It seemed to be the week of the wide receiver in Week 11, as 12 different wideouts posted 100-plus receiving yards this weekend. That listed consisted of many big name players such as Michael Thomas, Devante Adams, and Keenan Allen, but as well as some under the radar names like Damiere Byrd and Tim Patrick.
Out of those 12 wide receivers, three posted over 30-fantasy points this weekend (Allen, Adam Thielen, Robert Woods). Not counting the quarterback position, they were the three highest scoring offensive players of the week — marking the first time a wide receiver has led the league in fantasy points since Tyler Lockett’s 53-point explosion in Week 7.
So as the WR position played a big part in determining matchups, let’s see who else made an impact in Week 11:
Quarterbacks
Stud: Deshaun Watson (380 total yards, 3 total TDs, 31.36 fantasy points)
Watson picked the Patriots apart on Sunday, throwing for 344 yards and two scores while tying a season best 75.7 completion percentage. He also added a third score on the ground as he steamrolled over Devin McCourty from four-yards out. Watson failed to score in the second half, but continued to move the football against New England’s secondary. Watson now has a short week to get ready to face the Lions on Thanksgiving.
Dud: Tua Tagovailoa (83 yards, 1 TD, 7.32 fantasy points)
After a pair of back-to-back strong fantasy games, Tua and the Dolphins offense could not get anything going against the Broncos defense. Tua’s lone touchdown came on a short field following a Dolphins interception, where he found DeVante Parker for a three-yard score. After doing nothing the rest of the day, the rookie was eventually benched for Ryan Fitzpatrick. Head coach Brian Flores stated Tua will remain the starter going forward, but Miami’s offense has not been great since the QB change.
Injuries: Joe Burrow, Philip Rivers, Kyler Murray
It was an unfortunate afternoon for April’s first-overall pick. Burrow suffered a season-ending torn left ACL after getting rolled up while taking a sack. His MRI also revealed a torn MCL along with additional ligament damage. Burrow was placed on IR Monday, but is expected to be back for the start of the 2021 season.
Both Murray and Rivers were in clear discomfort but both managed to finish their respective games. Murray was shown constantly getting attention from the medical staff on his right throwing shoulder Thursday night. In what was his worst fantasy performance of the season, Murray suffered an AC joint injury — the Cardinals expect him to be fine. As for Rivers, he managed to stay in for most of Indianapolis’ victory. Head coach Frank Reich said Monday that Rivers is dealing with a sore toe and they will see “how he responds this week.”
Waiver Wire: Derek Carr (281 total yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT, 21.6 fantasy points)
Rostered: 37.9 percent
Derek Carr has been playing very good football of late and finally turned his strong performances into valuable fantasy production Sunday night. Carr scored over 20 fantasy points (21.6) for just the third time this season with a trio of touchdown passes, as he completed nearly 75 percent of his passes. Carr’s fantasy production has depended on the Raiders game script, as he’s scored over 19.0 fantasy points in five of the six games he’s thrown over 30 passes. Looking ahead, Carr should keep the ball in the air next week against the Atlanta Falcons, and then has a date with the winless New York Jets. He’s a quality option off the waiver wire if you’re in need of a QB.
Running Backs
Stud: Dalvin Cook (160 total yards, 1 TD, 25.0 fantasy points)
Cook's insane stretch of production continued this week, as he’s now touched the ball at least 32 times in three-of-four games since returning from injury. He’s piled up a whopping 750 scrimmage yards and four touchdowns in those four games. Cook now has 13 total rushing scores in his team’s first 10 games, the first player to do so since LaDainian Tomlinson in 2006 (19). With his insane volume and production, Cook will be a sure-fire No. 1 RB for the rest of the season.
Dud: Ronald Jones II (24 yards, 2.4 fantasy points)
In another prime time game, the Buccaneers offense could not get anything going against the Rams tough front seven. Jones turned in a season low in yards per carry, as well as fantasy points in this matchup as his up-and-down season continues. His fantasy day took the biggest hit when Leonard Fournette vultured a two-yard rushing touchdown in the second quarter. He’ll look to bounce back next week against the Chiefs.
Injuries: Rex Burkhead, La’Mical Perine, Ravens Running Backs
Bill Belichick shared that Burkhead stayed in Houston for medical tests, but did not update his running backs status on Monday. One day later, however, Burkhead confirmed that his season is indeed over — supposedly because of a torn ACL. Perine suffered an ankle injury in the third quarter of Sunday’s game at Denver. It was reported the rookie suffered a high-ankle sprain, making him a candidate for IR.
With a short week on deck, the Ravens will be with rookie J.K. Dobbins and Mark Ingram against the undefeated Pittsburgh Steelers. Both backs were placed on the Reserve/Covid-19 list after testing positive on Monday.
Waiver Wire: Wayne Gallman Jr. (Bye)
Rostered: 34.4 percent
Gallman cracked our waiver wire list last week and now is coming off the Giants Week 10 bye. With Devonta Freeman (ankle) still on IR, Gallman will be New York’s lead back against the Bengals this weekend. He has scored five touchdowns in the Giants last four games, scoring 13-plus fantasy points in every game of that stretch.
Gus Edwards (6 yards, 0.6 fantasy points)
Rostered: 7.3 percent
As we mentioned, both Dobbins and Ingram are out on Thursday which leaves just Gus Edwards and Justice Hill as the Ravens’ only running backs. Edwards has impressed earlier in the year when filling in for the injured Mark Ingram, scoring three touchdowns, so we expect him to handle the majority of the carries for Baltimore.
Wide Receivers
Stud: Keenan Allen (16 catches, 145 yards, 1 TD, 1 FUML, 34.5 fantasy points)
Keenan Allen continued his dominant season with a season-high 16 receptions and 145 yards. Since Justin Herbert took over Week 2, Allen has scored double digit fantasy points in every game, while eclipsing the 20- point mark five times (including in four of his last five games). Allen is now the third highest scoring wide receiver on the year, and will look to continue his success against the Bills next week.
Dud: Jarvis Landry (2 catches, 26 total yards, 4.6 fantasy points)
Landry has fallen hostage to the Browns run game, seeing just two targets on Sunday as Cleveland threw the ball just 22 times. In another poor weather game, Landry has caught just five of seven targets the last two weeks, while surpassing just 50 receiving yards once in his last five games. Landry will try to get out of his funk next week against the Jaguars.
Injuries: Randall Cobb, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Julio Jones, Adam Thielen
Cobb suffered a foot injury during Sunday’s game and did not return. An MRI revealed he injured his toe and is expected to sit out Thursday’s game against the Lions. Cobb could also be a candidate for IR. JuJu also suffered a toe injury on Sunday after tripping over a penalty flag (yes, you read that correctly). The Steelers did not practice Monday, but he was listed as a non-participant on their estimated report. With a short week, JuJu could be in danger of missing Pittsburgh’s game Thanksgiving night.
Julio sat out a majority of Sunday's game with a hamstring injury, playing just 35 percent of Atlanta’s offensive snaps. Interim coach Raheem Morris said Monday his star receiver could be a “game-time decision” for Week 12. Adam Thielen was placed on the Reserve/Covid-19 list Monday. The Vikings did not indicate if he tested positive or was in close contact with someone who has.
Waiver Wire: Tim Patrick (5 catches, 119 yards, 16.9 fantasy points)
Rostered: 13.9 percent
Sure he was the beneficiary of a last-second 61-yard reception to run out the clock, but Patrick has now scored double-digit fantasy points in six of his last seven games. Patrick has seen a steady dose of targets from Drew Lock and has eclipsed 100 receiving yards on three different occasions. In what should be high scoring games against New Orleans and Kansas City the next two weeks, Patrick should remain a double-digit fantasy point scorer.
Michael Pittman Jr. (3 catches, 66 yards, 1 TD, 15.6 fantasy points)
Rostered: 25.7 percent
After a poor first game returning from injury, Pittman has now rattled off three strong performances. After seeing 15 total targets the last two games, Pittman only saw three on Sunday, but the rookie showcased his speed on a 45-yard catch and run touchdown. He looks to have a strong connection with Phillip Rivers and will look to continue his success next week against Tennessee.
There goes Michael Pittman, Jr! 45 yards for his first career touchdown.
— NFL (@NFL) November 22, 2020
: #GBvsIND on FOX
: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/tUoK0wsA9N pic.twitter.com/bweqh0Nwg7
Tight Ends
Stud: Travis Kelce (8 catches, 134 total yards, 1 TD, 26.86 fantasy points)
We might as well just pencil Kelce in this spot every week. The clear-cut No. 1 fantasy tight end had his highest fantasy output of the season Sunday night, as he caught a game winning touchdown with less than a minute to play. Kelce has now averaged 9.3 receptions and 139.7 yards, with two total touchdowns, over his last three games. He’s in a class on his own at the position.
MAHOMES TO KELCE FOR THE WIN @PatrickMahomes @tkelce @Chiefs
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) November 23, 2020
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/nK0pa0Q7cF
Dud: Hayden Hurst (0 fantasy points)
Hurst strung together four consistent games before Atlanta’s Week 10 bye and looked to build off that against New Orleans this week. Instead, Hurst failed to secure either of his two targets, marking the first time all season he has gone matchless in a game. He’ll look to bounce back next week against Las Vegas, who Travis Kelce feasted against this week.
Injuries: T.J. Hockenson, Greg Olsen
Hockenson entered this week with a toe injury, and it appears he concluded Sunday’s game with a shoulder injury. He was a limited participant in Detroit’s Monday practice estimation, but should be in line to go Thanksgiving day.
Olsen suffered a fascia tear in his left foot during Thursday’s win. The veteran tight end landed on injured reserve and is expected to be sidelined for 6-to-8 weeks.
Waiver Wire: Dalton Schultz (4 catches, 25 yards, 1 TD, 12.5 fantasy points)
Rostered: 24.8 percent
Schultz has seen a steady dose of targets no matter who’s under center for the Dallas Cowboys. In his last three games, the tight end has seen 21 total targets while scoring 11-plus fantasy points in two games (8.8 in the third). He was able to find the end zone for the first time since Week 4 this week with Andy Dalton back under center and should continue to be a solid streamer option at a weak position.
Patriots Player of the Week
Damiere Byrd (6 catches, 143 total yards, 1 TD, 26.3 fantasy points)
It looks like we were a week off on our Damiere Byrd prediction. Our prediction, Damien Harris, still had a solid day, but Byrd led all New England offensive players with 26.3 fantasy points. Byrd easily set a career-high with 132 receiving yards, marking the first time he eclipsed the 100-yard mark in his career. He could of had an even bigger day, but the ball was not able to find him. Byrd’s highlight on the afternoon was an impressive over the shoulder catch on his 42-yard touchdown - his first of the season. He’ll look to keep the ball rolling in what could be a high scoring game against the Arizona Cardinals next weekend.
That is all for this week’s recap. Leave a comment below or reach out on Twitter @iambrianhines with any and all questions about your fantasy team!