Fantasy Football 2018: Start or sit for Week 11

Start

Amari Cooper at Atlanta- It’s amazing what a change of scenery can do for a receiver. Amari Cooper has been a roller coaster that not many wanted to ride in terms of production for the past couple seasons, yet a revival of his career is taking place in Dallas as we speak, and if you still held on to Cooper through his ups and downs, you are now on course to reap your rewards.

In his first two games as a Cowboy, Cooper has managed to put up respective 16- and 13-point performances. His big break, however, may come against a deteriorated and just plain bad Falcons secondary in Week 11 that has “breakout” written all over Cooper this week. He finds himself in a perfect situation as Dallas’ far and away No. 1 receiver. Although Dak Prescott can limit Cooper’s scoring at times, the potential Cooper has this week against Atlanta’s generous secondary is too big to ignore.

Marquez Valdes-Scantling at Seattle- Valdes-Scantling has gotten his opportunity to shine thanks to injuries in the Packers receiving corps, and has done fairly well. Since Week 5, MVS has posted double-digit production in every game, including 4-of-5 games where he either scored or went over 100 yards receiving. Marquez does most of his damage on big splash plays rather than volume, and with both Randall Cobb/Geronimo Allison out of the picture last week, the hope was for MVS to do more than a six-catch, 44-yard performance.

However, Valdes-Scantling will get another chance to put big time numbers up, as Cobb has been ruled out for Thursday night’s game at Seattle. The Seahawks claim one of the better pass defenses in the league, yet MVS has surely claimed the number two spot behind Davante Adams. On a short week, Thursday night games have proven to benefit offensive players due to lack of game prep, and with Aaron Rodgers slinging the ball, Valdes-Scantling should find opportunities to be successful under the lights.

Sit

Calvin Ridley vs Dallas- Calvin Ridley’s introduction to the league was great to watch, as the Alabama product went on an absolute tear Weeks 2-4, Scoring six touchdowns in the three-week period. Since then, Ridley has cooled off considerably, scoring just once since Week 5 while averaging 9.6 fantasy points per game since. Atlanta has hit their stride offensively in recent memory, winning their three of their last four games thanks to the production of Julio Jones (not surprising) and Austin Hooper (maybe a little surprising).

Dallas’ defense might be one of the most underrated in the league, as the Cowboys have held opposing offenses to 232 passing yards per game while limiting opposing running backs on the ground as well. Matt Ryan is likely to feed Julio when needing yards or a big play. Ridley still possesses the talent to contribute, yet next week’s trip to New Orleans appears to be a much better chance for Ridley to rebound rather than Dallas’ stout defense.

Devin Funchess at Detroit- Devin Funchess has gone cold as of late, averaging a three-catch, 34-yard, no-touchdown stat-line since Week 8. Simply put, Greg Olsen re-appearing in front of Cam Newton has truly put a damper on Funchess’ numbers, not to mention Christian McCaffery’s usage in the passing attack as well.

The Lions will welcome back corner Darius Slay on Sunday, who will likely shadow Funchess throughout the game. Cam Newton and the Panthers may be tempted to move through the ground, as the Lions hold opponents to 229 yards passing on average. Funchess hasn’t had much going for him, and Sunday is unlikely to change his fortunes with one of the best corners in the league locked up on him with no lovable volume being thrown his way.