play.
Despite this poor performance, McConkey still leads the Chargers with a 23% target share this season. He has benefited from the Chargers throwing more since their bye week. Justin Herbert is averaging 262 passing yards per game over the past five weeks and leads the NFL with an average of 9.3 yards per attempt during that time. Herbert and McConkey will have a good matchup this week against the Bengals. Cincinnati gives up the seventh-most EPA per passing play this season. Look for McConkey to bounce back this week and produce his fourth top-20 finish of the year. — Sal Vetri