Tuesday, November 21, 2023

Week 11 Fantasy Football Winners and Losers: 2023 Edition

Quarterback

MVP: Trevor Lawrence (Jaguars)

After his faceplant against the 49ers in Week 10, Lawrence took full advantage of the softer matchup against the Titans this week by putting together his clear best performance of the season (262 YDS, 2 TD's, 17 Rushing YDS, 2 TD's). Lawrence will hope to parlay this exceptional showing into the beginning of a hot streak in Week 12 against a Texans team that he played pretty poorly against back in Week 3.

Honorable Mentions: Brock Purdy (49ers), Justin Herbert (Chargers), Lamar Jackson (Ravens)

LVP: Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs)

Mahomes probably would've been in the running for MVP if Travis Kelce hadn't fumbled in the redzone or he had just 1 wide receiver with serviceable hands. But alas, that didn't happen and he ended up with a pretty pedestrian line (177 YDS/2 TD's/INT/38 Rushing YDS) in a frankly stunning loss to the Eagles last night. Mahomes supporting cast on offense has been bad enough this year to cause him to have average-to-below-average performances with a far greater degree of regularity than usual and unless his receivers start using banned substances to help them catch passes, that will likely remain the case the rest of the way.   

Dishonorable Mentions: Jared Goff (Lions), Dak Prescott (Cowboys), Joshua Dobbs (Vikings)

Running Back

MVP: Saquon Barkley (Giants) 

The top beneficiary of Brian Daboll actually allowing Tommy DeVito to throw the ball against the Commanders abysmal pass defense was Barkley. The star running back caught 4 passes for 57 YDS and 2 TD's while also contributing 83 YDS on the ground on just 14 carries as the Giants picked up a victory that was good for locker room morale and horrible for their 2024 draft position. Barkley will have another golden opportunity to clean up against a reeling Patriots team that would greatly benefit from losing on Sunday.  

Honorable Mentions: Gus Edwards (Ravens), Christian McCaffery (49ers), Devin Singletary (Texans)

LVP: Najee Harris (Steelers)

Stop me if you heard this before but Harris got severely outplayed by Jaylen Warren against the Browns this past week. While Harris turned his 13 touches (12 carries, 1 reception) into a measly 36 scrimmage YDS, Warren picked up 145 YDS and a score on 12. Matt Canada getting ousted as OC today is the perfect opportunity for the Steelers to put Harris on the bench where he belongs. Fantasy managers should follow suit. 

Dishonorable Mentions: Derrick Henry (Titans), Austin Ekeler (Chargers), Josh Jacobs (Raiders)

Wide Receiver 

MVP: Calvin Ridley (Jaguars)

Ridley put together one hell of a slump-buster performance against the Titans in Week 10, securing 7 catches for 103 YDS and 2 TD's while further sweetening the pot with an 18-YD carry. What version of Ridley will show on Sunday in Houston is anyone's guess, but he'll be hard to sit after a performance like this.

Honorable Mentions: Tyreek Hill (Dolphins), Tank Dell (Texans), Brandon Aiyuk (49ers

LVP: Garrett Wilson (Jets)

Wilson racks up so many damn catches each week that he's remained a solid enough fantasy option despite the staggering ineptitude of the Jets offense. His seemingly long-overdue awful performance arrived in Week 11 as he managed only 2 catches for 9 YDS and lost a fumble in a blowout loss versus the Bills. A whole lot more bleak days could be on the horizon for Wilson as the Jets have benched Zach Wilson in favor of Tim Boyle-who is one of the only QB's in the league right now that's less qualified to start than Zach Wilson.    

Dishonorable Mentions: A.J. Brown (Eagles), Marquise Brown (Cardinals), Stefon Diggs (Bills)

Tight End

MVP: George Kittle (49ers)

Kittle was all over the place on Sunday against the Bucs porous pass defense, reeling in 8 catches for 89 YDS and a TD as the 49ers cruised to a victory. With Mark Andrews likely out for the year after sustaining an ankle/fibula injury last week, Kittle officially moves into top 3 overall TE territory and becomes even more indispensable to the people who have him on their team . 

LVP: Tyler Higbee (Rams)

Even Cooper Kupp exiting the game with an ankle sprain wasn't enough to get Higbee involved in the passing game against the Seahawks. Ultimately, he caught just 1-of-3 targets for 17 YDS and got outscored by nearly every TE that stepped on the field this week. With Kyren Williams reportedly in line to be activated off IR for this week's game with the Cardinals, Higbee's already limited target share is at risk of dipping even lower. He's a safe drop option in any league that has less than 14 teams. 

Dishonorable Mentions: Cole Kmet (Bears), Evan Engram (Jaguars), Pat Friermuth (Steelers)

Defense/Special Teams

MVP: Cowboys

In a development that should shock no one, the Cowboys defense absolutely feasted on the Panthers struggling rookie QB and league-worst offensive line. Dan Quinn's group picked up 7 sacks, a fumble recovery and a pick 6 by Da'Ron Bland and only allowed 10 points in yet another blowout victory in 2023 for the 'Boys. They'll face the Commanders in Week 12.

Honorable Mentions: Bills, Dolphins, 49ers

LVP: Jets 

A pissed-off Josh Allen and even-worse-than-usual performance from their own offense was a recipe that led to the Jets D surrendering 32 points to the Bills while only picking up a single sack and takeaway to offset the damage of the high point total they allowed. They'll be a tough sell as a starter for this week's contest with the Dolphins.  

Dishonorable Mentions: Lions, Eagles, Ravens

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